I have had a prolapsed disc for over 5 years now,its actully getting worse,i have had 2 mri scans ,last one showing that the disc has now prolpsed on both sides,i had an epidural injection last june which worked for 3 weeks then thepain came back,i had a 2nd one done last week and it didnt work i was in more pain then i have ever known and am now taking 100gms of tramadol and diclofenic,which eases the pain but gives me headaches and makes me drowsey!!i had physiopherapy which made it worse and been told an oesteopath is out of the qstn,so what i want to know is any suggestions on what else i can try either with drugs or alternative therapy ie acupunture,im on incapasity benefit so dont have much money..thanks
RE: not getting better
No one of another profession has the authority to say that an osteopath is out of the question. Osteopaths use a wide range of techniques and approaches and don't just simply manipulate joints.
If you do consult an osteopath it is very important that you tell them about your MRI results and ideally take acopy of the report. The osteo would do there own case history, assessment,tests, diagnosis and take it from there.
You don't say where the pain is, but pain in itself is not necessarily coming from the disc protrusion, but could be secondary pain from the facet joints. If you have no other symptoms that would be directly from the disc injury i.e. areas of numbness in thelower body/lower limbs, weakness of same, bladder or bowel symptoms, then Ikeep surgery as a last resort, which is presumably why you haven't been under the knife as yet.
Cortisone will do nothing for the disc, but may reduce inflammation around the facet joints.
Andrew.
RE: not getting better
Just remebered - more info here - [link= http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=104 ]http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=104[/link]
Andrew.
RE: not getting better
Hello Lilacbunnykins,
Have you given any consideration to see a Massage Therapist? You should as you would see much difference in your pain and problem. Physiotherapy only agravates the problem and does not cure it. Try an experience Massage Therapist for one session and see what he or she will do for you. I believe he or she will help you very much and you will be able to go back to your normal life.
Please, keep us to date on your progress and good luck
Regards
Joe(from Canada)
RE: not getting better
ORIGINAL: lilacbunnykins
now taking 100gms of tramadol and diclofenic,which eases the pain but gives me headaches and makes me drowsey!!i had physiopherapy which made it worse and been told an oesteopath is out of the qstn,so what i want to know is any suggestions on what else i can try either with drugs or alternative therapy ie acupunture,im on incapasity benefit so dont have much money..thanks
Hi Lilacbunnykins,
Sorry to hear about you pain. Why you were told that osteopathy is not for you? Alternative therapies you can try for prolapsed disk are:
Chiropractic manipulations
Acupuncture
Massage
Also take a look at this page:
[DLMURL] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/herniated-disk/HD99999/PAGE=HD00033 [/DLMURL]
Diclofenac and [link= http://www.originaldrugs.com/tramadol.shtml ]tramadol[/link] are effective pain killers for back pain, but they do nothing with the cause of pain.
RE: not getting better
Hi
It is a case of finding what works best for you. With no money (I am all too familiar with that state of being) your options are limited and the NHS does not recognize many helpful treatments.
As for your side effects fromthe analgesia, I have had many problems in this area. Keep going back to your GP and explain. Keep it simple for them and directly to the point. There are hundreds of alternatives they can suggest. Dihydrocodeine is my weapon of choice at the moment.
RE: not getting better
well after having my 2nd injection,i was in agony for nearly 2 and a half months,but slowly the pain had eased,im off painkillers altogether,but this was in feb i had injection and im just starting to get pains back,so think ill need to contact consultant,went to see him 2 months ago and got his helper he asked if i wanted another injection ,i said not really as i went through hell and back having last one,was in agony on the table as felt both needles go in my back!!said i didnt feel having injection was helping my problem as disc clearly is not healing,so he said he would sppeak to my consultant ..and i have not heard anything yet lol about right for nhs!!
RE: not getting better
have you tried a TENS machine for pain control? They're pretty cheap to buy and a lot of people swear by them for back pain. It's not going to solve the underlying problems but might help with the pain:)They're usually around £30 but you can get them a bit cheaper.
If you can see a physio they can lend you one for a week or so to try and see if it helps