Posted , 31 users are following.
Im glad i found this site, I too have had problems with slipped disc and sciatica for nearly 3 years!!!!
It all started in November 2004 woke up on a sunday am in excruating pain down my right leg.
Husband took me to emergency doc and they gave me low dose valium and painkillers.
I work in an office answering phones all day so the sciatica was murder.
I got sent to back exercise class and physio but still had sciatica and back pain.
Finally this year i got to see a senior physio who referred me at once for an mri scan. Got an appointment on July 26 2007.
waiting to see what the results of the mri are.
Iam totally in sympathy with everyone on here. x
2 likes, 37 replies
michelle56
Posted
terri17
Posted
andrew186
Posted
michelle56
Posted
I have been reading posts after mine and I am shocked that none of you have had any relief from surgery, I had my surgery via the NHS at a private hospital in Sheffield luckily my doctor referred me to an amazing Neurology surgeon call Mathius Radatz he is a private surgeon from Thornberry Hospital, I had a first meeting with him after months of pain and on his assessment found I had a prolapsed disc he had a cancellation the next day so I was admitted that evening to prepare for surgery.
I am happy to say I was in surgery on the Tuesday I was walking by the Wednesday out of hospital on the Friday and back home, I had physio once a week and I returned to work after 5 weeks, I have no pain which is unbelievable after what I went through, I am able to do everything I did before with care and awareness I still cannot exercise only Pilates and yoga and my right foot is still a little weak, but I am back driving for 6 hours a day and wearing my heels.
Core exercises helped me support my back through the recovery and I still do them now to protect it, I no longer take medication at all.
My operation was the best thing to ever be offered me and I am so happy this is finally resolved, I hope that my experience has helped, and I have total sympathy for anyone suffering from the same it is horrendous and as previously said if you are not pouring with blood most people don't believe you.
Good luck everyone and speedy recovery.
Michelle
allison27
Posted
Following a 6 week Pilates course and playing active tennis I hurt my back in Feb 2013. I had physio, acupuncture and ultrasound and then developed sciatica lasting between 1-2 weeks and reoccurring almost monthly. My last episode is the worst 'acute sciatica' where I cannot stand or sit longer than 10 seconds without screaming out in pain. The bum muscle, top of leg, back of knee, calf muscle and ankle area go into tight spasms ie the whole of the nerve and the only way to avoid pain is to lay completely flat with a cushion to support where necessary. My breathing and blood pressure appear to go through the roof like little panic attacks until the pain and muscle disperses; leaving me exhausted and in tears.
My GP referred me straight away for an MRI through the NHS and an appointment came through in 3 weeks to see an orthopaedic consultant which I would not have been able to attend without Diazepam which did not help but it got the hospital and consultant concerned with the constant pain and tears and turning up in a wheelchair (aged 45). Unfortunately I was informed an MRI scan would take some time and when I rang to enquire about going privately the response about waiting times was the same.
The meds I am taking which take the edge off this is codeine, diazepam, gabapentin and naproxen.
I had no choice but to go private at The Spire Hospital who as you would expect we're very accommodating. I telephoned on the Friday, had the scan Tuesday afternoon and met the consultant Wednesday evening who confirmed a prolapsed disc in my lower back and the various options I could consider together with the possible side affects. I am booked in tomorrow evening (Friday) for an epidural cortisone injection with ex ray to ensure the exact spot is injected and to return to see the consultant in 2weeks. all self funded and less than £1,800 so I can return to work as soon as possible as I am still in my probationary period of employment. If this works which I very much hope it does will be money well spent. If it doesn't then I will need to spend approx £5000 for an operation to remove the damaged disc.
Fingers crossed and best wishes to everyone going through similar conditions.
Hathers
Posted
I've had a prolapsed disc for approx 5 years now and had 2 injections over that time. The last one being Feb 2012 and I have now been suffering again for the last 10 weeks after bending to put my trainers on!!
Waiting for another MRI to see if the disc has degenerated further and if surgery is now the way forward. GP prescribed meds are not touching it at the moment and I'm averaging 2 hours sleep per night. Luckily work are understanding and have given me time to get myself right.
I've read mixed reports on the success of surgery and as its spinal, the worry is enormous. Luckily, never had an operation before, but I think that's making me even more nervous!! But I really can't continue as I am now. I'm 40, with two kids, play tennis and coach a kids football team, and I really can't think of not being able to participate in any of this because of my disc issue or more importantly my worry over the op vs another injection.
sue345
Posted
My pain is now worse and now nearly 7 months of diagnosis still have not even had injection or any pain relief. and its 3-4 months wait for an injection. am thinking of asking now to have the operation as the pain is getting worse and I get pins and needles and numbness in my leg too.
My friend said under nhs charter you should get some treatment by 18 weeks of referral, and my referral was the start of March ? is this right and how can I get things brought forward
many thanks
sue
jacqueline19869
Posted
coping,also as a tennis player and keen on keeping fit,how do people cope without doing any exercise.
Please can anyone advise on anything that I can do to tone my now getting flabby body.
I have had an MRI scan which shows up the various parts of the spine which have now deteriorated and
the disc which is pressing on the nerves,so together with that and arthritic spinal cord together with wear
and tear,the advice from my very good doctor is"It will go eventually"Meanwhile I had a holiday booked to
Cuba,10hour flight which I came off crying with the pain despite taking every pain killer going.The holiday
was not looking good.On the holiday site in Valadera the rep recommended the on site doctor,everyone
in Cuba seems to have sciatica,she was brilliant,I had an injection four days running in the buttocks of
Dioxaflex,Betametasona,Diclofenac,and vitamin B12 all combined.
For the journey home she gave me the above injections in pill form together with 500mg of Metocarbamolwhich I have to take twice every 11 hours.
I also have from my own doctor Omeprazole 20mg to protect the stomach which is very important with all
the pain killers that I have been taking.
The above pills that I have mentioned from Cuba are for relaxing and anti-inflammatory pain so beware
the pain goes but it is only masking the symptoms so still take it easy.
I am seeing a consultant early January but hopefully i will not need him.
I will be going back to my own doctor for more of the above pills if they are available in England.
Hope this has helped some of you,and please advise on some exercises that will prevent me getting
flabby.
Hope you all get better very soon as it is a very depleting illness and insist on MRI scans ASAP
Air68131 Guest
Posted
To make things worse, I'm doing a PhD, and I have been unable to go to work for the last two months. My funding will be cut. I worked so hard to get to this stage in my career and its all going down the drain because my doctor thinks it will just disappear by dumping loads of valium and codeine into me. It's not just the physical pain, it's the psychological pain, the frustration of having to fight for treatment and the lack of hope you can sometimes feel.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get your doctor to take it seriously???
Also, will the surgery cause more scar tissue and pain?
Frightened! :'(
lindsay66979 Guest
Posted
It is really comforting to know that there is others who understand the fustraition of this back pain.
Im only 24 and have been dealing with this on and off back pain for a good few years.. usually after a week of bed rest the pain soon eases off.
About a month ago the pain was horrendous leaving me bed bound for 3 weeks after going to A+E and my GP numerous times all they could offer was a load of painkillers which were just numbing my mind! the MRI had shown a slipped disc and nothing was helping!
I finally had the spinal epidural which had helped alot ! however going back to work has just brought me back 3 paces again. i had to cut my hours and now unfortuanly am unable to do my job as it is too physical .( beauty therapy) it has caused me to shake and not feel well.
it has completly ruined my carrear which i have come so far after alot of different training and i am back to square one
can anyone suggest anything to help? or to help ease the pain at all? it is just so fustraiting.
joanespo lindsay66979
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rosenancy01939 joanespo
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.. we are talking of a period of May to August 2013.was able to walk but bent in a way. After working for three week's was too tired and felt one leg shorter than the other. You get all of advice and somebody suggested I should have special designed shoes I decided to take leave and rest. For one week,on Sundayw night of the MOnday I was to resume job I ,couldn't even turn in bed pIns similar to Labour pains my husband rushed me hospital as an emergency.Thew hospital staff too good, was then taken an MRI w which gave a clear picture of prolaps prolased disc. Was given all the dedication you can imagine. A guy guy at my wot
andrew186 Guest
Posted
hope this helps
rosenancy01939 Guest
Posted
Volleyball_girl Guest
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I just joined, because i think i have the same problems as you guys.. About a year or so ago i fell off a friends back and landed on hard concrete. Right on my lower back. About 2 weeks later my right foot swells 3× bigger than my real foot. Then a few months later my right foot goes numb for about 2 weeks. I have had swelling, sharp pains, and spotty numbness. Also had two blood works done, and an x-ray. They don't know what it is.. They gave me anti-Flammatory meditation just yesterday. Next monday, i have a MRI for my ankle... And i play club volleyball!! I am in High school. Will this stop me for some time? And how do i get some results??
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