I was diagnosed with a herniated disc. I've been having back pain before and when I had it a couple years ago prednisone helped me. Now prednisone does nothing. I have had a shot in my back but that did not help me. I cannot stand. I've watched videos on YT which all say I need to stand up straight. However, I cannot do so, the pain is unbearable. I can hardly sleep at night and now my left leg has muscle spasms. I go to a chiropractor and physical therapy. I have gone to them for about 2 months now and i've only gotten worse. I use a cane to walk around and I just feel embarrassed to be around people. I am now on the verge of being fired from my job over this! So now I come to you asking for any advise! I can no longer do fun things with my son. This herniated disc is ruining my life.
Herniated disc Preventing me from standing. - Pain Concern
Herniated disc Preventing me from standing.
Go back to your gp and as for a referral to a back specialist
I've had your exact problem twice in my life . Couldn't live my life, the pain was horrendous. Sounds to me if you've had this for a while it's not going to repair itself . I've tried chiropractors etc but I don't think they help herniated discs much . Infact my one made it worse .
If nothings working you have an option to request to see a specialist . You need an MRI scan , then possible surgery .
Believe me I tried everything to fix my herniated disc but it was only surgery that gave me my life back. I'm glad I did it now because I'm pain free completly . It's not even a big op it's just key hole surgery , they shave the disc down so it not in contact with your nerve .
I advise you to go and see your GP and ask to be seen by a back specialist . You may have to wait a while but it really is worth it .
You may need some weeks off work but it's worth it mate , get your life back . Good luck .
Hi Mark
I have been avoiding operations at all costs. When had last acute episode was at the height of Covid so was not an option.
Do you have any nerve damage? Was it the same disc you had problems with twice?
Sorry to ask but still looking for some further answers myself.
Hi Trains.
Have you had an MRI. Where in your spine is your herniation. Is presidone an anti inflammatory? Could your leg spasms be sciatic flare ups?
Lots of questions sorry....you came for answers. I am suffering with a severe disc herniation that appears to have left me with permanent nerve damage. At the height of the pain I took the following.
anti inflammatory, Various pain relief strongest being
Oromorph, muscle relaxant and nerve blockers....but I felt lousy and stopped taking them as soon as I could.
Following a recommendation been working through book called Back Mechanic ....it has self assessment so you can work out your triggers and relief points. It also gives exercises and recovery programm. I have found it very useful but would only suggest you do something similar alongside an indepth medical diagnosis. You cannot solve a problem without fully understanding it first,
If it got or getting worse you need to make some changes. Listen to your body I didn't and ended up in a right mess.
Hi there. I started with an herniated disc which made it impossible to get of the floor where I happened to be at the time (after a short bout of excruciating pain). An emergency MRI showed a large herniation which caused horrendous sciatica at the same time and the beginning of CE. If I was you I would request a consultation with a neuro surgeon. I had a series of ops. However mostly it’s just a microdiscetomy and you are back on your feet. I am also completely baffled why you would be on prednisone. I was put on naproxen and dihydrocodeine for the pain which helped some. (prednisone is unusual for severe inflammation and usually is for internal organs but maybe it was deemed useful instead of the naproxen etc but as far as I know it is never used for severe nerve pain). Anyway you should not be suffering like this when most of the time a simple op can solve your problems.
Forgive me if this seems dismissive of your significant pain, but what have you tried regarding psychology pain management.
Believe me I know how real your pain is, I have similar issues and consequences, but I'm trying to combine the physical intervention and drugs with various mind management techniques.
It sounds like you're suffering from the consequences of your pain as much as the pain itself.
I don't know how "psychology" helps when you have such severe pain in your lumbar spine when you walk/stand that you have to sit down? I am a normal woman who has no mental issues, still works in the NHS as a medical secretary at the age of 75, slim and otherwise fit and am fine whilst sitting down typing/answering phone etc but when I try to walk I am in severe lumbar pain. Where on Earth does "psychology" come into that? I know when I am in pain and it is in my bum, my thighs, my lower back and NOT in my head.
"Mind over matter" is all very well if you are obsessed with imagined pain due to depression/hypochondria etc (including "ME" and "Fibromyalgia"), but is useless if the pain is REAL. I am noted by my children/grandsons to have started to walk "bent-over" and can't join them in a walk to the shop up the road. I dread having to walk down my large garden to my beloved greenhouse to water my plants because it causes me so much pain, but I rely on some pain-killers to lessen it, am waiting for nerve-deadening injections into my spine (I have severe spinal stenosis) on the NHS, and think you would be better to go to a spine specialist, have an MRI scan and follow Modern Medical Practice rather than mumbo-jumbo pseudo-psychology.
I so love this post.
Brilliant. You explain how you feel so well [and without swearing.]
I’m sorry you have so much pain. I believe the ‘psychology of pain’ is over worked at the moment. Sometimes I feel I have failed cos the psychology stuff does not help ma.
FAILED in my head leads to depression......../don’t need that. X
Have you heard yourself?
You're saying your pain is real but other people imagine it...'' if you are obsessed with imagined pain due to depression/hypochondria etc (including "ME" and "Fibromyalgia").
You're strangely specific about the conditions you diminish with your diatribe. Is there a reason? Or are you just a bully and they are easy targets?
Has being a medical ''secretary'' magically endowed you with medical school education? Incidentally Rheumatologists, who diagnose FM, spend over 10 years in HIGHER EDUCATION. Likewise for Psychiatrists, and GP's. What's your education? Or would you rather keep that quiet?
I hope for your sake, at your age, you get over yourself and your ignorant prejudices, because you don't know what you're talking about.
I did not say "other people imagine it". I actually did say my pain is real, it is not imagined or in my head. It is in my back, as I accurately described in my post. I have a degree in English and know how to express myself. I have worked as a medical secretary/PA in the NHS and privately for 25 years for top Consultants in many different specialties so I know what I am talking about. I also have medical qualifications in order to have done that for so many years. If you must know, I was educated at one of the top English Public Boarding Schools, ie Westminster, to A Level.
You sound quite vindictive in your reply post to me and I am sure other readers will also find it so. I will not deign to comment on your rather childish aspersions as to my valid, reasoned comment on the pain I am experiencing.
I can only assume you are either a) american, b) a follower of homeopathy or some psycho-babble community or c) a quack psychologist/psychiatrist.
You didn't say ''imagine'' it - Really?
Here is what you wrote, quote:
''"Mind over matter" is all very well if you are obsessed with imagined pain due to depression/hypochondria etc (including "ME" and "Fibromyalgia")''
Let me clarify what this means in English: People with depression, ME, FM are obsessed with ''imagined pain''. And, because theirs is all in their head, mind over matter applies to them.
Your pain is real but people with those conditions have imagined pain. What an ignorant, patronising thing to say.
You call me vindictive for pointing out your offensive comments. Then add further insults with ''I can only assume you are either a) american, b) a follower of homeopathy or some psycho-babble community or c) a quack psychologist/psychiatrist.''
Is there anyone else on your unacceptable list? With your medical qualifications as a 'secretary', you are clearly fit to judge whose pain is real, which nationality, profession and health system are acceptable.
That you consider your prejudice as valid and reasoned goes to show you are beyond hope. Self obsessed, ignorant, prejudiced, and unintelligent.
I appreciate you have "issues" and offer my sincere condolences. I shall be reporting your posts as rather too personal and abusive. This is a reasonable, sensible and factual forum for people to discuss their medical pain issues, it is not up to you to slander an honest poster in the manner in which you have just demonstrated.
Pot calling the kettle black. Go ahead, I already did.
You're clearly oblivious of your blatant hypocrisy. Be as condescending as you like you've already shown your idiocy.
What you've demonstrated is a lack of sense or fact in what you've written, its only offensive. A case of serious narcissism.
Sorry to hear your problem and I really feel for, my spinal problem has totally ruined my life, I had to finish work and am now pretty much housebound. I had a spinal fusion on my spine but that made me worse unfortunately. I take diazepam for muscle spasm which is quite good and I take Quinine for pain in my legs when I'm in bed, so maybe you could try those. I hope you find some relief as back pain is so debilitating and takes over your life.x
I have had this through a fall 18 months ago l am in same pain horrendously so much l cant stand for more than 8 mins l had a MRI last Dec 23rd results said L4 L5 S1 injuries . I have been on morphine 4 times a day for pain tablets don't touch it , Voltarol 2.32 strengh helps l should have gone for Surgery March 22nd it was cancelled re Covid . I was not happy l have waited 6 months now and my operation should have been today , l had Covid test on Monday they called yesterday said tests were good that was 10am 11.30am called again saying admission time has changed 2 hrs earlier so rushing round getting things packed 5.15 called again it was the Theatre Supervisor saying it had been CANCELLED! I could not believe what l was hearing she said the Government has said they can't use Steriods they will contact me when they know more . So is this since Covid if so why book in if not what are they playing at l have just called my GP she said we have not heard that . I am furious how long must l wait know immigrants who have not put a penny in this country are getting better treated than us at the moment and it must stop
Hi fri
Hi manor lady well i understand you I have siatic pain for many years now plus Parkinson's about 2 weeks I went in to the hospital early in the morning I was on crutches I left the hospital 5.30 pm they asked me to stay over night I was crying with the pain of it all during the day they me 2 pain killers something like aspirin I told them even the strongest pain killers don't work so this is in one of biggest hospitals here I'm still waiting I live in Australia the pain never stops. I have the Parkinson's going down my right side as we'll as the siatic pain. I'm 73 so much for looking after the old regards John.
Oh John l am sorry to hear that yes they think that a aspirin or Paracetamol will cure anything but its not the case . I have been on morphine 4x a day and now l am vomiting through taking it so often so l have stopped . I am surprised that Australia thinks like that thought it was better than UK but not so . You take care John hope you can get sorted have you got a age charity like age UK here who look after the pensioners especially since Pandemic ?
hi manor lady well to be honest i help one of my daughters i do her washing i make her dinner as well as she has a full time job and im not sure about how many cats she has maybe about 15 cats as her and a few other woman go out at night time and try and save a lot of cats so i help her as does the rest of my family.i have 1 cat 1 dog and im taking in another one as the rest of my family help her as well i still clean my home do my cooking, i go out walking the dog in the morning.but im walking on crutches,i still walk every day though i find it harder now,as the pain gets me down but i wont give in as the parkie and the ciatic pain are running down my right side.but ill say this the only thing that helps me most is getting up early in the morning and walk plus i enjoy it as it keeps me fit.so my friends get up and exercise every day u wont regret it.regards john.
Hey Trains...
STOP! The chiropractor and the physio.
It sounds like you have nerve root compression from your herniated disc and the two resources above are adding to your pain.
Medication - you most likely need a nerve blocker(Gabapentin etc...)
Using a cane if not set at the correct height, will also result in more pain.
MOST IMPORTANT STEPS NEXT...
GP appointment - ask for a referral to Neurosurgeon/Spinal Specialist as your pain is taking over your life.
Forget your dignity with using a cane(you need help) and also ask for a referral to the hospital physiotherapy department, they assess you and will provide you with what you need(I was using a cane and it made my pain worse, I now you use a crutch, which improves my posture and pain)
You are most likely covered by the Equality Act 2010, so I wouldn’t be overly worried about your employment(can you talk to your boss, is he reasonable?)
Let me know if you need any more advice, I feel your pain(literally)
I was on Gabapentin and then when that didn't work, put on another but the name escapes me at minute it too was for nerve pain but it didn't work either. Physio was a nightmare making pain worse so had to be discharge.
I've wrote about Radiofrequency in my other post. so won't go into it again.
Hi Trainsallday,
You are having the exact same problem that I had....reoccurring pain that gradually got worse and worse until it was excruciating. I was going to physiotherapists, who said I just need to do certain exercises etc. When I was finally in enough agony (as I had been avoiding having an operation) ,MRI showed huge disc herniation. The problem with letting it go on for so long, is that the compression on the nerve from the herniation can do permanent damage.
Once I had the operation, I was not entirely pain free, but it was so much better than it had been. I still have some lasting nerve damage in my left leg (lots of areas of numbness, bad cramping), but could have been worse if I had let it go for longer.
While surgery is not a “certain fix”, for me it made life infinitely better. A herniated disc cannot be cured with physio, or chiro, and painkillers only mask the pain (at best, if they work at all)
I completely understand your reluctance to have surgery, but you really need to see a neurosurgeon to at least discuss the option.
I understand how debilitating this pain is, and wish you a speedy recovery.
Thank you all for your tips, I will be consulting my doctor in a few days. The MRI said L4-L5 I have also had a Cortizone shot which did not really help.
Hi I’m new to this app but not new to chronic back pain several surgeries later, some failed , MRSA ate the back of my lumbar vertebrae away so surgeon had to fuse the front of my vertebrae going through my abdomen.. just a little bit to let you know I understand all aspects that go along with a messed up back and radiation down the leg no fun.. these are a few simple non exerting things you can try that will give you some relief.. always put a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your sides if u can sleep that way but if only able to lay flat on your back prop pillow under your knees always do this make it a habit it will alleviate some of the pressure .. either using a heating pad or ice or alternating between the two. Personally I see used to cause me more pain when I was in a similar situation as you in the beginning so you might want to try it a heating pad on low and a lot of it is to calm your mind because the more you’re stressed out and scared and anxious about being in pain the more pain you’re gonna be in so it’s kind of bad I wish I could put this all into a nutshell and let you know all the things I did to alleviate the pain worry makes it worse and I know it’s easier said than done but if you could try some meditation and try your best to mind controlling your stress than that helps a lot with alleviation of pain as well the way they handle pain these days is a not good there’s things like car practic practice is can irritate a herniated disc in the nerves between your vertebrae so I think massage is like the best thing unless you feel your bones are out of whack out I would avoid chiropractic.. that’s just my opinion but try the pillow for the heat or ice pack try and relax your mind so you’re not so hard on yourself and worry and I wish you the best and avoid surgery at all costs I said five altogether or two failed so procedures I couldn’t even count and I like the epidurals and never work that much for me either so I wish you the best and when you can swim swim and walk swim and walk swim and walk and we use your arms a lot and your legs LOL! Don’t use your back build up your legs I’m talk texting sorry I’m not trying to go on anon anon but I read that and I said I know how you’re feeling OK I wish you the best ..Hope you get better soon and stay safe
Hi I’m new to this app but not new to chronic back pain several surgeries later, some failed , MRSA ate the back of my lumbar vertebrae away so surgeon had to fuse the front of my vertebrae going through my abdomen.. just a little bit to let you know I understand all aspects that go along with a messed up back and radiation down the leg no fun.. these are a few simple non exerting things you can try that will give you some relief.. always put a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your sides if u can sleep that way but if only able to lay flat on your back prop pillow under your knees always do this make it a habit it will alleviate some of the pressure .. either using a heating pad or ice or alternating between the two. Personally I see used to cause me more pain when I was in a similar situation as you in the beginning so you might want to try it a heating pad on low and a lot of it is to calm your mind because the more you’re stressed out and scared and anxious about being in pain the more pain you’re gonna be in so it’s kind of bad I wish I could put this all into a nutshell and let you know all the things I did to alleviate the pain worry makes it worse and I know it’s easier said than done but if you could try some meditation and try your best to mind controlling your stress than that helps a lot with alleviation of pain as well the way they handle pain these days is a not good there’s things like car practic practice is can irritate a herniated disc in the nerves between your vertebrae so I think massage is like the best thing unless you feel your bones are out of whack out I would avoid chiropractic.. that’s just my opinion but try the pillow for the heat or ice pack try and relax your mind so you’re not so hard on yourself and worry and I wish you the best and avoid surgery at all costs I said five altogether or two failed so procedures I couldn’t even count and I like the epidurals and never work that much for me either so I wish you the best and when you can swim swim and walk swim and walk swim and walk and we use your arms a lot and your legs LOL! Don’t use your back build up your legs I’m talk texting sorry I’m not trying to go on anon anon but I read that and I said I know how you’re feeling OK I wish you the best ..Hope you get better soon and stay safe
I certainly don't mean to cause any offence. Or divide people by opinion, but all pain is 'imagined', or as I prefer perceived or interpreted by the brain. But so is sight, hearing, touch and consciousness. None of that suggests your pain is any less than anyone else's regardless of the cause.
I too have disc and vertebrae problems. And the cause is physical enough to be seen on a scan. But I can still control my perception of it.
Most of the time
I feel your pain, I too suffer from prolapsed discs, and wear and tear in a few other discs.
I've had Radiofrequency carried out twice, first time helped greatly, second time, no relief at all, so I've been told there is nothing more they can offer me because the 2nd dose of Radiofrequency didn't work.
I'm a bit different in posture to you, you can't straiten up i can't bend for no more than a few minutes before the pain is unbearable. All im on for it is capsule Solpodol on prescription 30/500.
I also get hip pain which could be from my back its never been diagnosed.
Its not sciatic pain as I have experienced that in past, it put me on my back in bed for 3 months, the first dose of Radiofrequency solved it.
Its no joy is it, hope you improve but when backs go I believe meds don't help guess op is next step.
Hello l know how you feel l have this l have been looking at 4 walls for 18 months as l can't go out any where , l live on a Farm look out the window at the fields its torchering .Drs don't seem to understand the mentality of not being able to do anything
I too am going through the same problem.
My MRI was cancelled and I'm trying to rebook another.
Please don't worry or give up hope. It will make pain worse.
Don't go to chiropractors or osteopaths, until you know what's going on inside.
Do simple, slow movements, to mobilise where possible. This helped me.
There is little else we can do until we know definitively what the problem is.
God speed to our healing.
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