Hi, I suffered back pain off and on for 3 years. It fin...
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi,
I suffered back pain off and on for 3 years. It finally culminated in a prolapse disc. The day I actually went for a private MRI scan after months of waiting for a NHS scan the problem increased massively. I suffered excruciating pain, numbness down the left side of my left leg and the left part of my foot. I was also unable to stand on tip toes. I was rushed into casualty and then sent home with pain killers etc..
I've now had a disectomoy (about 2 months ago) and my surgeon told me there was a 80% chance of a full recovery. I've got alot of strength back in my leg and can stand on tip toes however i still suffer the numbness and pins and needles in my foot as well as some occasional pain in the buttock. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation. I'm trying to return to my sporting activities but am really nervous of making it worse and wondering will the numbness ever fade.
It would be good to hear from anyone who can share similar experiences.
[i:c85d71f4c0]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:c85d71f4c0]
0 likes, 6 replies
Guest
Posted
Well I finally had a CT scan last week and was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc on L5/S1 what a depressing doctors appointment, I feel really depressed and sad about it all, I don't want to have surgery but I am unsure what to try first I have been taking vitamin supplements with glucosamine and fish oil and i am starting yoga and physio, I have weeks where I am ok and able to functionj then I lift something and bang im back in agony for weeks.
I also feel so guilty for my husband as it affects life on so many levels
I hate this problem but I feel there must be a way to heal and manage this pain, I am looking for advice and to be able to share this experience with other people
[i:f2f2946362]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:f2f2946362]
Guest
Posted
I had a Sacral Epidural Injection to see if the disc would go back in. But after 2 weeks still in pain I was taken back in and given a Discectomy on 19th January 2007.
I am still in pain and also have no feeling in my left leg and my foot is totally numb. I am still on Pregabalin, Tramadol and Amytriptalin for the pain.
I have been going to Physio but my back hurts too much to do the exercises given.
In March I could not stand the pain any longer and got in touch with one of the Spinal Nurses who was wonderful, she got me another appointment to see my Consultant, who sent me for another MRI Scan which showed I had another Disc out.
I am now waiting to go and have a Nerve Root Block done, which I have to have on 4/5/07.
I only hope that this works as I'm getting more depressed as the days go on. I feel that I have aged 10 years over the last couple of months. It takes me twice as long to do things than before. I am still on the sick from work.
I know exactly how your feeling, keep pushing your Doctor. My Doctors been great.
Hope everythings sorted out for you soon.
bye Angela
Guest
Posted
Guest
Posted
anyone had the op? how long were you incapacitated for?
look forward to hearing from you.
xx
Guest
Posted
Hi, i had a prolapsed disk removed three weeks ago. It has removed nearly all the back pain. The scar is the most painful and whoever has this done, MUST take time getting back to work etc. First week i only walked 20 minutes then had rests for long periods. IT is now three weeks and i am back at work , reduced hours but better than at home . I have been advised to go swimming and i am not on any pain killers.
scarymary
Posted
Well, physio only helped a little and my back went again in April this year and 3 weeks off. Then thought I'd try yoga as a recommendation last month but that started off my latest episode 6 weeks ago but this time it was pain, sciatica in my left leg and a numb left foot. Had all painkillers under the sun at home,sleeping 3 hours a night and two weeks ago the pain in my thigh got excruciating, I felt delerious with pain. Went to A&E, given IV morphine and entonox (gas and air) for pain and then sent home on my own high as a kite, with the orthopaedic registrar telling me there's nothing they could do unless I was paralysed.
Obviously when I came round I was in agony, the next morning was worse, no piankillers were touching it - back to A&E, I was so desperate, it took a lot of morphine to ease the pain, and I was howling like a dog - transferred to ward as by this time I was having troule passing urine also. Had urgent MRI (which apparently was for my piece of mind as they didn't think it would show anything :twisted: ...
Anyway, it showed very large prolapsed L5/S1 disc which was pressing on my sciatic nerve and had an emergency discectomy the next day as my agony and bladder problems got worse.
That was a week ago - I am still experiencing a little pain in buttock and leg, but very little, and still have pins and needles in left foot. It can take up to 18 months for nerve damage to repair, sometimes it may not fully, so I am told to expect this, or perhaps worse post surgery as they've may have irritated the nerves during the op. I have been told to convalesce for the first 3 weeks, and I am usually very active, attending exercise classes so this is difficult!
Sorry to bang on a bit, needed to get it out there!