pain seems worse now after epidural

I have suffered with back pain since 1991 after having my first child by Epidural. For many years I thought it may have been due to the birth (trauma), however, in 2005, it became undearable to live with the pain anymore. I went to see my GP who referred me to Hospital.

An MRI was taken where it was found I had a prolapsed disc (possibly 2).

Since then, I have been suffering with incontinence (not stress), constipation(due to permanent painkillers), 'Drop Foot', sleepness nights, restricted mobility, pain elsewhere due to 'unconscious guarding of my spine'.

I have asked for an operation to resolve this issue, however, as it is at the moment, I have just taken receipt of a back brace, I am awaiting an appointment for a Pain Management course and Physiotherapy. I was told having the operation could possibly leave me faecally incontinent!

I am only 37yrs old with 2 children and feel guilty that my children have missed out on so much with their mum. I cannot go swimming as arching of my back causes severe pain, I cannot go on funfairs, I cannot walk for too long let alone run and I most certainly cannot stand for any longer than 5 minutes without searing pain in my lower spine.

I am sick of taking Tramadol.....I am living like a zombie.

Whilst sitting at my PC right now, the pain going down my leg is excruciating and I am sitting at an angle to aleviate the pain in my spine. Surely there is more that can be done to help.

Hi Springs

I am so sorry to hear about your current situation. Particularly with the way that it has affected what you feel you can do with your kids. It does seem that things are moving very slowly for you and in the meantime you are clearly in a lot of pain. Have you seen a Consultant recently?? Your MRI will now be out of date anyway, as they can only work on the results for about 12 months. Have they ruled out an operation?? Is that why they are focusing on conservative treatment?? Just don't get lost in the system. As I say repeatedly here...days become weeks, become months and unless you really start banging on some doors it seems very little gets done. It's hard enough standing up to the NHS anyway when you are fit and strong, but when you have severe ongoing pain it is even harder.

Can you push to get started on the pain management course?? How long is it for, or is it just ongoing until they find what works for you??

Best wishes

TFU

Hello Everyone

Ive been reading through comments after finding this discussion whilst googling Epidural nerve injections not working.

I am 33 on Sunday and I have been off work for 2 months now with a disc protrusion, trapped nerve and sciatic pain. Before this outbreak I was at work for 3 months and before that I was off work for 3 and a half months.

I am a chef by trade and Ive been doing that job for 9yrs now. I remember having back pain and aching since being a teenager and over the years I have had outbreaks of pain which I logged with a Dr but nothing was really done for me untill last year.

There have been times in my career that I have come home from a shift bent over like an old woman because Ive been in to much pain to stand up straight. I would do shifts aslong as 16hrs with bags of frozen peas tied to my back just to get through the day.

I was 1st diagnosed with a slipped disc last year after finally being sent off for a MRI scan but to be honest Im sure it happened long before and each bout of pain was it reacurring.

Since my MRI i have been to the pain clinic, has a meeting with a spinal specialist and 2 weeks ago I had the epidural nerve injections. My MRI also showed slight curvature of the spine probably caused by the amount of time i lean to aliviate nerve pain.

Over the last year I have taken a combination of the following to help Tramadol, Diazepam, Gabipentol, Baclofen, Naproxen and Omniprazole. Some of them have made me feel ill and at current i am taking Tramadol and Diazepam when needed as I really dont like to feel 'out of control' and if Im honest I try not to take medication and this is the most I have ever taken.

The Epidural injections were incredibly painfull and left me feeling very sore and in alot of pain for 5days. I am now back to the original pain.

Recently I have also noticed some other symptoms like heartburn, chest sort of pain, stiffness, very little bladder control (as in as soon as I need the toilet I HAVE to go as I really cant hold for long) and stiffness especially in the mornings.

I find getting to sleep really differcult because its hard to get comfatable . My moods are up and down, I have no inclination to dress up or look nice, I am carefull with all my movements because I know how easily the protrusion happens, this time I was bent over slightly putting my hair in a bun when it was like lightening struck me!

My family are supportive but they dont understand how it effects everything I do and I feel like my husband and teenage son are abit fed up of me 'banging on' about my back now.

Because people cant see the injury I feel like they just dont understand it. Im fed up of it. I dont no what to do about work, I feel like maybe its time to stop cheffing because its very physical and involves lots of bending, lifting, twisting and long hours on my feet and Ive already down sized my job 3 times from a very sucsessful resteraunt to a pub to a cafe in order to try and reduce my hours. 

I work for a small business and I feel like my extended periods of sickness and statatory sick pay are taking its toll.

I just want to get better and not have to live with daily pain. I would love to be able to do fun stuff again!

Hi Ami

Its been a long time since I was on this site and reading your post my heart breaks for you! I hope I can give you some encourgement that there is light at the end of the tunnell. I am now 9 years post op having had 2 micro discectomy's and have a very active and healthy life style. However the horror of what I went through never leaves me - in fact I now teach pilates to help people like us.

What has your consultant suggested as a next step if the injections dont work?

Glad to hear you have a understaning family but I hear what your saying unless you have been through it you will never really know how awful it is.

Big hugs to you xx

 

Thank you for your kind words =)

Ive had pilates reccomended to regain my core strengh once Im feeling more mobile, I take it,it worked for you?

 

I had a discography done 3 yrs ago which lasted 2 weeks I have been suffering with slipped discs now for 8 yrs I get up every morning and struggle to get out of bed and it's a nightmare to even get dressed and put socks on yet my doctor says there's nothing he can do for me I'm only 40 and try to stay active as much as I can I went bowling with friends other day which I then suffered for 2 days after it is really getting me down now 😡😡😡