Slipped cervical disc, when will it get better?

[Amabun]

I’m on maternity leave with a 8 month old baby, slipped c5/6 disc in October (MRI diagnosed). The docs say given time it’ll get better but when looking after my baby I just can’t see how it’s supposed to get better. Every time I lift them (multiple times a day as you’ll all know!) it feels like it’s getting worse, DH is at work and have limited support. I’m at a complete loss for what to do and so so worried I’m just doing myself more damage. Anyone have any similar experiences and managed to get better while looking after their baby? It’s making me horrendously anxious so any advice appreciated.

Sorry you have this - I had it last year, and for a long time it was very painful, with radiating pain and pins and needles down the arm. It only got better when I stopped typing (which I did a lot of for work) and started using dictation software instead. Painkillers didn’t seem to work, although my doctor said I could go back and get specialist ones designed to target nerve pain.

i would recommend seeing a physio and trying to work out which actions / movements are most ‘triggering’ for you. They will be able to recommend ways of holding and carrying your baby that put least pressure on the slipped disc, as well as recommending exercises etc to strengthen surrounding muscles and keep your posture ‘correct’ while you heal a bit. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply! I’ll definitely try physio. How’re you feeling now? How long did it take for yours to feel like it was healing, if you don’t mind me asking? It’s going on 4 months now and I can’t see the end in sight.

i feel fine now but it took quite a while - I think it started in May and didn’t get significantly better until I stopped typing in maybe October / November?

I think slipped discs can get better by themselves but I remember reading somewhere online that it would be 6-8 weeks and it was much longer than that!

if you’re carrying a baby a lot (who will only get heavier!) a private physio is a good investment. You don’t want your lower back to go too! All the best.