Slipped disc

[chippy1970]

Hi all I've had a slipped disc if not two for about 2 years now. I've suffered with sciatica ever since my back went 2 years ago. Had an mri back then and saw a surgeon who advised not to have surgery and to just stay fit . So joined the gym ,got fit felt a bit better but never really lost the sciatica.

At the moment it has flared up a bit and I'm struggling trying to work in the workshop ,having to stop a lot. Yes I've put a bit of weight back on and I need to join the gym again.

My question is has anyone here had injections in their back. I've read online about epidural type steroid injections just wondered if it's an option.

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[Mike G]

Yep, I have. Brilliant, for about 3 or 4 months of relief. If used as a diagnostic tool with the aim of a more long-term solution (radio-frequency denervation) than you can get a good idea of whether the latter will give you a permanent (or near-permanent) solution. You won't have a slipped disc, BTW. That would actually put you in a wheelchair, but more likely a dry, thin and mildly prolapsed (bulging) disc or 2. My sympathies. It is the most incapacitating pain imaginable.

 

[RogerS]

...... It is the most incapacitating pain imaginable.

You've never had a stent removed from your urinary tract then ? :eusa-whistle:

 

[Phil]

...... It is the most incapacitating pain imaginable.

You've never had a stent removed from your urinary tract then ? :eusa-whistle:

Aaw, come on Roger, that's kiddies stuff that. Pulled the last one out myself.

The stone moving down through the urinary tract - now THAT is a different storie.

 

[martc]

I had two torn discs in the early nineties. I had pain almost constantly until my sister in law who is a physiotherapist started giving me dry needles ( basically the same principle as acupuncture).
Since she started that treatment with an ultra sound treatment I can now go three or four months with no pain at all

 

[chippy1970]

Yep, I have. Brilliant, for about 3 or 4 months of relief. If used as a diagnostic tool with the aim of a more long-term solution (radio-frequency denervation) than you can get a good idea of whether the latter will give you a permanent (or near-permanent) solution. You won't have a slipped disc, BTW. That would actually put you in a wheelchair, but more likely a dry, thin and mildly prolapsed (bulging) disc or 2. My sympathies. It is the most incapacitating pain imaginable.

2 prolapsed discs is what I've got which I call slipped.

One is worse than the other. When it first happened about 2 to 3 years ago I couldn't walk more than 10 feet before my leg cramped up very badly. Took me about 2 to 3 months to get better walking and swimming then I joined the gym which helped. It's never really got better though. I spoke to a guy on a job recently and he swore by the injections.

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[TrimTheKing]

As a result of playing physical sports (football, rugby, ice hockey) virtually non stop since the age of 13 (26 years now) I have 2 discs that have prolapsed, burst and been absorbed back into my body leaving about 10-15% disc material between L4/L5 & L5/Sacrum. The disc contents have been absorbed back into the spinal cavity and mean my vertebrae pretty much rub together.

When it first happened around 8-9 yeas ago I was getting sciatic pain meaning shooting pains down my legs and up my back as well as lower back pain generally. Long story short, to avoid surgery to fuse them I was advised that Pilates and core strengthening exercises would be my best course of action.

I was sceptical but with morning and evening stretching and regular core strengthening exercises, Pilates and generally keeping fit and active the 'pain' as such rarely bothers me now and I really just get backache in the lumbar region if I have to stand around in one position for too long such as queueing. Walking long distances isn't too bad.

Rather than general gym work have you looked into focussing on core work?

Cheers
Mark

 

[RogerS]

I'll second that. If you do go down that route then I recommend that you find a good teacher for some 1-on-1 initial training. Forget the fancy machines. A good tutor is all you need.

Not sure where you are based chippy but if you are in or near B'ham or Worcester/Malvern then I can recommend a superb tutor/trainer.

 

[chippy1970]

As a result of playing physical sports (football, rugby, ice hockey) virtually non stop since the age of 13 (26 years now) I have 2 discs that have prolapsed, burst and been absorbed back into my body leaving about 10-15% disc material between L4/L5 & L5/Sacrum. The disc contents have been absorbed back into the spinal cavity and mean my vertebrae pretty much rub together.

When it first happened around 8-9 yeas ago I was getting sciatic pain meaning shooting pains down my legs and up my back as well as lower back pain generally. Long story short, to avoid surgery to fuse them I was advised that Pilates and core strengthening exercises would be my best course of action.

I was sceptical but with morning and evening stretching and regular core strengthening exercises, Pilates and generally keeping fit and active the 'pain' as such rarely bothers me now and I really just get backache in the lumbar region if I have to stand around in one position for too long such as queueing. Walking long distances isn't too bad.

Rather than general gym work have you looked into focussing on core work?

Cheers
Mark

Sounds similar to me Mark. Not sure mine had burst though.

It's my fault really that it's come back as I stopped going to the gym. I did do a couple of Pilates classes when I first joined the gym not sure I liked it but I'm sure it would help.

All the exercises I was given in the gym were core strengthening and they did do the trick.

I've never been a sportsman but I'm not a far slob either. 6ft and 13 stone at the moment but I was just under 12 stone while using the gym.

Went for a long walk today which helped a bit. I'm struggling to do any work at the moment , I've got a stack of chipboard in my workshop I'm trying to turn into 6 wardrobes but in the time I've dominoed one carcase my back is killing me. It's the standing still at the bench that's doing it.

Numb right leg followed by stabbing pain in the right side of my backside at the moment.



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[chippy1970]

I'll second that. If you do go down that route then I recommend that you find a good teacher for some 1-on-1 initial training. Forget the fancy machines. A good tutor is all you need.

Not sure where you are based chippy but if you are in or near B'ham or Worcester/Malvern then I can recommend a superb tutor/trainer.

Cheers Roger but I'm down in London. Luckily I do know a few people as I fitted out a friends gym back in 2010. It's just a big warehouse really very basic but the staff actually know what they're doing, unlike a lot of these flashy gyms these days.

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[chippy1970]

Little update . my doctor referred me for a hospital appointment this week. Hopefully I can discuss other options IE injections .

At least I'm less fed up now after winning some new Festool toys

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[AndyP]

Little update . my doctor referred me for a hospital appointment this week. Hopefully I can discuss other options IE injections .

At least I'm less fed up now after winning some new Festool toys

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Would be a shame if you could not bend down to pick them all up

In all seriousness I hope you get the back sorted soon. My father has suffered all his life, not nice.

 

[kirkpoore1]

...... It is the most incapacitating pain imaginable.

You've never had a stent removed from your urinary tract then ? :eusa-whistle:

Aaw, come on Roger, that's kiddies stuff that. Pulled the last one out myself.

The stone moving down through the urinary tract - now THAT is a different storie.

Phil, I'll see your kidney stone and raise you a bone marrow sample taken without anesthetic.

Honestly, though, back pain is really annoying because it will go from zero to omygod in nothing flat and do it for what seems like decades. I hope the repair works.

Kirk

 

[chippy1970]

Had an appointment today. Within 5 minutes I'm told they'll need another MRI as the last one is 3 years old. They're gonna look at the results once I get MRI'd and maybe try steroid injetions after that.

Whole thing must have only taken 10 minutes. Time left for a pub lunch with the wife, I don't often have a day off

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[chippy1970]

Update

I had another MRI back at Easter and today went back into hospital for steroid injections into my discs.

Low sedation today , off to sleep and woke up after feeling great. Nice sandwich waiting for me afterwards. Very nice hospital ,Woking Nuffield great staff.

All seems OK so far. To be honest over the last few weeks it's felt better anyway but let's see if these injections do anything.



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