Prolapsed disc

[r6dan]

I have one and the resulting sciatica from it is agonising,hence my being up at this time most nights,does anyone,or has anyone had this and can they offer any advice on pain control or other.I have been to the docs and seen a specialist and all that jazz about it and am on a waiting list for an operation,I just need something in the mean time. 

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

My wife has had good results from visiting a chiropractor.  I've actually seen her walk unaided from a session having had to virtually carry her in.  It's not a cheap remedy and I can't guarantee it would work for you but it was really worth it for her.

Edited By Martin Harris on 16/10/2010 09:41:25

[Bruce Richards]

I had that and I feel for you. I had an operation to remove the disk 20 years ago (I was about your age) and its been very good ever since then. I still get some pain now and again but nothing like it used to be. The Doc should have prescribed some STRONG pain killers. I had Dystalgesic which was good but I am not sure if they still use them. I suggest that if you are suffering go back to the Doc and get some more/better drugs

Edited By Bruce Richards - Moderator on 16/10/2010 09:45:03

[Bob Cotsford]

Posted by Martin Harris on 16/10/2010 09:41:07:

My wife has had good results from visiting a chiropractor.  I've actually seen her walk unaided from a session having had to virtually carry her in.  It's not a cheap remedy and I can't guarantee it would work for you but it was really worth it for her.

Edited By Martin Harris on 16/10/2010 09:41:25

 I'll second that.  For 4 years running I suffered through physio and aquarobics sessions. but since visiting a chiro I've had no more trouble.  That was for a displaced sacro-illiac joint, but that was initially diagnosed as a displaced disc by BUPA

Edited By Bob Cotsford on 16/10/2010 09:50:18

[TonyS]

Seems a common problem.

My wife found her fingers and hand going numb around a month ago. After a visit to the quack it appears she has a prolapsed disc in her neck. She's been going to a physio and although initially it got worse before it got better it is now much improved. I have heard some horror stories though.

T 

[Marko]

Hi r6dan sorry to read your in pain , when l had my hip op back in 07 l had 9 types of pain killers all at once 3 years on and my job is still giving me some pain so lm now back on two of the pain killers they are very good .........maybe yor doc could give you these to try? DICLOFENAC SODIUM and TRAMADOL these work for me but l am going back soon for my left hip ! hope your pain free soon good luck Cheers ..........mark

[Andy Gates]

Be carefull of taking too many opiate based drugs.

The more you take the less the effect, and it supresses the bodys own system of controlling the pain.

 

My wife (MS sufferer) had to come off hers completely to allow her own system to rejuvinate. Not a happy experience for anyone close by.

 

Hope you get sorted out soo.

[Terence Lynock]

I know2 just what  your going through mate having suffered from a pinched sciatic nerve for many years, its the kind of nagging pain that really grinds away at you and then people wonder why you are ratty and bad tempered at times.

I used to use a hot water bottle on the base of my spine which helped a little and slept on a folded duvet to take the pressure off my pelvis, dont know if you have tried these Tempur memory foam matresses but a lot of people say they do help, a tenns machine is also of benefit at times.

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

An oesteopath can probably help you with the pain. Sciatic pin is actually refered pain - ie its not at the cause of the trouble - as you probably know! An oesteopath can work to relax the muscles which are going into spasm from them having to overwork protecting your back. They can also lower the pressure on the sciatic nerve itself and show you some exercises which will help you to help yourself.

 

A few years ago I had very bad sciatic pain. Ordinary painkillers were not working. Someone suggested a oesteopath. I was very sceptical but, as I had to get on a plane to travel to Sweeden a few days later and the truth was I couldn't sit for more than 10mins without being a great pain, I thought I had nothing to lose! I drove there in agony, struggled to get out of the car, went in crooked up  and I walked out six foot tall (a good trick as I'm only 5 foot 10!). Seriously I felt instant relief and managed the trip to Sweeden no problem.

 

These guy can't cure your basic problem - but they can help with the pain. A good oesteopath will cost you about £30 a session - and you might need more than one session to sort you out. But then again what price not being in pain eh?

 

BEB 

[Wasaforumite]

You have my sympathy here as I suffered for a year with this, The pain can be absolutely shattering it goes right down your body to your foot sometimes. I would counsel against too much reliance on painkillers - the pain is such that anything that masks it may become addictive or damage the lining of your stomach in the longer term. There are number of myths that need to be debunked - like lying on a hard bed or the floor - or resting up. These simply don't help. Moving about albeit very gently encourages blood circulation and relaxes muscles. So if you can walk a bit on a safe level surface it will do you good.In the meantime don't lift anything heaver than a paperback.

 

There are a range of back exercises aimed at relaxing muscles and enabling the bones and discs of the spine to realign themselves. These are not muscle building type exercises and are conducted to start with in a very gentle way. I found stretching over a large Swiss exercise ball beneficial. I went to a good Chiropractor who firstly manipulated my spine and then gave me a special course of exercises that eventually enabled full recovery without surgery. This was followed by Pilates several months later in order to prevent it happing again.

 

I can assure anyone reading this who hasn't experienced sciatica that it definitely isn't funny and that by abusing your body by bad lifting posture, overstraining such as pushing cars or excessive use of heavy tools may result in you getting this problem no matter how strong you think you are. Be Warned!

 

Ian

 

 

[r6dan]

At first I was put on amitriptIean but they really affected my moods but I did get a good night`s sleep with them,now I take tramodol and am most likely addicted to them as they are opate based!!! I think the main reason in having a bad back is from A,being a joiner and lifting stuff thats far too heavy badly and B,from years of climbing and jumping off stuff from height,surfing snowboarding and caving,they are all really harsh on ones body!

One of the reasons I started with model planes is because I can`t do all the sports that I used to and had to find something that was low impact on the body but something that was a bit exciting too.

[David Turner 5]

Firstly ... don't let them cut you. That's my advice and it's also the advice of my GP.

 

Secondly, it may get better - given time. Right now, it seems to you that the pain will never cease, but it will.

 

I had sciatica about 20 years' back. It was so bad that I was practically crippled. Had to crawl up the stairs to the bog. Couldn't dress myself. Well, I'm sure you know all about the indignities.

 

 But, time healed it, though I have been left with a permanent loss of reflex in my Achilles. Not a big deal; and a small price to pay for the relief from the pain.

 

 

hth

 

 

[Alan B]

Hi Dan

 

You have my sympathy as well.  I agree with David,  going under the Knife is the last resort..  I was like you,  very athletic and suffered alot of back pain in the latter years of my time in the army.

 

As for imediate safe pain relief - try a  "TENS  machine" available from Lloyds pharmacy or boots - I think they are selling them now in boots as I saw them advertising on TV the other night.

 

A strange story - about 15 years ago I was living on pain killers. I went into a old pharmacy one day to get a heat pad or something for extra help as the pain was making feel really ill..  The old lady behind the counter said why dont you try these -  people have said they have had good results. It was a japanese product.  It contained about a dozen small round sticky pads with a magnet in the middle. it came with a Body chart to show you were to sight the magnets (a bit like acupunture sites on the body)

 

I was very sceptical.  I put them on my lower back for a week as instructed.  I was still in awfull pain during the 7 days and for the next 3 days after removal.  I thought what a waste of money!  Do you know - on the 11th day the pain had gone!  I have had only the odd twinge occasionally in the last 15 years and have never took another pain killerr for my back since!  I dont know if that sort of thing is still available but it did it for me and I am still amazed it actually worked!

 

Al

 

 

 

 

Edited By Alan B on 19/10/2010 09:40:23

[r6dan]

Hi Al,cheers for that I will look in to it,anything to get the pain to go away!!

[flytilbroke]

Some folk are lucky and can have a good recovery. Many folk DO need surgical intervention, my Daughter was one such. Without the procedure to insert two metal plates she would now be helpless and in permanent extreme pain.

 

 

[r6dan]

Gah...I`ve not had more than 8 hours sleep in a week thats why im on here at silly o`clock in the morning.Its a shame I`m not at home as I could just build planes  whilst I`m ment to be asleep