To ask for herniated disc experiences? (desperate)

[fortunatelynot]

Hello all

Ten days ago I woke with a lower back ache. For the next three days I could not move at all easily with pain in my lower back. It improved but since then I can barely sit and struggle to straighten up after sitting. I have spoken to a doctor over the phone (I had a call scheduled for something else) and described the pain. He 'thinks' it is a herniated disc; having googled it for ages, I think he is right.

I'm mid forties and pretty fit - I run about 25 miles a week. Bizarrely I have been able to jog short distances - I know this sounds crazy but at periods during the day, when I am upright, it feels better. Sitting, even going to the toilet (sorry) is agony when I stand up. I can sleep on my side but literally any sitting/driving etc is so painful. My lower back feels so weak; even reaching forward to put shoes on hurts.

I have never had any type of back issues and this has come out of the blue. The doctor did not really give any helpful advice (although to be fair, the call was for something else).

Any experience of this?

I second this. I had this problem start in January last year, it had been niggling for a while and then I stupidly lifted something heavy.
I called 111 who sent me to A&E. They were able to confirm that it wasn’t cauda equina and got me an MRI scan and diagnosis a week later.
3 months off work, several sessions of physiotherapy and weekly osteopathy means I’m more of less back to normal but with a bit more respect for my body!

It's by far the easiest route for the surgery, with very little cutting and low risk of injury to the spinal cord or nerves. Recovery was easy, and the scar is almost unnoticeable.

I'm currently off work with this, mine in the middle of my back. I find the only thing that helps me is a red hot hot water bottle when I am going through spasms and my doctor has prescribed tramadol and gabapentin. The gabapentin has kicked in now and I'm starting physio in a couple of weeks. I've been going through this on and off since COVID, usually I only have problems for a day or two however this time it went on for around four weeks. My doctor said I shouldn't be in this much pain from a herniated disc as people can live with them without any pain at all but you lot have reassured me that I'm not being soft or cracking up.

I had one 18 months ago. It resolved in 12 weeks, I was on Naproxen until it healed.

I saw a physio, I kept doing yoga (nothing that hurt) and after it resolved I was better than I had been before. I also started lifting weights and strengthening my glutes which I think has helped going forward.

I have also noticed an emotional/stress link to my low back pain. That’s probably not helpful but may be a sign that more mental rest is needed.

Thanks! I was hoping not to have an op & so far, I haven't had to.

I didn't have physio, as it wasn't necessary for me. I walked as far as I could each day, but didn't push too hard, as the pain wouldn't allow me to. Slowly, the pain eased and then disappeared. I do get a twinge the odd time, but that's all.

It was low in my back. I don't remember what number it was.

Hope yours feel better soon.

When mine goes I can't walk. I get neurogenic claudication. It goes every 3-4 years and usually takes 9 months or so to heal (longer as I get older!) it is agony for the first 5 months usually. So your GP is an arse.

That's awful, I really feel for you

I had one at 38 (agony) and another recurrence at 45 (less bad).

The first time I was off work for months and was absolutely off my face on painkillers that did not actually kill the pain. I did get an MRI which then got me a surgical referral. I walked a lot to avoid surgery and eventually saw an Oestopath, swam and took codeine to manage it.

It's agony. I am now on HRT, go jogging and do stretches and swimming.

Try some things and see how you go. It's an awful experience, I couldn't sleep, couldn't work, couldn't think and was on my own with a four year old. Get all the help you can, and don't be nice. The NHS can be rubbish at helping women on this

Just physio. He used traction methods to open up the vertebrae so that (in simplistic terms) the discs were able to move back into place. I don't imagine that they ever fully regain their original place, but they've done so enough that I've not had any pain since.

@saraclara thBk you I have physio Friday let's see. Does traction method hurt

My biggest tip would be to avoid sitting at all costs.

Swimming when you’re healed

I had two herniated discs at once,
I even ate standing up and even now: ten years on, I will lie to watch to watch telly

I also go to Pilates religiously which has prevented me from having any other twinges

Me too! Exactly the same! Nightmare isn’t it?

It didn't in my case, from what I can remember. It was very gentle pulling.

@saraclara can I pm you x

@FatAgain i think sitting for sure made me worse

You can, but my treatment was a long time ago, so I don't think I'll be able to recall any more than I've already told you!

I used an inversion table for a couple of weeks and it resolved. Not the most pleasant experience but it did the trick.

@ManchesterPie for your neck or lower back

Lower back L5-S1

If you've got health insurance get a steroid injection. Gave me good relief.