Bulging discs/sciatica/general back pain

[Dollydaydream12]

Hi everyone just after some advice on back issues. Recently had an MRI which showed I have some bulging discs in my back. I've had back pain for years on and off but a couple of weeks ago I ended up unable to move which prompted the MRI. Since then I'm now able to move around but have today woken up with sciatica which is all down one leg. I've took more time off work as my job involves a lot of walking but obviously I can't keep taking time off.

Does anyone have any experience of these kind of back problems? GP has referred me for physio but they've just sent me some exercise videos which that doesn't really solve the problem.. can it even be solved? I'm only 28 and it's getting me down, I feel like I have the back of a 70 year old! Are there any alternative treatments people have done or anything that can help? I'm desperate now! Thanks

I've got L3/4prolapse. It's a fucker, shan't lie. Diagnosed 30+ years ago, have periods of it being fine and then bloody awful for a bit. Tried everything, bar operation because I have no one to help post op. As pps have said, move, move, move. WFH has been awful for my back. I need to walk and ideally long walks every day which I struggle to fit in. Good shoes too - I live in cons and docs, but proper trainers, long walks.

Can I just caution you that the exercises are different according to the where and why the nerve is being compressed in the spine. The exercises my bil was given for a bulge in the L4/L5 vertebrae would have worsened the problem for my spondylolisthesis in the L3/L4 vertebrae.

The NHS has a strict order in which it will do things.
First, exercises from the GP.
Second, referral to physios
Third, MRI
Fourth, spinal injection
Fifth, spine operation.

Obviously it's better for the patient to be helped at the lowest level of treatment possible - and cheapest for the NHS. The waiting times are long, though, so if you can afford it, seeing a private consultant might be helpful to get a proper diagnosis and treatment quickly.

@Rachaelrachael i had a partial discectomy on the NHS. I was ‘rushed through’ although I still had a good wait, as I was under 40 and it stopped me working. I was fit and well in other aspects. Slim, active (as much as I could be before the prolapse) so I was an excellent candidate for the op.

Following, I had surgery a few years ago and previously my symptoms were: terrible leg pain (so walking was awful) but since surgery now I actually have back pain, which I didn't have before. But it's a huge improvement in general pain levels. It would be good to get it all better though!

Have you tried Bowen Therapy? I have similar chronic back issues and sciatica and it’s really helped.

I feel your pain, literally. No painkillers are helping. I'm currently taking Tramadol and they have zero effect. If I'm up moving about then it eases but it takes me a good 5-10 minutes to mobilise in the morning, turning over in bed is agony, as is getting up out of a chair etc. I'm so miserable.

I've self referred to physio but can't call them until the end of this week for an appointment as have to wait 5 working days.

The NHS has a strict order in which it will do things.
First, exercises from the GP.
Second, referral to physios
Third, MRI
Fourth, spinal injection
Fifth, spine operation
That's not what happened to me.
Gp referred me for MRI but wouldn't refer me to physio until they knew what was going on. That was six months ago.
I went to a private physio but while he could tell where the problem was he wouldn't go further without MRI results.
I see GP tomorrow.
Lots saying walking helps.
I have to say the things that cause me most pain are a) walking and b) bending.
After 15 minutes of walking I am in agony.

I'm quite depressed about it atm as I have multiple other health problems and now this. It stops me doing most of the things I love.

Oh no, it’s agony isn’t it 😭

I had an untreated bulge I didn’t know about for a few years, which eventually became an extrusion. NHS being broken, I paid for private MRI and private doctor. He recommended either surgery or injection (they get similar results, doctors don’t know why) but to try to improve the issue first with weight loss, exercise and physio.

The private physio was an idiot, kept misstating my problem and giving me exercises that were exactly wrong for my spine and caused agonising spasms. I didn’t go back after second session!

Everyone said do not rest but the days when I did lots of walking, the pain flared up and became agony. The days I rested lying down flat for several hours I was much better. There’s a lot of terrible advice floating around.

Having ignored the physio and rested for several hours a day, and having a gentle 1 hr walk every other day, the pain and numbness is gone for me luckily, although still some problems bending/squatting.

There is a good fb sciatica support group that discusses options in some detail although they can be a bit negative as those who are cured don’t hang out there.

Good luck!

@Unseelie that's useful thanks. My experience with no diagnosis or treatme in the last six months is that when it calms fown I exercise, then it hurts. I did a pilates class on Saturday and it may be coincidence but have been in a lot more pain since. Walking hurts my back, I can ignore the numb leg but not the back pain.

Wow seems this affects so many people! I did return to work today and did a lot of walking as pp's have suggested to keep moving. Feel as though I need to rest now I'm home but will be ringing the gp tomorrow just to keep track of the frequency this is happening. I don't expect they can do anymore than offer me painkillers etc at the moment though.

Hopefully if they see it repeatedly they can offer something further before I look at private. I'm sorry so many of us have to deal with this pain it's no way to live is it.

I'm on week 18 of sciatica. It started with my back going into spasm and then red hot bolts of lightning down my leg into my foot. My Gp prescribed painkillers, diazepam and Naproxen. After four weeks of agonising pain I got my own mri and it showed a herniated disc at L5S1 which I took back to the GP.

I got a referral to Musculoskeletal interface team who examined me and said it needed treatment not exercises. In the period between the onset and the second GP visit I started a new job which involved a 45 minute commute, I arrived on the first day in agony after the drive, I struggled on but after 3 weeks I was back at the dr and was signed off for a fortnight. HR called me and that was the end of the job, I was in probation, there was nothing I could do so I left in September.

I've had a spinal block (private) which was partially successful but I'm still in pain especially in my foot, I feel like I'm walking on rocks, no shoes are comfortable. Today I'm having another MRI and discussion of s treatment plan, this time it's all paid for on the NHS but it's in the private hospital I went to for my spinal shot and with the same surgeon.

I've learned that you need to keep asking for pain relief, for treatment and referrals into the treatment routes, otherwise they assume you are ok.

I'm much older than you but I was fit and healthy before this happened, I feel like a prisoner in my home now, walking is so painful, sleep is sporadic because lying on my back with pressure on my right side is agony. I need to work, I live alone and there is only me to pay the bills.

The outcome of today could be another injection or surgery. If the disc has not shrunk back by now, surgery may be the only option. It's scary stuff.

You have my total sympathy, find out what the routes are for treatment in your area and go to the Gp with your MRI and ask to be referred to a MSK and/or spinal consultant.

Most incidences of sciatica go away in 6-8 weeks, if you are past that 8 week point then you need to start asking for treatment not just pain meds, take care with exercise, don't stretch the sore side, it aggravates the already painful nerve- stretch the good side to help balance yourself. Look up Dean Volk on Facebook- he's a Physio based in California who specialises in sciatica.

Good luck.

Saw my GP this morning. Not much help.
Bear in mind this started 6 months ago and I was given no advice or treatment pending MRI and it hasn't improved.
He says conservative treatment first and has referred me to physio and told me to use ice and not to take Ibuprofen every day. I told him paracetamol doesn't help so he's given me cocodamol. I hate codeine, it knocks me out and causes constipation.
I have been trying to keep moving but walking makes it worse. He said don't do anything that aggravates it.

Even the NHS website says that paracetamol doesn't work for sciatica so why they insist on recommending it constantly I don't know. I tried Cocodamol, it doesn't knock me out but it doesn't work either, neither does Tramadol.

I do find that walking really helps - I have to push through the uncomfortableness for a few minutes but after that there's barely a twinge. It's far worse when I sit or lie down for any period of time.

@Mosik can you afford a private MRI? My doctor treated me totally differently when I turned up with a scan showing a herniated disc. The usual "wait and see" time is 6/8 weeks not 6 months.

My scan was £360 for lumbar spine. I think sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands. Or see a different doctor- you should be given a prescription for omezaprole if you are taking ibuprofen and most people I know are taking some kind of anti inflammatory (ibuprofen or naproxen). Codeine based drugs don't do much for nerve pain if your problem is your sciatic nerve. I take amitryptaline, naproxen and tramadol or co-codamol and still have pain but nothing like as bad as no pain relief. I'd be inclined to see a different doctor if you can. Are you in the UK?

I found a specialist private physio made all the difference, and a once weekly pilates class to keep things on the straight and narrow. I'm 4 years in now and have no issues unless pilates is off and then gradually seize up!

Naproxen to help with the sciatica, and look up how to sleep on your side with it.

Following as DD(18) is having a spinal fusion next month. Those who have had them what was the recovery like?

Oo, oo. Me. I had a fusion 5 years ago. I know loads about this and if I can help I will. I'm a bit of a back bore! 🤭
I had spondylolisthesis, where a vertebrae breaks and slips out of alignment.
Why is she having it done? I think recovery depends on the cause.

Walking is often beneficial for sciatica, swimming is also good. TENS helps with pain, when painkillers don't work. The physio exercises should also help.
Most people get disc bulges at some stage of their life so do not worry too much about them. Personally I would not consider surgery as you are young. Sciatica usually improves in a few weeks. Be careful with forward bending movements which can exacerbate disc problems. Hope it improves soon.

I could afford it but I've had one on NHS (see earlier post) so it's unlikely to tell me more. It took 6 months on the NHS.
I take a lot of drugs for RA and osteoporosis. Am very reluctant to take PPIs although I have them on prescription I don't take them.
I was hoping for some Naproxen as you can just take it when needed.
The GP wasn't a student but I think a trainee. I will see what physio says. I have an NHS physio appointment next week.

I normally do Pilates as it helps with my arthritis but it's really hurt my back this week. I found quite a good YouTube video from a physio and it seems certain Pilates moves are bad for disc bulge / sciatica. Will post a link as there was some useful stuff in there.

%E2%80%93Over-FiftiesPhysio

@MarshaMelrose - oh thank you. Its L5/S1 - the spurs on the vertebra have sheared off (stress fractured) and are causing sciatic nerve pain. Buggered up her A levels so has scheduled in a non busy gap year to get it sorted. How long did it take for you to get back on your feet as she won't be a quiet patient!!

Oh, @londonmummy1966, you've come to the right person. Both my surgeon and my physio said I had the best re ivory they've ever seen. I out ut down to the fact that I am a naturally lazy person. The worst recoveries are by those who want to do too much too soon. 🧐 Patience us key.
So down to brass tacks. First thing. How fit is she? Let me explain me and then you can extract for her. I was 57, 5ft 4 and about 12½ st. So old and overweight. What I did in the few weeks before my surgery was tone up my core muscles. I had a lot of toning to do - it might not be the same for your daughter. I used a wobble board, squats, and floor exercises to try to tighten the muscles that scaffold around the stomach and back. It helps loads with her posture for after the operation, when she'll need to walk...a lot...in a nice posture but not too tight. I'll come on to that later.
Next thing is that after the operation she must not bend, twist or lift. I can't stress this enough. It's really important!! She must keep her back straight so no pressure is put on the fusion. And I'm sure she'll be gutted when I say this, but no actions like hoovering, emptying the washing machine, hanging beds the pulling actions are too much of a strain.
I lived in trackie bottoms, t shirts and fleeces. Because they're easy to pull on without straining the back. I laid them all out on the top of my high chest of drawers so no bending to rifle through drawers. All underwear in top drawer. And I wore low heeled, but solid and with a good grip, slip on shoes so I didn't have to bend over to fasten them. I put my socks on lying on the bed so I could feel I was keeping my back flat.
Are you keeping up? Is this useful? I have more.

@MarshaMelrose - really helpful thank you - she's a bit of a gym rat so very fit but I'll tell her to look at her core - so long as it doesn't hurt.... and her posture is pretty good when she's not slumped in front of the TV. She will love the opportunity to live in slob clothes and is already eyeing up the new Nike trainers that bend in the middle so are easier to put on. How soon were you able to get up and walk a little? She's doing an EPQ to bump up her UCAS points so would like to be able to get to college and the library etc. My main concern is her being 6 months out of the gym/pool as she uses it to help with her mental health and anxiety.

Don't exercise if it hurts and only exercise the non painful side was my physio instructions, don't inflame an irritated nerve any further. But do work on your good side to help the body rebalance. In particular don't do nerve glides on your sore side.

Swimming made me weep with pain (I was a five times a week swimmer) I miss swimming so much but for me it's just too painful. This is not something you can tough out.

Sorry about missing that you'd had an MRI in my earlier post. Your doctor sounds very unsympathetic to your pain. The pharmacist told me that to be most effective naproxen needs to be taken regularly rather than occasionally, I turned up in Boots one day in tears with pain and asking if there was anything else I could take- he was so sympathetic and said "you should not be left in so much pain, go back to your doctor and ask to review your pain relief".