Hi, can I join the thread please?
Have had back pain since May '13, but the leg pain (right leg, down to the calf) is much worse. Early 40s, no history of back problems. It started after I fell on my arse on slippery ground - soft landing, didn't hurt much at the time. Back pain the next day, leg pain started 2/3 days later.
I'm mobile & still walking quite a lot but in pain (variable amounts) every day. NSAIDs do help, as does co-codamol, but I've not seen any real improvements over the months. Have seen a chiropractor & had NHS physio (neither helped) & have been doing exercises (mainly yoga-based) religiously for months. Read Sarah Key's back book & have tried her exercises & the back block too. Some of the exercise gives relief at the time but there's been no lasting effect so far.
Eventually had an MRI (late October, & took 6 weeks to get results) that showed my bottom disc (L5/S1) is dried out & degenerated, & bulging out -particularly on the right - so that it impinges on the S1 nerve root. There is also facet joint arthritis at the same level. Other discs seem fine. The report said that, given my presentation, this was almost certainly symptomatic.
I was surprised that it seems to be disc-related as I haven't had numbness or loss of sensation in the right leg. Do have odd sensations like tingling, though, as well as the cramping, pinching pain. My GP says there is some loss of strength in the right leg (though I can't feel this) & there is some visible muscle wastage on the right side of my bum/ hip area.
Anyway, I'm seeing a neurosurgeon (NHS) next week but don't know what to expect or, indeed, what outcome I'm looking for. As I said, I'm mobile - walked nearly 5 miles yesterday (more than usual, admittedly, & with the help of 30mg. codeine) so I realize things could be a lot worse.
OTOH, I'm in pain that is severe at times, & hard to manage on a daily basis. I can't stand (still) for more than about 10 mins. - have to divide up ordinary tasks like preparing a meal into manageable chunks. I can't drive - can't extend my right leg adequately in a sitting position. Can't sit comfortably in most seats. And the pain can worsen unpredictably - eg. when I'm walking - to the point where I want to lie down on the pavement. I can't do long journeys & am in agony after sitting in the car (as passenger) even for an hour. It's affecting my life & the lives of the rest of my family.
Does anyone have any idea what, if anything, the consultant is likely to want to know & what, if anything, might be offered. While I know I'm fortunate that I'm not incapacitated / in constant agony, I would also like to have a normal life back. I suppose I just don't understand why my back won't heal. My mum had major disc prolapses 3 or 4 times in her adult life, & was much worse in the early stages than I've been with this. Yet she was fully recovered within 4 /5 months each time, yet I'm still like this 10 months on from such a minor incident. I don't get it.
Sorry for such a massive post. I've only just discovered this thread & haven't had chance to read it all yet.