I had a prolapsed disc L5/S1 i n 2012 and had a microdisceptomy.Everything was fine and I went back to work but towards the end of the year I started to get pains at the bottom of my back and down my left leg.With me being a hgv. tanker driver this just got worse.I was taking tramadol which helped for a while but I ended up collapsing one day after getting out of my cab.My gp sent me for another mri scan which showed another prolapsed disc L5/S1 the same as last time. So I had another operation everything went fine, I was do my exercises and physio.Then 2 weeks later everything started to get worse than ever.I was getting pains in my left leg and back which got worse the more tried to walk.Now 10 months later I spend most of my time in bed as now I get pain in both legs.My gp sent me for another mri and says he's not sure if I need time or another operation. My worry now is although I am suffering with chronic pain.He has put me on paracetamol, diclofenic, gabapentin and tramadol.If I do have another operation and it gets worse I don't think I could cope with any more pain.Has anyone else had this problem?.Sorry for the long post.
You may need a fusion to stabilize the disc . Otherwise it can continue to move and recur . I am a truckdriver too and it is like a jack hammer on your spine .Sometimes less isn't more .
Ask about spinal injections. I found that they worked, although some people don't find that they help. It's got to be better than the nuclear option of even more surgery. The problem with surgery (sometimes) is that when you start, you may never stop and you end up with 'failed back syndrome'. Some people have the same disc pop out a second time, other people find the pressure on the disc above or below following surgery is too much and another disc pops out the second time.
At least try the injections and see if they and time heal things. It is difficult when you work, especially if you have a more manual type of job where there's even more physical activity. Good Luck.
Forgive my direct words but when your back is knackered, it's knackered!
I had your surgery then a year later it popped again but on the other side, this time I said no way to surgery. Another year later I've knocked it out again but still I'm not backing down for more surgery as my only option would be a fusion. My discs have popped in and out so many times, I now have three degenerative discs and work with the chronic pain management team. My story goes back much further than yours (about 24 years of back trouble) but I've saved you all the rubbish boring stuff. I have three DD, a prolapsed disc, SI joint disjunction, arthritis, chronic neuropathic pain..... but I won't be beaten, I'm only 41. I know it hurts you big style, don't let it beat you, moving gives you a higher chance of helping recovery. Seriously, don't throw the towel in, if I can get up and about with my conditions, you can, don't give up on yourself!
So are you saying don't have any more surgery? Just keep trying to move about.I have read some bad reports on spinal fusion and is very painful. I can go downstairs and sit down but after 5-10 minutes I have to lay down on my right side.I was left with nerve damage and when I put weight on my left leg it shoots straight to my spine. But can't walk far because I have now started getting pains in my right leg.I try to drive my car once a week which is automatic with my scooter in the back to local shops but when I get home it has knocked the hell out of me and I have to lay down for the rest of the day . Sometimes even 2 days depending on how long I was out for.I only bought the car at the end of last year as I was able to get my son on as my carer.I couldn't manage without him.We tried it but I can't get too far.But hey anywhere is better than no where. Hope I can have a bit better summer than last one.
Hi there, thanks for your reply but I have steroid injections, Facit injections, epidurals you name it and none have made the slightest difference. So that is why I had a disceptomy and then a revision one 12 months later.They say I have ddd and 3 of my disc are worn probably all the years lorry driving won't have helped.
Ah, I've been there! Pain bouncing from one side then onto the other etc.
I only had my initial surgery as I had foot drop, or I wouldn't have done to be honest. I looked at it as an absolute last option as I believe it should be. I would have to get a fusion over three discs and have heard very mixed reports, more bad than good BUT, every case is different and if it gets so bad for you, speak with your consultant to discuss options. Try everything you can, but honestly, my back is a right mess and moving gradually more and more has helped me loads. I too have had the days crippled with pain but as soon as I could I was up again. Ive spent some daft money on all the fancy alternative stuff and for me it didn't work, I've also tried all medical options too so I'm with the PM team now.
Keep your spirits up is the key and try anything you can, I have a monkey bar that cost £3.99 and it does me great on those lovely shooting stabbing freezer pain days.....it's not for everyone but after a year of traction, I find it does the same thing!
I have a bed bar that goes under the mattress which helps pull me up.My doctor said he is not sure whether I need time or another operation. I have phoned imaging department and they said for £10 I can have a cd with my scan and previous scans on it.So that is what I am going to do.I was wondering if I could get a consultant to have a look.Even if I had to pay for it before I had another operation. Because to be honest I have lost faith in the hospital where I had my last 2 operations.
You sound just like me, I roll out of bed but only after an hour of exercises! I'm fairly lucky as my consultant also works in our local Bupa hospital and so my work etc. is carried out there......how the other half live, one day you need a scan and the next morning you're in the MRI room!! I visit under the nhs not as a private paying patient. If I had not been sent to the place, I would have paid to go this time round.
It's hard when you have tried all the daft stuff plus the medical stuff and you think to yourself this lot are just stringing me along. The NHS has a way of putting you in that standard group when you are an individual with your own issues.
You can pay to see a private consultant in our local Bupa hospital and having had treatment in the place, I'm all up for recommending that, especially if you have access to your images.
I did the taking time option again rather than jumping into more surgery and I'm back at work, it really hurts sitting but it gave me a life back. You end up not living your life and folk and family run around to help you, makes me feel guilty when I think about it.
You get those pictures and see what they say at a private appointment, mention the PM team too if you have not already tried them.
Keep positive
Hi Dean, it sounds like fusion for you now mate, after 2 bites of the discectomy cherry it's your only viable option. Dont be scared though, go for it if the second disectomy has failed, good luck.
Good answer Nix, i like it buddy.
I have got to see doctor on Monday to talk over my results and have a long hard think this time since it cost me my job last time.Thanks Joe.
Hi mate, just so you know, there may also be the option of artificial disc replacement, ask your Doc. If it's only one level it may be an option in your case. If he don't mention it, it maybe down to cost-(it's a fair bit dearer than fusion). So make sure you DO bring it up, good luck and keep us posted dean.
I have read it's about £20,000 so I can't see that happening. Also with it being L5/S1 I have read they have problems with rotating .
Don't matter what it costs, they have to treat you with your best interests in mind.
Dean hi. I got the same problems as you do. One private specialist offered to remove part of one disc only at first and hope the best.
Second private specialist raccomended a fusion to support 3 discs as my back is in a mess and will collapse with the years as i am only 50 at present (use to work at ANC and shift thousands of huge computer boxes every night for 5.5 years).
I went to see a third Italian specialist and friend of my family and he raccomended to loose 30kg to solve few back problems as i am now 90kg: He said you will always have a weak back with an operation or not and loosing 30 kg will help you in both cases. I did go on a diet and I am feeling much better as I am loosing weight but the problems have not totally gone. I have good days and bad days but i am still working full times with some kind of sensitivity in one leg or both legs.
I seen lots of videos of the fusion operation and some people are worst off than they were before the operationl. I am a positive person and gratefull I am not partially paralaized.
take care of yourself mate
Carlo Riondino
Dean I forgot to add that i have a batmobile ( that is how my son calls it) which i use and it does help me tremendously. Its called inversion table machine and you can get it from amazon for around 80 pounds. Then i do swimming and biking as much as i can after a full time job. all the best carlo
Hi Carlo, Not to be rude or anything but if you had same as me you would not be working , cycling and swimming which I would love to do . Nothing would keep me away from my job which I am going to loose this week.Do you think I would loose a job as a tanker job with a dangerous goods licence working for Biffa with wages of at least £500 pound a week.As for loosing weight how am I supposed to loose weight when soon as I try to go out like the other day it felt like a knife was being thrust in my back.Before driving I used to be a hgv fitter for ten years ripping wheels and brake drums off all by hand that's why my disc are worn away.
Hey Dean, you're right, no cycling or jogging for me either-ouch. If your up to it buddy just walk and stretch where you can, something is better than nowt-all the best with the doc mate.
Thanks Joe,Managed to go downstairs today but 10 mins max before going back upstairs. I am hoping Doc says they can do something. I have been looking at a sight in America and for £200. A Professor in research on the spine and qualified chiropractor who has published papers for last 25years.You get a copy of your mri scan on cd from hospital which I have just sent off for.Then you email him and pay by paypal.You then upload your images and he examines them and you have 45 minute consultation with him to discuss it and get his professional advice and your options. So do you think that would be any good for me to actually find out what is really wrong with me in ENGLISH?