Does anyone have prolapse of the lumbar discs? If so how are you being treated for it and how much pain do you suffer? Thanks

[superannie]

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Yes, 10 years ago I saw a chiropractor. This was for me a very painful experience, with the pain from manipulation often exceeding the pain being treated. I had a course of therapy over 18 months ranging from bi weekly to 6 monthly appointments. I was requested not to take pain killers and had to report all the aches and pains I experienced which was the basis of the next treatment.

Symptoms included sudden electric shocks in my spine, pins and needles over my sacrum, stiffness, sharp pain on movement, dull aches, throbbing.

2 years ago I had another one and went to a sports physio because I didn't want to go back to that dark place. She used a variety of manipulations and a full back massage. This took 3 sessions of an hour each.

I felt bruised, stiff and tender for a couple of days after, but had much less pain (8 went down to 4) for the rest of the week. I was given exercises to do 2-3 times a day which would maintain the level of mobility in the spine. I do suffer if I don't do the exercises which are mainly stretching ones. And walking everyday.

Symptoms this time included dull aches (like a kidney infection) tenderness, pins and needles, sharp pain on some movement.

Surgery was not an option as the disc was not pressing on any nerves. I would be wary of surgery anyway because even though the disc could be removed, the pain message from the nerve may not switch off, and you will still experience the pain.

I have since learned that the pins and needles originate somewhere else and join in when I have pain in my lower back or pelvis.

I can only manage low level pilates due to my other pelvic problems. This goes some way to strengthening my core muscles which along with my abdominals help to support my spine.

I also use memory foam insoles to provide a bit of shock absorbing when walking. My back screamed at me when I first used them, (they tilt you forward slightly) but I slowly built up time in half hour stages until my back got used to them.

I hope this helps and you find a solution soon.

[janice05]

hello, over 4 years ago i woke up 1 morning and i couldn,t move for the amount of pain i was in down my lower back and upper thighs, pelvis. i finally saw the gp, who sent me to A&E in an anbolance . i had and MRI over my whole back witch showed my lower L5 disc had ruptured , and that a disc inbetween my sholder blades was a cocern too, as it was lose and looked weak. I am still on morph patches ,as no other pain relief was getting close to the amount of pain i was in. The concultants will not oporate and put the pain down to being cronic. but for years i have slowly gone from not being able to anything, to managing to cope around the house again, with slowly doing excercises, straching, walking as much as i can. but they to try and move around as much as possible. Although the pain has died down abit , everytime i put on the disc,s affected the pain worsens yet again . I to get alot of pins and needles, feelings of being num at times in hands, feet , legs ect.. my back looks swollen at times too. but yet they still put it down to cronic back pain. At the start i just won,ted the pain to go, still do really, but i,ve had to learn to live with it, sometimes i really find things hard, my childern don,t understand, because they can,t see the pain. sometimes i can get on with a bit of normality, but i can,t work, and i,m so bored at home now. i wish i could be more help. x

[superannie]

Thanks so much for your replies, you have been a great help. Ann