To ask for your tried and tested relief methods for slipped disc pain?

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I've a herniated disc in my lower back. The first time it 'went' I'd never experienced pain like it. I screamed and cried with every spasm and couldn't move an inch.

I've kept it under control last 3 years with ice packs, acupuncture, physio and chiropractor. I had a bad reaction to painkillers. P redlus a knee pillow wedge, less in my handbag and new office chair. Touch wood, no more spasms, just bouts of it hurting a lot.

Today it's hurting a LOT. Been lying on ice pack for 30 mins now, about to have a hot bath. I need sleep tonight though. Anyone going through this that has something else to try? Thanks.

Have you had a steroid injection? That followed by fairly intensive physio fixed it for DH.

Are you keeping fit. That’s helped me most of all. Proper gym exercise including running and weights, gradually building up. Mindfulness helps too - don’t let fear of movement cause more spasms, break the cycle.

I say all this but had surgery before getting better. The gym wasn’t helping until after this and some psychological coaching.

@drsausage I've never been offered steroids or cortisone, or any injections. Despite being referred to a specialist. They diagnosed scoliosis which it looks like I've had undiagnosed since a child. This is what's probably squashed the disc.

@ShastaBeast I don't exercise besides walking my dogs twice a day. The physio advised against exercise, even when I suggested yoga. Maybe I should get a second opinion.

Get a heatpad. Sit on it, lie on it, live on it!

Voltarol gel rubbed onto actual area of pain and oral paracetamol helped take the edge of the pain. It’ll take about a week with bed rest and minimal movement before you feel normal again. Then start a regular exercise programme of Pilates, core strengthening and swimming to keep it at bay.

A hot water bottle after a hot bath helps me. Moving helps too, regularly and short distances. It doesn’t matter what it is, cleaning or walking are my go-to’s but it’s always so much worse when I stay in one position. Good luck OP.

Weirdly, I found going to sleep on an electric blanket really helped. I only timed it for an hour, so not all night, but I found it made a massive difference in the morning.

How about different painkillers? Though I must say only tramadol, which knocked me out, made any difference to me.

Ask your GP about nerve painkiller tablets- gabapentin, pregabalin or amitryptiline?

Scoliosis can be caused by a slip disc as well as causing it. I have a bit of a twist due to preference and compensation.

If you haven’t already get an MRI done. Injections are hit and miss, 50% chance of improvement and a small chance of making it worse. I didn’t think it was worth the risk and they probably work best when followed up with strict exercises. Pain killers can help in the same way, breaks the pain/spasm cycle to allow it to heal and exercise.

I was told not to exercise by some and to do whatever feels right by others. The former led nowhere while the later has made a big difference. Although I did it with a trainer at the council gym who is trained to help disabled people and I knew when to say no. It was slow progress and I still avoid classes and yoga is probably best avoided. Weights and exercise which engages the core, but not just the core in isolation, help most.

I feel for you ... I know...
Happened to me 5 years ago I had a pro lapse on my L5S1.
Private physio helped me and he made me buy this book it saves me and I still use the exercises to this day it’s a life saver for a prolapse. Take diazepam and anti inflammatory a d do the extensions As often as you can to begin with wherever you are.
Good luck and then hot yoga after that.
It will get better oh and tumeric tea xx

@ShastaBeast thanks, I've had a MRI and the scoliosis is noticeable and the disk is very thin. I had a bad reaction to Voltarol, and Co-codomol knocks me out, so trying to avoid drugs.

To everyone else, thank you. To those that suggested heat, I tried it when this all started and ice definitely works better for my pain, plus I'm always too hot anyway, so heat no good.

Bless you @sweetiepie1979 it's misery isn't it? I've been seeing a private chiropractor, he's done loads more than my NHS physio to keep me moving.

Have any fellow sufferers had that stretching rack done?

I've heard it's like the medieval stretching rack, bit less torturous! 😂 Apparently stretched the spine out and takes pressure off disc. Sounds scary though.

Oh here is book
www.amazon.co.uk/Treat-Your-Back-Robin-McKenzie/dp/0987650408/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?s=gateway&keywords=fix+your+own+back&sprefix=fix+your+own+&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1565726324&sr=8-1

Thank you @sweetiepie1979 I will take a look.

I have nerve root damage and had severe pain for years. I've found that acupuncture really helps me day to day. I really didn't believe in it but I found a practitioner who had moved over from actual medicine so felt a bit more comfortable. I have less spasms, less numbness and only take tramadol and amitriptyline when it really flares up.

I don't think it is a magic bullet but I'm totally happy for it to be the placebo effect; it made a difference to my quality of life.

My mum has also had good experiences with acupuncture.

Have you the option for surgery? I had a microdiscectomy almost 6 years ago - although it took a while after for the back pain to go away, the excruciating nerve pain went immediately.

I posted nearly the same thread the other day. After much research I went to my doctor and asked for Gabapentin. Since Friday the shooting pain has stopped, still the dull ache but much MUCH more bearable! Everyone I've read about who took it has helped.

And I'm also awaiting surgery as when I have really bad flare ups it's unbearable, and I have two small children so I need a permanent fix!

I did gapabentin and all the stretching and tens but mine was ruptured and the only thing that helped was a steroid injection

The first time it bulged it did go in 8 weeks but it was a tough 8 weeks!

I eventually had a steroid injection which helped with my slipped discs but the thing that worked the most was massage therapy - I found the most amazing therapist who has worked absolute wonders. It's taken a year or more but nowadays I barely feel it. It's a nightmare though and I hope you soon feel better x

@MaryBerrysBomberJacket and @berlinbabylon I do have acupuncture currently. It does help.

@FreedomFidgit The Drs said they won't operate unless it's affecting going to the toilet or the use of my legs. Which. Fine with, the thought of an operation terrifies me!

Thanks @raspberryjo I will look into that. Glad it's helping you.

I thoroughly recommend Gravitylife. I have no idea how it works but it does. Takes 24 hours with me once the twitching stops. Ibuprofen and tens machine also help.

Ah, you've reminded me that I was going to look into deep tissue massage. Thank you.

Thanks @PookieDo I didn't think of TENS.