Prolapsed disc, finding it quite depressing.

[Jeltz]

Anyone had a prolapsed (herniated) disc in their spine?

I'm about to start some physio for one, it started with sciatica at Christmas (how can something hurt so much but not fall off) but now its turned into a numb leg and foot with a reduction of function (movement).

As someone that likes to stay active its knocked me for six, usually I do martial arts and cycle (not at the same time unless I get badly cut up :P) but as I can't move my foot properly that's out now of the question and the only exercise I get is walking the dog.

Both the orthopedics person and physio have been clear that this might be my lot, albeit they are also quite upbeat about the treatment.

So far I'm following the exercises to the letter but it would be helpful to hear someone else's experience, good or bad.

 

[Northern Brewer]

Hi Jeltz

I got sciatica for no apparent reason when I was about 22, walked bent over for weeks, i had the usual physio and paid to see a consultant to jump the 9 months NHS queue that existed in them days, Physio didnt do much on its own but I found stretching exercises did so started doing martial arts to help as there's loads of stretching. I didn't have any detectable disc issue but could have as no scan x-ray was done and scans were non-existent in them days. It got better after about 8 weeks and it twinged if I stopped exercising so carried on exercising for the next 10 years.

When I was 48 I was standing on a pile of logs a little bit unbalanced and started a chainsaw and used my back muscles rather than my arm. The next day I was in agony and a scan revealed a huge disc prolapse. Took about 10 weeks to get mainly better, no issues at all 2 years on and I stopped exericing quite a while ago. I did get some sciatica during the prolapse but not as bad as before, mainly due to inflammation and pressure on the nerves. It fixed itself with a little help from anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers

Keep positive, the body is an amazing self repair machine

Cheers
Andy

 

[oldbloke]

I got sciatica really severely about 30 years ago, so bad at one point I had to be helped on the 12 yard trip to the loo, off work 6 weeks. And it was a major inconvenience for about 18 months. But it is controllable once the initial acute injury starts to heal.
I won't recommend any specific exercise as it depends exactly which disc is gone and which way it's gone, but I did find lying prone on a bed with my shoulders and head hanging down stretched mine out just right. Try to find what relieves the pressure on yours - might be uncomfortable getting into (and out of) the position but worth it.
Just do whatever a proper NHS physio advises, esp if backed up by x-ray. Mine did ultrasound on it but I can't honestly say whether it helped.
Rest it too long, it'll stiffen. Work it too much, agony. So balance the 2.
Swimming is good.

I had occasional recurrences over the years as I didn't really take proper care of my back but I knew how to deal with it.
Now I sometimes get it (mildly) in the /other/ leg but ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory) is enough to get me through my karate classes or a bowls match.
Sometimes I can lie on my back, draw my leg up, rotate it out and down and hear the vertebrae click back into place. What fun...
Ibuprofen is the obvious choice because it's an anti-inflammatory, but when it's bad you'll want to alternate that with paracetamol or aspirin.

 

[Jeltz]

Thanks guys, I am trying to stay positive and doing what I'm told. They are most concerned about the loss of function as that indicated nerve problems.

Its encouraging to hear good reports though.

 

[oldbloke]

Nah, I had the numb toes thing too, it's just pressure on the nerves, as long as you don't make it worse it'll go away.
The loss of function is coz your nerves can't send the signals. Get the inflammation of the disc down and it'll come right.

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

When I was younger I got siatica from driving long distances with my wallet in my back pocket...I feel your pain...its horrendous

 

[oldbloke]

When I was younger I got siatica from driving long distances with my wallet in my back pocket...I feel your pain...its horrendous

I keep my wallet in my front pocket nowadays!

 

[julian]

You need to establish a proper diagnosis to confirm that it is a disc prolapse that is causing your symptoms. This will also mean that you can get the correct treatment and advice / exercises. If it is a prolapse then it will take a while to recover full function - with long term pressure on a nerve there is sometimes a permanent deficit. However is could be pressure on the sciatic nerve away from your spine.

http://www.spinalsurgeon.com/conditions/sciatica/ has some good information.

PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Jeltz]

I'm hoping the diagnosis is correct; The GP and the orthopedics nurse are confident that there is a bulging disc between L4 & L5 they don't want to send me for X-ray or MRI at present though (cost?)

 

[DirtyCaner]

Hi J,

This is a subject I know a lot about.

I have had problems with my back for 5 years now, it was quite severe to start with. One day I just bent over a little bit too far to pick up something off floor and the next thing there was a loud crack and 3 days of acute pain. Turns out I've got 2 herniated discs, it took a long time to settle but I reckon it wouldn't have taken as long if I'd done more myself.

I visited a chiropractor (controversial, but it seemed to help), you might want to consider an osteopath as a 'safer option'. He gave me stretches and exercises to do. I do them pretty much ever day and now I only really have about one acute episode a year. I just watch what I do, careful when bending or twisting the spine. The more exercises I do, the more it strengthens the core muscles, helps hold everything together. I'm sure things will improve over time but it's important not to push yourself too much during the recovery phase.

During the acute phase or flare up I would reccomend using the cold gel packs, wrapped in tea towel and applied to area they help reduce the inflammtion. Lots of rest, sit up straight with support in your back, eg cushion. Try to avoid imbalanced movements and posture like sitting with one leg crossed over other, a habit I had been doing forever. NSAID analgesics are good but you may want to consider something opiate based too. Opiate based analgesics have a muscle relaxing effect which can help with the spasms which can exacerbate things. This is something that you should discuss with your GP as I'm sure you know these drugs are addictive and have side effects.

Finally I would push for and X-ray to confirm diagnosis. I would argue that unless you have a proper, confirmed diagnosis then the problem is being treated blind, which is not acceptable. I don't think you will find a doctor that would argue with that. If they are still being stubborn then a reputable chiropracter (possibly osteopath?) could take the X-rays for you. Probably be about 100 quid mark.

Most important, stay positive! If there's anything else you want to discuss or I can help you with, drop me a PM.

All the best,

DirtyC

 

[julian]

Mostly agree with DirtyCaner
++ to the core stability exercises and don't push too hard.
Keep the cold packs 4-5 minutes on and 10-15 mins off as central as possible (the spot on your spine where you feel most pain) - use something small like a folded damp flannel in a freezer bag - you don't want to chill the muscles either side of your spine and risk them going into spasm - which will be painful.
Fold a hand towel in half lengthways then into thirds - so it is 6 thick and put it on the back half of your seat - this will tilt your pelvis slightly - you want to maintain a pelvic position as if you were standing - so no slouching or low seats (hot bath soa
Watch out with NSAIDS if you have a sensitive stomach - always take with food.
Opiate based medications are pain killers - if you need muscle relaxants something along the lines of Diazepam would work, though this is prescription only.
An x-ray will not confirm diagnosis - it only shows the bones and not the discs so will only show any breaks / degeneration / dislocation. MRI or CT are what you need but they are expensive. However with your leg weakness I think you should have a good argument for this - and it's over 14 weeks now...
If you have any changes to your bowel or bladder sensation or control get to A&E straight away and make sure they take it seriously. Catheter bags aren't fun.
An Osteopath / Chiropractor should be able to write a letter to your doctor which should in turn accelerate an orthopaedic referral.

 

[Jeltz]

Thanks, I'll see how the 3 weeks of Physio goes and if there is no improvement then I'll press for a MRI. I've been warned off too much core work for the moment, plank etc.

There isn't pain as such its numbness and weakness, so not sure how much cold packs would help.

 

[critch]

my backs buggered too L4&5, as well as spondolosis just below the shoulders and londolosis(spellung??) in my neck, i get neuropathy in my hands and ive not felt my toes in years! im ontramadol but i cant take nsaids, i did and was in hospital for a week with ulcerative illeitis and colitus. not fun.

physio has really helped but its constant i have to do an hour a day, the physio has said this is permanent
swimming has massively helped me too ive been going to the baths twice a week for two months(when i can!) and i can actually walk properly now and not limp like ive had to for the last few years

 

[Hawks]

I have a prolapsed disc and have lived with it for years now ( 10 + ). It was confirmed when I finally saw a spinal surgeon and had an MRI ( he also said an X Ray is a waste of time to tell what it is ). He sent me to a physio who worked with a treatment program so that you manage it yourself. A lot of which comes from this book ( which she recommended ) here. I would strongly recommend getting it to anyone suffering with their back.

I now work sat on a fitball, don't get too many painful episodes and can go cycling a few times a week no problem :thumb: I've also been snowboarding and less gentle sport since, again few issues - you just learn how to live with it / manage it.

 

[mickthetrick]

as hawks above Ive had prolapsed discs for over 10 years. i was fobbed off and sent for physio for a number of years on different occasions but i new there was something more serious going on. only morphine worked for me for pain relief and i do still take them now. i had and mri which confirmed what was wrong and sent to See a neurosurgeon. wont go into it but i refused surgery and still have the problem but it is managed.
swimming has done great for me. twice a week i go and ive dropped from 60ml of morphine to 10ml a day which is great for me.
don't let them fob you off. push for an mri so you can get to the problem sooner rather than later. :thumb:

 

[Jeltz]

Well 1st physio today and a promise of a reassessment in 2 weeks to see if there is any difference, good or bad. If there is no improvement then I shall be pushing for an MRI.

 

[Jeltz]

Just to re-cap this one.

The Physio said back in July that as its not getting worse then they are "happy" and that it may well improve over time. To be fair it is improving albeit extremely slowly.

I've just been out on my bike for a ride 12.7 miles which is the 1st proper ride since before the disc prolapsed at Christmas. I've a hell of a lot of work to do on my fitness before I can contemplate the kind of distances I used to, but its a start and I intend getting back to being able to cycle 100k by spring of next year.

Living in a hilly area on the edge of the Mendips that 12.7 miles burned off 764 calories (according to Endomondo) so I'm hoping to drop a stone or so eventually.

I'm not expecting full feeling to return and I'm not expecting to go back to martial arts (not ruling it out though) but I'm happy that it I'm able to cycle and what's more it doesn't seem as though I'm going to have to trade in my road bike for a flat handle bar one.

 

[oldbloke]

Swimming is good, really, and I manage karate - though sometimes I take ibuprofen before I go and carry freezegel in my bag.

 

[brizleciderarmy]

Another subscriber to the buggered back club. Started off over 5 years ago as pain in the top Of my left leg oddly enough. Over the years its slowly worked its way upwards as lower back pain and further on into the upper back radiating out sideways into the back ribs and shoulder blades. More recently Ive started to get neck pain accompanied by pins and needles to my arms and legs ( sometimes my face too).

Agree with the OP on how depressing it can be. Especially when some mornings the misses has to pull me out of the bed because i cant physically sit up. I'm only 27 aswell.

What gets me though is one day it can be agony, another just mild pain and stiffness and others absolutely fine.

 

[godfrey]

what are core excercises

I am starting to get back issues and I think core work will help