Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi , this is my first time here. I've read a few horror stories already and am hoping to make a full recovery... hope im not being too naive!
Im 34 and have been off work the past 5 weeks. I had been having some pain in my left leg for a number of months and had been prescribed some co-codamol by the doctor, which to be honest made no real difference.
I went back to the doc who referred me for physio but from what i gather that wont be available for another two or three months yet (waiting list).
However i paid to see a private physio who was able to tell me i have a prolapsed disc at L5. I have had various therapy treatments so far with no progress. Ive also had some traction and am due for more next week so im hoping that this will do the trick.
Im currentlytaking Co-codamol 30/500mg. The maximum dosage is 8 tablets in any 24 hour period. I seem to only get relief after taking 4 of these, although it does make me feel quite sick for the first half hour.
The worst time seems to be the mornings. When i get out of bed , my back is leaning to the left and i am also leaning forward. It takes a long time to get anywhere near straight, not to mention the pain involved in doing this. (the exercises advised by physio).
The pain eases to a degree after the tablets kick in, and also when walking or standing up straight. It all comes back though if i sit down or try to drive.
I am quite lucky in the fact that my work will pay me full pay for the first six months of beinf off sick. However, i dont want to be off any longer than required.
I'd be grateful if anyone recognises any of these symptoms and could point me in the right direction, as its very frustratinh when you dont seem to be making any progress.
I am considering going private to see a consultant and having an MRI done. Can anyone tell me how much this might cost and if it is indeed worth it ?
Thanks in anticipation
Ali
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0 likes, 23 replies
daisymoo
Posted
Guest
Posted
Your age and situation is almost identical to mine. I had the op last Weds to remove prolapsed disc, same location as yours. This is called a bilateral disectomy. Apart from initial pain and tightness in the calf muscles, i am starting to feel so much better than before the op. I would recommend it straightaway. I am looking forward to the future at last!
Good luck, let me know how it all goes
Chris
Guest
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Guest
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Good luck and keep us posted.
Guest
Posted
Guest
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I am 42 yr old femail who developed back pain off and on for the past year but it went away withing a day or two.
In May of this year I was cleaning around the house and developed back pain only this time it got worse and eventually I couldn't even get out of bed in the morning without excrutiating pain. Went to the GP and they gave me pain killers and recommended physio. After struggling up to the physio by car (driving caused real pain) I found that I was to painful for them to do anything.
Was referred to a Nuerosurgeon who ordered an MRI and this presented a disc prolapse at L5 S1 with DDD. By this time I had developed pain in my outer thigh which sometimes (depending on how much acitivity) i did radiated to my toes. I had no ankle reflex but the pain in my leg at times was terrible. If I don't do much the pain is manageable but if I try do any activity be it walking, driving or standing too long the pain radiates down my leg and my hip really hurts. I have a constant limp as I don't want to put pressure of the leg to trigger the shooting pains.
I am due to go in for a microdiscectomy this Monday and am hoping that I have made the right choice. I have read many sites and it seems that there are people worse off than me with numbness and pins and needles but fortunately for me I have not had these.
I am not sleeping at night as when I move in bed the pain in my back is bad and depending on how my position is the pain can radiate into my leg. I just hope that I am on the final stretch to regaining my life back again after the op as i am finding it extremely hard not being active. I am putting weight on and get quite depressed at times.
Guest
Posted
I am 42 yr old female who developed back pain off and on for the past year but it went away withing a day or two.
In May of this year I was cleaning around the house and developed back pain only this time it got worse and eventually I couldn't even get out of bed in the morning without excrutiating pain. Went to the GP and they gave me pain killers and recommended physio. After struggling up to the physio by car (driving caused real pain) I found that I was to painful for them to do anything.
Was referred to a Nuerosurgeon who ordered an MRI and this presented a disc prolapse at L5 S1 with DDD. By this time I had developed pain in my outer thigh which sometimes (depending on how much acitivityI did) radiated to my toes. I had no ankle reflex and the pain in my leg at times was terrible. If I don't do much the pain is manageable but if I try do any activity be it walking, driving or standing too long the pain radiates down my leg and my hip really hurts. I have a constant limp as I don't want to put pressure of the leg to trigger the shooting pains.
I am due to go in for a microdiscectomy this Monday and am hoping that I have made the right choice. I have read many sites and it seems that there are people worse off than me with numbness and pins and needles but fortunately for me I have not had these.
I am not sleeping at night as when I move in bed the pain in my back is bad and depending on how my position is the pain can radiate into my leg. I just hope that I am on the final stretch to regaining my life back again after the op as i am finding it extremely hard not being active. I am putting weight on and get quite depressed at times.[/quote:9caeeb7e87]
judith
Posted
I noticed you posted this in June, how are things with you now, I have wxactly the same symptons have been like it 8 weeks, iI am struggling to go to work on reduced hours as I do not get paid, never make it before 11am because of the terrible pains in my riight leg, am on the waiting list for a scan and to see a consultant, apparently waiting list for scan i 6 months, I have been on Tramadol Co-codomal, I am on Gabapentin but never feel with it, so hope they will give me something different just want a normal life back. :cry:
Guest
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Guest
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I too had the same disc prolapse as you. I am 35 and had 4 months off work, hardly able to move. I was taking co-codamol, diazepan and ibuprofen.
Get the MRI done! I had an operation to remove a disc, and touch wood it is much better. I can cope with the aching now, have been off the tablets for some time and am back at work.
I hope you get your problem sorted asap.
Keep us informed,
Chris
daisymoo
Posted
anyway i do hope your feeling ok, don't forget to let us know ok,
take care, and take it easy, mandy
judith
Posted
Was it your scan to yesterday did you to have to go private like myself, had mine done yesterday not real nice experience was it, but glad to have it done where was yours done had mine done in BUPA not as expensive as I thought £250.00 for lumber scan, let me know how yours went
Jude
daisymoo
Posted
daisymoo
Posted
no i had a scan in feb following a car accident, so i was lucky to have it done within a week!!! but i've waited to see a neurosurgeon up kings, thats whats taken the time i think, but most on here, (like you) have to wait just to get a scan,
i had another scan up kings on friday cos he wanted to check neck, and lower back cos i'm having problems there too!!! :shock: ,
it wasn't all good news though cos he said i have nerve damage!! ekkk!
but he gonna do op to replace disc but said it will help the pain bout 60%,
well 60% less pain is better than nothing!! eh? and i'll will still have few probs with my left arm,sorry again, suffering 'hospital hangover'
and i'll read posts properly in future lol :roll:
take care mandy
daisymoo
Posted
anyway i do hope your feeling ok, don't forget to let us know ok,
take care, and take it easy, mandy
[ sorry to confuse all u peps, i have p disc in neck, not lumber, it sounds like i'm saying in both!!!]
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