Pain in the backside. Advice needed
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Hi, I am looking for advice on how to progress my situation. I'll keep it as brief as possible, any advice welcome.
In a nutshell I have a soft tissue problem in the very base of spine, the result of 2+ discs herniating issues, that makes sitting for any kind of peiod extremely painful and prevents any sitting for several days or more. Some chairs are better than other though ultimately there is a ceiling on how much I can sit and this places massve restriction on my life and work. I often joke that most people spend more time sitting in a day than I do in a year and this is no exaggeration. The issues is predominantly the tissue tearing, getting angry though I also have sciatic pain in my ankle (though this is not the prohibitive issue).
My history is that I've had at least two major traumas to my lower back, the first some 8 years ago, that had classic indications of a herniating disc (radiating numbness) and lots of pain, inflamation. This first episode resolved in some months and I was able to return to normal work (including sitting). After a year or so in fairly manual job that included the nightmare combination of intermittent heavy lifting and lots of sitting the issue erupted again. However this time whilst it did improve, it has never sufficiently improved for me live and work normally.
I should say after the first major episode, I was scheduled a scan (some several months later) that too my eternal regret I did not make (I went for the appointment but got lost en route and since I was symptom free at the time I did not re-arrange). Doctors since have not pushed for a scan since:
a) It is likely soft tissue and not much to see
b) I seem to have fairly normal existence
c) It would not change the treatment
In any case, what if anything do you guys propose I do? I have seen multiple physiotherapists and have improved my posture, lost weight, improved my core strength. I have tried chair after chair with cushions, supports, etc etc. I also do light-manual work that has some benefit but is ultimately probably not helpful (it has removed much of the light aggravation but has exposed me to more intermittent and sever aggravation if that makes sense). In any case how can I improve my situation? Not being able to sit, whilst it may seem mildly humourous is actually life-wrecking..
0 likes, 4 replies
andrew77582
Posted
elizabeth20203 andrew77582
Posted
Best wishes.
Elizabeth.
andrew77582 elizabeth20203
Posted
Holly1974 andrew77582
Posted
Yes, the MRI scan is the way to go. It might not show everything, but at least you have a starting point, When I asked for one 10 years ago and knowcked back by my GP I was working in the Pharma industry as a rep, and had private medical ins, had a huge flare up and told him to write me a letter to see an orthopaedic surgeon and withing 10 days I had an MRI scan. You only have to wait 6-8 weeks these days on the NHS though. They cost a lot, so will be resistant to order one for you. I have problems doing anything for any length of time, sitting, sleeping in bed , walking, I am constantly changing posture and live in chronic pain, and more than just sciatic nerves involved now !! I am now on slow release morphine to make it tolerable, some of the time at least !! Depending on what the route cause is will depend on which treatment you are offered, physio, pain meds, steroid injection at Pain Clinic, surgery only in very bad cases where rish:benefit ratio in your favour ! Most not keen to operate. I am currently waiting to see about a spinal cord stimulator, if I am a suitable candidate !...after 9 years of hell I need a better solution myslef