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Original poster

Slipped Disc - Help!

55 replies

Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 19:42

My husband has seen a chiropractor who confirms he has a slipped disk. He is in so much pain and can hardly walk, getting in and out of bed is excruciating.
He is seeing the chiropractor for more sessions to try and help the constant pain, and will also be seeing a physio for acupuncture as recommended by the chiropractor.
The chiropractor said there is nothing that can be done to make it better, only time and rest will do that.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what we can do to alleviate the pain and fix the slipped disc?
We have bupa so I am going to call them tomorrow to see if they can help

OP posts:
cruisebaba1 · 28/04/2023 19:55

The chiropractor will have done all they can, when this happened to me , I tried rest and painkillers but through bupa I went to see a neurosurgeon who operated on my back after all other help had failed. Your husband is probably not at this level of problem , I would suggest you see a consultant as soo as possible. Then you can plan a way forward. Good luck.

Original poster
Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 20:14

The chiropractor said he can only help with the pain, I will call Bupa tomorrow and ask to see a consultant, thank you

OP posts:
PrincessofWellies · 28/04/2023 20:21

A good physio is what you need. Rest is not really helpful.

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pebbles3004 · 28/04/2023 20:27

Bupa will get you a physio. They can also get you a consultant who can refer you for an MRI, to understand how bad it is. The consultant will then be able to advise if physio will be enough or if surgery is needed.

I second PP, rest is not what he needs. He needs to move. I walked every day, as much as I could handle - baring in mind I was in absolute agony to begin with, and couldn't walk without extreme pain and a big, slow limp. A physio will give him slow and easy exercises to start with - I recommend doing them religiously, and walking every day. Do not just sit stationary as it will only get worse! Sitting on a soft chair/sofa is also awful for a slipped disc, make sure he sits on a firm chair.

Original poster
Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 20:36

Thank you for the replies, I'll make sure he gets up and takes slow walks regularly and will certainly speak to a consultant via Bupa

OP posts:
JessicaLN · 28/04/2023 20:38

Ice packs, pain management doc, Tens machine and lots of physio. Been there 15 years ago, it was horrendous. Hope he gets it sorted OP.

JessicaLN · 28/04/2023 20:40

And definitely no soft chairs/sofas. Also sleep on side with pillow between knees, takes pressure off lower back.

lljkk · 28/04/2023 20:43

How soon could OP hope to get the MRI ?

pebbles3004 · 28/04/2023 20:47

JessicaLN · 28/04/2023 20:40

And definitely no soft chairs/sofas. Also sleep on side with pillow between knees, takes pressure off lower back.

I slept on my back as it was too painful to sleep on my side (I'm normally a side sleeper) but I also put a pillow under my knees and it lifted the weight off my lower back.

pebbles3004 · 28/04/2023 20:50

lljkk · 28/04/2023 20:43

How soon could OP hope to get the MRI ?

Hmmm I can't remember exactly, but it was defo pretty quick (like within a few weeks - which included initial referral to BUPA, appt with consultant, and wait time for MRI, and receiving the result from consultant)

I had a physio appt the same day I reached out to bupa.

Mischance · 28/04/2023 20:51

You need neither chiropractor nor physio - you need a qualified orthopaedic surgeon who can do the necessary scans and recommend treatment. I get so cross when chiropractors fuck around with people's backs before a proper diagnosis has been established - and people pay them for it!

If you do not get the diagnosis right people can finish up paralysed and/or incontinent.

Acupuncture might or might not help with the pain, but the first route is for a doctor to establish the precise cause of the pain.

"Time and rest" says the chiropractor. Have you any idea how long it takes for a prolapsed disc to shrink down until it is no longer impinging on the nerve? And the advice to rest is debatable - lying around does not help.

If you have BUPA, get on and use it and make an appointment.

I had to have a discectomy last year - no amount of messing about with acupuncture would have stopped the disc from rendering me unable to walk as I could not feel my leg. I would not have let anyone not medically qualified anywhere near me.

Crikeyalmighty · 28/04/2023 20:53

@JessicaLN it's interesting you mention soft sofas. I've got some kind of spinal/neck issue and waiting for MRI. I'm fine all day on office chair but the minute I sit on my sofa at night I get pins and needles in my feet and weird dizziness. I am actually going to test out sitting on my hard dining chair. And see if it stops it!!

Kyse · 28/04/2023 20:57

Mischance · 28/04/2023 20:51

You need neither chiropractor nor physio - you need a qualified orthopaedic surgeon who can do the necessary scans and recommend treatment. I get so cross when chiropractors fuck around with people's backs before a proper diagnosis has been established - and people pay them for it!

If you do not get the diagnosis right people can finish up paralysed and/or incontinent.

Acupuncture might or might not help with the pain, but the first route is for a doctor to establish the precise cause of the pain.

"Time and rest" says the chiropractor. Have you any idea how long it takes for a prolapsed disc to shrink down until it is no longer impinging on the nerve? And the advice to rest is debatable - lying around does not help.

If you have BUPA, get on and use it and make an appointment.

I had to have a discectomy last year - no amount of messing about with acupuncture would have stopped the disc from rendering me unable to walk as I could not feel my leg. I would not have let anyone not medically qualified anywhere near me.

That ^^

And please google cauda equina symptoms, any at all and straight to a&e

The neurosurgeon laughed when I told him someone had said I just needed physio, my spinal cord was being crushed

pebbles3004 · 28/04/2023 21:13

Mischance · 28/04/2023 20:51

You need neither chiropractor nor physio - you need a qualified orthopaedic surgeon who can do the necessary scans and recommend treatment. I get so cross when chiropractors fuck around with people's backs before a proper diagnosis has been established - and people pay them for it!

If you do not get the diagnosis right people can finish up paralysed and/or incontinent.

Acupuncture might or might not help with the pain, but the first route is for a doctor to establish the precise cause of the pain.

"Time and rest" says the chiropractor. Have you any idea how long it takes for a prolapsed disc to shrink down until it is no longer impinging on the nerve? And the advice to rest is debatable - lying around does not help.

If you have BUPA, get on and use it and make an appointment.

I had to have a discectomy last year - no amount of messing about with acupuncture would have stopped the disc from rendering me unable to walk as I could not feel my leg. I would not have let anyone not medically qualified anywhere near me.

I agree re. no need for chiropractor, however there is absolutely a place for physios with rehab. Granted it might depend on how severe it is that the rehab with a physio might not be appropriate right now, but if OP can still walk (even with difficulty), I'd argue that a physio can absolutely be of benefit now. Google the link between glute/ hamstring strength and lower back pain. My physio targeted these areas, as well as giving me stretches for pain relief.

Of course make sure you choose a well regarded physio who has specialist qualifications in back/spinal.

Original poster
Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 21:22

Thanks again for all your replies, first job for tomorrow is to call Bupa and get a consultant appointment and hopefully get an MRI very soon so we know exactly what we are dealing with.

OP posts:
Frosty1000 · 28/04/2023 21:25

Not read all replies but when my hubby slipped a disc he had strong anti inflammatory pills, accupuncture, osteopath gave him exercises to do and finally he had an epidural which helped enormously.

Original poster
Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 21:25

I have just told him to try the pillow between the legs, he said that really helps so thank you!

OP posts:
Madamecastafiore · 28/04/2023 21:26

Diazepam will help relax the muscles and then the pain relief will work a lot better.

Original poster
Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 21:29

We have a phone call with a doctor tomorrow morning purely to get pain relief, we only have nurofen at home and that's just not going to cut it so will ask them for stronger pain relief and anything else they can recommend like muscle relaxers too

OP posts:
FeltedDogs · 28/04/2023 21:30

It's sad to see the NHS no longer figures in acute medical needs. A chiropractor is not a doctor and shouldn't be diagnosing without advising seeing a proper medical person. Can't you just go to the hospital and see a proper doctor, get a proper diagnosis? Otherwise what next? A faith healer? Homeopath? What a waste of money, you pay NI and don't need quacks taking your money for nothing.

Mischance · 28/04/2023 21:37

Pickle2023 · 28/04/2023 21:22

Thanks again for all your replies, first job for tomorrow is to call Bupa and get a consultant appointment and hopefully get an MRI very soon so we know exactly what we are dealing with.

Phew!

JessicaLN · 28/04/2023 21:37

I was on Nortriptyline for two years after mine, helped so much and was what got me back to work after 6 months off. Don’t be scared of trying different painkillers.

switswoo81 · 28/04/2023 21:46

I went to a physio while waiting for consultant appointment. She took one look at the MRI and said she would do more harm than good and wouldn't touch me.
I had surgery 5 weeks later and while the recovery is very tough going I got my life back

lovemycbf · 28/04/2023 21:50

I slipped 4 discs in one go and the lower one ruptured
It was the worst pain I've ever experienced no amount of painkillers really took the pain away, what did help me was a plug in heat pad and keep gently moving

Mischance · 28/04/2023 21:51

I'd argue that a physio can absolutely be of benefit now. - no. The first step is a proper diagnosis. This is necessary before any treatment (including physio) can be started.