Advice needed for bulging disc

[Flirtin Dan Burton]

Hi, I am new to this site and would be grateful for any advice given. My problem started in 2002 with intermittent back pain this gradually progressed to constant pain. In Nov. 2007 I developed severe pain and was diagnosed with sciatica early 2008. I had physio and joined an aqua- gym through the excercise GP referral scheme. (I was very active before and used to jog 5 times a week). I have undergone several mri's and nerve conduction tests where a 'blockage' was found between L4/S5. I have been tested for MS, lumbar puncture, brain scan and mri's. My latest result shows a disc bulge predominantly on the left L5/S1, but apparently no clear encroachment on the nerve root so surgery is not recommended.
My symptoms include, numbness and pain in both feet, burning pain in both 'big' toes, severe backache, tingling and loss of sensation in fingers on left hand. I often have pain in my left buttock that radiates down the back of my leg. I have experienced bladder and bowel problems, having to go to the toilet more frequently.
I work as a teaching assistant and have been off work since Sept. 2008. It looks as though I will be losing my job because of this condition and there does not seem to be an answer. I contacted my GP yesterday and he says that regular excercise and carrying on as normal a life will eventually see an improvement. My condition has deteriorated over the past year, my walking has become severly imparies and I frequently use a stick to walk. Can anyone offer any advice or has anyone experienced anything similar? All comments will be appreciated.

 

[embarroyalo]

A disc can be bulging and cause you no problems
However, a little to much lifting
Too much twisting and pulling
Too much exercise
All will cause the disc to swell and expand
This brings it in to contact with your sciatic nerve
Then your back ache comes back to you
Sometimes, it will send your knees out and you kiss the floor
Your doctor and most physiotherapists will always advise exercise
They will advise you to stretch your muscles etc
When I followed the doctor and physiotherapists advice
I was off work for months each year
Spent a small fortune on physiotherapy
I was always having back problems
I was always in the hydrotherapy pool
Now I do not exercise or do stretching exercises
I live and work normally,
I have not been off sick for five years
I have had only minimal problems
And been able to work through the problems
A slip trip and fall will and does put me off sick
Do not do anything to make the disc swell
And I find that everything is fine if I do not push my back
Take care of it and treat it like glass
And it should take care of you

This is my solution to a 30 year back problem
After a accident at work
You will have to find your own solution
All this is personal to me and my solution
Start thinking outside the box
It’s your back and you should know what makes it worse
So, with that in mind, you should find an answer for yourself

hermie

 

[fruitytuttytutty]

Afternoon Bertie Beetle,

Having read your problems, I cannot believe how unlucky you seem to have been with back problems.
My back problems deleoped because of not warming up or cooling down when exercising.
If you were running five times a week, I would assume you would be warming uo before and cooling down after.
I have had a l5 s1 discectomy and am recovering reasonably well.
I have also been told there is a slight l4 l5 central disc bulge whch is not a problem at the moment.
The hermits advice is something to try and you have nothing to lose.
If it doesn't work, I think the only thing to say is experiment and find what works for you as everybody is individual.
Hope you condition improves and you do not lose your job.

Best wishes

dalep115

 

[Whyte-out]

the bulges you have should not cause numbness in your hand , they are lumber disks and can only affect you from the waist down

 

[SnowWhite]

I think your Consultant and GP are following the trusts cost reduction protacols as a priority and don't appear to be looking after you best interests. This condition can be successful treated.

All of the symptoms you state are typical of lumber spine, nerve root impingment (sciatica), exactly what is being impinged and where, needs to be investigated further and the steps below will help.

I would strongly reccomend, that you purchase a private report from an independant Radiologist who will reveiw your MRI scan's and X-rays, that's asuming your hospital will give you a copy, If they dont, then purchase new ones from a private clinic. I would suggest that you choose a Radiologist and clinic as far away from and as unconnected to your hospital as possible, this is in order to aviod any possible bias or favour in this report.

With regards to you hand pain, when you have the condition you appear to have, the spinal column from the lumber region right up to you skull will become bent, this will put preasure on various vertibrae as they travel up your spine column. When one or two of these vertibrae become unballenced and stuck, they can pinch a nerve at any level. You may have such a pinch at either Thoacic or Cervical levels, both of which can tranfer pain signals into either arms. This is typical of lumber spine degeneration!

Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[vballnut153]

"GP says that regular excercise and carrying on as normal a life will eventually see an improvement." I think it's not bad idea.

It sounds like what you're describing is just degenerative disk disease and soft tissue ( Ligment and tendon) injuries, which can become worse over time. Given the severity of your pain and the functional limitations it's now placing on you, it probably is time to consult with a reputable back acupuncturist (Not general acupuncturist)

Acupuncture is best solution for this kind of back pain,I have to say that "NOT general acupuncturist".

Best wishes !

 

[lasnochas nicolas]

I can send the acupuncture points on fingers joints to massage,
the bulging disk case has been discussed in details for the latest
Su-jok method on the seminar I've attended recently.

 

[1oldone]

IMO the problem with advising people to take regular exercise and continue as normal is that it can be misleading. If your 'normal' lifestyle has caused, or is part of the cause, of the problem continuing 'as normal' will only slow healing and potentially aggravate the condition.

Similarly not all exercise is equal. Continuing exercise may be better then laying in bed all day not moving, but a wiser route would be to choose exercise that will strengthen the core muscles that protect the back, promote good posture, encourage healing of damage without risking aggravating the condition. As such I would suggest avoiding exercise that might put more compressive forces on the spine and choose those that use slow controlled movements, or possibly no movement at all, and focus on building core muscle strength.

Core muscles include the transversus abdominus muscle that stabalises the spine during movement. Choosing exersise that targets this muscle without putting execess stress on the spine would be highly recommened for most people with low back pain. Many back problems respond well to exercise that targets that muscle.

 

[Infuffgunty]

Pete thanks for saying that. I have been dx with multiple disc problems and they say don't rest - carry on as normal - take the anti inflams and painkillers and it seemed wrong to me as 11 weeks later I am now worse so thanks for giving me confidence that I need to take it more into my own hands.