Anyone here had medication/operation for disk back problem?

[Lons]

I had severe back problems and sciatica and had surgery almost 30 years ago. At the time I was told it was a laminectomy and he had fused together 2 discs. It wasn't a complete cure as I still had some discomfort, I have a reasonably high pain threshold so some might feel that as pain. What it did do within a few months was give me back full mobility. I had an office job at the time but that was followed later by 18 years of very physical work.

I now get some pain and pins and needles but have dodgy knees so don't think it's my back.

So in my case it was successful and worth the risks of open spine surgery, must surely be less risk now with current micro procedures but still not something to contemplate lightly.

Whilst I don't use Voltarol on my back, I do on my knees and it works so not in agreement with Sam that it's a "swizz".

Bob

 

[sunnybob]

Avoid chiropractors:

http://edzardernst.com/2014/11/the-tole ... of-quacks/

(note the author's role, history and qualifications)

BugBear

A chiropractor saved me, literally.
4 x NHS "Doctors" examined me.
1 = I want to measure your legs to see if one has shrunk. (I'm late 20's) oh, they havent, so I cant help you.
2 = I want you to take these suppositories for the rest of your life because I cant help you.
3= Get used to the idea of a wheelchair because I cant help you.
4= we will have to fuse your spine together so you will have very limited movement. Apart from that I cant help you.

I Chiropractor examined me= He took an X ray (which none of the "doctors" had thought of) he laid me on the couch and tied me in a granny knot. I walked out and got on with the rest of my life.

Dont believe all the stuff you read on google.

 

[graduate_owner]

I have a friend who is a retired GP. When he had back pain he went to an osteopath. he didn't bother going to his own GP - reckons they are useless when it comes to back issues.

 

[SammyQ]

Whilst I don't use Voltarol on my back, I do on my knees and it works so not in agreement with Sam that it's a "swizz".

Hmm...everybody's different, I guess; if it worked for you, great, I'm glad to hear it has efficacy. It didn't for my back and nor my wife's (non sciatica) back problem. It occurs to me, skin and other tissue over a kneecap might be thinner than the latimus dorsi etc in the back and thus, penetration, and hence effectiveness, might be better?

I had to try a number of things before I could walk properly again, get out of a car or chair unaided. No pain killer, physioterrorist, anti-inflammatory pill or rub made significant differences; a firmer mattress helped, as did sleeping on my side, not my back. Stretching exercises, CAREFUL re-education of how I lifted things, particularly from floor level, also contributed. This is a slow process, I think I spent several years recovering, regressing, recovering. That was twenty-odd years ago and I've found prevention much better than cure.

Sam

 

[curtisrider]

I had a micro discectomy 4 year ago and it changed my life, it's like I never had a back problem! I was 26 when it was done, I went privately and it was only 5k, a small price to pay to be able to get on with life. Certainly an avenue to explore although I'd recommend seeing a physio and a chiropractor first

 

[Lons]

Whilst I don't use Voltarol on my back, I do on my knees and it works so not in agreement with Sam that it's a "swizz".

It occurs to me, skin and other tissue over a kneecap might be thinner than the latimus dorsi etc in the back and thus, penetration, and hence effectiveness, might be better? Sam

Hadn't thought about thinner skin Sam, we have a number of medical people in my family, must ask what they think. I play golf and don't always remember to apply Volterol before a game, I always know well before I finish the round thought!

a firmer mattress helped, as did sleeping on my side, not my back

Best thing we ever did was but a matress from "sleeping duck" off the internet about a year ago, I've never slept better.


There are several mentions of GPs being useless but what people forget is that the "G" stands for general. They are not specialists and are there to refer a patient if they can't help. Problem is often down to money and it seems that practices are being given incentives to delay or deny referal :roll:

 

[chippy1970]

I slipped a disc about 8 years ago, sciatica is awful just grinds you down, I was unable to lift anything or really walk for about a month and overall it took about 18 months to return back to normalish.
I was prescribed codine in reducing dosage but it don't half bung you up and when you have a terrible back thats not good news. Initially I took some dodgy stuff I got hold of to kill the pain, but it was over the top and basically sent me to La la land.

I found exercise is the best preventative.

Sounds exactly like my story too.

I found going to the gym and staying mobile helped. Still have a numb foot and back aches after 2 years probably.

Saying that I need to get fit again lol I find I can't sit round long these days have to keep moving.



Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

 

[Benchwayze]

Woody

In 1992 I had to resort to surgery for a slipped disc, low down in my spine; (just above the coccyx.) The original injury was due to a hammock collapsing under me in 1954 (Christmas Eve as I recall)

The reason for the surgery was to get me back on my feet, as the disc had prolapsed to the extent that I couldn't walk at all, To avoid fusing of the vertebrae, I was asked if I wanted to risk a 'new' procedure called a Nucleotomy.

The actual procedure was to remove a certain amount of tissue from the disc, to enlarge the hole in the centre of the disc, where the spinal cord passes through. This was to ease pressure on the cord of course. It was done under an epidural, and I was conscious the whole time. (Incidentally, the Doc even found dried blood, which had been there since the accident all those years before. He showed me the removed tissue in a small test tube, and offered to give it to me. I declined!!! )

For a couple of weeks afterwards sitting down, getting to my feet, standing and walking were extremely painful. I thought I was never going to walk properly again. But I stuck it out, and since then I have had very little trouble with an injury which, at the time it gave way, seemed as if it was going to be life-changing' to say the least.

I have had other surgery since (Two replacement knees) and when I was asked about other surgery, the man who replaced my knees didn't seem to know what a Nucleotomy was. So either they don't perform this op any more, or I got the name wrong. I know for sure the operation was performed, and I know it worked. Maybe you could find more info if you ask your surgeon.

I never regret the surgery, even though I do have the odd twinge. I certainly don't have the inconvenience of recurring prolapsed discs any more.

That's a bit long winded, but I hope it helps you in your search.

Regards
John

 

[devonwoody]

The number of members here with a same or simalar problem says to me there is something wrong, perhaps its the way we live in this age. Perhaps the health service needs another section that medicates solely to this illness if it could be afforded. I am sure my wife will overcome her problem she always does and we have learnt something from your open and frank comments, Thanks.

 

[NazNomad]

I suspect the younger generations won't have these problems. When I started work there was little or no regard for correct lifting or manual-handling. Also, manual work takes its toll, we didn't have robots to do all out hard work. Kids now will mostly need to worry about DVT from sitting at a desk all day.

 

[bugbear]

Avoid chiropractors:

http://edzardernst.com/2014/11/the-tole ... of-quacks/

(note the author's role, history and qualifications)

BugBear

A chiropractor saved me, literally.
4 x NHS "Doctors" examined me.
1 = I want to measure your legs to see if one has shrunk. (I'm late 20's) oh, they havent, so I cant help you.
2 = I want you to take these suppositories for the rest of your life because I cant help you.
3= Get used to the idea of a wheelchair because I cant help you.
4= we will have to fuse your spine together so you will have very limited movement. Apart from that I cant help you.

I Chiropractor examined me= He took an X ray (which none of the "doctors" had thought of) he laid me on the couch and tied me in a granny knot. I walked out and got on with the rest of my life.

Dont believe all the stuff you read on google.

I promise to be careful believing stuff I read on "the internet", and to consider the source and credibility with due thought.

BugBear

 

[JandK]

I had a herniated disc in 2010 due to a work injury involving a bull (but that's another story). I could hardly walk sit or stand for any length of time. I walked with great difficulty into the hospital on the 13th of August 2010 and walked out almost like a new man after successful surgery. To me it was almost like a switch that has been flicked no pain at all, my back has fully recovered due to the surgery.

I was told at the time by numerous physio's that I will never be able to do any real physical work and to find another hobby other than woodworking I sold all my woodworking equipment (all separate Hammer machines) prior to surgery. I wish I never had. Thanks to a great consultant my back is about 100%.

 

[backinthesaddle]

I suspect the younger generations won't have these problems. When I started work there was little or no regard for correct lifting or manual-handling. Also, manual work takes its toll, we didn't have robots to do all out hard work. Kids now will mostly need to worry about DVT from sitting at a desk all day.

Sitting at a desk all day is absolutely appalling for your back!

 

[backinthesaddle]

I've suffered from back problems for the last few years (being 6ft 8in doesn't help - there's a lot of back to go wrong) and have had some good and bad experiences.

I have lower back problems and inflammation of the sacroiliac joint in particular. GP's work on a process of elimination and so they initially suspected was a sign of ankylosing spondylitis. Various painkillers were tried but they tend to cause other problems with the digestive system and were only masking the problem. I also was left feeling that the core issue wasn't being addressed.

I've used Osteopaths and Chiropractors and they can work, and solve certain simple problems but will not alleviate a fundamental underlying issue.

A physio got me on a disciplined routine of stretching and core strengthening exercises which has really sorted me out. On his advice I also now do Pilates once a week which also works brilliantly. One of the people in the class is in their 80's age is no barrier.

From my experiences the modern world is not good for backs. We spend too long sat around or hunched over and our core becomes weak. One test is to put yourself in a 'plank' position (lie on your front and come up onto your elbows keeping the body straight) and try and hold it. If you're are struggling to hold this position for any length of time then your core is weak and needs focus as this weakness will put undue pressure on joints when you walk, lift, sit, stand, sleep or basically anything physical.

I am NOT a doctor or a Physio but this is my personal experience. Stretching and strengthening (even with very light weights) has been by far and away the best for me at least.

 

[backinthesaddle]

good advice on this video for sciatica/disc problems

http://www.nhs.uk/video/Pages/sciatica- ... -disc.aspx

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks for the video, let you know how the wife gets on with that one.

(The patient did not seem to need the treatment !!!!!!!!!! =P~ )

 

[Beau]

My wife has a long standing back problem. Fell off a lamp post in her youth damaging a disk. It didn't cause much problem for many years until one day when running to an injured animal something went wrong. Then maxed out on drugs to control pain. Then an op on the disk which didn't help much. Then continued high dose drugs until a meeting with back pain specialist who happened to be an osteopath as they could not afford to send her for another MRI. He gave her a 6 week course of manipulation which quickly started to improve her pain. At the end of it she was not perfect but much improved and encouraged to be more active and less protective. She still has pain at times but is able to live reasonably normal life. This worked for her but it seems there are no great fixes out there and everyone seems to respond differently to the treatments and drugs.

Think I read one 1 in 4 of us have a "slipped disk" but many will suffer no ill effects and others can have crippling pain. It's all down to the nerves getting trapped or not as the case may be. I have a slipped disk myself but as long as I keep active and keep my core strength suffer little pain.

I have no medical training just my observation of the situation.

 

[devonwoody]

The number of replies some pms and views it is obvious a great number of us suffer this very painful condition, hopefully more attention could be given to this complaint by the medical section.