I have been a member here a long while and have seen the back forum change so much, it now seems to reflect the current nhs position of surgery solving back problems.
I wanted to contact those of you who can't have an operation, or who won't, or for whom there isn't actually a suitable op available....yet?
How are you coping?
How do you feel?
What helps your pain get better and what makes it worse?
What other options have you tried?
I am sure there are many of us that fit this category but that get put off reading about operations all the time. Anyway if this sounds like you come and say hi and post a bit, perhaps we can all support each other?
I am where possible trying to avoid the need for surgery if at all possible.
I have herniated L5 S1 and other disc bulges at other levels. Im 37, male and generally well apart from this.
Never been much of a fitness enthusiast and the problem stems from poor posture when sitting to drive which i have done for the last 12 years for a living.
First come about 12 months ago and GP arranged MRI and prescribed Naproxen and Co-Dydramol. As the last 12 months have developed i continued to work throughout and the painkillers steadily got stronger. Consultant says im a prime candidate for discectomy but my reluctance sent me down the PT route to no avail!
As of 2nd February some 10 months into the problem, i have been unable to work. first 11 days confined to bed as walking and sitting were impossible. I have however been going to a local osteopath every other day for 2 and a half weeks having IDD treatment which after 3 sessions got me out of bed and walking but sitting was still a no no. And now after 10 treatments i can walk and sit although the sitting does cause pins and needles which are very annoying in the left foot and make there way up my left leg. Im going to continue with the IDD in the hope it will stave off the need of surgery. Now on Tramadol, Paracetamol, Naproxen and and another tablet to stop the Naproxen causing ulcers.
Just got back from a brisk walk with my wife, did some shopping and feeling good and optimistic so heres hoping! Going to try work again later this week to see how i get on.
How about you?
Hi, that sounds great.
Sadly I am unsuitable for IDD as I have had a previous compression fracture and so anything that decompresses the spine physically like IDD or inversion therapy, even chiropractic may cause the spinal nerve pinches to worsen.
I have tried osteopaths, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy which was very soothing and they all worked for a while until the results of a more recewnt mri when everyone refused to touch me.
I am on a similar cocktail of drugs nsaid with tramadol and paracetamol and morphine patches and omeprazole to stop the stomach ulcers. But what I find works best is a good old fashioned hot water bottle or those heat patches.
It seems that when an op is refused, or there is not one suitable on the nhs the patient can get forgotten about when we need just as much, if not more support, information and advice about long term drug use and options. My health insurance just wouldn't re insure for long term chronic conditions.
just to update
im having an mri scan tomorrow morning as ive said my sciatica is a lot worse then before the surgery last week, doc thinks ive reherniated or something else couldn't really understand what he was going on about, anyway ill post tomorrow hopefully with good news.
thanks clare
Im sorry you are not suitable for IDD, i have found it to be a saviour so far!
I used to have medical insurance in my previous job but due to cut backs it was removed and i couldn't afford to keep it going independently, but like you say...the NHS do seem to find it easy to forget your existence when they run out of ideas. Its simply not fair and we find ourselves in a spiral downwards!
I wish you well and hope you find relief soon. Hot water bottles dont do it for me in the slightest, if anything they aggravate the problem even more!
Goodluck today Yogi, hope you get some good news and a good outcome from your meeting and MRI etc.
Regards
Rob
Hey Brillo, it is wierd that I love heat and you, like many others find it no good or worse. I was told to use ice but that is agony to me.
Good luck Yogi, 🙂
What is it that you actually have going on with your back if you dont mind me asking?
Im going to my osteopath for the last of my pre paid IDD sessions in 30 minutes, although expensive im considering having another ten as they have definitely helped me to get back on my feet.
Are you able to work too?
Take care
Hi,
I have gone down the surgery route but not really through choice I tried a number of alternative therapies first, but strangely found laying on my stomach and using heat the only thing which gave me relief!
I don't believe surgery will give me complete relief from back pain , it has given me the sensation back in my leg and has reduced my sciatica. However I also have issues with my upper back and neck as a result of a serious RTA several years ago which cause me ongoing pain/discomfort.
I would also be interested in what works for people as I would always prefer a non surgical option when possible.
I have recently been advised that a supplement of magnesium is benifical for sciatic pain. I haven't tried it yet but will give it a go once I'm out and about ( only 2 weeks post op).
I do hope you find some relief soon, as back pain is so draining both physically and emotionally , and until you've been there you don't quite appreciate the full effect it has on you.
Hi all
Well i went back to work last night as a London Black Cab Driver and did about 8 hours work. I was sensible and stopped twice for a break, stretch and short walk but all in all went quite well. Had a couple of niggles but nothing like real pain!
Hoping with the osteo, exercises and general sensible living will prevent the discectomy but still far too early i guess to rule it out.
Hope Yogi, your feeling better today and Emlou too!
Take care one and all!
Regards
Rob
I have tried osteopaths, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy which was very soothing and they all worked for a while until the results of a more recewnt mri when everyone refused to touch me.
I am on a similar cocktail of drugs nsaid with tramadol and paracetamol and morphine patches and omeprazole to stop the stomach ulcers. But what I find works best is a good old fashioned hot water bottle or those heat patches.
It seems that when an op is refused, or there is not one suitable on the nhs the patient can get forgotten about when we need just as much, if not more support, information and advice about long term drug use and options. My health insurance just wouldn't re insure for long term chronic conditions.
If they are refusing to treat you it is for a good reason . There could well be a risk of making the problem worse.
I HAVE had surgery about 20 years ago and it really did make a huge difference. However I have over the past couple of todays come down with the familiar symptoms again. No obvious cause and after 20 normal years I suppose I can't complain too much. Luckily my GP has given a sensible mix of drugs (I am a pharmacist so I knew what I wanted)
The NHS is NOT good at dealing with backs but I have been offered physic 'self referral' which I will sort out on Monday.
Sadly back pain is one thing that may well need more than one approach. Pain killers, physic , osteopathy all can be useful. Reiki and hypnotherapy (my specialities) may also be useful. I may well go down the osteopathy route if physic doesn't help much
I am hoping this flare up will be short lived as I intensely dislike swallowing a cocktail of drugs - but the relief from the pain when they took effect was amazing. i felt human again!!
If they are refusing to treat you it is for a good reason . There could well be a risk of making the problem worse.
Obviously - but I did not say they had refused to treat me, rather I had refused the odds they gave of me ending up in a wheelchair or with worse pain!
Go Brillo!!! But take it easy too 🙂
I can't work as I can't sit or stand without pain, I even access the internet lying down now 🙁
Emlou, I take magnesium for that very reason, also vitamin d. Not sure if they help or not but they feel simple and kind 🙂
Hi,
I will definitely give the magnesium a go and the vitamin D. I am all for trying anything which doesn't leave me feeling drugged up.I am really hoping that surgery has solved most of my problems, but I am also aware that there is no such thing as a quick fix where back problems are concerned. I still don't know what I did this time to cause such a large prolapse, but guess its been waiting to happen for a long time as have had sciatica on and off for years .
I do hope someone posts some suggestions to help you which you haven't previously tried and that you find some relief .
Never been much of a health and fitness and health fanatic and the problem arises from inadequate position when seated to generate which i have done for the last 12 years for a living.