Bulging disc

[Tink8607]

I have suspected bulging disc and piriformis syndrome. From previous posts I'm seeing alot of people say to walk walk walk, I cant walk with out my crutches. I'm so anxious that I will never get better I've been off work now for 8 weeks but in pain for 11. I don't know how I've done it. Please tell me it gets better, I really don't want injections or surgery I suffer with anxiety and this is just absolutely freaking me out. How long did it take you to recover? And is it possible to do without medical intervention?

@heidi345 how is your pain

Im learning that the hard way. Im about at the year mark, I honestly thought after acouple of months id be fine. The spasms were absolute hell i dont ever want that again, but they have set me back months. So frustrating

Thanks Deedoo, I’m years on from my last really bad flare-up. I only have pain now if I sit too long, stand more than about 5 minutes or walk too far without a wee sit. So I lie on the sofa when I’m watching tv, I sit at the end of rows or an aisle seat on a plane (so that I can get up and stretch/walk) and I always sit down when a walk becomes too far. I don’t carry more than I can comfortably manage. I have learned to manage my back and I don’t feel that I’m missing out on anything. When I feel things aren’t good, I get myself to physio before it all becomes too sore. It would be much harder if my children were still small.

@heidi345 what helped the most ? I have young kids super hard to stop everything

Probably not what you want to hear, but I think it just took time. I had nerve root injections and epidural injections, none of which helped. Facet joint injections did help me. For many years I went to a chiropractor who I felt was helping, but with hindsight, I feel that physiotherapy (now my treatment of choice for flare-ups) is much safer and more effective, but it can take time to find the right physiotherapist. I took ibuprofen which has left me with stomach issues. Lyrica helped me through the worst times, though it was very very hard to wean myself off it, and when I did I felt a cloud had been lifted and clarity had returned to my life. Amitriptyline helped, but again it was hard to come off. There were times when I could barely walk to the bathroom, but when you can manage it, it’s important to keep moving. During the worst times it’s hard to be positive, but it will improve. I’ve had my “bad back” for 30 years now. Im recently retired and am definitely living my best life.

It didn’t take 30 years to improve…. I’m much further down the line!

@heidi345 dix you get facet joint injection privately ? Good to hear your recovery story I think it's so hard. I took Ami then came off it. How long was your process of healing ? It's been a year

Deedoo I went back to work (teaching) after 6 months. I was able to get on with life at that point but honestly it took a few years to be feeling it was ok. Pilates really helps strengthen my spine and I believe it has stopped flareups from ever being as bad as the original period.

@heidi345 thank you I think Il do Pilates only as I do other exercises that aggrevate things.