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[countrybumpkin]

I posted on here about 10 weeks ago because my L5/S1 disc had collapsed after years of trouble and I had severe leg and back pain although i could move okay, I could only stand or walk for a minute before the pain became unbearable. Tried all the drugs to no effect and saw neurosurgeon and had physio. By time i saw neuros my leg pain had gone and I could stand/walk for up to 3 mins so he wanted me to see how it went and didn't want to operate. I had got alot better with no leg pain or back pain unless I stood/walked for more than 10 mins.
Past few days it has felt iffy as if it was teetering on the edge and today I bent down to empty washing machine and felt something move in my back and then excruitiating pain and totally locked up. I cannot get more than half upright when I try and stand and the pain in back is evil, my chest and abdominal muscles go tight on trying to stand which makes me feel as if I can't breathe. I am totally incapable and so thankful that I have a husband or goodness knows what I would do.
I am miserable and scared as I thought I was doing well and was happy to be as I was -this is the worst I have ever been.
I know there are no miracle cures and I can only hope that in the next days or weeks things improve again but feeling scared right now.

[dazned]

No practical advice just wanted to send you my thoughts and a

 

[Evelyn63]

Oh Countrybumpkin, Im so sorry you are in discomfort and severe pain again.  Do you have a muscle relaxant from last time?  I was prescribed them when my back went mid June, together with really strong analgesia Co Codomal 30/500 and Naproxen with Omerprazole.  Together with two days complete rest, I then was able to slowly start gentle mobilising and simple back exercises. I had to use a stick for walking the first week but then managed without it.   Im not for one moment comparing my problem with yours, as everyone is totally different and yours sounds much more serious  .  however I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone and what helped me.   The one thing to try and focus on is that it will get better, eventually !!  My physio kept telling me that when I was feeling so down and felt  like giving up.  She also said 6 weeks was the magic number, and to the day it was , though I started to feel much better before then.

[Annie0710]

I can't offer any advice but as a fellow back sufferer I really feel for you, I have had herniated discs about 3 times now causing sciatica too but nowhere near as bad as you, but I can relate to the pain and how immobile it makes you, at its worst I can't dress, clean teeth etc and takes a lifetime trying to sit on the loo

Annie X

[Elizabethrose]

Hi Countrybumpkin

Have you contacted a GP? This happened to a pal of mine a while ago and her back went into spasm, she was in absolute agony and she simply couldn't move. I think she was taken to A and E where they gave her meds (v strong pain killers and also some sort of valium type drug) which helped enormously. I feel very sorry for you, back pain is so debilitating.

I hope you get it sorted and wish you well x

[robotwars]

Definitely get some strong pain killers. I have an osteopath I see now who does a fantastic job on my back, she performs miracles...
I hope you get sorted, and feel better soon, sending hugs....

[ellie]

Hi Countrybumkin ,we have been in touch before.....my advise to you is to please see your doctor Tomorrow. I know that scared and miserable feeling.....You say you felt something slip so you must get that looked at. Big Hugs .

[countrybumpkin]

All the GP can do is give me painkillers etc. I tried them all 10 weeks ago without success. I am sure this bulging disc will have bulged some more when I moved wrong. At present I don't have the leg pain of last time and this time its affecting both sides of back.  I have had this happen many times in the past just this time its the worst for pain and immobility.
Dr's test to see if you have sensation etc and as long as there is no nerve damage all they can do is try to relieve the pain and spasm.
I am hoping the diazepam presc my husband can pick up tomorrow will help a bit.
I am also phoning the physio who helped me last time to see what she says.

Thanks for your kind words its really helpful to read peoples experiences and to remind me that it probably will improve in time.

[CLKD]

It is so easy to forget to bend correctly when the back has improved, I do the same - then when the sciatica starts I could  …….. hopefully the Valium will ease the spasms.  The physio should be able to give you bending/lifting techniques and maybe some post it notes around the house, i.e. on the washer - BEND!!!!

I find the salt cap difficult to reach in the dishwasher  who designed that wasn't intending to use it! 

[countrybumpkin]

hahah I need post it notes all over the house saying don't bend then twist as thats what does it every single time

Right now I cannot bend at all - its fun dropping stuff into the dishwasher from standing height and hoping. 

One of the hardest parts of coping with this spinal problem is being housebound, I am a very social person normally but am having to spend weeks housebound at a time.

[getting_old]

So sorry that you have hurt your back again. I too can sympathise as I've had a few back injuries over the years, but nothing as severe as you. When I injured my lower back I found an osteopath was able to help me more than a physio, and I've recently been using a chiropractor who's been very helpful. It might be worth giving someone like that a try?

 

[ellie]

Countrybumpkin, get yourself a grabber stick, I wouldn't be without mine 👍🏼

[countrybumpkin]

I've got the grabber stick Use it alot when I can't bend but then forget when i can!
I have had years of osteopath and chiropractor treatment for my back, although they can help a little at the time there has been no lasting improvement. 
Its very much like playing the lottery you can spend vast amounts of money with various therapists and be no better at the end of it which is what I have done

[ellie]

Yes been there done all that too, and after my last back operation I have reached a dead end.....Hard to accept there is nothing more can be done for me, and that the last operation has resulted in lots of permanent numbness and pain that's just vile.......Fingers and everything else crossed that you will improve soon. Your surgeon seems nice and giving you good advise.....
      I agree with you it's just awful being stuck in the house......chin up 

[CLKD]

So you need a Course in 'remember not to bend when ………. ' 

Have you any crockery left  .  I have a grabber for when someone [there's 2 of us in this house] puts the wrong items into the recycling bins (and of course, it ain't me  ).  It is fine enough to pick up bottle caps from the very bottom  but my dexterity needs improvement, no good looking at it and thinking 'why isn't it gripping' without remembering to actually use the handle.

How is your mattress height, we have a taller bed so that I don't have to sit down so low, in fact, I got caught out in a Hotel recently and ouch, it was much lower than ours  , it also means that I roll over in order to get out.  We also have 'loungers' from which to watch TV, worked with an electric device that lowers/rises them.  I have to be careful when getting into the car after a few days of climbing up into the 'van 

Make those notes GIRL!    - you aren't alone, you're on here  but feeling confined to base can make time seem really long  - we probably discussed hobbies B4 ?