Slipped disc feels like it’s getting worse

[user1497873278]

Has anyone any experience of this I herniated L4L5last year took months to get some sort of life back, was no way normal but felt like I was on the right track, then suddenly the severe pain started again now it’s the lower discL5S1 it’s been 3 months and feels awful like the disc is moving which when happens is sharp, also so much pain down legs. I know lots have this problem but I can barely move and I’m really struggling, I’m in tears constantly, any experiences would be helpful

Hi User - so sorry to hear you're in pin again. I remember our thread from last year. I'm guessing the pain is different this time which is why you think it's a different disc or have you had a new scan?

Thanks for replying it’s been a painful year, the new mri last week has shown it’s the disc below now, so L5 S1, I had about 3 months that felt like I was finally making progress, being able to get more sleep, and walking properly, then in September I think I over did it and you know that feeling, so I tried resting more this time but it just got worse, so here I am again it’s soul destroying, and it is so painful, it’s the sharp sudden pain that feels like the disc actually is moving which is so bad and scares me, it’s lonely as no one understands how painful it is. I really hope you are ok now, it really is terrible, thank you so much for answering me

Similar here with recurring back problems. Have had flare ups since the summer but had other periods of pain all through adulthood. Physio advice is that the disc needs to scar over to heal and probably when the pain stopped I went straight into overdoing it and it never really healed properly. I also should of strengthened at that point to take the pressure off the spine and help avoid damage again. It’s so depressing and debilitating. Trying to stay positive that this time it will heal and physio will help me strengthen to avoid future incidents but it’s hard! Really feel for you

Confused1975 I’m struggling as it seems to be getting worse every day which I just can’t take this has been 13 weeks this time. I hope you get some relief. Localher0 I really hope you are all recovered now, sorry for short response I can’t stand still or concentrate

Has the GP given you any painkillers to help in the short term? I totally understand the pain can be all consuming

Naproxen and diazepam for the spasms I can’t have much because of bowel, so that doesn’t help

Are you able to take amitryptiline? I found this really helped with nerve pain when naproxen wasn’t really helping any more and as a bonus it really helped me sleep. I had months of painful sciatica from l4/l5 compression it has disappeared for now but I’m aware how horrendous it is, you have my sympathies. I try only to use my core when making any sort of movement including walking as this eases the pressure on my spine and helps strengthen my core. And Pilates very gently at first to strengthen.

Could you ask for something like pregabalin? Amitriptyline? Is there any talk of having a discectomy?

I can’t take either of those drugs unfortunately tried them last time, it definitely doesn’t help as I’m not getting any pain killers really, don’t think naproxen actually helps the pain, I’m barely walking today it’s hell, the consultant said it should start to feel easier by now, but I know last time he said that, and it took longer, just scared of this pain. Yes I think much longer of this and I will go down the op route, they don’t seem keen to do it. But I can’t live like this2nd Christmas, and my little girl is missing out on so much, I can’t do anything with her

Sorry to hear that I also have a toddler so know how hard it is and feel like we’re both missing out on a lot. Hope you have support and help. I’m waiting on amitrypiline kicking in but it seems to take a while to build up. Found coedine didn’t help me at all. The pain is so scary the thought of doing anything to make it worse is awful. Really hope tomorrow is a better day for you

Thank you everyone, I have been prescribed tramadol, but don’t think I can take it as I’m allergic to morphine so waiting to hear back, so desperate

I had 5 years of this with a baby and a toddler and there was so much I could not do. I had 2 slipped discs simultaniously L4 and L5. 24 years later I still have to be very careful and have a weakness in my foot, the pain is hell.

Crimsonlake that must have been awful I can’t imagine looking after baby’s with this, my little one is 3 so much easier, I hope you never go backwards as it’s truly hell, as you know

User1497873278, thank you and sorry to not be of much help to you.
Mine was years ago and likely to have been caused by the birth of my second child. I remember leaning over the bed to change a nappy and I felt a terrible twang across my back.
Mine was terrible nerve pain down my leg and for a couple of months I could not put my foot on the floor to walk as it was unbearable. Initially the physio had to come to the house. For some reason I still cannot wear a strappless sandal on said foot as I seem to have to clench my toes to keep it on. I still get strange twinges in my leg and try to be very careful with my back .
It is lonely I agree as no one understands your pain unless they themselves have endured it themselves.
My consultant decided to handle mine 'conservatively' back then, no idea why. I remember him telling me I should be recovered in '5 years'
He was right in a way, but what hell for 5 years.
I hope you get the help and treatment you need.

Sorry to hear, back pain is awful. Have you tried a TENS machine?

Thanks crimsonlake, I think it helps when you are told it can take a long time to heal, as a lot of consultants say a few weeks, and when you are feeling worse not better, it is scary.FadedRed yes I have tried tens couldn’t stand it even on lowest setting, and can’t put anything near disc area as it’s so painful, can’t even rub cream on it, but thanks for suggestions, so good to know people understand

I have been having recurrent episodes of sciatica since the beginning of the year. Fairly sure it’s disc related ( professional hazard as a dentist). I have had low grade chronic sciatica since my early 30s ( scarring from Endo lesion ) but this year the acute episodes were unbelievably painful.
With no access to GP for a face to face examination I was prescribed various drugs. The sciatica triggered muscle spasm in my thigh and calf so I was given diazepam during the first episode. It had no effect when I had second episode 4 months later, I didn’t want to take amitriptyline and GP agreed that it wasn’t that effective so she prescribed baclofen, an anti spasmodic. This has been great. I don’t take the full dose but can increase it temporarily if I trigger the muscle spasms.
The most recent episode ( last 3 weeks) has been much easier to manage.
I will be pushing for a referral and mri when things get back to normal.
I don’t think I can put up with it going forward.
Mine is triggered by doing certain activities such as cleaning the bath or hoovering the stairs. I’m now banned from most housework!

@Angrymum22 have you seen a physio at all and was that helpful? I also have had spasms in my thigh one actually triggered a panic attack I have never felt pain like it. My pain seems to have shifted more to tingling today which is making me anxious not sure if it means things are getting worse!

Angrymum22 I would suggest getting an mri as soon as possible, then you can get appropriate advice, don’t do anything that could make it worse like PT.Confused 1975 I get awful spasms, the tingling is usually afterwards for me.

I’ve been where you are with L5/S1 and it’s beyond dreadful, I’m so sorry. I would recommend a physio and also meditation as stress about the pain really does make the pain worse (and yes I know it’s childbirth-bad, I’m not downplaying it. Please keep nagging them until they give you proper drugs (I had co-dydramol although is codeine out because of your bowel?) stick on direct to skin heat patches are really helpful too

OP dp struggles with discs in his spine eroding. Hes in constant pain and walks with crutches. He has had 2 operations but nothing has worked. He is currently waiting for hydrotherapy and is currently on morphine but says that doesnt help. They gave him ketamine in the hospital after one op and said that was great. Sorry I cant be more help but just to let you know your not alone.

Iwantacookie, thank you, it does help, your poor husband I feel for him.Longtalljosie, nope can’t take anything with codine in 😤 it gets embarrassing when I have to say to the consultant nope can’t have that drug or that one, and of yeah allergic to that. It doesn’t leave me many options, if any

Physio was offered but it was via Zoom. Fortunately SIL is a physio and gave me exercises to do. Walking is the best exercise for the sciatica but walking is impossible when all your major leg muscles are in spasm. After a month of being more or less immobile I had a lot of muscle wasting and a very marked limp resulting in sciatica developing on the opposite side.
I really need to swim but lockdown has closed most of our local pools.
I think the disc problem is secondary to piriformis syndrome which has completely destabilised my core. I also had sacroiliac separation in pregnancy which hasn’t helped long term.
I lost 10kg at the beginning of the year in an attempt to reduce the strain on my back but I have had far more problems than before.
I just seem to go round in circles, I may be forced to take early retirement since the underlying cause is work.

Baclofen is brilliant for the spasms. It knocks you off your feet initially, but being able to sleep is a relief. After 3 weeks the side defects wore off and the pain was disappearing. The muscles were very tender for some weeks due to inflammation after being in spasm.
I found antiinflammatories far more effective than codeine based analgesics.