Bulging disc

Posted , 7 users are following.

has anyone had bulging disc L4-L5 and annular tears L2-L3.

my question is when is your pain at its worst when you are up and mobile or at night in bed... My pain is excruciating at night and things that I have read on here say the pain is worse when active.

so I am puzzled by my diagnosis or have they missed something

also how long does it take to recover? 

Thankyou

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Posted

    Have you had scan or been sent to see orthopaedic specialist yet.

    I had the same and paid to see specialist because I was in so much pain,I know what you are going through.

    I had surgery twice to remove part if the disc.

    I was sent to the pain clinic and have a nerve stimulator fitted in my back which controls pain it the best thing they did for me.

    I use to have a tens machine they are really good for pain.

    • Posted

      Hi Holly

      Does the pain stimulator works continuosly, and what it is kind of ?

      What is tens machine?

    • Posted

      A tens machine as 2 leads with pads that attach to areas on your body you feel pain.the leads to a small box containing a battery.it sends a pulse that cut off the pain.you can look on line and see them.

      They cost about £40. You can find more info on line.some you can hire to see if it's ok for you.

      The nerve stimulator controls pain when I turn it on. I can have it on 24 hours a day

      The stimulator was fitted into my back in day surgery,I have a battery just under my skin in my back.I have a remote control that turns it off and on.

    • Posted

      Hi Holly

      Haven't seen a specialist my GP arranged the MRI. Was or is your pain worse at night that is when I am in agony dispite 50mg of Amytritiline and tramadol. Just had severe pain for months now

      Thank you

    • Posted

      It was really bad at night. I take dhidrocodine and paracetamol and amitriptoline at night

      I found having a having a bath before bed amitriptoline 6.00pm so they would work during the night. Have you tried a electric heat pad I got one from argos.

      I also drink ginger cordial fro health shop diluted in hot water.it's an old idea but I find it makes me feel relaxed.

    • Posted

      Don't forget keep going back to Dr.

      If you are still in pain let dr know.I did that's why I got help x

  • Posted

    Hello Lisa

    With my back I stretch my legs before getting out of bed, it makes some difference.

    Next week I am going for pain killing injections and later in the year I hope they will perform surgery. Walking is painfull but aquafit is great as there is no weight on my feet. Also I work out once a week on a stationary bike. It's important to keep active,

    try not to spend too much time sitting.

    Alpine

  • Posted

    hi Lisa,

    ive been going through the same 3 months ago. You need to take it easy first (in my case I don't know, had to learned what TAKING EASY REALLY IS!) I was impatient, asked osteo to visit. I had muscles spasms down my right leg, after osteo - down both legs, though with less pain. The important thing is - the area is imlammed therefore needs to calm down, first. I had 17 Chinese acupuncture sessions and can walk and stand and sit now. However, I'm doing more research and it appears (and I'm going to see a specialist in London) the pain is caused/may be caused by an infection around the discs and a subsequent inflammation. This could be treated by certain antibiotics (though increased blood supply into an area over time will kill off bacteria - if present). Dr Albert is behind the study on this, called MAST. 

    Bea

  • Posted

    Hi all

    I have just come back from seeing my G.P who has now referred me to a pain clinic for epidural injection in spine. Despite all my symptoms and positive disc changes he still refuses to refer me to a rheumatologist. My question is has the pain clinic got the power to refer me. giving up all hope here.

    • Posted

      Hi Lisa, you have been told the same as me pain clinic, epidural.they should sort out my problems and my bulged disc and leg pain will go away on its own which I don't think so.over a period of 8yrs and after two operations for disc prolapse,facet joint injection and I've already had an epidural I'm still in so much pain.one thing they have told me but you can tell they don't want to do it is a spinal fusion operation.As soon as you tell the doctor the pains getting a little bit better they always take it as your getting better and over time you will be ok I know my own body and I've been through the same problem over and over again,sorry me going on.hope you get better soon all the best Paul
    • Posted

      Sorry to hear your going through it to. Got my letter through for the pain clinic got to wait till March 😂 if I didn't laugh I'd cry. Absolutely dreading epidural injections heard to many horror stories. How was it? The tramadol and amytriptline are helping but now I am having hallucinations so it's either turn into a lunatic or be in agony. Can't win going back to G.P tomorrow. Hope you're improving
  • Posted

    Ask have they missed anything.You can ask at the pain clinic if a nerve stimulator would be ok for you.

    Be direct tell Dr how bad you are and ask what else can be done. I had tried nerve blocks epidurals,acupuncture,exercise any new I tried but unfortunately nothing worked, including pain killers .The best thing for me was a tens machine then I found I just couldn't get it in the right place and it wasn't strong enough for me.The pain stimulator is place in the right place so that when you turn it on it helps stop the pain,difficult to explain takes away the pain ...pain free.

    I still take pain some killers they seem to work better and not need as many.

    Hope you get sorted soon ..holly

  • Posted

    Hi all

    I seem to have developed a new symptom I have had got the most terrible aching legs and at night constantly trying to stretch them as I cant get comfortable. is This related to hernaited disc or something else i dont want to bother the doctor unless i really have to

    Thankyou

    • Posted

      I have this. I call it Waggly leg - but its restless leg syndrome, i take pramiprexole as it got so bad. I think it is connected to my herniated disc problem but it only started after my epidural injection. That worked better than the nerve route injection i had in march - which i was in excruciating pain from. I now still have pain but about 4 times a day i have a shooting pain across my back which absolutely kills. Im going to try acupuncture see if that helps at all and also going to ask my doctor to arrange another MRI scan as the pain has worsened. Hope this helps

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.