bad back/slipped disc/muscle spasms...

mikey-mike_2

I'd go for the chiropractor, for a new injury they will do a really good quick fix. Cure is often instant.

For longer term and to prevent a recurrence see a physio to get strengthening exercises with just an occasional visit to the Chiropractor to keep things aligned

elaine373

mikey-mike wrote:

I'd go for the chiropractor, for a new injury they will do a really good quick fix. Cure is often instant.

For longer term and to prevent a recurrence see a physio to get strengthening exercises with just an occasional visit to the Chiropractor to keep things aligned

I was lucky and managed to get an appointment yesterday. She said my pelvis needed re-aligning and managed to do that. I felt washed out and woke at 3am this morning as stiff as a board. I think i need to realise that this problem/condition is going to take time and more tests /treatment. I just find it so depressing. On a brighter note, i have incorporated money saving into this and have found my hot water bottle to be my new best friend.

mikey-mike_2

good luck with a swift recovery

shykins

be careful with yr hot water bottle my chiropractor told me to avoid heat on my back when i asked her why she said well your back is inflamed so adding more to heat to it is only goin to make it worse.. made perfect sense when she said it

i would check with yr chiropractor if the same applies to u... even if it does u can stil be money saving but it involves cold peas and isnt half as nice as a warm bottle sad to say

good luck and hope it eases soon
x

mikey-mike_2

how's it today?

oldandhappy

I first suffered horrendous back problems around 1963/4 which sorted itself with rest etc. and then every so often. I found the osteopath type treatment worked for me until my last episode in 1987 when for a whole year I was back and forth to the doctors with the osteopath treatment not helping this time...likewise the doctor just kept perscribing pain relievers until eventually I blew a fuse..............and the doctor sent me to a consultant and then scans....if only the doctor had acted quicker...at least I know better now...I would not leave any severe back/leg pain more than 6-8 weeks without insisting on a referall because taking so many pain relievers for so long certainly did have consequences for me. I was informed that only an operation would solve my disc problem, which I had in 1988 and was 100% successfully. I have not so far since ever had to see anybody about my back again. Hope my thoughts help. Mrs. H

elaine373

mikey-mike wrote:

how's it today?

Sorry didnt come on-line until today. It was alot better yesterday but then i got cocky with the painkillers and didnt take my 3rd dose last night. I woke up in quite alot of pain this morning and its now easing a bit. I will be careful with the hot water bottle, although it was a doctor who told me to use it for pain relief which has helped. Heat does seem to help me loosen up more too. All very confusing and i guess i will have to try allsorts and time to see what
progress i am going to make.Thanks every-body.

Debt_Free_Chick

I'm just getting over a herniated disc which was diagnosed on 1 October.

I saw my chiropracter first and he sent me straight to my GP for the trio of drugs already mentioned here.

I was advised to mix periods of rest with periods of gentle activity - mobility is crucial, which is why total bed rest is no longer prescribed.

Absolutely NO sitting in a chair for long periods, as this compresses the discs in the lumbar region (which is probably where the disc damage is).

Cold/ice packs on the spine to relieve the inflammation - the disc is inflamed, hence one drug is an anti-inflammatory.

The disc is made up of a fibrous outer circle and a gel-like nucleus. The outer circle has been breached (herniated) and the gel is pressing on the nerves in the spine.

You must give the disc time to repair - for the nucleus to retract and for the breach in the outer wall to "mend". I'm very surprised that a chiro has undertaken any manipulation - I haven't had any yet and I'm four weeks in to my recovery!

The pain will only recede when the disc is under repair. If you have sciatica, you will find that the pain starts to work it's way back up the leg/bum - it's as if it's being sucked back into the spine. This is a sign that the disc is retracting and repairing.

Re diagnosis - no x-ray or MRI is generally needed as a simple leg stretch will usually confirm the problem. I went through the roof of the three storey building which houses the chiro's practice when he did this. Never experienced anything like it.

The biggest problem I found was that the lack of mobility and constant discomfort was very, very debilitating. If you can meditate or use relaxation techniques, I suggest you do so. I can now understand why those poor souls with constant back problems can end up with depression. So, a positive mental attitude is vital.

One final thing, when you start to recover, BE VERY CAREFUL about how you move. Remember that the disc is still under repair and a relapse is very common as people think "they're better" and start to do too much.

Take care - be kind to yourself as it will help the healing process.

code-a-holic

Im having back and hip/pelvic problems. All a bit long winded - i could moan about it forever. My right shoulder was damaged after a car accident left with limited movement. Then the back problems started at the beginning of '04 while carrying my son, Could barely walk, cant lie flat, huge pelvic pain. SPD was diagnosed. Was induced due to the pain. I fell pregnant 6 weeks after birth with my daughter (still cant work out how, could only just open my legs!!!) so didnt have a chance to reocver and it went worse. My daughter is now nearly 1 and its at a new level, a deep breathe and i have clicks all down my spine! I havnt lay down flat for best part of 2 years. Im so used to pain and discomfort that i didnt feel any labour with my daughter and she arrived in my trousers! Im struggling to get help from doctors, I have been on MRI list for over a year and they cancelled my physio treatment because i wasnt improving - now i have been left! Gone from codeine to meloxicam - have made a appt to see docs this afternoon becasue its getting more difficult. Hope the MRI will show up a cause when im finally given a appointment.

shykins

seems there are a few of us with back problems here (shame) but its nice to read everyone elses advice to add to what i have been told

i was told that if your disc matter does not go 'back in' with a few weeks it hardens then can only be removed by operation so please make sure u get yourself sorted before it goes on too long

code a holic i was told i had to wait over 6months for my MRI my consultant said this was unacceptable and suggested i wrote to my MP which i did and surprise surprise i had my MRI within 6 weeks, as your problems have gone on some while why dont u try this to see if u can hurry things along

i am in the unfortunate position of not being able to take anti inflams and basically find pain killers useless..i was put on a mix of drugs but found i was getting very depressed so gave them up and now jus manage as i can with the painkillers

i would reiterate the keeping mobile comments i knowit hurts but trust me it hurts more if u seize up.. i do gentle gym work and swim (with the permission of my consultant) and find if i dont do any at all for a week the pain becomes worse and i feel stiff

good luck everyone xx