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Original poster

Herniated disc agony

92 replies

user1497873278 · 06/03/2021 15:19

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

OP posts:

Original poster

user1497873278 · 30/04/2021 13:13

Worldgonecrazy, did you try injections and what were your symptoms and timeline, I am not sure about injections but the pain is so bad have to try if that’s what consultant recommend

OP posts:

Chaotica · 30/04/2021 14:02

Hi OP - sorry to jump in at this stage in the thread. I was in a similar position to you once (3 herniated discs at once which didn't heal properly over the next 4 years but got worse). It's unbearable. I really sympathise.

I had a microdiscectomy on L4/L5 and it changed my life (back to sort of normal). I don't know what I'd have done without it. I was made to have an injection first in case it worked, but it did absolutely nothing. In your situation, I would really push for surgery. (I really didn't want to have it, but it was no big deal compared to being housebound, on morphine, and unable to function.)

Original poster

user1497873278 · 30/04/2021 14:19

Chaotica thank you this is what we are thinking, I’m so bad I just can’t see how an injection is going to fix this, did you have any feet problems mine don’t seem to be the normal. I’m totally house bound spend all day pacing then laying occasionally, there is no let up,

OP posts:

Chaotica · 30/04/2021 18:25

My feet and lower legs were in agony before the microdiscectomy and I couldn't sit or stand. Now I have some loss of sensation and slightly rubbish balance even after physio, but that is worth it because the pain is gone and I've only had a couple of short-lived back problems in the last few years. I was warned I might get foot drop or the pain might not go (but I got neither).

I think if you're going private, get the operation not the injection. On the NHS, they felt duty bound to exhaust all options (although I might have been able to insist - wasn't really able to think straight by then).

Worldgonecrazy · 30/04/2021 22:50

I had the injection, I guess because it’s a cheaper option so the nhs push it first. Unfortunately I was that one in a thousand that goes wrong and I ended up with a microscopic nick in my spinal cord. So the injection didn’t work and I needed a spinal patch. But it wasn’t much after that I had the surgery. Like many others have said, it is life changing. There’s a wonderful moment when you suddenly realise the pain has gone.

mountwashmore · 11/05/2021 06:58

Injection tomorrow so will let you all know how it goes...

nolovelost · 17/05/2021 19:23

@mountwashmore how are you after the injection?

mountwashmore · 17/05/2021 19:48

@nolovelost It all went really well. I was sedated so felt instantaneous to me! Going through all the forms before hand took the most time. I was discharged 15 minutes after. I was very tired for the rest of the day and my leg was even more numb than usual and pretty weak. The local anaesthetic wore off within a day, had a bit of shooting pain but nothing like before and now no pain for days. I just hope it lasts! My leg is still very numb and you can see where my thigh muscle is smaller on that side but that's just everything that went before. Hoping for physio soon...

nolovelost · 18/05/2021 13:10

@mountwashmore glad it went really well and hope the physio helps for your continued recovery.

I've got a scan booked in. My pain is getting worse by the day and my foot went a bit numb whilst driving today. A bit scared now. Have they talked about surgery at all?

catfunk · 04/03/2022 08:01

👻 thread but wondering if anyone has an update ? I read this thread with interest as DP has been absolutely crippled for 3 months. We've seen a private surgeon and think he's going to have the surgery as his Heath has deteriorated so much over 5 months.

I hope you're all doing ok and got some
Effective treatment.

Foody8410 · 10/03/2022 16:27

I've suffered with my back for 20 years. NO ONE will help me. I've got herniated discs at L4/L5/A1. my sciatic nerve has been so compressed I have permanent numbness in half my right root, behind right knee and the back of my right thigh. When this happened I couldn't walk without falling. My brain had to learn to adjust.
Neurologist said damage was permanent, surgery wouldn't help. makes me so angry.
I have flair ups 2 or 3 times a year where I'm essentially bed ridden for 10 weeks in extreme pain, can't wash or even toilet myself. Only ever been prescribed Ibruprofen! I've taken so much I've given myself a stomach ulcer. I am so angry with the lack of care and treatment I've recieved over the years. My life is completely controlled by my back

Foody8410 · 10/03/2022 16:27

L4/L5/S1

Mischance · 10/03/2022 17:02

I am having the injection in a couple of weeks - I have had to pay for this privately as the waiting list on the NHS is ridiculous. I am on an opiate patch because the pain is so awful and I do not want to be on this any longer than necessary. I live on my own and stuff just finishes up left on the floor as I cannot pick it up.

I have acute pain down my leg - front, back and sides, and in my foot. It is just eye-watering and you have all my sympathy.

Mrsmadevans · 10/03/2022 17:08

Tramadol is an excellent pain relief for this , also Valium for muscle spasms. I also used , Gabapentin, Zacin ointment , Ibuprofen and Co Codamol. I was extremenly careful withdrawing from these medications.It is absolute agony l am so sorry you have this OP

Sunshinegirl82 · 10/03/2022 20:53

I have a very large prolapsed disc at L4/L5 caused by falling over last summer. I've been very lucky in that I have good private healthcare with my work so I'm on the list for a caudal epidural injection privately next month. If that doesn't help I will have to go straight to surgery.

I've got two young DC and it's just relentless. Im taking amitriptyline, naproxen, paracetamol and omeprazole. The amitriptyline does help but it really knocks me out which isn't ideal. Just feel exhausted with it now, constant pain for the best part of a year.

Mischance · 10/03/2022 23:01

I really feel for you all.

I am on Butec (a slow release opiate patch that I change every week), paracetamol and dosulepin (similar to amitriptyline) at night.

Foody8410 - could you ask for Butec from your GP? It is of course a controlled drug, but my GP was clear that I could not be in this level of pain without help. I am not able to take ibuprofen for other medical reasons.

It is such a dreadful pain and I feel for you all in this situation.

I will report back on injection (on 22nd) - it is costing me a great chunk of my savings - I will be pretty distraught if it does not work. If it comes to a micro-discectomy I will have to wait it out on the NHS.

Deedoo · 15/12/2024 09:02

@user1497873278 how is your back now I had pt and it's worse

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