Prolapsed disc... and in a lot of painnnnnn

[Victoria T]

Hi

I have recently seen an amazing man who can help with all types of back problems his details are below. Unfortunately he is in London. I hope it will be helpful to others:

Brian Godfrey ITEC MIPTI

Light Touch Therapy (Spinal Touch) Swedish Massage, London N12

One to One Sessions Tel: 020 8445 6990
email: ********************

Please mention Sue Bailey recommended you so he knows where you have heard about him from.


I also have other suggestions here under back problems which may help.

Warm Wishes
Sue


I did actually ask him if he minded me giving out his email address Mike and he was fine about it I would always do this before putting any information up here.

Anyone interested please feel free to call him it is an excellent therapy and well worth trying.

 

[happy 4 now =]]

I would suggest not advertising third parties email addresses they may not appreciate it as it can be picked up by anyone and used for spam

I have removed the one above

 

[Danielle Hillier]

Hi my name is Stu

I had a discoptomy in 1996, would i call it a success? yes and no i think is the answer. I think without it i would have never got any better, but on the negative side it took me about 4 years to get better. Within that 4 years i went through nearly every method of treatment (both convential and alternative), and found the only real improvement i had came from an attitude (that i wll not let this beat me), this for me worked, but only after i had the operation.

Sometimes the operation is neccessary, for somethings nature itself cannot cure, an operation is the last resort. For the last 3 years i have lived a normal life, but BANG all of a sudden my back went, and now the Dr's are saying i have bulge again on my spine, back the same old intense pain and disability. But things are different this time, my mental attitude is different, more stronger. For i know that whatever i have to do, whether phsio or operation etc, you will recover. To be able to live without pain for 3-4 years was a marvelous thing, and to go through 3-4 years of pain again now, just to have those 3-4 years without it, is worth it.

So what i am really saying is dont give up, things do get better, with whatever method you choose, but it is the believe that you will get better, is the most important, this will help you more that anything else.

 

[Ethen]

Hello Stu!

I agree with you... the attitude IS important.

But the thing is... when you're in pain and for a long time, the attitude tends to go down the drain. Can we avoid this? Not really I think. Part of the 'learning' process I guess. There are a few lessons I would gladly do without!!! Anyway.

Many say they've beaten cancer because of their positive attitude... so why not a prolapsed disc?!??

Thanks for sharing your story. Helps me not giving up hope. I'm doing much better, I've recovered 90% and am pain free. Yay!

Bye!

Marie

 

[tribeca_belle]

Its Stu again

I've been reading all the threads again on the board and there seems to be people recommending all sorts of treatment, but the one the one i have learnt through my prevoius 4 years of pain, and through talking to other people, is that everybody responds differently to treatment. What is right for one person might not be right for another.

Like i said in my earlier post i went through most conventional and alternative therapies, it was trial and error that lead me to find what was right for me. For me the most effective relief for the pain was acupuncture, but it took me 3 different accupuncturists to find the one that worked, but my friend who had a similar operation said this did not help at all. It was the same the with what the Dr said, 'lay flat on your back and that should help the pain' but it didnt.

Personally i think you should try whatever therapy it takes to aliviate your pain, but dont be stupid with it, and listen to your own body (i think it knows best). But dont give up hope, even in the most deepest depths of pain when you think you can no longer take, you can.

At the moment i seem to back where i was 4 years ago, lying flat on my back, taking painkillers and diazepan to relax the muscles. Lying down's ok for the pain in the legs, but makes my back ache like hell, so i do a liitle of both, the lesser of two evils. Perhaps i am lucky in that i know eventually that i will get better, i have before so there is no reason why i wont again. It may take time, that is something you seem to have a lot of when you are in pain, but I will recover, operation or not.

To all you out there, never give up, it will get better.

take care

Stu

 

[hi people]

Hi Marie sorry to hear of your toubles and the others i reading about as regards lying down do you use a pillow under your knees when lying on your back surgery is the last resort please see the osteophath and the like first Massage can help althugh in Engalnd nobody will take responorbility for it as you may sue like the U.S.A. is it never intrapment or is there a more sinter reason for thids Pain are you aware are you deaLING WITH Surgens there only a stone through away from being Barbers abd Surgons remember that when they wantto charge you lotd of money for an OP I hope it doesnt come to this best of luck be lucky Lionheart.

 

[Babby Joshua Christomato]

Hello everyone!

Well I think I've (almost) fully recovered now... at least 95%! Still need a bit of strenght in my knee...

I didn't feel the doctor was keen to operate... although he was keen to start the injections. But since I saw improvement each week, I wanted to wait. A good thing I did!

Yes it does get better... but takes time! But life doesn't stop spinning around, there is work, the family to take care of... and THEY don't stop because we're in pain. It's that part that is hard to deal with. At some point, the pain takes all the room. It becomes you! Just a big blob of pain. If you don't do something, it sure will eat you up from the inside...

My heart goes out to all those people who still suffer...

Take care all and have a very merry Christmas... and may the New Year be a pain free one!


Marie

 

[SumYungGai]

Update... Am now fully recovered. So there is hope! Never give up!!!!

Marie

 

[Nickfromnj]

Hi Marie glad to hear you are recovered I notice my last post had many mistakes sorry for that. hope you enjoy a new pain free year ahead g-d bless love and light Lionheart

 

[*Chona*]

Hi Marie

I had a prolapsed disc in 2002 and had the operation 9 weeks before I was due to get married. I was in that much pain, I had to go for it. And it's the best thing I could have done. The actual operation is not painful, it's the fact that you have to lay on your back for 2 weeks afterwards and you are basically lying on the wound, that hurts. It's more uncomfortable than painful. It is such a common operation now and I would definitely recommend you having it, if you are in that much pain.

I still get the odd backache now and my pelvis is very weak (partly my fault because I should be doing my exercises), but I don't get that disc pain anymore.

Go for it, you will feel much better.

S x

 

[Scott H]

Hi all

New to all this so bare with me if i'm doing this wrong.

Just had the results of an MRI this morning and I have a prolapsed disc in the lumbar portion of my back.

I'm 28 and I suppose a little anxious about the next step which is seeing a Neuro-Surgeon to discuss options, one of which my GP says is surgery. This is very scary.

I have read other messages which suggest the outcome is good but it is still a bit scary especially as I have not had any operations before.

The pain was immense in November and after 3 weeks of being on the floor, hardly able to move and immesurable pain when trying to use my bowels (sorry) the pain subsided somewhat. However, it is starting to come back again. My right foot is a bit numb, my groin hurts and the pain is shooting down the leg.

I don't know what i hope to get from telling you all this, maybe i want someone to tell me about a similar experience and that there is nothing to be anxious about.

Thanks for taking time to listen

 

[www.crystalsmassage.com]

Hello Jason.

I was the one who started this thread. At the time, I was in painnnnn and desperate.

I wasn't so keen about an operation nor steroids injections because at some point, I could see progress each and every day. Oh! Little progress but progress still!! The thing is, you must be patient. I sure wasn't.

The biggest mistake I made was to stay immobile for so long. As soon as I started to hobble around the house (with excruciating pain at first mind you) I started to see improvement. But it takes a long time.

I've tried gentle yoga, I still take supplements (glucosamine and lecithin)... Oh! Warm baths with Epsom salts worked wonders in my case (took away most of the pain, at least for a few hours). I heard athletes have those for extreme muscular pain. It really works!

If I'd have to face the same situation again ---and saw no improvement whatesoever--- I'd go for steroids injections first. Some have said the operation was a success but since we're all different I'd rather try anything else before surgery. The operation just takes care of the pain by the way. Never heard it made someone's condition worst but unfortunately some also told me the pain was the same... and they had to recover from the operation on top of it. This is a big decision, not to be taken lightly I suppose.

How about a second opinion? Did your doc talk about the operation straight away? Some are rather keen on the scalpel...

Hope you will recover soon. Take care! Marie

 

[perkgdwz]

Hi Marie
I'm sorry it has taken so long to let u know how i was gettin gon, but after i got better, i couldn't find the bleedin site ha ha, i've got it now though.
An update...my op was actually arranged incorrectly, so was canx, however i was taken in to hospital ,the end of october anyway as i though my back had actually snapped, i couldn't stand ,and was taken by ambulance to the local hospital, where i was kept in till my operation was re scheduled for Nov 13th( i must add the begining of my life again).
I had th eop on that day, i was very scared but in so much pain, i wsa desperate. I was admitted to the hospital on two sticks bent over like a old woman. I came out 4 days later(a bit sore) but perfectly straight and able to walk. My god, i can't believe the difference to my life.
I always promised myself i'd put an update on here to give hope to people like myself who have been in such pain. I always used to come on here to give me a bit hope that one day i'd be normal again, sometimes there was a lot of negativity, but speaking from my case .... WHAT A SUCCESS...and i'm so happy, if anyone has had the same problem as me i'd be happy tp speak with you to put your mind at ease and give you a bit hope.


LIFE COULDN'T BE BETTER,,,APART FROM THE REGULAR HANGOVERS I NOW HAVE HA HA !!!!
jO XXX

 

[blesst_624]

Hellooooooooo Jo!

So glad to hear you're doing absolutely wonderful. You certainly have deserved to be freed from this pain! Seems people take infinite pleasure in telling you all these horror stories about how wrong an op has gone wrong. I must say, I thought it didn't turn out well for you. Well I can't tell you how happy your message has made me; you are doing great now!!! Yep, there is hope to beat this. We're both the living proof. Take care now... and enjoy yourself! Marie

 

[andy muso]

Hello,

I am new to this forum. I am Atul, from India, 45 years of age. I was diagnosed with disc prolapse about 6 months back. May I share my experiences?? I really feel sorry to hear the pain which many of the members have and are going thru. I wish them well in the various therapies which they pursue. I hope Marie, Jo, Stu, Jason, Sara, and Delvin are doing fine.
In my case, I didn't have severe pain as described by the members here. I used to have a slight pain in my left hip especially when I would try to change sides while sleeping at night. The X-ray and later MRI findings showed slip disc. Since then I am avoiding any forward bending. I took anti inflammatory + pain killers + muscle relaxants for 2 months then stopped them though my doc still prescribes them. I now only take Neurobian( nerve strenghthening medicine ) and Glucosamine( for past 2 weeks which my physician friend suggested...... my ortho specialists didn't suggest Glucosamine ). I started with two exercises and now do only one. One is lying on my back and raising the chest up.....hold for a count of five.....release.....do it ten times twice a day( this one I am avoiding as it is straining my neck pain which I recently developed ). Other is the Shalbasana as suggested by Tammy...the locust posture. This helps. You can feel the back and lower back muscles strengthing. Recently, my Ortho specialist has added two more exercises which I haven't started coz it sacres me a bit. One is again as suggested by Tammy in which while lying on the back, legs are raised up alternatively one at a time as far as possible and then released. Next is lie down on the back with legs outstretched.......fold one leg and try to bring the knee towards the chest by holding and trying to press the knee towards the chest. Then relase it and do it with the other leg too. The reason why I am scared is because these were the very same postures for which my ortho was always checking whether I had any pain or not. I somehow feel doing it might aggravate the pain. Is there any member who has tried the last of the two exercises while having slip disc. Could some members share the exercises they do?? I agree with Marie and Stu that moving about helps. Recently, since the past one month I walk for about 2.5 kms in the morning and the same in the evening too. It helps relieve the pain. Presently, I feel little pain while tossing about in the bed especially if I have sat for 6-7 hours continously. Lying down for about an hour or so relieves the pain. Initially, the pain used to subside in 2-3 hours and that too after just 2 hours of sitting. With walking, it is better.
Marie, I am taking 1500 mg of Gulcosamine+MSM etc per day. How much mg has your doc prescribed to you and how long are you suppose to take it. I am also taking some homoeopathic medicines.
Stu, it is surprising that the pain came back to you. Could you please tell if it just happened on its own or you were lifting something heavy or bending forward ??
Tammy, is it safe to do the exercise of lifting the leg perpendicular to the floor in case of slip disc.
BTW, in my case I also find that if I have 2-3 pegs of whiskey sometime in weekends then the next day the pain is slightly more for a day or two.
Take care n best wishes.
Atul.

 

[hrpyaod]

Hello fellow sufferers,

I'm an Irish woman, age 57 with arthritis in both knees.

I woke up with that "I must have slept funny" feeling in my lower back on 11th Feb 2004 and by Friday the 13th (!!) I was in agony. Prolapsed disc was diagnosed by doc - opiates, valium, and anti-inflammatory prescried and bed rest for as long as it takes to get better. He said it was not necessary for me to stay on my back in bed; I could turn on my side or I could move into any position where I got relief. It was just necessary to prevent any body weight pressing on the area. Doc also mentioned that the medication would cause constipation and to eat lots of fibre to prevent this.

My family was terrific. They rallied round and took good care of me. My husband constructed a gadget to allow me to drink while lying on my side and I didn't even try to sit up. Anticipating a visit to the bathroom brought me out in a cold sweat. The medicine made me sleepy but after serveral weeks I was whimpering amd moaning with misery.

I had no appetite and the inevitable happened, I become constipated so badly that the pain of this was nearly worse than that of my back.

Having watched a tv programme about children with terminal illnesses I began to be very ashamed about my whimpering and moaning.

After four weeks I emerged from the bed, gradually for an hour here and there, but found any effort very tiring.

It is now 19th March. I'd say 90% better. (Little bonus 8lbs lighter!!) Im trying to balance the day with a little time walking, some sitting, some lying down. I've done some light housework - not carrying, bending, etc.

My doc says I'm a model patient who did what I was told and stayed in bed and attributes this to the huge improvement. He says my problem would not benefit from any manipulation. But recommends physiotherapy to learn strengthening exercises for my lower back, etc. My first session is on Monday next.

From reading all the contributors to this discussion I feel that I have been lucky and I will remain optimistic for the future.

I leave you with one thought - don't allow yourself to become constipated!!

And to all of you who are still suffering, my very best wishes.

 

[tmjeafvk]

Good Day to all.

I am new to this forum, it is a relief to find a forum where people understand the pain. In September of 2003 I was at work and began getting pain in my left calf. Low and behold I had a polapsed disc at L4/L5 my third in 10 years. I spent 4 weeks in bed on valium and anti-inflammatory pills, there was no improvement my body began to shut down.

I was referred onto a neurosurgeon and operated on twos after the inital appointment. I had a new operating procedure called the wallis. The operation was in October and I nowfind day to day activities pain free but I am suffering some pain whilst sleeping.

If there is anyone who has also had an operation I would be interested to hear your story.


Dd

 

[Softtouchmale]

Hi - I want to share as much as I can about this debilitating condition. I have had about 5 or 6 prolapses on the L4/L5 disk. The last time was 3 months ago, and I was unable even to get up for 1 month. I understand it is the speed at which the nuclear disk material shoots out onto the spinal cord which determines the severity of the damage.
Before all this happened, I had enjoyed 3 pain-free years, and had no problem riding a bike or taking a train. But I had gradually gained weight from 75kg to 85 kg. During a spate of work when I had spent the better part of 24 hours working at the computer without sleep or exercise, every day for 1 week or so, the cat came in and started jumping on the scanner and fax machine. So I took the cat with both arms and threw it into a chair. This sudden, forward movement blew the disk, and left me unable to walk properly. The next day, however, thinking it was getting better, I got up in the morning and straightaway sat in the chair to work - and man, did that disk blow! It was excruciating.
This time I was totally unable to walk, so I crawled to bed and stayed there for 1 month. Therefore, I have not left my house in the last 3 months, save to walk a few steps around it last week. Following this, I have gradually been getting used to moving about, but the disk is still bulging near to the nerve. Occasionally, if I move the wrong way, it touches the nerve and threatens to cause another spasm similar to what happened on the last occasion when the disk herniated. Over the last month, there has been the "disk bulge" pain when I get up (during the day). This lasts only for about 30 minutes or so, after which I have no pain. I suppose the disk is more swollen after sleeping, and it takes some time for this water to be extruded by standing up so that it recedes away from the nerve. I also think the facet joint around the disk has become a bit arthritic, and it takes some time and movement to produce any synovial fluid in the joint. But normal activity is no longer possible.
What am I going to do about it, a friend asked? Nothing, I replied. At least, nothing drastic. As for surgery, I have read that it shows no advantage in the long-term over conservative care - with the exception of "cauda equina" syndrome where muscle control and sensation are lost, and surgery must be performed within 3 days if total paralysis is to be avoided. In addition, surgery can be disastrous, as in the case of one woman here who died on the operating table (she was 37). As for VAX-D motorized traction (not available in the UK), a case recently surfaced where winch and pulley traction actually made a disk protrusion worse - so painful that "urgent microdiscectomy was performed" (although VAX-D deny that the traction involved here was VAX-D).
What does that leave us with?
It leaves us with other invasive options such as chymopapain therapy or prolotherapy, both of which involve painful injections of material into the disk.
It also leaves us with non-invasive options including, but not limited to, osteopathy, acupuncture, shiatsu, infrared lamp treatment, soft laser tissue treatment (e.g. the "Terra Quant" device sold in the UK), cod liver oil, calcium orotate, glucosamine, joint supplements, aminoacid supplementation, proanthocyanidins, magnesium lotion, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and hypericum oil "for people with shrunken disks".
At this time, I have started to take Icelandic cod liver oil and calcium orotate,
and am waiting for the glucosamine and avocado oil to be delivered. The glucosamine product is a liquid glucosamine containing 11 other ingredients and will be delivered together with a "glucosamine roll-on". The hypericum oil massaged into the disks feels good, but it`s too early to say yet. I will keep this forum posted.
Best - Max

 

[Imissidgegams]

Hi everbody,
Just found this site by chance and couldnt believe what i was reading. I knew i couldnt be the only person with this condition but i didnt know anybody personaly who i could discuss the problems.

After seeing my GP and being prescribed the usual a/inflams and pain killers, I was reffered to specialist at BUPA in leicester. two scans later and no improvement in pain down both legs, he sent me for epidural. Fantastic! no pain for 4 weeks. Then it returned, same pain, worse in the mornings of course.He is recomending the op. 4 inch cut, shave a bit off the spine around disc 4 & 5, and off work for 3 or 4 weeks.

The Dr has told me only a small chance of damaging the nerves to bladder and bowel but i am still really concerned that a) the op will be a sucess and b) the thought of inconntenence and a colostomy bag at 45 years old is dreadfull.

Has any body else had this op and come thru ok?

 

[kingers1988]

Baxter... pain in both legs?!?? You have all my sympathy! Had it in one leg only and it's a good thing I couldn't walk because I felt like jumping off a bridge at one point...

I know you want to get rid of the pain, I know you want to get on with your life (pain free life that is!) and as soon as possible but if I were you (1) I'd try to get a second opinion and (2) I'd research the exact procedure well before going under the knife.

You also mention epidural. Has your doc offered you steroids injections? Could be worth a try before considering the operation?

Might be a good idea to ask the surgeon if you can get in touch with patients who already had the surgery.

And you may want to browse the newsgroups and such too because sometimes they offer a better/quicker answer. Especially if you want to get in touch with people who have had this kind of operation. You can find groups by doing a Google search, using the 'groups' function.

If you look carefully, in this thread, you will find that Jo has had surgery and she's feeling just wonderful. But each invidivual reacts differently to treatment.

45 is TOO YOUNG to suffer medical problems and such. I do hope you will recover soon and well and it goes without saying that I wish you the very best of luck. Hang in there!!!

Marie