anyone had disc and/or sacroiliac pain? how can you tell the difference?

[randomkidullneverknow]

Hi Guys,
New to this but reading your messages has given me more information than any doctor so far!
I had a microdiscectomy 5 years ago which gave fantastic pain relief although I am left with a numb, some times, cold foot. Ok I could do without it ,as my big toe has to curl to grip to walk, which plays havoc with your Jimmy choo's.
My GP says that new reports indicate that back surgery is not best practice, but I would have run up the hospital steps, brandishing a rusty knife, insisting that they use it there and then to get relief from the pain. . . . so I know what back pain sufferers have to endure and I sympathise completely.
My new problem, I think, is sacroiliac related. I fell (march this year) and landed heavily on my bum. I struggled on but after a few days had to give in and go to bed. Could not get out of bed for a week and had to lie on my front in bed with one leg over the side (supported by cushions) knee bent. Embarrassingly, I even had to pee in a bucket as could not make it to the bathroom, though I am more mobile now.
The trouble is that everyone I go and see about it just keeps referring to my back problem of 5 years ago! ! ! An MRI showed a trapped nerve so I've had a nerve block injection which stopped the shooting pain down my leg but has done nothing to relieve the main symptoms. I can't walk far (hip and heal pain).can't sit for too long (am on my knees typing this) Have dense numbness in the back of my leg ,bum and soles of feet. And a dull almost constant pain at the top part of my bum.(rh side)
At my first appointment with my consultant, I told him where the pain was, even pointed to it! It's clearly at the sacroiliac joint area, even my husband, who is a joiner, can identify that . I went to see the consultant a third time , when my main symptoms were still present, to see if he had been able to identify a problem in my sacroiliac area and he told me he hadn't even taken a scan of that bit! ! I have just wasted 5 painful months.
I know I have whinged on and on, but my biggest whinge is that there doesn't seem to be a back expert who covers the whole back. Neurosurgeons stop at the base of the spine but many back problems are sacroiliac related, so who do you go and see for that?
I am going to see a physio on Thursday and hope they can be more help than ' Mr Consultant Surgeon.' (by the way he did offer to operate. . wonder how much he gets paid for that?)
I may be totally wrong with my self diagnosis. Wait and see!
Can anyone offer any help?
H but still

 

[dorothy s]

Hi Helen

Sorry to hear you're in pain! You could well be right in thinking your sacroilliac joint has been injured in the fall but this could also have had a knock on effect to the lumbar region and/or pelvis - whatever is going on, there is obviously nerve involvement, hence the sensations in your legs & feet.
(Before I get jumped on by the righteous brigade for daring to 'diagnose', an ex-girlfriend of mine fell heavily on her rear end on a kerb stone and had much the same problems - she received a lot of medical treatment from Doctors/Physios etc who gave their diagnoses).
I've been to various medical and therapeutic practitioners for injuries over the years and find that the advice given is usually (and understandably) given in line with their training. ie, consultant surgeons recommend surgery, physiotherapists recommend exercise etc.
Personally, I would recommend that you see a good Osteopath. They definitely specialise in the whole of the back & will also treat you Holistically. I can recommend one if you live anywhere near Oxford or Swansea.
The other thing that may help (it certainly did for my ex anyway) is Pilates - it may be difficult initially but is apparently of great benefit to back problems.

Best of luck, hope you get sorted out soon!
Paul

 

[Kaz]

Hi there

Have you been to see a Chiropractor? At one stage I could not walk because of the pain in my lower back, trapped nerve, slipped disc. He had me 'fixed' in no time and I now go every 4/6 month just to keep my back in shape.

 

[Voudu]

Thanks for your replies Paul and Anjimel,
I live in Northumberland, so Oxfords a bit far, Paul, but thanks,
Yes, have been to both, both recommended, one supposed to be a 'miracle worker'. No miracles for me, unfortunately.
Off to see a physio tomorrow. They do palates and yoga classes too. I wouldn't want to go to the local gym's palates class, but these ones only have a few people in them who also have mobility issues as well. . . . .god I can just see it, a load of crocks
groaning around on the floor, no lotus positions just a few wilted pansy's.
It's all NHS too! fabulous! Have had to pay for it all so far.(in BUPA with work but it's run out now)
Looking forward to it. As least it's something positive, can't give up. I just feel as if it's been such a fight to get this far.
Adopting the warrior pose already?
Cheers H

 

[sExcaMlive]

as the others have said, see a chiropractor or an osteopath, either should be well inside their comfort zone having a look at this, and either should be perfectly able to see beyond the previous injury; though obviously, won't be able to treat at the site of the discectomy (or at least, not without a new MRI to show them exactly what's what in there). If it's SI (or another disc) then it's pretty much bread and butter stuff to both professions.