Alis girls Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Got the result of my MRI today - my spinal cord is being compressed by the vertebrae and thats why I have pain and also the facets are inflammed I have to be referred to pain clinic for injection to see if helps pain. So it drags on. The surgery isnt successful in everyone and they appear to trim the bone or something - not my area of expertise as a nurse. Theres 1 in 100 chance of surgery not helping - 1 in 500 of being left incontinant (what joy) and when I looked at other complications - one is death as people with it tend to be older and not so fit. Yep I'm looking on the black side but not sure what to do. I am signing up for pilates and might try and do early bird sessions at a pool before work if I can drag myself out of bed. Not nice in the winter. Anyone had successful surgery without dying, being incontinent or just no different?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Sorry to hear! My dad had something similar and was adviced against the surgery, so went to fysiotherapy. Did help him a bit, but not enough. After a few months he went to lift a plant out of his van and felt something click in his back. He went back to the doctor and he told him that his slipped disc, slipped back. He was cured by a strawberry plant! The doctor wasn't really over the moon though... He said it could have gone the wrong way as well and my dad was very lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Not sure what you've tried Ali, but I had real problems with my back for a few years - combination of a nasty car crash and carrying a very heavy baby - I have regular osteopath sessions now and it's fine *touches wood* I hope you get it sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 A few years ago I was supposed to be having spinal surgery but the MRI showed up a mass on my ovary. Consequently I had an operation to remove this with the intention of reviewing me for the spinal surgery at a later date. I decided, after looking again at the possible side effects, to try Pilates for my back and hopefully avoid surgery. My Pilates class is designed for people with various medical problems and I have found it a great help, the major back pain has gone and the sciatica (which in many ways was far worse than the original pain) has cleared up. I still try to be relatively careful when gardening and keep up the weekly Pilates but I am glad I explored other solutions. Don't know if this helps, but I can really empathise with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I haven't got anything like as serious as what you all seem to have, just persistent lower back pain but I've been to a physio (which after a while didn't seem to work as well), then a chiropractor which is quite fierce but seems to have fixed it. I also got to Pilates now and can recommend it. My back has been fine *touch wood* even with 4 days constant walking round Istanbul. Good luck, Ali, it sounds quite worrying but I suppose they always have to tell you the possible side effects, however remote the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachelk Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I had surgery to remove some bone and a protruding disc in March last year. Despite being terrified, and it taking place on my daughters 12th birthday, I am neither dead, paralysed or incontinent! Recovery was frustratingly slow, but I also caught the dreaded norovirus whilst in hospital. I am however really glad that I went through with it, and it solved my terrible pain. PM me if you would like to know anything else xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I have a narrowing disc - they said at the time (well wow - that's nearly 31 years ago! ) that I could either have it operated on or do exercises. I chose exercises. It may be just a shading off the disc and hardly noticeable but my goodness it felt like I had been sliced in half with the top going in different directions to my rear end! That's the L2/L3 area. I still get problems but mostly learnt to spot the warning signs - and you should see me exercise like mad then! But it's still the odd sneeze at an awkward angle that can mess around with it. Usually a couple of ibuprofens will work. I was out for months originally and it went twice more after that with a good 6 weeks or so with visits to the chiropractor. I had about a week or two last winter but I kept up with the ibuprofens and the ice packs. As far as incontinence goes - anyone with children knows that they can suck their pelvic floor muscles up to their necks but that little surprise sneeze can make you cross your legs in a hurry! I gather it's a bit more than that. I also think your pain and injury is much much worse - I think the odds of 1 in a 100 and 1 in 500 sound pretty good - at least it isn't the other way round! But whatever you decide to do I hope you get some relief really soon. Because trying to put knickers on with a dodgy back isn't much fun!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 I had a ruptured disc (L5) which was not just trapping my sciatic nerve it was shredding it. After 2 years of unsuccessful physio etc and getting tired of being fobbed off I paid for an MIR scan myself then paid to see the NHS surgeon privately. The surgeon was shocked that I had been fobbed off as clearly surgery was my best option. I will add by this time the damage and swelling was starting to affect my bowels luckily in the blockage way. I went into hospital for surgery hobbling around wearing slip on shoes as I as unable to bend enough to do my shoelaces or buckles. After the operation once the aesthetic had worn off I was whizzing around helping other patients on the ward. The sciatic pain and stiffness lifted after a few days and after a fortnight I was back to fighting fit, in fact Hubby had been warned that although I should walk unaided he would have to nurse me for at least a fortnight, after 3 days he went back to work as I was driving him nuts. I still get some back pain, today I have been loading furniture in a van with no problems at all, silly things like bending under a low branch tend to give me more pain than heavy lifting. Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 Did my first Pilates class this morning. had to have a strong coffee after to recover. I stretched and rolled and did all sorts - teacher was lovely and helpful and wanted to know if I had been told not to do anything- I now ache all over but will keep going - your replies have helped as it obvious it helps some people. I wanted a swim after but have a cold which isnt shifting and a full on week at work so didnt push myself too much. I told OH to push me out the door if I came up with excuses not to go - but I've got to try these things. Thanks for replies and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Swimming is excellent as it supports you - not so good if you feel under the weather, so no water sport until you feel less snuffly. And be careful when you sneeze - brace yourself!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
