Discussion
Has anyone else got this? How do you manage it?
I did my back in last week, just sat down and that was it, I guess I should have gone to the doc but at 25 I guess I’m still fairly naive in thinking I’m too young for this type of ailment.
Today however its pretty bad and the heat pad and painkillers aren't really doing much, what is the best thing to do? I cant spend the rest of my days lying on my living room floor!
I did my back in last week, just sat down and that was it, I guess I should have gone to the doc but at 25 I guess I’m still fairly naive in thinking I’m too young for this type of ailment.
Today however its pretty bad and the heat pad and painkillers aren't really doing much, what is the best thing to do? I cant spend the rest of my days lying on my living room floor!
I've had this - Due to fixing exhaust systems on Golf’s (aged 32)
I can honestly say, some days it was the worst pain I have ever had. Climbing out of a car and straightening up, I was close to passing out.
It took nearly 18 months for the serious pain to go away, but now I am VERY careful as to what I lift, and how.
Keep away from physios and chiropractors, just (gentle at first) swimming will suffice.
If it continues for ages (say years), the surgical procedures explained to me for fixing it don’t bare thinking about.
I can honestly say, some days it was the worst pain I have ever had. Climbing out of a car and straightening up, I was close to passing out.
It took nearly 18 months for the serious pain to go away, but now I am VERY careful as to what I lift, and how.
Keep away from physios and chiropractors, just (gentle at first) swimming will suffice.
If it continues for ages (say years), the surgical procedures explained to me for fixing it don’t bare thinking about.
Echo many comments above, had it about 6 years before I had an op on the problem disc (which eventually prolapsed big time!)
Swimming good, worked with physico on exercises to strengthen "core" which worked well (those swiss balls etc). depending on what doctor says, look at the bed you have and see if the mattress is good enough.
Chiro mearly masked my problem for years.
Stop carrying things! use "roller" cases or if you do balance the weight over both shoulders. Things like shopping with a basket stop doing, use a small trolley.
Swimming good, worked with physico on exercises to strengthen "core" which worked well (those swiss balls etc). depending on what doctor says, look at the bed you have and see if the mattress is good enough.
Chiro mearly masked my problem for years.
Stop carrying things! use "roller" cases or if you do balance the weight over both shoulders. Things like shopping with a basket stop doing, use a small trolley.
I suffered a prolapsed disc last year and the GP made it worse. They will tell you to take pain killers and swim etc but if you have a herniated disc that is the LAST thing you should do.
However, that said, if you do have a prolasped/slipped/herniated disc, you won't be sat here talking about it, you will be on the floor in agony!
My best move was seeing a physio that was recommended to me and he sorted me out with the correct treatment (ultra sound then massage and manipulation) and of course great advice.
HTH
However, that said, if you do have a prolasped/slipped/herniated disc, you won't be sat here talking about it, you will be on the floor in agony!
My best move was seeing a physio that was recommended to me and he sorted me out with the correct treatment (ultra sound then massage and manipulation) and of course great advice.
HTH
I developed it years ago by carrying a very large and heavy ladder and twisted my back.
Lower left side, right down to my foot.
Still get twinges that can last a week or more at a time.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol seem to work now.
I also found that lying on the floor with my legs bent resting on the settee helped relieve pain and pressure.
Lower left side, right down to my foot.
Still get twinges that can last a week or more at a time.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol seem to work now.
I also found that lying on the floor with my legs bent resting on the settee helped relieve pain and pressure.
I cant really stop carrying things, its part of my daily life. Not only that the only night jobs i can hope to get usually involve some sort of lifting in warehouses etc 
(currently a full time student looking for work outside of learning hours)
I'm at a loose end with this really, i guess i've been a bit silly in thinking that it'd be fine, which clearly it isn't...
In fact the more i think about it, the more frustrating it is, I'm also worried it'll affect my career as a motorsport tech.
Guess it's a case of being carefull and doing everything i can to try not to irritate it.
what a pain in the ass....
(currently a full time student looking for work outside of learning hours)I'm at a loose end with this really, i guess i've been a bit silly in thinking that it'd be fine, which clearly it isn't...
In fact the more i think about it, the more frustrating it is, I'm also worried it'll affect my career as a motorsport tech.
Guess it's a case of being carefull and doing everything i can to try not to irritate it.
what a pain in the ass....
Fat Audi 80 said:
....However, that said, if you do have a prolasped/slipped/herniated disc, you won't be sat here talking about it, you will be on the floor in agony!
That's so true. I was lucky, doc told me I had a compressed disc and warned me to be carful about lifting things.
I found dichlofenac brilliant stuff.
Diclofenac worked for me in the short term, lifestyle changes longer term.
When I was at my worst it would take a good 30 seconds to straighten up after being sat down.
A girl from work (quite tasty one) gave me a lift on enight as my car had been in for a service. There was nowhere to stop so I said I'd jump out at the lights. Completely forgot about the leg and experienced the most intense pain since kidney stones! I practically fell onto the pavement accom[panied by some choice language.
Don't think she was impressed by my 30 year "old man" problems
When I was at my worst it would take a good 30 seconds to straighten up after being sat down.
A girl from work (quite tasty one) gave me a lift on enight as my car had been in for a service. There was nowhere to stop so I said I'd jump out at the lights. Completely forgot about the leg and experienced the most intense pain since kidney stones! I practically fell onto the pavement accom[panied by some choice language.
Don't think she was impressed by my 30 year "old man" problems
Well it turns out i've slipped a disc.... f'ing brilliant! Now i have no chance of getting a night job and therefore i am in the s
t, i'm so annoyed its not funny 
Thanks for everyones contributions, given me a few options as far as dealing with this, just gutted and frustrated this has happend now of all times.
t, i'm so annoyed its not funny Thanks for everyones contributions, given me a few options as far as dealing with this, just gutted and frustrated this has happend now of all times.
Mc lovin said:
Well it turns out i've slipped a disc.... f'ing brilliant! Now i have no chance of getting a night job and therefore i am in the st, i'm so annoyed its not funny
Thanks for everyones contributions, given me a few options as far as dealing with this, just gutted and frustrated this has happend now of all times.
How is the Doctor so sure? He is not a Neurosurgeon or an Orthopaedic surgeon. He is assuming you have a prolapsed disc (I assume you know this is when the soft material inside the disk pushes through the tough outer part of the disc and compresses the nerve). Sciatica can be caused by other issues (although prolapse is very common). 90% of cases resolve without surgery !t, i'm so annoyed its not funny Thanks for everyones contributions, given me a few options as far as dealing with this, just gutted and frustrated this has happend now of all times.
I suffered a prolapsed disc 6 weeks ago. I'm 44 now, but have suffered back issues from time to time for many years. The first time was at 19 when I had severe sciatica. The symptoms resolved themselves in 6-8 weeks IIRC. This time its different. The pain stopped after 2 days, but I was left with foot drop (see my post on the subject) due to compression of the sciatic nerve at L3-L4. I've seen a neurosurgeon and he has suggested we wait to see if the soft material retreats and the symptoms improve. I will see him in the New Year and we will discuss surgery to remove the prolapse if required. He has recommended physio, but no aggressive treatments (chiropractor or osteopath (surprised as I thought they were less aggresive)).
If you do not improve in 6 weeks, then you need to go back to your doctor and ask for an MRI and referral to a Neurosurgeon or orthopeadic surgeon. If you can find the cash, then the MRI will cost you £500 - £800 and a neuro consult £300 privately. You can wait a long time on the NHS for back treatment.
In the meantime, learn how to lift correctly if you need to for your job and buy a good lumbar support. Ossur have a good reputation:
http://www.ossurwebshop.co.uk/back-neck/cat_2.html
Best of luck, age is on your side !
There may be good news. A prolapsed disc can recede enough to give minimal problems. It takes time and careful management but youth is on your side!
My L1/S5 disc let go six years ago, when I was 50. Two failed discecetomies later (I can grow internal scars to undo any benefit), I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. It improves things but the contact electode is probably misplaced.
Two things: I was advised to see a neurosurgeon, rather than an ortho one. And acupuncture doesn't hurt. My four needles were very slender...gnat bites...and helped a bit.
Best of luck...and keep smiling
My L1/S5 disc let go six years ago, when I was 50. Two failed discecetomies later (I can grow internal scars to undo any benefit), I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. It improves things but the contact electode is probably misplaced.
Two things: I was advised to see a neurosurgeon, rather than an ortho one. And acupuncture doesn't hurt. My four needles were very slender...gnat bites...and helped a bit.
Best of luck...and keep smiling
Not sure how they've diagnosed a herniated disc by a quick appt at the GP?
If it is that, it doesn't mean life is over; the symptoms may recede without intervention even.
For me it was a micro-discectomy 6 months ago (after physio and various other conservative treatments for 4-5 years). So far it hasn't fixed everything - still can't bend properly (it hurts all the time) and still weird leg symptoms, but it is improved and I even drove the 7 on track yesterday for the first time
If it's in spasm then a couple of days of diazapam may help, but if you're anything like me it completely wipes you out - days disappeared for me with no recollection!
If it is that, it doesn't mean life is over; the symptoms may recede without intervention even.
For me it was a micro-discectomy 6 months ago (after physio and various other conservative treatments for 4-5 years). So far it hasn't fixed everything - still can't bend properly (it hurts all the time) and still weird leg symptoms, but it is improved and I even drove the 7 on track yesterday for the first time
If it's in spasm then a couple of days of diazapam may help, but if you're anything like me it completely wipes you out - days disappeared for me with no recollection!
Well hoefully the doc has perscribed some diclofenac / diazapam with sessions with a physio.
In most cases should right itself with the right exercises / rest (ball, lying on front, stretches etc). Little things like washing up, sitting on sofa, driving, lifting anything (tense all muscles: bum, stomach, back) need to be analysed and adjusted.
Surgery is the last option really. Luckily my micro-disectomy went well, never going to be 100% but as 100% as i can be with a 2.5 year old (Op was 2 years ago). Not been back to docs or any time off.
In most cases should right itself with the right exercises / rest (ball, lying on front, stretches etc). Little things like washing up, sitting on sofa, driving, lifting anything (tense all muscles: bum, stomach, back) need to be analysed and adjusted.
Surgery is the last option really. Luckily my micro-disectomy went well, never going to be 100% but as 100% as i can be with a 2.5 year old (Op was 2 years ago). Not been back to docs or any time off.
I'm not sure its prolapsed or herniated, its slipped and aggrevating my sciatic nerve, which is why i'm in so much pain and why my foot, arse and lower leg goes numb.
I'm going to go for physio and try and do everything i can to help it, anything is better than dealing with the pain i have at the moment, which reminds me i need stronger pain killers!
I'm going to go for physio and try and do everything i can to help it, anything is better than dealing with the pain i have at the moment, which reminds me i need stronger pain killers!
Isn't it the case that the 'slipped' part of the disc will dry out and wither, thus reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve? Takes @ 3 months iirc.
Sometimes an MRI scan would need to be done standing and such kit is rare I believe.
Diclophenac can be harsh on the tum but you can get it as cream or torpedoes. Amitriptyline is good at unwinding the cycle of pain/spasm/pain/spasm. Can cause drowsiness but helpful taken at night for better sleep.
Also worth googling the Aexander Technique, some simple posture-based exercise along the lines of some posted here.
Sometimes an MRI scan would need to be done standing and such kit is rare I believe.
Diclophenac can be harsh on the tum but you can get it as cream or torpedoes. Amitriptyline is good at unwinding the cycle of pain/spasm/pain/spasm. Can cause drowsiness but helpful taken at night for better sleep.
Also worth googling the Aexander Technique, some simple posture-based exercise along the lines of some posted here.
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