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2 prolapsed discs left hand side, up to 3 right hand side

Posted , 4 users are following.

carolyn
carolyn

In October 2004, unbelievebly I sneezed and ended up on my knees in severe pain in front of my 8 year old son who was, at the time, getting ready for school. I will never forget the look on his wee face, I still feel guilty to this day even though I know it couldn't be helped. I am also a single mother which made things worse. I pretended I just pulled a muscle and when he went off to school I phoned my mother. She came out and as soon as she saw me phoned the doctor. I got an mri scan on july 2005 which had shown 2 prolapsed disc on left hand side. They offered surgery as I was still in severe pain with ciatica down both legs. I refused hoping the pain would ease off. The sciatica did but not the back pain. Then in march I sneezed again and it is thought up to three discs have prolapsed on the right hand side, I am awaiting mri scan for that. Neadless to say, I now have a phobia of sneezing.....lol. They have told me that they think it will be likely that I need surgery. I am absolutely petrified at the thought as I hate hospitals!!! I am so glad I have found this site as with this being an invisable pain and walking around like I have a pipe up my backside you do feel really alone. I would love to hear from people who have had surgery as I am still very reluctant to go for it, being a single mum I do feel gratefull I am still mobile(just!!) I am worried it goes wrong and I am left unable to walk at all.

Thanks for reading

Carolyn.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • gail
    gail

    Posted

    hi carololyngail here i cant help you with the \"back\" as i have cervical prolapses and am awaiting surgery as are a few of us on this site, it can seem daunting the thought of surgery and if its not for you there are other things to try ie physio, injections and nerve blocks it is a decition only you can make as there are risks as with all surgery. have the docs said why your discs are prolapsing so easily? i hurt myself back in oct 2005 whilst doing my job(im a carer) so i know why mine went, but its the waiting that gets you down as well as im sure you have noticed, im sure others on the site will have other advise and glad you found us, your not alone. gail
  • judith
    judith

    Posted

    HI Carolyn

    Judith here. I did reply earlier but don't know what happened to message seems to have disapperared, if you read some of my other threads you will see some of the things that have happened to me, now I am being refered for Steroid injections if they don't work then I am off to see a spinal specialist private ( if I can afford it ), I know what you mean about the pains, I am now taking Gabapentin which really is making a difference see if you can get that prescribed, know what you mean about the sneezing and coughing, I now have a summer cold and the pain is unbearable again, but hey the Gabapentin are marvelous, keep in touch and let me know how it goes

    Jude

  • Lee_Michelle
    Lee_Michelle

    Posted

    Hi All,

    Judith glad to hear the Gabapentin is working and you had no side effects - that is good. I am doing ok - though I went camping last weekend (5 weeks after the op!) and ended up in bed for 2 days whoops! I think it was a case of cabin fever being in the house for a year then neing too desperate to get back to normal....had a real reality check that have to take things easy. What was the disgnosis of your MRI? and have you got a date for the appointment yet?

    Lee x

  • judith
    judith

    Posted

    Hi Michelle

    Yeah had results this week herniation oof disks L4/5 thinning of the discs and osteo arthritis, they are looking into steroid injections, if they do not work then I will see a spinal specialist, so feeling really fed up at moment. Glad to hear you are on the mend, know what you mean about running before you can work towards the end of last week felt a lot better went mad on the weekend shopping, cleaning etc paying for it this week.

    Well hope you keep going on good and take it easy, speak to you soon

    Jude

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