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  3. Disc Prolapse

im only 31

Posted , 4 users are following.

alicia12555
alicia12555

i was fine one day and then three years ago the pain began,the stiffness,unable to move for a year the dr treated me with muscles relaxers and told me to loose weight,i complained so much i finaly got my mri,then it said i had disc misplaced a torn disk fluid something ealse bout my nerves cause my tingling and numbness,and so stiff,then bowl constipation for weeks at a time that seema to make my pain worse,so after my mri they sugested shots in my back with cortizone,i did three,then therapy wich left me in worse pain,now they want to send me to a nuro sugeron,and im waiting and my dr said he is not sure whats going on so thats why he refurred me to a specialist,anyway do anybody ealse go thru this and whats a nero surgion for i need help and answers and when i say the only thing that helps my pain is to just lay down,thats literally all i can do and with three kids thats not possible,someone advice anyone please

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • julie93078
    julie93078 alicia12555

    Posted

    Hi,

    Neurosurgeon will be able to read your MRI scan and asses your options. I was given an epidural cortisone injection 18 months ago which worked for 3 months or so.finally had microdiscectomy to remove bulging disc compressing nerve root 6 weeks ago. Obviously surgery is the last option because of the potential risks associated with spinal surgery, but like you, for the final 6 months my mobility was severely restricted and I totally get your situation as I work, have 3 kids and a house to run.

    Your GP may have suggested weightloss as my neurosurgeon told me that the risks for spinal surgery where the BMI is higher than the normal range have additional associated risks which make them less willing to operate,so if you want to go down the surgery route and your BMI is higher than you'd like that may give you added incentive.

    PS- watch out though if you do have surgery, cos I was stuck in bed for 4 weeks post surgery (another story...), friends will buy you boxes of chocs, that you will have to eat :-)

  • Ellisrobo
    Ellisrobo alicia12555

    Posted

    Hi alicia,

    I'm 18 and luckily my situation did not get as worse as yours, It will be hard for you to find the time to lay down which may be a good thing, From experiance I've noticed that just laying down although it may not hurt is not going to help with a recovery.

    Walking is great, no matter how much it hurts, At one point I could only walk for 5 minutes then I was in so much pain I would literally start to cry and i'd be so exausted that i'd want to sleep. But I kept going and going now I can manage around 2 hours before I need to take a rest, and the pain is a lot better because of it. Cylcing is also good especially on a flat surface because it very light on the back.

    I'm still awaiting my results from my MRI which was 3 months ago but I do know that the neuro team, nerve specialists will be able to help you out a lot, the cortosone injections are a form of steroid so I don't think they will be able to give you any more as they can weaken and damage the muscle and nerve endings even more.

    When you find out exactly what and where the problem lies then you will be able to make hopefully a some what swift recovery, in the meantime if you have to lift any thing do not bend your back at all, because you may be compressing the nerve just bend your knees, and do not lift anything above chest height, this stops too much pressure being put on your nerves. I read in a book that 1 pound of added weight is about the same as 4 pounds of weight on the muscles in the back, so lifting incorrectly will really injure you more.

    Speak to your GP about pain killers, I have gabatin at the mintue and they is very good and also naproxen which is a stronger version of ibrupofen. I also used to take tramadol but they had some nasty side effects for me so I stopped. 

    So in the mean time just try to do some very light activity, weather it just be cleaning around the hosue, this is better than sitting, just take your time, don't rush and if somethings too heavy to lift don't force youtself because you will really injure youself.

    Make sure you speak to your gp about the tablets and see if you have a physiotherapist at that center, I do not but I know some do and they will be able to give you some stretched to do at home that will make eveyday life a little less painful.

    Wish you the very best and hope you have a very speedy recovery Alicia

    If you have any more questions just ask, I and others are more than happy to help you!

    Have a nice day

    -Ellis

  • john88972
    john88972 alicia12555

    Posted

    hi Alicia,   I'm sorry to hear your story but it sounds like you're going to the right person.   The neurosurgeon/specialist will be able to explain exactly what's wrong and suggest the best thing to do to help you.   For certain problems with discs they can operate which helps relieve pressure on the nerves in your back.   I had something similiar to you about 2 months ago and had so many pins and needles and pain in my foot that all I could do was stay in bed.   Fortunately with rest and some medication the pain went away after 2 to 3 weeks.  However I belive that it's important to get up and about as soon as possible (but try not to lift anything heavy and certainly don't lift and twist at the same time).   I have a 1 year old and a 6 year old so I can appreciate how difficult it is to have a back problem and have children at the same time.    Go and see the neurosurgeon and they will give you the best advice (GP's aren't specialists and don't always know what is right).    I feel for you.   Good luck.
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