Back pain sufferers - need advice please

[Loueytb3]

I have recently been diagnosed with two degenerative and bulging discs in my lower back. I've been advised to stop running (which is killing me as I used to run 3x a week) and move to non-impact exercise. I've started pilates, a daily stretching programme and hopefully will get back swimming soon, although the logistics are failing me at the moment. However, I am currently in constant pain despite taking anti-inflammatories before bed and I'm now on painkillers (tramadol) when I get up in the morning.

Has anyone else got this problem and do you have any tips for things that worked to help with the pain. The next step (I am told) is epidural injections into my spine. But they may not work. I am feeling very down as I don't think I realised how serious it was and a few people I've spoken to (Drs) in the last few days have just rammed it home.

I am only 40 and have 3 young DCs - I do not want to be in constant pain.

Hello, sorry you are in such pain. I'm going to bump up the Back Story thread for you, please join us.

It sounds like you are doing lots of the right things. Heat always helps me, too. Are you taking regular analgesia? If it's just morning and night you probably aren't taking enough. Pharmacists are good for this. You need a combination of drugs for best effect.

Anyway, come and chat with us. Unfortunately you have plenty of company. The bad news is that there are no easy answers and certainly no quick ones.

Thanks Matilda - will have a read and jump onto that thread later on (I'm supposed to be working at the moment!) Heat does help but I need to find the hot water bottle as heat patches are costing a fortune

precious your pillow sounds interesting! can you give us a link to it?

There is quite a lot of shoe discussion on the Back Story thread. I, too have kept a few pairs but I know I won't be wearing them again.

Wilkinson a heat patches are excellent and miles cheaper than other brands. I believe I have tested the market quite thoroughly .

With hindsight, I wish now that I had actually done less in the early stages of injury. There is so much advice about exercise and avoiding too much lying down. I wonder if I should have rested more and let the injury settle down. Apparently discs do settle eventually. Hard with young children, though. Hope you have help.

I'm interested in the pillow as well precious.

Physio has been good but there is basically a limit to what he can do (so he says and so says the consultant I've seen). Currently sat with a hot water bottle on my back but will check out the wilkos patches thank you. I wear heels when I'm at work (3 days) but the rest of the week I'm in flat shoes. Having said that, I did wonder today if they weren't helping. I take them off when I'm sat at my desk.

Sitting is the most painful of all at the moment. Off to post on the other thread....

I would look into a different physio to see if they could help - ask around if possible.

I have had HUGE long term relief through Pilates, so suggest you stick with that. I pay a small fortune to go to classes that are small and run by a lady who really knows her stuff with posture and backs. I once went to a huge pilates class at the local sports centre - never again! It was dreadful and I had no one-to -one support.

Choose your 'helpers' carefully... and good luck

The pilates is a small fortune - I am going to one which uses reformer beds and usually there are 4-6 people max in the class. However, my posture is not good and my core is very weak so it has to help in the long run.

I am wondering about a chiropractor but have never seen one before.

When I had a disc prolapse I used a combination of paracetamol & diclofenac throughout the day including waking up to take a dose during the night (I was breast feeding DS as disc went during labour so was up in the night anyway). I used heated wheaties on the muscles, saw a physio & an osteopath alternate weeks (the physio used acupuncture which gave great relief albeit for only a few days each time) & started Pilates once I'd recovered enough from my caesarean.
Definitely recommend a multi-pronged approach, it took 10 months for my pain to be negligible

Louey, sitting is my most painful thing, too so commiserations. I'm sure the Pilates if very gentle will help. You have to work under the pain IYSWIM. Also, I see you wear heels to work. Well I honestly suggest you ditch them. Heels throw your spine into an abnormal posture and will be pinching away on those sore discs. If you look hard enough there are reasonable options. Lots of us have had to give up heels, I'm afraid. Fly London have had a fair bit of custom from some of us here. If you have time to look on the Back Story thread there is a link to an Alexander Technique site and a Constructive Rest exercise. I promise that 10 minutes lying on the floor as as good as drugs!

Personally I wouldn't be going to the chiropractor. You are doing enough. Like I said, I actually wish I had done less. Concentrate on those core muscles, gentle mobility, analgesia and rest. Oh, and I'm afraid picking up the toddler, well, I'd be investing in Smarties for walking like a big boy, getting in and out of the car seat etc. no good undoing all your hard work.

It's a slog but this will improve. Sorry, finally, if and it's a big if, you get referred on, you don't want an orthopaedic surgeon. Neurosurgeons are best for disc surgery (god forbid), injections by radiologists and anaesthetists. Neurologists are physicians and deal with disorders like MS.

One piece of advice - never ever sit on squashy sofas/chairs where your bum is lower than your knees. I suffered a double lower disc prolapse for 17 years before surgery cured me completely. But I still don't sit with my bum lower than my knees - puts an unnatural strain on the spine.