To ask for your slipped disc / sciatica experiences?

[BackPainMisery]

I’m pretty sure I have a slipped disc at l5/s1. Seeing the GP to confirm.

I have lower back pain, a tingling bum and sciatica in my left leg.

looking for positive stories from those who have had similar. What helped, what didn’t. Should I be avoiding anything? How should I sleep? Sitting is the worst thing I think.

also has anyone else had the tingling bum? That’s bilateral. Can’t see this is normal with what I have going on?

Wow you guys have really been through it! It sounds terrible ☹️

im considering an MRI next week just so i know exactly what’s going on but im nervous it’ll show more than I think and freak me out! So I will see what my physio says about it when I see him next.

I am doing core strengthening work 2-3x per day at the moment, avoiding sitting wherever possible (standing or lying on my side with a pillow between my knees instead), walks and squatting to pick things up, not carrying anything heavy, no shopping, changing beds etc.

the back pain isn’t particularly nice but naproxen is taking the edge off but it’s the tingling that’s driving me crazy and causing the stress. Anything nerve related makes me nervous (haha).

@Katkincake i really hope your surgery goes well and you make a quick and full recovery. Please keep us updated on this post if you like! 💜

@ChiefEverythingOfficer what is the pin prick test? I've not encountered that one.

My big mistake when I went to A&E was to go to the wrong hospital. The emergency doctor asked me why I was there instead of out other hospital because the other one has a spinal unit. I didn't know that. But I do for next time.

Yesterday my left leg gave way under me when I was walking (the original pain was right side based). The surgeon told me "any weakness in your legs, go to A&E, but I'm scared to go back in case I get the same reaction. I have control of my bowels so I guess I don't have CES.

The doctor take a blunt pin type instrument and makes several pricks around the anus. This is to test that there is feeling/sensation and rule out CES. It was accompanied by a full and empty bladder scan to measure how much urine is retained after going to the loo. Gives an indication of bladder function.

Ps it doesn't hurt, well anything except your dignity.

I've been seeing a chiropractor for a month. The improvement has been amazing.

Chiropractors are great, but it depends on progression and type of injury.

I have 2 x large herniation with significant compression and am not a suitable candidate for chiropractic treatment. So it's not always the best option.

This is a good reason to have a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment. There is no definitive test for disc herniation other than MRI or CT.

My chicopractor was very careful about what he'd treat, they are HCP so I'm sure that is normal. It has worked amazingly well for me, the first couple of weeks it was just a small improvement but it has been increasingly effective. I'd say for me 90% improvement, instead of crying with pain when standing doing washing up or something I'm now just aware of it.

The OP was looking for positive stories and my story is positive so I think it was reasonable to post it.

Sorry if you misunderstood. I totally agree that Chiro is great, my point was more about ensuring you enable them with the necessary information to safely treat you. Everybody is different - so an eyes on plan is really important, with a proper diagnosis via imaging.

So glad it's worked for you 😊 .

I’m glad I came across this thread. I have had recurrent issues with my back. It’s always been weak but I injured it around 4 years ago. Since then it flairs up and then goes away. I am currently on my worst ever flair up after cleaning the floor. I can hardly walk. When I have been sat on a soft chair or wrong position I then can’t straighten my spine. I can’t pick up my 1 year old as he is too heavy. I am walking very oddly as I can’t weight bear properly due to the pain. I’ve had heat pads on, ibuprofen and co codomal and it hasn’t touched the pain. I can’t roll over in the night without pain. Because of the way my body is moving to relieve pressure on my back it’s making everywhere else sore like my pelvis and hips. I feel like it isn’t sciatica as I had that when I was pregnant but the pain in my spine is horrible. I am going to book a GP appointment tomorrow I have mostly managed it myself but I am in too much pain! How can I push for an MRI scan without being told to ‘wait and see’ as I’ve said this has been an on and off issue for 4 years now and gets worse each time I have a ‘flare up’. I am usually very active and do lots of walking, go to the gym etc so it is really frustrating!

GPS won’t refer for an MRI before 12 weeks according to my physio. Can you afford a private one? In my area they’re £200

Sat recovering. Op went well, not too painful to move. Numbness still there in my leg, but suspect it could some time to make a difference given how long it’s been like it.

I could go home but it’s very peaceful so I might as well stay in for another night, plus saves DS jumping over me when I get home!

@Cookiedough123 go to your GP and insist on a referral. Mine had been gradually deteriorating for 3 years when I decided I need to sort it out.

Did you go private? When is your surgeon reviewing you? Pleased it all went well

Back home after a pretty good nights sleep. Another lady in my ward had the same surgery so it was good to compare notes. Outpatient appointment in 3mths time to see how it’s been.

Hopefully this is the last one I’ll need. Deffo’ need to do lots more Pilates for strength and sadly give up running for good as it just aggravates it too much.

@BackPainMisery all done on NHS, just had to be patient and take meds in meantime. Once you get to see a consultant it’s straightforward from then on for MRI referral and diagnosis then what the solutions can be. If it had taken longer my plan was to join Benedon health through work as you get can treatment if you’ve been waiting longer than 6mths.

best wishes to everyone struggling, hope you get some relief.

Ah wonderful. I hope you heal quickly. How is the leg today?

According to my physio about 80% of people get better within 16 weeks. I'm currently. 8 months in and it's only just starting to get better. For me, it appears to be lifestyle related. For work, I have to drive places, then sit for hours without moving, then drive back home. It's now become obvious that this is a huge problem. ( I was very much better over Xmas when not working. ) Being as mobile as possible is a very good idea. So moving little and often is much more important than going on a walk at some point every day

@Katkincake hope you are recovering nicely

I am next in line - my op is scheduled 6am Thursday morning...and frankly I can't wait. The deficit in my foot gets worse each day and the pain is unbearable.

Hope everybody else is doing OK 👍 👌

Please go to see a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist, even if you have to pay - the NHS is so hit and miss on who you get.

They will diagnose exactly how the disc is bulging, and thus what exercises and positions are best for YOU as opposed to people whose discs may or may not be bulging in the same way/position. They will also be alert for red flags.

MRI should only be a confirmation of what has already been diagnosed clinically, as many people have disc bulges that cause no pain whatsoever and require no treatment. these can even be more prominent than the actual problem disc. Alas, many doctors are overly-guided by MRI and that's possibly why surgery has a low rate of success in comparison to other surgeries.

Chiropratic is NOT great. Don't let those quacks touch your back.

https://mylespower.co.uk/2019/08/11/chiropractic-quackery-hiding-in-plain-sight-2/

i had a slipped disc (l5s1) at the height of 2020 covid. Came on rapidly and out of the blue (I had lifted something very heavy the day before). The pain was like nothing I had ever experienced and was the worst time of my life. No back pain but pain in my bum and leg and foot and pins and needles too. I couldn’t sit comfortably either. Eventually I went privately and had the MRI. The surgeon offered surgery but also said it could get better without. I decided to wait it and out and by about 8 months it was better. Four years on, I get the occasional twinge but it really is fine in general.
i did go for physio , to an osteopath for a while and did lots of swimming and walking even when I was in pain. Eventually I asked my gp for amitriptiline which is an easily tolerated nerve medicine as well as anti depressant. Good luck - it really was an awful time but it can get better!

hope it goes well @ChiefEverythingOfficer .

Day 2 post op and stiff as board this morning. Also got some swelling above wound so will keep an eye on it today.
foot is numb still, which I’m hoping goes away in time. Patience is a virtue I don’t have a lot of 😂

Physio doesn’t think it’s a slipped disc, but due to the nerve issue I’m not so sure so I’ve had an MRI. Awaiting results.

@BackPainMisery How did you go about the arranging the MRI - did you have to make a private appt?

I'm in a similar position with pain down my thigh and into my calf. It's worse with sitting and I now have pins and needles spreading to other areas which is a new symptom (not sounding like CES though thankfully). Have had remote apts with GP but going to push for an in person appt tomorrow as feeling really stressed about lack of progress after 6 weeks.

Yes, we have a company local here that you can self refer to. I have received the results and I don’t have a slipped disc which is a massive relief!

definitely recommend getting a private mri if you can.

My short ish version

Sciatica for years. January 2017 it flared but felt different, ended up a private physio. Third session she refused to treat me and sent me for an MRI, saying "something is really wrong here"
March I end up off work and drugged to the eyeballs on pain meds, scan comes back as a huge disc herniation L5/S1. Tell them I want to cut my leg off with the pain

It's all a bit hazy from there but I took a cancellation to see a consultant who said it needed surgery and put me on the list
Pain is replaced by total numbness and inability to walk without dragging my leg

May I develop CES, lying in bed and think it feels like warm water running down my legs. No other symptoms except the usual numbness and foot drop. I debate for a bit then drive myself to a&e and say "I think I have cauda equina"

Shoved in a scanner pretty swiftly with a look of as I'm still walking with full bladder and bowel control, confirmed CES and neurosurgeon on his way. Surgeon arrives and says "I don't know how you are still walking.. sorry you DROVE here?!"

5hr surgery, walked an hour after, discharged 21hrs post op. Surgeon says I am wilful and will have a good recovery when I ask when I can ride again
Set alarm on phone for 8 weeks post op to the day, do private physio and PT rehab, get back on horse 8 weeks on the dot. Outside of foot and leg still have numbness

Do you mind me asking if it ever hurt to walk? I’m in the middle of it all now. I was walking lots every day but then rested for
a month and did nothing, and I am trying to introduce walking again but it’s painful! I am
making progress elsewhere. But the walking, man! Not like it was. Also, how long did you take to get over that initial acute phase?

I hope you don’t mind me jumping in here. Your update has given me hope. I’m almost five months post-injury and getting there. I am seeing loads of improvement and having more good days than bad. But the recovery isn’t linear is it! So frustrating.

After Eight months, were you just able to sleep on either side again? Drive? Sit on the sofa? I can’t wait for this misery to end!