Anyone have sudden sharp pain like knife in nerve with disc problems

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I’m in agony and I can’t move if I slightly move wrong I nearly pass out it’s terrible, see stars the lot makes me scream out, was diagnosed with herniated disc a year ago, but was I thought on very slow road to being able to walk properly again. Then must have twisted funny or something I’m not sure but it’s been 6 weeks now I have been trying to rest this time, as can’t really move anyway, I’m scared it’s something serious this time can’t tell you how bad it was before but I can’t move without this awful pain I’m so desperate

Where is the pain, in your back or down your legs or arms?
Make sure you know the signs for cauda equina if you've had a herniated disc before, that can be incredibly serious.

It’s in the spine area/disc, this is what I’m worried about my legs are agony

Sorry thank you for replying I had to move, seems that if I have functioning bowel and bladder then I’m ok, no pain relief touches it, the sudden pain is the worst, no one wants to know. My mri this time last year showed slipped disc L4L5S1, I’m desperate

I have similar problems, so much to say on this but expecting a friend so will post later. The pain is incredible, worse than labour IMO. I would call 111 as you might be in spasm and need muscle relaxants. Second cauda equina consideration too. Will post later x

Your disc may be pressing on your sciatic nerve or one of the others near it. Mine is. Shedload of big hitter painkillers (zapain & amitriptyline) help but my TENS machine is the biggest help. Agree to keep an eye out for cauda equina.

Hi OP, I had similar to you for a year until I had surgery (a discectomy). The strongest painkillers you can get OTC are Nurofen+ which have codeine. Boots also sell their own brand. They don't do a lot for nerve pain, but might take the edge off til you can speak to GP.

While I was waiting for surgery I was prescribed gabapentin, which works by disrupting pain signals and it did work very well for nerve pain I must say, I couldn't have coped without it. The surgery was v. successful and mobility is no longer impaired at all, (I couldn't walk without a stick). I did have to keep pushing with my GP though.

I'm sure the last thing you feel like doing atm is moving at all, but I found lying on my back with knees up and going into a bridge helped. Also in the same position, but letting your knees gently sway from side to side. Only if it's not too painful though.

You really have my sympathies

What painkillers have you got?
Mine only eased taking a combo of naproxen, codrydomol and diazepam!

Thank you all so much for your reply’s I’m taking naproxen and diazepam, I can’t take much else because of bowel problems, so I know I’m not easy to treat, but the sudden sharp pain is so bad, I’m struggling to sleep for more than 2 hours so any advice I really appreciate, last year when it first happened I tried tens,PT, osteopath, everything just made it worse, it really is worse than any pain. Feeling like I just can’t take any more

So I have had back pain since I was about 10/11 years of age. My mum suffers too so I thought it was something in the family. As an adult I tried everything, pain killers, physio, osteo etc etc. Nothing gave great relief. I then started with a Chiro. This gave relief but then I couldn't afford it anymore so stopped. I then seemed to suffer awful episodes more often and a particularly bad one in 2017/2018 when my back went into spasm and it was the most awful pain I've ever experienced. I couldn't breathe properly or talk. From there they ordered an MRI which found bulging discs and a severe stenosis. I saw someone about it but she didn't say a great deal, just that I needed to learn to live with it, recommend a book and warned about Cauda Equina which I had never heard of. Fast forward to now and I also have pinchy sharp pain and pain in my legs. I want to ask for surgery as it's getting me down big time. Today I see a Chiro and take codeine and naproxen. Red wine helps! Also I can't do much walking at the moment

Thank you for coming back, I feel your pain, it’s soul destroying isn’t it. I can walk taking tiny steps but that’s about it, it’s been over a year since I got on the floor to play with my daughter, even being able to shave my legs would seem like a miracle, I hope you are able to sleep, as that is so hard as there is no escaping the pain

I actually can but I think it's because the pain almost stops when I lie down. I say almost as sometimes it's bad but I do take mirtazepine which is an AD which aids sleep.

Yes the not being able to get on the floor or shave legs I can relate to. Putting my shoes on today was a battle.

I had the same, and had a referral to a consultant. I had a guided injection under CT scan into my sciatic nerve just to the side of my spine, and this helped a lot, along with weekly physio and Pilates exercises at home.

Until then, keep mobile with lots of walking, even if it is slow, and hot baths helped a lot. Don't sit or lie for too long in one position, keep upright and moving during the day.

Thank you so much for the reply’s, it helps knowing people understand the level of pain.