Anyone been treated for a slipped disc successfully? Please advice needed.

[mamafridi]

Have been in excruciating pain for the best part of 2 months. Found out the reason after having an MRI scan and it's because I've got not one but two slipped discs in my lower back. My (unhelpful) doctor says I can either have surgery or a cortisone shot. I really would only think of surgery as the last resort and I've read that cortisone shots help the pain alright, but not the underlying problem, which can in turn make it worse.
Please is anyone living with a slipped disc and coping without being in agonizing pain? And if so what did you do to treat the problem.
I'm absolutely desperate, especially as I have a one year old and just picking her up is a monumental strain. And to be honest being in so much pain doesn't make for a very happy mum and that's so unfair for my DD .

I had two prolapsed discs for 17 years before they finally agreed to operate - wasted loads of dosh on osteopaths to get temporary relief. Was operated on 20 years ago - no sign of a problem since.

Unfortunately, because of the doctors' reluctance to go to surgery I spent those 17 years shifting my weight when standing from one hip to the other to ease the sciatic nerve pain and the chronic discomfort. Result? Knackered my knees because of the way I was distributing my weight unevenly damaged them, leaving me needing surgery (a lateral release and cartilage removal on the right knee and cartilage removal on my left knee).

I wish I had had the surgery many years before I did.

Well I'm 2.5 years post-op now, and it was an instant recovery really. Went under GA in pain and woke up pain free :) I wasn't supposed to pick up anything heavy for at least 2 weeks so went to my mum's to recover (leaving my 2 DSs (4 y and 6mo) at home with DH. But really had no problems since and have gone on to have DS3!

I do hope your DH recovers quickly for everyone's sake (the discs do sometime 'pop' back in apparently!) but I would keep in mind that this could drag on for months... It's so disruptive and uncomfortable. I do feel for you both

Thank you libby I'm so pleased to read about your recovery

DH is going back to the doctor to tell them the medication isn't working as he is still in so much pain!

Poor you , I can really sympathise. I have a history of slipped discs and had my first op at 18, 25 years ago , it was major surgery then , very invasive and took a long time to recover from. I had my fourth op in February this year, the pain caused by discs was so horrific I thought I was going to die. I'd recommend surgery any day, see a really good neurosurgeon , as mine said to me, these days the complications are minimal and the recovery is relatively quick. I had a massive dice prolapse and post op the pain relief was so incredible I wanted to dance with joy ! I was in hospital one night and driving again after a couple of weeks and currently my back feels fantastic. Don't discount surgery, it's not like it used to be.

Hey everyone
Not a Mum but a Dad Of a very Cool 2 year old.
Herniated disc is making my life hell.cant even pic the little fella up
Coming up 2 months now.

Mornings are good but from 1pm onwards if Im not on my second doclofinac im in 9 out of 10 pain level.

Coming up 2 months of this now..my poor wife....

Should I go surgery or wait longer...been told it can come rite by itself...thoughts??

Hi Greg27, how are you now and did you go for surgery?

Need some advice please. I am in so much pain from a herniated disc or 2. L 5 L4 Co codamol and muscle relaxants. Going on 2 months now. Referred last week to Wessex MSK triage team but no letter yet. In agony most of the time. co codamol sometimes lessens pain but for only about an hour. Cannot sit or stand still. Walking is agony but possible, lying down is best. Prepared to have surgery, just want pain to go away. Trip to Lapland in 7 weeks time with whole family. Should I go private surgery now? Injection ? Or can anything else at least make it bearable? Please help.

sorry, meant to add that the pain, of all different sorts is across the right of my lower back and all the way down my right leg and has started spreading across the top of my right foot. numbness and tingling in lower leg too.