Lower back pain for 10+ yrs Mri results I'm confused
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hi everyone I'm hoping someone can help me understand my results as my gp wasn't very clear explaining them.
10+years ago I injured my back at the time dr said pulled muscle so I carried on working it got worse and I ended up hobbling round and dr's then said I had trapped my sciatic nerve. I had physio exercises and traction which made it hurt over the time frame I've not been without pain but I have a high pain threshold so just got on with things. 2 natural labours later whilst in labour with my son 1.5 years ago I said my back had gone (really sharp pain at the time) since then every time I've been dr's I've been told bones soft from labour and that was it. Over the time frame I've had physio many times and don't see any improvement.
I finally had an Mri done and my results were:
preservation on of the normal lordosis. Normal vertebral alignment and canal volume. The l5/s1 disc is degenerate with end plate changes. L3/l4 are normal. At l5/s1 there is a diffuse posterior disc prolapse displacing theca and the transmitting s1 root but no marked compression. No compressive lesion identified elsewhere. Normal conus and palaver table soft tissues..
Gp said that she can refer me to physio or orthopaedics but thinks physio first but my choice. I'm unsure after failed physio if this is the right route first for me.
Yesterday I vacuumed the house did a bit of ironing etc and I'm in agony today I can still move around but it's a constant pain with occasional sharp pains. Majority of pain is located in my lower back and bum.
Has anyone any experience in the same situation? Can someone explain in simple terms what is wrong? Xx
0 likes, 8 replies
scott17436 Freckles30
Posted
The surgeon will give you options, if you have tried the Physio numerous times and pain meds are working then look at the options he/she gives you. They may suggest Pain Clinic which I'd have thought your GP would have already suggested.
Good luck, just don't take no for an answer and push for everything you want.
Holly1974 Freckles30
Posted
Sounds like everything okay except for L5/S1 which is basically near base of spine. L stands for lumbar and S stands for sacral. I too have a central disc bulge of this disc and it is also very thin when viewed on MRI scan, becomes dehydrated and whilst there is no permanent nerve compression you can still get nerve root irritation, I have no end of issues with muscle spasm in my lower spine, in fact I have just changed to a diff. muslce relaxant to the one I have been taking most of last 9 years I have been plagued with this ( the two discs above this level are also affected in my spine but to a lesser degree ), it's is not unusual to see facet joint degeneration either, due to the pressure put on the spine in the area.I have always been refused surgey on basis that scar tissue can cause problems too, and I have a 50:50 chance of success at best, so I have always been referred to pain clinic. I would ask your Gp for a referral to your nearest good Pain Clinic, they are anaesthetists that have then done extra training in pain management, this in conjuction with physio can be helpful in many cases. I take hard core pain meds, slow release morphine having got used to tramadol and the likes over the years, but best keep those in reserve unless you cannot function due to the amount of pain / muscle spasm, then take drs advice ....try to stay active, swimming, pilates, and aqua aerobics in kderation are all good for keeping core strong too.....I have never been offered a solution, at best we manage my pain etc as well as possible....
scott17436 Holly1974
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Holly1974 scott17436
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scott17436 Holly1974
Posted
It sounds like you have similar issues to I had. I had Lumbar Lordosis, Lumbar Spondylothesis and DDD over 4 discs. S1-L4, L4/L3 is good and L3-L2 aren't good either. The lower two which have now been fused where done due to me not responding to medication, Physio or any other conservative treatments including injections, tens and acupuncture. I had a double discogram which was positive and this allowed him to pinpoint my pain and fix it. Time will tell if it's a complete success or not as I'm only 4 days post surgery but things looking good.
Have you tried Amitriptyline or Carbamazepine for nerve pain? I take both and will continue to. Also take Diazepam to stop muscle spasms.
As you say, you are actively seeking solutions or assistance with it. Keep going. It's a long road but it'll be worth it.
Just to give you a figure, the op I had has a 85% success rate.
Holly1974 scott17436
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scott17436 Holly1974
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Holly1974 Freckles30
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All the best xx