Herniated disc agony

[user1497873278]

Anyone else suffering mine is L5 S1 can barely move, can’t sit for longer than couple of mins, it’s been 5 months and I’m really struggling now, anyone had any experience with this or had it operated on any advice would be helpful

I have doctor calling tomorrow, thought I’m might ask predisonal, not sure how you spell it, they are mentioned sometimes can ask and see what doctor thinks, I just need some relief

What's in the injections?

They're usually steroid injections. I have my second on Wednesday. Hoping it will work. If not, may try one more time then it's a microdisectomy. So thanks adviceinpain good to hear.

user I would seriously consider one. Best chance of big reduction in pain.

As far as I know prednisolone is one of the steroids they use for nerve root blocks but you can take it orally too (prescription only though). The problem with oral steroids is that they go everywhere and can have side effects. I've happily agreed to the injection because the steroid tends to stay at the injection site where it's needed.
I'm not a doctor btw, I just read as much as I could about potential treatments.
Doadeer, there are a few other steroids they can inject depending on what they are trying to achieve but I forget exactly what they use for what. The nerve root block also contains a bit of anaesthetic which wears off after a few hours while the steroid takes a few days/week to work.

Ah yes I was just checking. I've had two lots of steroid injections, I think I was unlucky as I only got 3-4 weeks of relief but it was better than before by a long mile! I've just had the nerves burned to give me a bit longer

I'll happily take 3-4 weeks of relief.
Burning the nerve? Blimey is that the RF?

Yes nerve denervation - I had loads done on Friday. I'm in a lot of pain now but hoping it will subside

OP I'm 4 months post surgery for two badly herniated disks (L4L5 and L5S1), And my life has drastically improved already.
My GP was utterly shit, I was unable to stand up in the shower, I couldn't function or look after my own children. I got a second opinion privately and it was the best thing I've ever done. He picked up on a couple of other symptoms my GP and physio had missed, and he therefore saved me from a future in a wheelchair.

If you can afford it, please go and get a second opinion from a private consultant. GPs simply aren't geared up for this.

I had this on and off for about 3 years (mostly on) and it wasn’t operated in until I couldn’t wee and was in so much agony that I even laid on the floor of the taxi to get to A&E and on the floor of A&E while I was waiting. I took gaberpantine, naproxen and cymbalta as a combination to help with the pain and they generally did help. I’ve now got considerable nerve damage in my right leg and foot due to how long the sciatic nerve was compressed for. The surgery was such a relief from the pain.

Oh doadeer, that sounds agony! Fingers crossed for you it does improve it.

My experience with private was awful, I managed to find the one spinal surgeon who needs to go to Specsavers 😂
Essentially I have a herniation at L2-L3 but that is asymptomatic and he missed the small herniation at L4-L5 which is giving me hell and making me want to amputate my foot but is too small to be operated on.
He didn't exclude the piriform is syndrome so I had a steroid injection in my bum which cost a bomb and did nothing for my foot. Then he wanted to give me a nerve root block at L2-L3 as a diagnostic tool which also would have cost a bomb and done nothing.
Eventually I found an orthopedic surgeon (also private) who at least explained why my my foot is so painful and confirmed I don't need an op either at L2-L3 or L4-L5.
I've reverted to NHS care now, at least they won't do unnecessary procedures.

nevermet my GP was exactly the same awful. Terrible pain for months and months, was told most backs get better with no treatment. Paid to see private spinal surgeon who told me my prolapse and impact on s1 nerve probably needs surgery, but I'm trying injections first as single parent so post op stuff is complicated....

Really glad your surgery has helped.

NeverMetANiceOne what were the things he picked up on that the other missed, I am considering private out of desperation, thank you all for your help, I’m really not coping like one of you said can’t shower can’t look after daughter, sorry if txt messy such bad pain it’s hard to concentrate

If you can go private then I would.

That's me just over a week after surgery and the change is amazing. The consultant did say to me that there's only so much MRIs can show as nerves are small and when they opened me up discovered things worse than thought.

Although expensive I feel I'll get my life back in a few short weeks. My daughter is 13 but still needs her Mum and the delight on her face when she saw me walking the other day said it all 😊.

@user1497873278 do you have any family support? I know for a fact that between the cocktail of drugs I was on and mobility issues (couldn't even bend/shower without support etc) that I couldn't have coped on my own.

Can't imagine how you are doing this if you have no support...

@user1497873278 the Physio and GP didn't acknowledge my development of 'foot drop', which meant there was irreversible damage happening to the nerves.
If you can cobble together the money, go private. I had my op in December, but if I'd stayed with the NHS I'd still be waiting to speak to their consultant.

I had two vertebrae fused in the end, and was pretty much able to look after my kids etc after 3 months. You will need someone there to help you, do you have anyone that can move in with you?

I had a 15mm herniation at l5/s1
Physio sent me for an MRI as she felt something was very wrong. I ended up on morphine, diazepam, everything for weeks. Live alone and was in agony then lost all feeling and could only walk dragging my leg behind me
Developed cauda equina about 24hrs before my planned surgery
5hr discectomy and laminectomy, recovery was slow but I was discharged 21hrs post op, back on a horse 8 weeks later and lifting weights 10 weeks after

I do have my husband so I am lucky that he can help with so much, but he does long days so I’m on my own with my daughter a lot. I feel so sorry for anyone going through this alone QueenPaw how long were you struggling on before surgery, I hope your doing well now.Thank you all for your advice we are going to look up private in my area, I’m in Kent, just incase anyone else is and can recommend someone. I’m struggling with pain relief as there is so much I can’t have, waited a week for doctors call yesterday, I asked him about prednisone he said no it wouldn’t help disc problem, and he wanted to stop my one a night diazepam, I had to beg for it, I don’t know how I would get any sleep without it. They were quite happy to dish out others that I can’t have though like gabapentin, tramadol, amitriptalin, and morphine I don’t get it, have to remind doctor that I’m allergic to morphine, and have slow heart rate with many drugs, so am on baby dose of diazepam the one thing that slightly helps and he made me beg for it 😤

I know an excellent spinal consultant in Ipswich but might be too far for you.

@user1497873278 pain started in Jan, came to a head in March and surgery in May
I can recommend paracetamol and naproxen taken to max dose, and thermacare lower back and hip heated wraps
Try not to sit, either stand or lie down
Pillow under knees if you're on your back or between knees if you're on your side

Thank you all so much

Oh @user1497873278 I'm so sorry. I had surgery on my L4&5/S1 several years ago and can confirm that it was a success.
I remember only too well the pain that it gave, the falling out of bed because I couldn't feel my feet, and the anger at not being able to do what I wanted to do as well as the exhaustion. All. The. Time.

I have an allergy to opiates and I don't react well to strong painkillers. Gabapentine wasn't for me.

I had the nerve root injections and they worked for a time but I used a chiropractor too who treats subluxation and he got me walking again. I won't lie- it did cost me. 2 sessions a week for 12 weeks but it worked. When I first went I was crying because it took me 30 mins to hobble across a small car park and I could barely sit down. 12 weeks later I was still in a little pain but I was walking much better and could get on with life whilst I was waiting for my operation.

I'm afraid that you will have to push for what you want. Don't let anyone tell you that your Heath isn't a priority. It is.

Are you employed? Does your employer have a health cash plan which would help with the cost of any treatment? They might be able to loan you some money to pay for it and treat it as a salary sacrifice so you wouldn't get taxed on the amount which would help too.

Some thjngs that I have found that do help:

The chiropractic treatment
Reducing the amount of dairy I eat
Taking turmeric supplements as they're a natural anti inflammatory
Making your decision in your own head about how long you want this to last. Don't be a victim at liberty to someone else telling you that you'll have to deal with it and accept it. You don't.

Pm me if you want to chat about it. I was off work for a year and I'm 7 years post op now. Im in my 30s and have 2 little kids. I have arthritis in my spine but it's manageable and I no longer take painkillers

Have you got some help for your mental health through this too? X

user I have just had a caudal epidural. I REALLY had to push for it as told only emergencies taking place here. I wrote to my GP about all things I've done to try and get it sorted. Also said with no treatment plan at all in place - apart from the painkillers which don't do much- I was having suicidal thoughts most days. Which is true. She emailed spinal surgeon for me. I also got hold of the secretary of the spinal surgeon and sent email, begging for caudal epidural. Then I kept ringing. I spoke to someone on his team and explained my situation..He said he would mark me as urgent on epidural list. Next day got a call from hosp - surgeon had squeezed me onto his list, could i make this date and time.

I think there is more treatment available, you just Really have to push for it. And back up of GP prob helps.

If this doesn't work, then it'll be surgery. But at least I'll know I've tried all other options.

Sending you best wishes.

ps i have big L5 prolapse pressing on sciatic nerve - severe pain in leg, back.

Colouringindoors has it helped you, I really hope it has, thank you I’m trying to be forceful but no one’s listening, thank you where’s my crown, and I really appreciate everyone’s advice I do feel that I can’t go on at times

It's so hard to get heard, everyone's so frazzled. I know what you mean about feeling like you can't go on x.

No change yet. I'm not optimistic tbh. I need to have the surgery. The question is do I find the money to.go private? NHS surgery still isn't happening here, list is long and growing, God knows how long I might have to wait.