Did physiotherapy or cortisone injections help you?

[gemmakin]

My scan results came back and I have a slipped disc that moves and presses on my spine and my sciatic nerve. I currently take tramadol but they want to take everyone off of tramadol so the GP mentioned cortisone injections but she said I have to have physio first or else the referral will be bounced back. I've had physio before and it didn't help so I wondered if any of you have been helped by either physio or cortisone injections?

[HighlandMo]

If you can afford it a chiropractor or osteopath will help far more than anything else. They specialise in this sort of problem.

[Patspart]

Does Tramadol cover your pain? I use this medication for break through pain as I have severe chronic pain caused my Interstitial Cystitis and Pudental nerve pain (in the pelvis). Cortisone injections, in my opinion, are not a long term solution, as you can only have a limited amount of them or they can cause bone loss. I take steroids daily for a life threatening autoimmune disease, and at 57 I already have osteoporosis. I also know that physical therapy can be SO painful and can lower your quality of life. My focus at this point is to improve my health on a daily basis.... and Tramadol helps with this.

However, I am an extremely disciplined person and have NEVER taken more medicine than was prescribed by the doctor. In fact, I take a lower dose than prescribed most of the time. I only want to use what I need to cover my pain. This is the KEY when taking medicines that can be addictive. So one should really consider your personality and if you are at risk for abusing a drug before going on any pain medication.

[gemmakin in reply to Patspart]

Hi, tramadol does help me and I am on the same dose that I was on when I first started it so I am unlikely to abuse it. The problem is that they simply won't give it out much longer and without it I can't sleep due to pain. I was not aware of the side effects of cortisone, thanks for your help

[Patspart in reply to gemmakin]

I guess I don't understand why your doctor would just take you off Tramadol without offering you another pain reliever. Plus, you will need to taper of the Tramadol as you can have some difficult side effects if you come off of it too fast. Do you live in the UK? I live in the US. Have you ever tried a tens unit? This helps my pain tremendously. As does ice. I know I am not a doctor, but it seems as though you need back surgery.

I have been lowering my pain medicine dose over the past year. This last time was very hard because I had so much pain. This pain is much worse when you first come off the medication than it will be in a few weeks to month later. I just had to try to relax and use my other methods of pain relief.

[gemmakin in reply to Patspart]

thanks for your reply. The GP who removed my tramadol was extremely unprofessional and said that walking would remove the pain completely. Apparently there is an opioid addiction concern in the UK so people aren't being treated as individuals

[Yacoub in reply to gemmakin]

After 8yrs with same pain management office they have replaced my Exalgo (Diluadid) of 5yrs (opioid) with Tramadol ER 300mg x's 1, and Hydrocodone 10/325 x's 3 for Acetaminophen-Cod #4 tab. These were huge drops in opioids and new still has opioids. We also have a huge problem here in the US. Pain mngmnt claimed the Co. that prints the pads for opioids has changed, like our money to make it hard to duplicate. I was very afraid because I have been through withdrawals when quitting before and ended up in rehab for 10 days ,finally after withdrawing at home alone for 3 months. Felt like I would die, and could have! Now they call me and report they now have the new pads for my next appt next week. I will NOT go backwards! I've have degenerative disc disease. 360 lumbar fusion, total right hip replacement, 2nd back surgery, then knee, other knee is bone on bone. Unfortunately I have been fighting and searching for help with Levator Ani as well. Medicinal marijuana is only available here in Texas for epilepsy and still only .03%..try not to lose hope, so many of us in the same boat. We talk, try to help each other with our own experiences and of course 🙏. Best of everything for you. You are NOT alone!

[Sturat]

I had large herniation l5-S1 causing disabling sciatica. I was told I would not recover without surgery. Instead I had an epidural (cortisone) injection. I was immediately better and recovered in a few months. That was 30;years ago. Last year I had large herniation higher up causing leg pain in front. Did PT and recovered in 3 months. These things can heal.