Prolapsed disc
Discussion
badboyburt said:
Hi im currently at home signed off from work with the same back problems as most of the above L4/L5 I have had accupuncture from the nhs, and Coil heating around the disc and I have shyed away from the operation as I am only 37, can I ask without being rude what age some of you guys are?
One consutltant is saying I am too young and the other is saying go for it. Confused really
10 years older.One consutltant is saying I am too young and the other is saying go for it. Confused really
My surgeon said when he got in there most of the damage was actually an old injury, so I should've done it when I was your age.....
I'm 34 (and not a guy).
I'm now 3 months post-surgery and in no way recovered, in fact the last couple of days my right leg has developed pins/needles and hot/cold sensations (it was the left leg before the op). I suspect I overdid it at the weekend
However I'm fairly sure this is due to the other problems in my back and most people seem to recover much quicker and better, and I'm hoping the disc hasn't gone again.
Agghhhh!
I'm now 3 months post-surgery and in no way recovered, in fact the last couple of days my right leg has developed pins/needles and hot/cold sensations (it was the left leg before the op). I suspect I overdid it at the weekend
However I'm fairly sure this is due to the other problems in my back and most people seem to recover much quicker and better, and I'm hoping the disc hasn't gone again.
Agghhhh!
Tony - physio seems ok with it - theory is I overdid it at the weekend and now just have some inflammation to deal with which is triggering a nerve somewhere. Entirely possible as I did do too much at the w/e!
She says it's extremely unlikely I've done anything to the disc and she's happy with my movement and muscle lengths, just need to build the strength.
Did my first Pilates class on Tuesday since April (pre-surgery) and I'm as weak as a kitten
She says it's extremely unlikely I've done anything to the disc and she's happy with my movement and muscle lengths, just need to build the strength.
Did my first Pilates class on Tuesday since April (pre-surgery) and I'm as weak as a kitten
tonyvid said:
Keep it up and expect it to take months to get back to normal - that way it won't disappoint when you can't be your old self straight away 
I had forgotten about the hot/cold/numb sensations I used to get on my legs and that constant feeling something was in my sock!!!
I had forgotten about the hot/cold/numb sensations I used to get on my legs and that constant feeling something was in my sock!!!
Did you get them after the op? (never really had the hot/cold before the op, and the numb sensation was the other leg!)3 months so far, am getting back in the racing car in Sept if it kills me!!!!
dreamer75 said:
tonyvid said:
Keep it up and expect it to take months to get back to normal - that way it won't disappoint when you can't be your old self straight away
I had forgotten about the hot/cold/numb sensations I used to get on my legs and that constant feeling something was in my sock!!!
I had forgotten about the hot/cold/numb sensations I used to get on my legs and that constant feeling something was in my sock!!!
Did you get them after the op? (never really had the hot/cold before the op, and the numb sensation was the other leg!)3 months so far, am getting back in the racing car in Sept if it kills me!!!!
My disc problem started to show itself by having numb/cold patched on my leg and foot and I used to turn my right foot over a lot when walking the dogs - I thought i was just being clumsy! I started to get what felt like a really badly pulled muscle after driving and walking was very slow - all this was going on when my mum was seriously ill with liver failure so my mind was elsewhere at the time. Over a few months, things got worse and I had constant issues with my leg. It took quite a while for the docs to work out what was going on as they were even mentioning MS at one point! It's all rather obvious now. I suddenly got some really severe lower back pain over a couple of days and then couldn't stand at which point the MRI was whisked into action and the rest is history.
I was initially told that it could sort itself out without the op, even thought the disc had a huge bulge, within 6 months...ha! If I had known that it would be 5years+ of a very restricted lifestyle and being a grumpy b
d I might have made a different decision. Pilates made the biggest improvement over everything. 
6 days post op and here is the news so far.
I came round and was in little or no pain. However after the op finished (6pm) until around 4am I didn't pass any water. So, in goes a tube and out comes 2.5 litres of hot nectar. The next morning I'm woken up and out comes the tube. All day long, nothing so the tube goes in again for the night and another 3 litres pops out. Tube comes out and all is well.
After 6 days still no major pains from the back. A certain discomfort when I move and a very noticable reminder whenever I try to bend or twist. No pain in my legs so far. Having the staples out on Friday.
I've already taken myself off pain relief but am continuing the anti inflamatories. Have managed a few walks each day, today I probably did three miles and felt OK if not a little tired after that.
I came round and was in little or no pain. However after the op finished (6pm) until around 4am I didn't pass any water. So, in goes a tube and out comes 2.5 litres of hot nectar. The next morning I'm woken up and out comes the tube. All day long, nothing so the tube goes in again for the night and another 3 litres pops out. Tube comes out and all is well.
After 6 days still no major pains from the back. A certain discomfort when I move and a very noticable reminder whenever I try to bend or twist. No pain in my legs so far. Having the staples out on Friday.
I've already taken myself off pain relief but am continuing the anti inflamatories. Have managed a few walks each day, today I probably did three miles and felt OK if not a little tired after that.
I think I have been very lucky. I wasn't in such pain before the op. The bulge had trapped nerve 5 and was apparently pretty nasty but I wasn't getting much discomfort from it.
When the physio came into the room post op it never occured to me why I had to take it so gently. I assumed it was either to protect the scar, or the muscle. It really didnt cross my mind that the disc would be delicaate for a time to come.
Good luck with the scans, hope you get good news.
When the physio came into the room post op it never occured to me why I had to take it so gently. I assumed it was either to protect the scar, or the muscle. It really didnt cross my mind that the disc would be delicaate for a time to come.
Good luck with the scans, hope you get good news.
Well seeing your post, yes now 5 weeks on and just back from the Physio again.
All seems to be doing well, there's been a couple of instances of 'ghost' feelings down the leg but nothing for the last two weeks. I'm bending and stretching much more easily but reaching with weight is still an issue. The scar is healing well too - I didn't have staples they were stitches.
All seems to be doing well, there's been a couple of instances of 'ghost' feelings down the leg but nothing for the last two weeks. I'm bending and stretching much more easily but reaching with weight is still an issue. The scar is healing well too - I didn't have staples they were stitches.
Er, I fell in the sea on sunday - does that count?
Seriously though - I did feel well/strong enough to have a ride in one of those infaltable rings behind a friends boat. The only issue is that I'm a fat b*stard and the boat is just a tender with a 20hp motor so couln't pull me fast enough.... I then fell out when trying to get back onto the biggun.
I am going on holiday shortly and will be swimming then. I found after a couple of weeks I was strong enough to take excercise and would've swum then if the opportunity had come up.
Seriously though - I did feel well/strong enough to have a ride in one of those infaltable rings behind a friends boat. The only issue is that I'm a fat b*stard and the boat is just a tender with a 20hp motor so couln't pull me fast enough.... I then fell out when trying to get back onto the biggun.
I am going on holiday shortly and will be swimming then. I found after a couple of weeks I was strong enough to take excercise and would've swum then if the opportunity had come up.
Here's my two pennorth for what it's worth. Useful, I hope!
I note someone on here says that they had little back discomfort and pain before an op. Did you know you can have a PD with no pain? Discs don't have a blood supply so they can't directly give pain - it's when they rupture (they don't slip, that's an old wives tale) and press on nerves. Usually the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body (God did a bit of bad design work there!). It goes from the back through the pelvis down the leg to the foot hence why you can get pain anywhere in that region.
I had double slipped (misnomer as already said) discs in low back 5 years ago. Had no idea at the time what it was (if only someone had told me!). Scared the sh*t out of me. Worst pain I have had in my life. Years of bad posture, and being 6ft 1 didn't help. Happened as I got in my car of all places, that stupid awful twisting you place on your low back as the one leg goes into the car. Now it's always, for me, bum on seat, swing both legs in.
Many surgeons prefer not to operate now. Ideas are changing. I didn't have an op which proves long term it will get better (in fact, strangely I was given the figure of 5 years for it to ease significantly!).
The surgeon thought I had progressed enough (I had been on a ruddy waiting list) when I went for the pre-op, that he would hold the door open if I needed it.
I recall taking an age just to 'try' and walk to the shops about 50 yards! For 3 weeks after it 'went' I would not have cared if I had been shot! Full doses of painkillers. Tramadol sent me on a trip which was worse than the pain... well, it made me forget the pain (cos' I didn't know where I was, so quickly ended that course of treatment!).
I realised how elderly (although I'm now turned 60) people felt when rude people barged or walked into them in the street. I watched tv and seeing footballers, hill climbers walking over barren rocky land and thought, jeez I'll never be able to do that again. I felt so envious and jealous... and in so much pain that my missus had to put my socks on every day. Drive the car? Not a chance. Passenger? Bloody nightmare, just the thought of one little pothole!
I met loads of people with the condition, young to old. No wonder they say back trouble is the biggest 'of work' syndrome. Some had ops and were still in pain, others back to normal. But I met plenty who would give that classic illustration 'on your knees, trying to stand up... been there, learn to live with it, mate, you can.'
Oh my god I thought.
Had loads of physio and was eventually getting there trying to strengthen up the tummy muscles. Then I was told about the book 'The Back Sufferers Bible' by the Aussie lady physio Sarah Key, who treated Prince Charles.
What a life changer!
Exercise with rest is the answer. It tells you everything you could ever need to know about the wonderful bit of engineering that is your spine! I got the dreadful sciatica out of my leg and was rid of panic spasms just from simple exercises and rest combined. The book made me realise that the spine is 'meant' to move, and to prove how far I've come I can do virtually what I did before, and more.
BUT lifting really heavy stuff, no way!
Sometimes I get a wake up call - you forget, and overdo it, and it aches, and my leg reminds me with pain or numbing, same with the foot. In fact, if I go down with a bug, it plays up. It is now, funnily, and is inflamed. Like a pair of mole grips grabbing me, but I 'know' it will go away. Makes me do my excercises and as soon as I have keyed this I'll be doing them. I also have a 'kneeling' chair - superb for keeping spine alignment. Half the problem is we spend too much time sat on our butts which puts pressure in the wrong place. If we squatted more, we would get less trouble.
I wore holes in the butt of many jeans where I used to continually rub the low back pain! It's where the Yankee term 'pain in the butt' originates from. Now, when I get up in the morning I touch my toes gently, then can go into more of a rhythm. Prior to my back going, I don't think I ever touched my toes in my life!
Roll ups, just simply lying on your back and rocking on your spine holding your legs is great relief. Another simple, but not to be done in public (although I did), is bottom bouncing! This opens up the lower vertebrae and the feeling of the pain release can be marvellous!
When I had got back to being able to get in the car and drive, inevitably sometimes that nagging low back pain would come on, so I'd just park up, get out and crouch down, hold the sill, drop both knees open with my head forward between them, and bounce my bum gently on the floor. Yeah, I know, but I didn't give a damn as it freed up that locked pain.
I note someone on here says that they had little back discomfort and pain before an op. Did you know you can have a PD with no pain? Discs don't have a blood supply so they can't directly give pain - it's when they rupture (they don't slip, that's an old wives tale) and press on nerves. Usually the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body (God did a bit of bad design work there!). It goes from the back through the pelvis down the leg to the foot hence why you can get pain anywhere in that region.
I had double slipped (misnomer as already said) discs in low back 5 years ago. Had no idea at the time what it was (if only someone had told me!). Scared the sh*t out of me. Worst pain I have had in my life. Years of bad posture, and being 6ft 1 didn't help. Happened as I got in my car of all places, that stupid awful twisting you place on your low back as the one leg goes into the car. Now it's always, for me, bum on seat, swing both legs in.
Many surgeons prefer not to operate now. Ideas are changing. I didn't have an op which proves long term it will get better (in fact, strangely I was given the figure of 5 years for it to ease significantly!).
The surgeon thought I had progressed enough (I had been on a ruddy waiting list) when I went for the pre-op, that he would hold the door open if I needed it.
I recall taking an age just to 'try' and walk to the shops about 50 yards! For 3 weeks after it 'went' I would not have cared if I had been shot! Full doses of painkillers. Tramadol sent me on a trip which was worse than the pain... well, it made me forget the pain (cos' I didn't know where I was, so quickly ended that course of treatment!).
I realised how elderly (although I'm now turned 60) people felt when rude people barged or walked into them in the street. I watched tv and seeing footballers, hill climbers walking over barren rocky land and thought, jeez I'll never be able to do that again. I felt so envious and jealous... and in so much pain that my missus had to put my socks on every day. Drive the car? Not a chance. Passenger? Bloody nightmare, just the thought of one little pothole!
I met loads of people with the condition, young to old. No wonder they say back trouble is the biggest 'of work' syndrome. Some had ops and were still in pain, others back to normal. But I met plenty who would give that classic illustration 'on your knees, trying to stand up... been there, learn to live with it, mate, you can.'
Oh my god I thought.
Had loads of physio and was eventually getting there trying to strengthen up the tummy muscles. Then I was told about the book 'The Back Sufferers Bible' by the Aussie lady physio Sarah Key, who treated Prince Charles.
What a life changer!
Exercise with rest is the answer. It tells you everything you could ever need to know about the wonderful bit of engineering that is your spine! I got the dreadful sciatica out of my leg and was rid of panic spasms just from simple exercises and rest combined. The book made me realise that the spine is 'meant' to move, and to prove how far I've come I can do virtually what I did before, and more.
BUT lifting really heavy stuff, no way!
Sometimes I get a wake up call - you forget, and overdo it, and it aches, and my leg reminds me with pain or numbing, same with the foot. In fact, if I go down with a bug, it plays up. It is now, funnily, and is inflamed. Like a pair of mole grips grabbing me, but I 'know' it will go away. Makes me do my excercises and as soon as I have keyed this I'll be doing them. I also have a 'kneeling' chair - superb for keeping spine alignment. Half the problem is we spend too much time sat on our butts which puts pressure in the wrong place. If we squatted more, we would get less trouble.
I wore holes in the butt of many jeans where I used to continually rub the low back pain! It's where the Yankee term 'pain in the butt' originates from. Now, when I get up in the morning I touch my toes gently, then can go into more of a rhythm. Prior to my back going, I don't think I ever touched my toes in my life!
Roll ups, just simply lying on your back and rocking on your spine holding your legs is great relief. Another simple, but not to be done in public (although I did), is bottom bouncing! This opens up the lower vertebrae and the feeling of the pain release can be marvellous!
When I had got back to being able to get in the car and drive, inevitably sometimes that nagging low back pain would come on, so I'd just park up, get out and crouch down, hold the sill, drop both knees open with my head forward between them, and bounce my bum gently on the floor. Yeah, I know, but I didn't give a damn as it freed up that locked pain.
Edited by dandarez on Tuesday 10th August 23:34
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