Advice needed - DDD

[MandaB123]

Hi All, I had spine surgery 3 years ago now between my L5 and S5 to remove a shattered disc that was leaning on my spinal column.

Also then being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, and the disc above the one that was operated on is working it’s way out too. Yes I suffer from the usual back pain however over the last few days, my lower back feels as though I have glass shards running through, I cannot move properly or bend over, close to being bed ridden. I’m not taking any prescription pain killers as prior to my surgery I was drinking morphine out the bottle, no jokes. Using heat and ice packs etc. Also after my surgery I have numbness in my left leg above the knee, which I am guessing is nerve related and constant spasms in my calf.

My question is has anyone else experienced this back pain before or something similar? And should I contact the doctor? I’m only 31 years old and had my fair share already.

Any advice is welcomed

Many thanks

[Jjflash]

Hiya Manda,you're suffering a lot aren't you.im not sure what part of the world you live in but have you got in touch again with your surgeon or maybe get a referral from your GP cos you're clearly suffering in silence.Ive had back pain for over 8 years now but 2 scans came out clear.Im sure it's a nerve problem from my back/right hip but this is going through both my legs also resulting in plenty of falls and balance issues.I personally,don't have a lot of confidence in the medical profession so now I just take the odd paracetamol at night to sleep better at night.I also exercise daily to keep my back flexible and my legs stronger.You sound like you're in a lotta pain Manda and your quality of life is compromised.I don't know if you have a sturdy back brace or a heat mat/muscle massager/tens machine but it sounds like you don't wanna take the painkillers.You could maybe see if you have a pain clinic in your area or if you live in the UK,you could give the NHS website a call.I hope you find a solution that agrees with you Manda.Good luck.

[ZeN01]

Hi

I had back Surgery last November and thought that would be it but later to find out that the nerve had come back out again and was being pressed Everything you have mentioned I have, sometimes my right foot gets a mind of its own and puts the brakes on which leads to a fall I have been told to stop training and even not to ride my bike when this lockdown is over I am going to go swimming and I want to start walking luckily I live near a park so that's good they want to try another blocker and then possibly another Op but I have lost faith in it all, I have built myself a music studio to keep my mind occupied but some times its hard as I bend down then I cannot get up, I laugh at myself otherwise I would go mad, I have had days where I literally have to throw myself on the floor I have a TENs machine which helps but it will only work when its on but it does help I was given some tablets to take at night to help as I suffer with Depression but I wont bore you with that but the tablets they gave me sure they take the pain away somewhat at night but the next day I feel like crap and cant keep awake but the pains there I have no solution for you wish I had but I look on here a lot to see if anyone is doing anything different in some way that would help if you do find anything let me know and I will do the Same Good Luck and best wishes

[jazzsinger]

Hi Manda,

I honestly don't have experience in the type of pain and back problems that you are experiencing, and I feel really sorry for what you are going through, but I do know that diagnosing yourself and kind of putting up with this suffering is not the best way forward. Your symptoms have changed ie the excruciating pain/glass shards etc so you should definitley get checked out by your doctor. You are only 31, don't ignore changing symptoms and hope they'll go away. The best way to look after yourself is to get to the bottom of what is going on. Xrays, cct scans, blood tests and so on will give you a more truthful diagnoses and could also provide a solution/treatment. There is also pain medication that is not addictive, perhaps you can discuss this with your doctor.

[Emma2017]

Hi Manda, I have had 4 spine surgeries on the L5/S1 disc. The last one, earlier this year, being a fusion. I know what you mean when it comes to back pain. I had the feeling suddenly about 4 months after my last operation as if someone was stabbing me in my lower back and walking felt as if my back was and is breaking. Prob not exactly what you are experiencing. However it did not want to go away and I contacted my surgeon after my physio was unhappy. He arranged an MRI and X-ray but both came back ok from a surgical point of view. But it was noted that my facet joints on 4 levels had badly deteriorated due to the 4 surgeries enjoyed over just under 3 years. Also scar tissue was wrapped around the nerve explaining the continuous leg pain and partial numbness. Now I am due for X-ray guided facet and nerve injections in about a months time. Nobody can tell you what could be the matter in your case. It might be something like I have or something completely different. My advice is contact your surgeon or if the op was too long ago your GP and ask for their advice. Let us know how you get on.

[ZeN01]

Hi Manda

I think that you may have sent a message yesterday I didn't get to read it as I tried on mobile not PC and I think I deleted it but anyway hope you are ok.

[Megnstan]

Hi

I've had back and leg pain for about 8 years now and I know how you feel.

I had a discectomy 3 years ago which unfortunately had complications so never helped like I thought it would.

Since then I had to really fight to get more help and got referred to another more specialist hospital and had a fusion last November.

I think you need to go back to your gp so you can go back to your original surgeon if you were happy with them for a new up to date scan so you can see what's going on.

I have issues with the level above and below and although the fusion has definitely helped my leg pain my back pain remains which I knew would probably be the case.

I do still take pain meds and I'm ok with that so I can try and get a bit of life back.

Definitely go back to a gp that will listen and help you , you are still very young to be having this much pain and don't give up keep going back until they find out what's happening. X

[jonnylongton]

Hi Manda, i suffer the exact same. I have lost all my discs now, started with L3 and L5, but now everyone has shattered due to degenerative disc disorder., and a few other arthrits disorders. I have the stabbing sensations I just call them spasms and I cant move and the pain is excruciating when they come on, what I do is up the diazepam another 5mg and as you neck oromorph out the bottle. I have numbness in feet, and legs, even had a few falls with it. I couldn't find a decent pain killer to help so I bought some CBD oil, after a friend came back from holland and got me a bottle. 3 drops under tongue and it does help me a bit. The stuff they sell at the chemists isn't as good, but it does give some relief, I get the 30mg and its £30 a bottle. Ive asked the dr if I can have it prescribed and his answer was No, surprise surprise. Im sorry I cannot offer more to help. I wish you well and take care and stay safe.

[Saz2603]

hi i have been suffering with severe chronic pain back for around 7 years now, get your doctor to refer you to a spinal specialist and a pain consultant these are the best people to see, you'll probably need an MRI scan to see what your problem is, GPs can't do much to be honest. Hope you get some answers x

[Shazza1968]

Hi Manda I had this pain but from the groin to the knee it was like shards of glass , only happened once but it was such a fright!! I have had 2 discectomys I have permanent right sciatica and now have bilateral sciatica along with fibromyalgia , pain relief wise i take dihydacodeine along with other meds but have been back on the oral morphine more

good luck ( I am in the Uk so NHS )