1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Disc Prolapse

slipped disc - what next

Posted , 3 users are following.

smeggedup
smeggedup

Hi all

Well I think I've had this slipped disc L5 for 10 years or more but it finally started to give me major pain and problems with my legs, I've been off work for 4 months, I was given an mri after phsyio failed.

December the 6th 2014 I was given an injection into the S1 nerve root, this gave me more pain for the first three weeks and then tailed off but left me with the original pain.

I went to the specialist Friday the 16/1/15 he has refereed me for an injection In to the disc itself

My question is that when he referred me he said that if it works they may operate, but if it doesn't then they definitely won't ?

My hernia is inward, so would they look at micro diskectomy ?

They have booked me in for the injection tomorrow 26/1/15 (must be a record for the nhs)

I'm worried about what happens next he mentioned about pain management which from what I understand is living with it doped up !

I'm taking 1500mg gabapentin and could do with more

Tramadol when needed

Cocodamol regulaly (but been on these for years due to plantar fasciitis)

I feel they just need to take the disc out and fuse it together but worried that it won't work and they won't do anything (I'd be half tempted on lying if it didn't just so they'd do something tbh)

So what could happen next after this jab if

1. It works

2.it doesn't

Thanks

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • n8ster
    n8ster smeggedup

    Posted

    Well the shots just mask the problem and then you damage the disc even more . I think you will also have more numbness in your legs and feet . I just had a fusion in my L 3-4 because I had a couple disc that were herniated . They removed them put in plastic spacers and fused the two to stableize it . I think this is the right thing to do once your nerve gets pinched . I realize it is easier and cheaper for them to just inject the disc to hide the pain but in the long run I don't think it is that great of idea . One thing is for sure . You have to be a little pushy and sometime maybe tell a little white lie to get them to do what you need . Since you have to live with it and the doctors don't . I have a rule that when they ask the pain level from 1 -10 I always add 3-4 . Other wise they think you can just live with it . If the nerve gets to damaged you can have all kinds of problems including bladder control problems .
  • Craigo14
    Craigo14 smeggedup

    Posted

    Hey

    I've had the same disc problem for the last 8 years now at the age of 26 I thought enough is enough and demanded that somthing needed doing as I couldn't live a normal life withe the pain. I was sent to a specialist then a surgeon and was operated on a couple of weeks back.

    I feel Doctors\NHS try too avoid sending there patients too surgery as it's expensive.

    I avoided the injections as they are just there to mask the pain.

    I would of paid for private health care by all means possible if they denied me the treatment. Have you thought about the possibility of that?

    • smeggedup
      smeggedup Craigo14

      Posted

      Yer

      Think I'll have to look in to private if nothing gets done.

      Will take it as far as I can with the nhs.

      Massive bug bare is that I've had lots of accidents that probably caused the issue with my back but because an MRI wasn't done then we've no idea when it was done so the accidents have been claimed for and sorted

  • smeggedup
    smeggedup

    Posted

    Well I had the epidural

    It wasn't as painful as the jab in the hip

    It seems to have worked a bit but not massively, hoping it will keep getting better

  • smeggedup
    smeggedup

    Posted

    Well it doesn't seem to have got much better at all ;(

    Has anyone had an operation that the caudeal epidual hasn't worked ?

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.