Discussion
Looking for some advice.
Long history so I'll just mention the last bit. I've been having pain on my left leg, starts at the hip and finishes below the knee sometimes, I will give it 9 out of 10 value, it happens every time that I stand up.
I'm already seeing a physiotherapist, this Friday I have taken two MRIs (pelvis and lower back, the report will take 10 days, I already have a CD with the images) and I have been prescribed since wednesday Solpadol, I am taking 2 every 6 hours, this is not doing anything.
I'm not missing work yet, I am a contractor so I'll be losing money. My OH thinks that this classifies as an emergency as every time that I stand up the pain is excruciating and takes me around a minute for the pain to go away. What would you do?
Long history so I'll just mention the last bit. I've been having pain on my left leg, starts at the hip and finishes below the knee sometimes, I will give it 9 out of 10 value, it happens every time that I stand up.
I'm already seeing a physiotherapist, this Friday I have taken two MRIs (pelvis and lower back, the report will take 10 days, I already have a CD with the images) and I have been prescribed since wednesday Solpadol, I am taking 2 every 6 hours, this is not doing anything.
I'm not missing work yet, I am a contractor so I'll be losing money. My OH thinks that this classifies as an emergency as every time that I stand up the pain is excruciating and takes me around a minute for the pain to go away. What would you do?
I think that you'll have to await the diagnosis. It doesn't sound like sciatica (which doesn't go away) but the scan locations suggest lumbar spine or hip joint problems. Sadly, such pain levels don't seem to count as an emergency. There are, however, some seriously powerful painkilling regimes that can help.
Good luck with it, I hope it isn't as intractable as my problem (slipped disc, 3 surgeries and another to come.)
Good luck with it, I hope it isn't as intractable as my problem (slipped disc, 3 surgeries and another to come.)
davhill said:
I think that you'll have to await the diagnosis. It doesn't sound like sciatica (which doesn't go away)
It depends what's irritating the nerve, but I agree it doesn't sound like a disc.ETA: athere's not enough history in the OP give decent advice, particularly as the professionals who've examined you are struggling to give a diagnosis. Unfortunately it's a case of seeing if the scan shows anything and doing what the physio tells you, sometimes you need to try a few things before you can pin down what works.
Edited by Bill on Monday 22 November 07:40
Thanks guys,
davhill, I hope your problem is fixed with the next surgery.
My phisiotherapist did recommend me some exercises but then said to do them if I don't feel pain but I do, so I have not done them. I should mention, that before the problem increased I was given other exercises to do, I did all of them with no good results, they probably were the wrong ones for the problem.
Below is the whole story:
It started this February after carrying an exercise bycicle for around 100meters. I reckon it weighted around 5-6 stones. Next day I started to feel pain on my left leg, from my hip to my knee, the pain was on the left side of the left leg.
I took several Ibuprofens and it started to dissapear after 10 days. Saw a GP, it sent me to the hospital, which did an x-ray on my left knee as I already had an old problem in it and did not found anything.
I found out that if I walked for more than half an hour the pain reappeared.
Fast forward to August.
Feeling good again I did a fast walk of about an hour, next day the same pain reappeared but more intense. Took Ibuprofen and it improved. I then started to go to phisiotherapy 5-6 sessions, 1 per week, the exercises only helped a little bit, for instance I was feeling pain when trying to touch my toes from a standing position, this was greatly improved.
Then one Sunday I had to dry a spillage on the bathroom and I did it while on child pose position (I found this name on google), it took half an hour.
Next day the big pain started up until now. I have seen my GP and phisiotherapist, the latter told me to get MRIs, the first gave me some painkillers and told me to wait for the MRIs and to come back in order to send to a specialist.
I've also found that when I stand up or roll on bed is when the pain intensifies, I also found that if I stand up slowly with my back curved the pain is not so great but as soon as I put my back straight it increases.
I will go again to the GP to see if they can prescribe a stronger painkiller.
davhill, I hope your problem is fixed with the next surgery.
My phisiotherapist did recommend me some exercises but then said to do them if I don't feel pain but I do, so I have not done them. I should mention, that before the problem increased I was given other exercises to do, I did all of them with no good results, they probably were the wrong ones for the problem.
Below is the whole story:
It started this February after carrying an exercise bycicle for around 100meters. I reckon it weighted around 5-6 stones. Next day I started to feel pain on my left leg, from my hip to my knee, the pain was on the left side of the left leg.
I took several Ibuprofens and it started to dissapear after 10 days. Saw a GP, it sent me to the hospital, which did an x-ray on my left knee as I already had an old problem in it and did not found anything.
I found out that if I walked for more than half an hour the pain reappeared.
Fast forward to August.
Feeling good again I did a fast walk of about an hour, next day the same pain reappeared but more intense. Took Ibuprofen and it improved. I then started to go to phisiotherapy 5-6 sessions, 1 per week, the exercises only helped a little bit, for instance I was feeling pain when trying to touch my toes from a standing position, this was greatly improved.
Then one Sunday I had to dry a spillage on the bathroom and I did it while on child pose position (I found this name on google), it took half an hour.
Next day the big pain started up until now. I have seen my GP and phisiotherapist, the latter told me to get MRIs, the first gave me some painkillers and told me to wait for the MRIs and to come back in order to send to a specialist.
I've also found that when I stand up or roll on bed is when the pain intensifies, I also found that if I stand up slowly with my back curved the pain is not so great but as soon as I put my back straight it increases.
I will go again to the GP to see if they can prescribe a stronger painkiller.
Teixe said:
Thanks guys,
davhill, I hope your problem is fixed with the next surgery.
Thanks...it'll all be on here!davhill, I hope your problem is fixed with the next surgery.
Your problem sounds a bit like sciatic nerve irritation but it won't necessarily be a disc that's let go. You may want to try Googling 'sciatica' and 'L1/S5' (the lumbar disc most likely to cause problems.)
Meanwhile, there are far more powerful analgesics than Ibu. I won't say which I've had but your GP will help.
Keep us informed.
Update, the MRI shows "At L4/L5 there is a left foraminal disc protrusion causing mild narrowing of the exit foramen. It is displacing the left L5 nerve root in the lateral recess".
I have been prescribed Diclofenac, only one so far so can't really comment, I'll see the GP on friday and pretty sure he will remit me to a specialist after reading the report. I've asked my phisotherapist and he said that he prefers to hear from a specialist first
I have been prescribed Diclofenac, only one so far so can't really comment, I'll see the GP on friday and pretty sure he will remit me to a specialist after reading the report. I've asked my phisotherapist and he said that he prefers to hear from a specialist first
I hate interweb diagnosis 
Bill said:
What exercises has the physio had you doing? TBH though if it hasn't worked over 6 weeks the chances are the specialist will be thinking of surgery.
Single knee hub and this one.
Also after the pain increased I saw my phisiotherapist again and I was told to try to strech my back by doing the cat-cow pose but only if I did not feel any pain, which I did and still do. I hope it does not need surgery, I've already had a couple (not in the back) and is not a good process to go through...
Just an update,
Have not gone back to the Physio as I was having too much pain to be doing any exercises.
Been given Diclofenac wich has improve me a lot, painkillers were not doing anything so I am not taking them anymore.
Three days ago I bought a back support strap and it's helping a little bit.
Meanwhile I now have an appointment, 30 days from now
One GP told me to not do anything that could cause me pain. The other told me to try to do exercises to strengthen my back before seeing the specialist and to stay mobile, when asked if the disc could go back to normal, he replied with a sincere NO.
It could be worst.
Someone has suggested Shiatsu, but I think I'll wait to see the specialist.
Have not gone back to the Physio as I was having too much pain to be doing any exercises.
Been given Diclofenac wich has improve me a lot, painkillers were not doing anything so I am not taking them anymore.
Three days ago I bought a back support strap and it's helping a little bit.
Meanwhile I now have an appointment, 30 days from now
One GP told me to not do anything that could cause me pain. The other told me to try to do exercises to strengthen my back before seeing the specialist and to stay mobile, when asked if the disc could go back to normal, he replied with a sincere NO.
It could be worst.
Someone has suggested Shiatsu, but I think I'll wait to see the specialist.
Teixe said:
Bill said:
What exercises has the physio had you doing? TBH though if it hasn't worked over 6 weeks the chances are the specialist will be thinking of surgery.
Single knee hub and this one.Also after the pain increased I saw my phisiotherapist again and I was told to try to strech my back by doing the cat-cow pose but only if I did not feel any pain, which I did and still do. I hope it does not need surgery, I've already had a couple (not in the back) and is not a good process to go through...
I have a chronic back problem that happened after a work injury and unfortunatley I have some dodgy discs. I found that hydrotherapy helped massively and that, along with keeping the wieght down and exercising reqularly have helped massively. During flair ups Diclofenac is really useful, but one of the most simple and effective treatments is a hot water bottle.
I have no idea what your diagnosis is, but if pain is a problem, its worth seeing if your local hospital has a chronic pain clinic, and if so asking your GP to refer you - they have been a god send and really helped with practical, every day advice. They may be worth a shot. HTH
I have no idea what your diagnosis is, but if pain is a problem, its worth seeing if your local hospital has a chronic pain clinic, and if so asking your GP to refer you - they have been a god send and really helped with practical, every day advice. They may be worth a shot. HTH
Teixe said:
Update:
Got a Nerve root block appointment for next monday. Been reading about it and I don't have too much hope, also taking pregabalin at the moment.
After waiting a fair few moments this Thursday I'll have a microdiscectomy, a little bit worried since I have developed pain on the lower right side of my stomach. Don't know what it might be as it comes and go, have though is my apendice but from what I've read if it was broken I would be in a lot of pain. So not sure. Got a Nerve root block appointment for next monday. Been reading about it and I don't have too much hope, also taking pregabalin at the moment.
Also have called the hospital to check if the op might be postponed as I have a cold and very sore throat but being told to arrive and they'll assess.
So under the knife in two days, having read other posts regarding the post-op it looks like recuperation differs a lot in each individual.
Finally got the op done last Thursday.
Though I was told that I should feel relieved from the sciatica pain so far it has not happened, the pain level is the same prior to the op.
I am doing my exercises and trying to walk as much as painfully possible.
Does anyone know if this is usual? I went through the NHS so the next appointment will be in about 5 weeks.
Cheers.
Though I was told that I should feel relieved from the sciatica pain so far it has not happened, the pain level is the same prior to the op.
I am doing my exercises and trying to walk as much as painfully possible.
Does anyone know if this is usual? I went through the NHS so the next appointment will be in about 5 weeks.
Cheers.
MrGRT said:
Finally got the op done last Thursday.
Though I was told that I should feel relieved from the sciatica pain so far it has not happened, the pain level is the same prior to the op.
I am doing my exercises and trying to walk as much as painfully possible.
Does anyone know if this is usual? I went through the NHS so the next appointment will be in about 5 weeks.
Cheers.
Your sciatic nerve will be hacked off at having been fiddled with, and it can retain a ' memory' of transmitting a pain signal for quite some time. It will hopefully settle down...it's a very good idea to keep moving, even if it's a modest amount.Though I was told that I should feel relieved from the sciatica pain so far it has not happened, the pain level is the same prior to the op.
I am doing my exercises and trying to walk as much as painfully possible.
Does anyone know if this is usual? I went through the NHS so the next appointment will be in about 5 weeks.
Cheers.
Unlucky feckers like me find the op site develops scarring, which puts the sciatic nerve back under pressure. This is why I have an implanted neurostimulator. The pain will never go, so the stim changes it into tingling.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Just came back from A&E. my pain came back after walking and doing the rehab exercises 5 days ago. I may have understood incorrectly but my Dr on tuesday said that i should be able to twist my back so i introduced 5 twist to my routine.
As soon as i arrived to my house after the exercises the sciatica appeared way more intense than before to the point that i can't walk straight.
I fear i may have undo my surgery,i am tired of this, i am depressed and tired of the nhs.
I am sure my surgery was a bad job. How can a 15 minute walk followed by extension and twist exercises put me in this situation? ,my op was 2.5 months ago.
18 months with this problem.
I am going privately and broke.
ETA: If someone can recommend a Dr in the Reading/Berkshire area please let me know.
As soon as i arrived to my house after the exercises the sciatica appeared way more intense than before to the point that i can't walk straight.
I fear i may have undo my surgery,i am tired of this, i am depressed and tired of the nhs.
I am sure my surgery was a bad job. How can a 15 minute walk followed by extension and twist exercises put me in this situation? ,my op was 2.5 months ago.
18 months with this problem.
I am going privately and broke.
ETA: If someone can recommend a Dr in the Reading/Berkshire area please let me know.
Edited by MrGRT on Sunday 15th January 17:04
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff