got a herniated disc in my lower back,what are my options.

[RED BEARD]

Just had the results of my mri scan and I've got a herniated disc in my lower back,which is giving my pains all down my left leg.its brought on by sitting down,which I do s lot of at work.what I want to know is will it get better without surgery?

[dead eye alan]

Yes been there just don't aggravate it, get doctor to get you on back pain awareness cause at hospital takes time but will get better good luck mate!

[Penelope]

Go to see a good reliable physio or Osteopath.

 

Two herniated discs for me, the first required surgery 18 months after the injury, discectomy and fusion because I left it too long without doing anything. Caused by helping someone carry a heavy box down some stairs.

 

The second needed four months of physio (acupuncture, manipulation, ultra sound, traction, electro treatment and exercises) going twice a week.

 

Fortunately at the time my sister was the office manger for a very good physiotherapist, who I went for a second opinion after being told by a local osteopath that there was little he could for me after the two visits I made to him. Caused by shooting a duck!

 

The physio said that if he had seen me the first time I would not have required the surgery.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Penelope

[krugerandsmith]

Just had the results of my mri scan and I've got a herniated disc in my lower back,which is giving my pains all down my left leg.its brought on by sitting down,which I do s lot of at work.what I want to know is will it get better without surgery?

 

I had one years ago, treatment then .... Traction and plaster jacket ...... Non of which worked . What worked for me ..... Swimming ....It will eventualy improve but you could have flare ups now and again.

[Penelope]

Yes, you are right I still suffer back pain occasionally.

 

 

I had one years ago, treatment then .... Traction and plaster jacket ...... Non of which worked . What worked for me ..... Swimming ....It will eventualy improve but you could have flare ups now and again.

[Paul223]

Go to see a good reliable physio or Osteopath.

 

Two herniated discs for me, the first required surgery 18 months after the injury, discectomy and fusion because I left it too long without doing anything. Caused by helping someone carry a heavy box down some stairs.

 

The second needed four months of physio (acupuncture, manipulation, ultra sound, traction, electro treatment and exercises) going twice a week.

 

Fortunately at the time my sister was the office manger for a very good physiotherapist, who I went for a second opinion after being told by a local osteopath that there was little he could for me after the two visits I made to him. Caused by shooting a duck!

 

The physio said that if he had seen me the first time I would not have required the surgery.

very good advice

[Oli]

My sympathies, ive suffered with one now for about the last 2 years. The sciatica can be draining and terribly painful, obviously everyone is different but the process that helped mine started with physio and making sure you do the exercises they give you, after a while it had improved and i was discharged but it cropped back up every now and then. There are some good sites on the tinternet about yoga for back problems and i used one of these to put together a simple set of exercises to do in the morning and at night and that has helped greatly, to the point now where i just have a numb toe and occasional cramps in my left leg, initially it felt like barbed wire being pulled up the entire leg.

 

Looking after the piriformis muscle is important and stretching and massaging that may also help further down the line. Also correcting any postural issues, excess weight, all the stuff we know isnt good for us but never worry about until its too late.

 

I also found shooting was really bad for it as the recoil would travel down and aggravate it, after going clay shooting the next day was agony. I had a good recoil pad fitted and that has helped a lot.

 

I havent had surgery and i would say i was about 80% better now, its the nerve damage caused by the herniation that takes the longest to heal. TBH i would avoid surgery on my back like the plague, if it goes wrong it could go really bad. But to heal it naturally takes time, effort and patience, well worth it imo

[Penelope]

When you see the physio/osteopath, ask about the McKenzie excercises.

[Oli]

When you see the physio/osteopath, ask about the McKenzie excercises.

 

yep defo, the ones i do are a mix of these and a few other bits and bobs

[Zapp]

I had lumbar steroid injections in May and have seen a marked improvement.

[Reeceknight]

I have done it all because we bought it was fixable (before MRI reaults) then results found my disc had prolapsed/ruptured 16mm and the only option is surgery wich I'm waiting for in the next 4 weeks, I asked for epidural because I couldn't walk but they just kept me in hospital and now I'm waiting operation. first time I done it I just had a handful of physio and done stretches etc and after about 5-6 weeks it was 80% normal sadly mines gone again BIG TIME but everyone's different...... And wow do I know what ur going through sciatic pain lol

[Penelope]

Reece,

 

When I had my operation in June 2000 I was in for 4 days (BUPA through work). They had me up for a walk along the corridor the following day, and then stair work the next. 6 months signed off work post op and back to work on light duties.

 

In my MRI the sciatic nerve looked like a squashed hose.

 

I have done it all because we bought it was fixable (before MRI reaults) then results found my disc had prolapsed/ruptured 16mm and the only option is surgery wich I'm waiting for in the next 4 weeks, I asked for epidural because I couldn't walk but they just kept me in hospital and now I'm waiting operation. first time I done it I just had a handful of physio and done stretches etc and after about 5-6 weeks it was 80% normal sadly mines gone again BIG TIME but everyone's different...... And wow do I know what ur going through sciatic pain lol

[Reeceknight]

also as after using tramadol, diazepam and all the other drug Neapolitans they have me there's a drug called amitryptalin wich they class as a fix instead of a pain killer, muscles relaxant and helps with nerve pain, helped me anyway, one tablet a night.

[Reeceknight]

Reece, When I had my operation in June 2000 I was in for 4 days (BUPA through work). They had me up for a walk along the corridor the following day, and then stair work the next. 6 months signed off work post op and back to work on light duties. In my MRI the sciatic nerve looked like a squashed hose.

 

 

The surgeon said that because I'm young he hopes recovery should be very fast, 2 months off work etc and that because its my lowest disc and biggest it should be easy, I'm hoping to go back to work well before a month as 60 quid a week sick pay won't pay my bills haha

[Penelope]

Amitriptyline is also an anti-depressant.

 

also as after using tramadol, diazepam and all the other drug Neapolitans they have me there's a drug called amitryptalin wich they class as a fix instead of a pain killer, muscles relaxant and helps with nerve pain, helped me anyway, one tablet a night.

[Penelope]

I was 32 when I had my op. I must say, though that it did work wonders, totally free from 18 months of sciatic pain and foot numbness immediately. Still have to be careful with what I do, and was told by the consultant that I would have back weakness for life.

 

I had just bought and moved into a new flat and had to rent it out and move back to my parents for that very reason.

 

The surgeon said that because I'm young he hopes recovery should be very fast, 2 months off work etc and that because its my lowest disc and biggest it should be easy, I'm hoping to go back to work well before a month as 60 quid a week sick pay won't pay my bills haha

Edited August 15, 2013 by Penelope

[Reeceknight]

you have made me feel better already mate thanks. Il post up when I awake from the operation with wound and scar pics and update hahaha

[Penelope]

The scar should only be a couple of inches long, just at the belt line. L5/S1 disc?

you have made me feel better already mate thanks. Il post up when I awake from the operation with wound and scar pics and update hahaha

[RED BEARD]

Thanks for all the replies,I've been referd to a nurologist instead of a spine specialist as the waiting list is shorter.when it was realty bad I was on nyproxin,paracetamol,dydracodine and anatriptaline, and I was still suffering! I'm only on 2 nyproxin a day now and managing to go to work,but having to lie down at breakfast and dinner time,also a lie down before I drive home.I think the bac trak inversion table is helping a lot,probably doing over half an hour a day on it.

[Reeceknight]

iv been there mate iv just gone back to work and laying down for 10 mins every few hours and driving is agonising, wake up every night about 3-4 and get on the floor withy quilt to sleep and have been like this for 6 months

[Scully]

Did mine back in the very early 80's,and back then after months and months of electricpulse therapy,physio and ultimately lumber injections,the only advice my despairing GP could give me was to marry a physio'.To be honest its so long ago she could have said psycho'.

Anyhow,bought a book on yoga and found some exercises within specifically aimed at sciatica sufferers.Worked a treat,but still had to give up my job and pack in martial arts as a result.Get the odd twinge now and then but nothing I can't handle.Cold months seem to be the worst when my left leg/foot will sometimes ache and all my toes feel as if they're bunched up on top of each other,but its been a long time since that 'knitting needle straight through the top of my left buttock' has taken my breath away.

A mate who suffered from the same thing relatively recently,underwent surgery,and never suffered since.

[Penelope]

It's the weakest part of the human body by all accounts. Our skeletal design is essential that of a quadruped and compromised when on two legs.

 

Did mine back in the very early 80's,and back then after months and months of electricpulse therapy,physio and ultimately lumber injections,the only advice my despairing GP could give me was to marry a physio'.To be honest its so long ago she could have said psycho'.

Anyhow,bought a book on yoga and found some exercises within specifically aimed at sciatica sufferers.Worked a treat,but still had to give up my job and pack in martial arts as a result.Get the odd twinge now and then but nothing I can't handle.Cold months seem to be the worst when my left leg/foot will sometimes ache and all my toes feel as if they're bunched up on top of each other,but its been a long time since that 'knitting needle straight through the top of my left buttock' has taken my breath away.

A mate who suffered from the same thing relatively recently,underwent surgery,and never suffered since.

[Scully]

It's the weakest part of the human body by all accounts. Our skeletal design is essential that of a quadruped and compromised when on two legs.

 

That is exactly what my GP at the time told me.To which the obvious question has to be 'Do you mean I should go around my daily basis on all fours then?'

[cuffy]

Just had the results of my mri scan and I've got a herniated disc in my lower back,which is giving my pains all down my left leg.its brought on by sitting down,which I do s lot of at work.what I want to know is will it get better without surgery?

I did my back in years ago lots of physio and pain killers , then whenever it eased up I would put it out again ( groundwork ) now I see a chiropractor regularly it's much better ,

[darren m]

also as after using tramadol, diazepam and all the other drug Neapolitans they have me there's a drug called amitryptalin wich they class as a fix instead of a pain killer, muscles relaxant and helps with nerve pain, helped me anyway, one tablet a night.

 

how does amitryptalin work

 

my wife as been given these for back pain , but it says take 30mg ( to start ) at night.

so how can it help during the day when your most active

 

thanks