L4 & 5 Disc protrusion and sciatic nerve pain

I have been on a huge cocktail of drugs for 8 years as I have a number of different unrelated conditions. My liver function is monitored and I have had no problems. If the drug works then you should try it with the promise that you will have...

Forget the pain meds and get yourself down to a sports physio. They are very good at manipulating discs, the spine and releasing pressure off nerves. They will also give you exercises to do to strengthen your core muscles (3 layers over your tummy) which takes the strain off the spine.

Pain killers don't work. They are designed for short term pain. You eventually get stronger and stronger ones as the pain increases and they get less and less effective. Before you know it you are a junky, your quality of life reduces and its a downward spiral.

It took 3 sessions for the sports physio to manipulate my disc back into place. It may seem expensive at the time, but compared to prescriptions for medication that doesn't work for the rest of my life, it's cheap.

But this treatment involves doing something and I'm finding out everyday on here that people are unwilling to help themselves. Not saying that's you, but everyone expects a magic pill - there are none.

You'll find one at your local football/rugby club.

Zanna, I've been meaning to ask where you found your sports Physio. My various Physios over the years seem to work with sport injuries and I wondered what was the difference?

JustBreathe, it can be scary to realise that there is no real pharmaceutical help for chronic pain and you are on a long journey of discovery and self awareness to find your answers to how you manage it. Its tough but its worth making that journey. Best wishes.

I am wanting the same answers and have the same condition as you Justbreathe. At the moment I take a MAXIMUM of 6 paracetamol and three Ibubrofen in the day. moving, stretching and distraction/positive thinking/breathing exercises are getting me through. At night I sometimes, although not every night take Solpadeine Max. but that is all they do- get me through. there are good days and bad, and certain times of the day when i know for sure i am going to be in severe debilitating pain. i really don't want anything stronger.

i am at the Drs tomorrow (yet again) in the hope the can suggest some sort of slow release patch/tablet that i can have OCCASIONALLY to help get me more than 3 or 4 hours sleep and allow me to get out of bed without screaming everybody else into consciousness!

I keep telling myself i CAN do this. And so far i have. i don't want to be addicted, i don't want to have to take more and more, i don't want to cause damage to my liver. but i have to function. This is the lowest level of meds i can survive on consistently. everyone has been really helpful here, suggesting pillows at night, TENS, pain Clinic, and i am going to try all of it truly, the only thing that REALLY helps is stretching. the pain is awful during, but after seems to get alot better, for a while. If i sit it creeps back. i don't know whats going to happen when i am an old lady and cant keep blummin moving all the time! But for now that's working. Lets hope someone comes up with something before then! All the best, Zoe

I have Fibro and ruptured disks and have the same trouble. I went to a pain clinic and it may take a few try's but it makes a huge difference. Plus the steroid injections are only damaging your bone mass. Best of luck sweetheart. xxxx Mitzi

Thanks everyone for your replies. I

appreciate all of them. I haven't felt like coming on to reply. It's been a very rough past few days. I went in this morning to have the injections. I've taken them very hard. I'm in a lot more pain. I know

that that's only temporary.. I know the pain meds can be a vicious cycle.. and I hate taking them honestly. And like you Zoe, I don't want anything stronger and I don't want to depend on them. I have a lot more wrong than the back and take them for other chronic pain issues which I don't really wanna tick off all of them, too much typing! But I was actually started on Opana, which here in the States is an Oxycodone/Morphine combo, pretty heavy mix.. I was a walking zombie basically, so I asked the Dr to put me on something milder, that's when he gave me the Norco. I have a 9 and 10 yr old and a household to run so I need to function, yet need something more effective. I'm on government Medicaid, so I don't get the best Dr.'s I'm hoping that this new Dr can work with me on some good pain management options, that can work to lessen the amount of pills I've had to take and Zanna, if Physio/Sport medicine is helping you, that's wonderful! Not all folks can do that option unfortunately! Lack of sleep and depression I think have been taking there toll as well... Aaarr! I could write a book, as we all could I'm sure So I'm going to stop rambling now! I'm a 43 yr female from America btw Thanks again and God bless u guys!

Valarian plant extract can be found as a tea and in nytol /sleep aid which wilkos sell sleep aid has Valarian in it it relaxes your nerves and muscles it helps pain in my leg hope this has helped you.

Protrusion can have a few meanings such as bulging or herniated. With bulging, surgery is not normally recommended, but with herniation surgery would be warranted. With the leg falling asleep, this is an indication of disc herniation. Due to herniated disc at L3, the nerves running down my right leg affected movement. Basically could not walk on it since the loss of motor function. In the end muscle atrophy became the norm with limited motor function. Because of having an operation some of the movement came back.

Because of a herniated disc my nerves from l3 down became damaged, which kept me from being able to walk. Emergency surgery took place, days later other problems amassed internally because of not having the operation done sooner. I went over 13 years with constant problems...end result nerve damage to bladder, bowels, muscle atrophy both legs, paralyzed toes, and ended up with blood clots in left leg. Taking medications are not the answer, however, the long term effect in my case has that medications have contributed to liver and kidney damage. End thoughts, find resolution to your problem, the long term of not having anything accomplished can ruin you physically and emotionally. Best of luck to you, because I live in a world of frustration and depression!