Advice on long term chronic pain due to slipped discs

[LeonaR]

Hello, i'm a 28 yo female and I have 2 slipped discs in L4 and L5 with L5/S1 is transitional. I have had this issue since I was very young after an accident and have never managed to fully get rid of the nerve pain associated with it - the nerve pain is usually down one leg at a time (it varies) and sometimes on both. It usually hurts me when I am walking or standing for too long (approx. 30min) but apart from that I very rarely get any other pain except sciatica in my legs. This condition is starting to become slightly worse and it's starting to affect my mental health slightly more as I am often thinking about it. I also do physio 3 times a week and I swim 3 times a week.

I have already had 2 steroid injections but I am now considering surgery - doctors are telling me I am too young so have prescribed very low doses of either

- Gabapentin (can be addictive)

or

- Amitriptyline (Antidepressent)

I wanted to know if anyone suffers from anything similar and what you have done to make it go away/alleviate pain/have a better mindset and if you have had an operation how it went. I am particularily interested in hearing from younger people as well as those suffering from long-term chronic pain.

Thank you so much!

[rabbits65]

You are doing quite well really , if you say you swim 3 times a week that’s brilliant. Physio is ok providing its fairly gentle . I have similar nerve pain as you and have sciatica and it can radiate down both sides of legs. The physio I had made it worse . I think swimming is really the best, IMust go back to swimming myself. Like you my damage is permanent but I’m older than you and at 69 I don’t want any operations . Good luck to you . Your not alone with back pain, that’s for sure !!!!

[Zidowa]

Hi, I had problems with 5/6 6/7 had surgery on them. Fusion. I take gabapentin. I also take nortryptiline which I found more effective than amatyptiline. Put off surgery unless it is really necessary, it can be a long recovery . Wishing you well x

[LeonaR in reply to Zidowa]

Hello thanks, plan is to put is of for as long a possible!

[Crystalbowl]

You are very young,LeonaR to be dealing with this. I have been exploring other ways of managing my pain as meds either don’t make any difference and/or are addictive. I have been reading a lot about pain and IMO the two best books I have come across so far are “The Way Out” by Alan Gordon curable health.com and the curable app. “The Pain Habit” by Drew Coverdale thepainhabit.com. another one is “Back in Control” by David Hascom. Also “The Pain Management Workbook” by Rachel Zoffness. I think you might find inspiration in any of these to help you. Good luck!

[LeonaR in reply to Crystalbowl]

Thanks, I will check these out today - very appreciated

[Crystalbowl in reply to LeonaR]

Hope you find your way out. 🙏