Prolapsed disc... and in a lot of painnnnnn

[Zylasn]

I wish I could cycle, but I am dead scared of lifting my leg over the saddle as it would compress the disk too much and precipitate another spasm.

 

[I R NORMAL IS NOT A PEDO]

Hi everyone,
Just doing a broad search in google for, yes, you guessed it - prolapsed disc (surgery) and came across this forum. I feel reassured by reading posts here that I don't have what some uneducated people have refered to as the 'whinger's disease'.

I have been living with prolapsed disc problems for 2 years, caused by years of heavy yard work. I initially tried physio incorporating pilates, accupuncture and eventually around 12mths ago had an epidural (cortisone injection). The epidural was an extremely painful procedure, though I was advised this was partially due to the anesthetic not working. None of these treatments gave me any relief.

I am soon (May) returning to my neurosurgeon to face what he has advised is the only other option - surgery. I'm not looking forward to this prospect but my condition has worsened and I miss not being able to lift the kids for a cuddle or have a play with them on the lounge room floor!

If anyone has any info on the surgery as far as recovery and post-op pain / healing it would be great to hear.

Thanks.... mcs - Victoria / Australia

PS: My sympathies and well wishes for all in suffering.

 

[Professor Whiteman]

Hi Marie,

I suffered with prolapsed disc and 2 degenerate discs for 8-9 years. I had 2 MRI scans which also shows another disc that could cause me pain in later years, but hasnt been dealt with yet because it was not causing me any pain.
I found it easier and more comfortable to sit, but i could hardly walk, my yougest's daughters school was only a 2 minute walk from our house at the time and i couldnt even make it there without being bent over.

I also was prescribed pills after pills and told to go swimming. Never told to bed rest. Until one time i could no longer stand the suffering, so i went back but saw a fourth doctor for advice (this one is female). She referred me to a specialist and couldnt understand why the other doctors hadnt done that. Soon after that i had physio which seemed to make me much worse than when i started.

Anyway, they finally put me down for the operation which you are dreading. I had that done a year and a half ago now. I feel like a completely new person. I too was frightened of having it done, but i had tried everything else and none of them worked.

After the operation, i felt fine, very dosey from the general, but once you come round from that i didnt feel much pain at all. It was the second day i started to get up and walk around a little. I dont feel anything these days, and the only times i do feel slight slight pain is if i overdo it with lifting - then i think twice!!! I only wish they had done this much sooner so i could enjoy my life more.
One good advice i will give you, after you have had the op and you are at home recovering, do as much walking as you are able to. This really works and i did this after my hysterectomy. Just dont over do it, little at a time until you can do more. Only you yourself will know how much you are able to do, but it speeds up recovery and you dont get bored just lying down all the time. I walked up and down my living room floor and had my kids humor me by telling me where i was going, just to cheer me up.
I understand you feeling terrified, but it will be fine.

Take care
KiraBIra
xxx

 

[Leafer]

My mum is 70 and has just been told she needs to have the op to syphon off the debris around the prolapsed disk and shave a bit off to relieve the pressure on the nerve. She is told the incision will only be an inch and relief will be immediate. She had the injection before Christmas but a fall on the ice undid all the good work and she is worse than she was before the jab. does anyone know anyone of her age who has had this op and what the recovery was like? Thanks

 

[minami]

Hi all,

Just joined this forum today in the hope of getting some info on what to expect next week and after my op.

Since January 1999 I have been living with a prolapsed disk of L5S1 over the last 6 years I have had a total of 3 MRI scans and have tried every treatment I beleive possible to avoid surgery. Yes I have had some very good days with no pain etc , I think the longest run has been about 6 months.

About 3 weeks ago my back started again this time though felt a little different I suuppose like it did when it first happend though I did not have a completely numb foot and leg this time.

I went to see my surgeon again last week after yet another MRI and he has agreed to remove the small prolapse which is pressing on my nerve root.
I will be going in next Wednesday 24th November 2004 and I am terrified as I have heard loads of horror storys and I am also worried as the surgeon did say as I have had this for a long time the disk maybe stuck to the nerve which reduces my sucess to around 75%..

So any advice would be nice and I will keep you all posted,

Regards
Nick

 

[Paco]

I have returned to work after 10 weeks of back injury. My doc said it was mechanical. I walk all day at work and since returning I have been experiencing that my leg is going away from me. I have never had this before. I still have the back pain and I work through it with the help of pain relief. can anyone advise what this could be

 

[WOP2_99]

Have you checked this Thread at top of Forum.

http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=104&mpage=1&key=&anchor#104

Loss of power in one or both legs that is not solely due to pain may potentially be serious problem that should be looked into.

Just to say that it's a mechanical problem is not helpful and if you are getting the above, then there is some compromise to nerve supply to muscles somewhere. A disc injury is only one of such causes and suggest that you see someone that treats these sort of problems every day. My own prefrence is to see an osteopath, but that's upto you.

If they feel that it needs further investigation - x-ray, MRI scan, etc, then they can advise your GP, with their clinical findings, to refer appropriately. If it's put in writing then they are much more likely to do so, even if it's just to cover themselves, because it has been drawn to their attention.

Andrew.

 

[WRG]

Hi, Found this forum via Google search. I fell down stairs 20 months ago, was in excrutiating pain for a few weeks, saw GP, tried painkillers (made me vomit). Once pain was "bearable" tried osteo, chiro, physio, acupuncture - no good. Went back to GP, referred to neuro surgeon, MRI showed prolapse at L5, surgery suggested. I went into hospital on 2 November 2004 and on the morning of my op had a long chat with surgeon and between us decided to postpone the op as things did seem to be getting a little better. I was more than happy to walk out of the hospital intact!!! Anyway, I do believe that things are still improving, very slowly, and wonder if I could be doing some form of exercise to help. I do try to walk everyday (I find walking OK most of the time). I have printed off some yoga exercises that Tamlamb (?) suggested earlier in this thread. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[ahemwurx]

Well, this is all new. I have never used a forum before, and in my search for information regarding a dissectomy, I came across this site. I hope I do this right.

My story started halfway through August 2004. My partner & I where visiting family in Portugal, & the holiday went something like this: arrived no problems. First night I coughed, and awoke with back pain. Kept moving and the pain had nearly gone in three days. Sneezed, and back to square one. 3 days later, as the pain had all but gone, guess what? (Thats it!) Sneezed again. And so on. The last wednesday in Aug, just before our return to England, I went and did it again. This time it was different; the pain was INTENSE. I visited the local Osteopath, who was very good, but told me I needed an MRI, as the symptoms suggested I had herniated a disc. He said I couldnt travel. I returned anyway; after all at 38 you try to brush it off as just a sprain, or something simple.

It's now December & I have also now had the MRI. The first doctor told me that I had no prolapsed disc, but a small piece of bone had broken off my spine. I could go back to work on light duties (I'm a mechanics engineer) for three weeks, whilst waiting to see what they intend to do. I had the specialist appointment yesterday (2nd Dec '04), at which, this time, they tell me that I definitively DO have an exremely bad prolapsed disc... and definitely NO break?!?

So here i am at home awaiting an operation, which should be before Christmas, oh joy! So what now? They've told me that the symptoms COULD last years, but if they have not gone within two, they will probably be there all my life.

However, I can't say the pain is bad. In fact, apart from the very first two days (in the Aug holiday), the pain is only intermittent, almost like an electric shock. I do have MORE pain now than I have in these last three months, but the leg is still numb and the muscles ain't working at their best at the moment either. But they ARE a lot better; I can nearly lift my own wieght on tip toe now. & just to think, at the beginning of the year, I was workig out in the gym, doing calf raisers with 150 kgs and now look at me!

I'm not worried about the operation, rather about the results of leaving it be. They tell me that there's an 80 to 90% success rate. I did ask what would be put in PLACE of the disc. I was told my body would REGENERATE a new one! Sounds a bit 'star trekkie', that does! After all, he did say that they will take the disc OUT, so how does that work then? & what about life afterwards? What can I expect? As I said, it doesn't worry me. I'd just like to be prepared mentally, & there are far too many scary stories.

Perhaps here I can get some true answers. Are there any foods to opt away from, or any that I could benefit from?

I do usually do exercise, but at the moment, of course, I cannot. Although when I can, I've done some core strengthening exercises, and light ones, to aid blood flow around the spine. Is their anything else I can do to improve the healing process?

Well, enough for now. I hope someone gets this soon...

Regards,
Mark

 

[Lisa M]

cool it worked now i hope someone reads it, time will tell...

mark

 

[Kitt Shelby]

There's a lot of questions there mate, but will try and cover a few of them.

I'll work roughly backwards thru the above, but do check out the other Threads on this Forum, as disc injuries are a common subject on here.

Re. Foods & nutrition. This is a massive area, which can't really be covered without more info. A few points - curries & spicey food generally stimulates the circulation, so may help clear away the local inflammation.

Re. True Answers - Anything on HP or indeed from anywhere else, including anything your consultant says is a matter of opinion. Essentially - no one can tell what the outcome will be, but would question the 80-90% success rate quoted, because in general - long term 'follow up' research to see how people have got on after surgery is generally lacking.

That said and from what you've siad, then surgery does sound like the your best option. The important issue is the weakness in the legs, rather than any pain. This means that one or more nerve roots are being compressed, which may reduce, but could get worse.

In these cases they usually just remove the bit of disc that is protruding and is causing the nerve compression, unless they are talking about fusing the above and below vertebrae, then that's a more serious situation.

People tend to grow new disks! Either they have not explained this properly or there has been a misunderstanding. You'll have already lost some hieght in the disc and that's very common with most disc injuries, but they won't be removing the entire disk and be expecting that you can grow a new one. There has been some experimental surgical disc replacement surgery, but I don't know of any that have been adopted as standard practice.

Over 90% of us have one sort of disc injury before we die and most can bodies can compensate, adapt and work around the resultant loss of hieght in one or two discs.

Good luck - Andrew.

 

[Carmennn. : ]]]

Thanks for the reply, it looks like i have a lot of research ahead of me, maybe i misunderstood, its alot to take in after all. You have times in life when your back aches but this, it can be scary at times.
anyway back to the grind, i must find answers.

Regards,
Mark

 

[Ossandalys]

Be careful - there's a lot of misinformation and contradiction out there and there are the dangers of trying to self diagnose.

Osteopaths don't just diagnoses from the signs and symptoms, but lay a lot of emphasis on actually feeling (palpating) what's going on. i.e. the range and quality of movement in a joint, the tone of the muscles, to name a few.

Andrew.

 

[crenorryHycle]

Hi Marie

My names is bec and I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc L5/S1 yesterday, I have had chronic pain on and off for 3 years. I believe I first injured myself when I was 4 months pregnant by lifting a huge TV ....stupid I know. Progressively I have gotten worse and now have lower back pain, nerve pain and aches from my lower back to my toes on each leg. My doctor suggested surgery a new procedure called Arthroplasty where they replace the disc with a ceramic substance, he said the old surgery Microdiscectomy is not effective as the disc material is taken away and you are left with no cushioning between vermassageplanetrea.

I am fairly new to the idea of having a ruptured disc and feel depressed and morose about losing certain things in my life, I feel guilty that I can't be 100% for my husband and child and would very much like to try all avenue's before surgery or injections. Before this I was normal and healthy no problems and used homeopathy Id never even had panadol. I hate taking anti inflammitory's but have been left debilitated and worn out by my increasing back episodes.

I guess i just really feel the need to talk to other people who have a similar problem, mostly I feel really alone in this problem as I am only 26 and no one I know has even a back ache.

Well thanks for listening!!

Regards

Bec

 

[Mr Anderson]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie here and confused about how to post, I am in an awful situation at the moment and could do with asome advise... I have always had back problems but it got worse in 2004 after the birth of my son.. he was a fertility baby andwas premature and the pregnancy was a nightmare.. however after my back got worse and I have 2 herniated of prolapsed disks which bulged into the spinal column.. one of them is now shriveled up and is practically bone on bone, I was offered surgury to remove L5 and L4 but turned it down due to risks.. I have just found out I am 5 weeks pregnant a total shock as no fertility sort and not planned, so Iam so worried about what could happen I am already in so much pain and unsure if I carry another child will I end up worse, which would be no good to my son... I have High Blood pressure and am 39 years old, I had several other complications throughout pregnancy and waters broke at 28 weeks, Just wondering if anyone has had, similar and if there are any risks, I just dont want to be in hospital again... can anyone help!

 

[Gloss]

Hello, I am new here today.

After suffering with Sciatica for the last 5-6 months, I have been diagnosed with a single prolapsed disc which is so far out it is beyond natural repair. Combined with the severity of the pain (which has ranged from just annoying to sheer crippling) my Consultant says there is no other option but to operate.

This will mean being in hospital for only 2 days where they will remove the disc with keyhole surgery and by the time I get home I am assured there will be no pain and my life will be back to normal.

The reason for my post is to ask if anyone else has had this operation and if they can let me know just how succesful it actually is. I have been told of a remote risk of paralysis if it all goes wrong which is quite scary!

Other than my question - I have tried so many pills and painkillers on my route to recovery and I think that I have found a combination which has eased my pain at least enough to enable me to get dressed in the morning! I have been using 2 x Nurofen Plus and 2 x Anadin Extra about 3 or 4 times a day. Also I have religiously spent up to an hour everyday lying on a flat floor with my knees pointing to the ceiling (Alexander Technique). This has helped to relieve my sciatica symptoms enough to allow me to function normally - the pain does not disappear but it does become manageable.

The consultant said that after the operation I will be able to throw all of my painkillers away. I will post again when my appointment comes through and keep you up to date when the operation takes place.

 

[Munch]

Hi There

Another new member, just joined today. I have a prolapsed disc, the problem happened in 2003 when I experienced severe pain in my right leg and it got worse and worse to the stage where I was crippled ,and eventually could not walk - the pain was unforgetable. One morning I woke up and I could not get out of bed and also vommitted with the pain. My husband got me into the car and to the doctor, I was then reffered to another doctor - who speciallises in orthapedic problems and he told me I had a prolapased disc, and put me on 14 tablets a day, he told me to lie on my back for 8 weeks, after two days of votmiting up the tablets I was brought in by ambulance to the hospital where I spent two weeks. I was on morphine and and a drip and was pretty bad. My right leg was numb and I could not feel my foot. My neighbour who is a physiotherapist visited me and tried to help me move from the bed. She spent time trying to lift my leg slightly and two weeks later The surgeon passed the leg raise test - I was sent to the Physiotherapist in the hospital and she told me she viewed my CT scan and I should have been sent to the operating table!! I had spoke to alot of people who had the operation and some say it is successful and others say that they still were in pain after the operation. Surgeons had said to me that if you remove a disc it weakens the disc above and it is better to recover through swimming, and excercise which is what I did - I am now a lane swimmer - took lessons and I recovered through excerise and surrounding myself with positive people, I life a great life now, work full time and only get small pains in my right leg, I am not sure if this is of help to you, but at least I feel 5 years later that if it happens to me again surgery would only be a second option

 

[jandy]

l have a pro lapse disc l also suffered from sciatica l got ill last year in february the numbness in my leg not able to walk the doctors wanted to do the operation l refused l tried physio but it did not help me at all l was unable to walk an in so much pain then l tried the cupping therapy after the first treatment l felt so much better l am better now i dont take tablets l get the treatment done once a week the lady gives me massage for forty five minutes an then puts the cup on my skin for 15 minutes it is good for your blood circulation.l know how you guys feel but if you can avoid the operation then do so the cupping therapy really does work an gets rid of the pain.

 

[Luka S]

Hi All,
i am Tinku from india,i thought i will post my story so that it may be a help to all who is sufering from pain from prolapsed disc..The cure that i had is through HOMEOPATHY...i was under a doubt if it would work and my advise is always go to a certified professional rather than buying it from some websites..

i am 28 and am overweight,may be bacause of sitting and working for long hours ,had started with disc prolapse 4-5 months back,i had swelling at the back and the pain was so severe that i cannot stand up straight and my body started twisted to the right side.i had taken to a hospital ,they gave me some physiotheraphy and opted for a surgery ,but later it started getting a little better that they told to wait and watch.i started getting better ,but not in a proper way .Because i could not extend my leave any more i got discharged.

Things were almost the same as before ,in the evenings i was having fatigue in my muscle that i could not stand straight.meanwhile one of my collegue had a prolapse due to an accident .His cousin was a homeo doctor and he started getting better when he had the medicine.i also decided to try homeo.

i can say that the effect is a kind of magical .within a week i got releaved from the pain for say about 95% and within another weak the bend started getting a lot better ,now its been more than a month and my legs started getting the strenth back,i can say that i am 99% normal now.i am not sure how and why it works..but it really do..

i am planning to do an MRI and would update with it once i have it..

 

[cbeneuomixaillegt]

Hello, I am one of you… First time I had prolapsed disk half a year ago. MRI showed it as L5/S1. Even so it was unforgettable pain for about a week , I gradually recovered from it without surgery. After two weeks I was able return to work with some residual pain in my buttock. At that time I found this forum. Thank you all, for you advises and suggestions that you share here. I posted couple of my suggestions as well somewhere on this forum before. I think that people who experienced this excruciating pain understand how important it is for somebody to get a bit of information to handle such an event.

Half year later it happened to me again. I should mention that during this six month period I had some little pain on came and go basis. But not the last time. This time it came and worsen and worsen …. to the point that I was not able to stand and had to crawl to the bathroom on my four. This time recovery is not so fast and easy as it was before. I spent two weeks in a bed. Now four weeks already passed and I still have some pain that prevents me from normal functionality. What is encouraging about current situation that it looks like I found the way to get better slowly. Hope one day I’ll be pain free again.
Below is what I am doing to recover. Hope you’ll find it useful and helpful.
I met a coworker who also had a prolapsed disk before. He shared his experience and even a book and lumbar support that he used during his recovery. He used McKenzie Method during his recovery. All the additional information about this method can be found on optp.com. I bought a book on this method from this site and now doing first three exercises from it. I can say that it works for me. And a lot that is written in that book makes a lot of sense for me. Hope that new knowledge will help me to avoid this pain in a future. If you can not buy it I can post the exercises descriptions here. In addition, I started using Emu oil and mixture of camphor, cajeput, menthol and eucalyptus oils. If you google it you can find the benefits and properties of this oils. I did the mixture by myself from pure essential oils. It seems that these also help me reduce the pain and move toward recovery. I am also trying to eat fresh pineapple every day, since it also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Good luck to all of you in your recovery.