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nomadbill
Posts:200
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| 01 Apr 2007 19:40 |
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| Hiya Folki,
I have Sciatica and have had for almost a year. The MRI showed problems with two discs so the NHS want to either administer Steroid Epidurals or do a double discectomy. I'm not convinced that surgical proceedures are the answer. Does anyone have any suggestions as to alternative therapies or have you been through this and got better. If you do not want to put your personal circumstances on here then please use the email link in my profile that can be accessed by clicking on my name, Luck to you all, the nomad |
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Cj Eastwood
Posts:230
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| 01 Apr 2007 20:31 |
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Hi Bill. I had a situation with my PuroDad where he had a case of Sciatica. The doctor as an answer prescribes all sorts of drugs. some of the drugs were to deal with the side effects of another drug etc. When I found out, I got the list, went to the main / head local pharmacy of Boots the chemists and asked exactly what each drug was a what it did.
Being concerned at what I found, I got the number for a top physio who used to work for Gillingham Football club and booked my puroDad an appointment. Within one appointment the physio went straight to the problem and told me Grandfather to do a certain exercise so many times a day. The sciatica was sorted in no time and the drugs were thrown in the bin. This may not be the answer in your case as your case sound much more servere, but it is an example where the doctor was not the answer. Have you tried an independent physios? |
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nomadbill
Posts:200
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| 01 Apr 2007 21:34 |
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Hi CJ, nice to get to communicate with you at last. I've seen several osteopaths/chiropractors/physios all at my own expense - finding a good one is difficult!! But that is what i'm aiming for, i'm well aware that there is no 5 minute fix. I recently spoke to a lady who had physio for 3 years to fix a slipped disc but managed to avoid surgery which is my ultimate goal.
I have been prescribed those drugs you talk about CJ and while i don't want to be throwing those things down my neck, without them i could not continue to work. I have been advised that i should be taking an additional drug to counteract the side effects of the one i take daily but it was never prescribed which the pharmacist could not understand.
I recently heard of something called the Anderson Technique, have you heard of it? Apparently it's all about the correct posture etc. I'm willing to try anything but don't really want to be wasting time on the wrong thing - I just want to be fixed so as I can crack on with all the things i want to do. Thanks for your thoughts, take care, the nomad |
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Bajan
Posts:363
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| 03 Apr 2007 12:03 |
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Are the 2 discs ruptured and collapsing or will be in the near future? How long did they say you would have to continue with steroid injections? Masking the symptoms for the longterm may not be a good idea as you need to "feel" yourself in order not to cause further degeneration or injury. Removal of discs and fusion of vertebra may be an option, but be aware that this will cause less flexibility and strength and the chances are that problems will arise somewhere else in your back in the future. Discs are like shock absorbers and when they have little tears in the wall the fluid inside leaks out, comes into contact with nerves and causes pain. Your body's natural healing abilities will take care of this with rest and time. Alternative therapies can help you through "flare ups" when there is inflammation and swelling, but are not a longterm and constant answer. Keeping your back muscles as strong and supple as possible makes a huge difference as this will keep your vertebra in allignment and limit pinching of the discs. Think about educating yourself about your spine so that you can really understand what the various therapists, doctors and pharmacists are telling you. The options you choose to deal with your individual problem needs to "fit in" with your personality and life style as it will be a lifelong issue; I so wish I could tell you otherwise, but thats the truth.
My ex husband has 2 collapsed discs and almost had to have surgery; genetics has saved him so far as he has a much larger and wider spinal column (encloses the spinal cord) than an average man. He works for himself as a gardener and only takes on small jobs. Whenever he has a flare up, he keeps quiet and babies his back until the pain is gone. He does a great deal of swimming, uses his knees (always squats and never bends) when lifting, tries his best not to twist his body and is not overweight. He may have to have surgery in the future or may never have to; that is something all of us live with really. Finding an honest, open-minded, experienced surgeon who is not interested in a quick fix and onto the next patient is a huge bonus and I hope you are as lucky as he was in finding a health specialist like that.
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Bajan
Posts:363
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| 03 Apr 2007 12:14 |
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P.S. It was explained to me that there is no such thing as a slipped discs; they cannot move. The spine is an incredible mechanism and put together much better than that. What happens is that they develop tears in the lining (think of them as a tyre with an innertube of liquid), fluid leaks out, the area becomes inflammed, the disc swells and bulges between the vertebra. When one moves the discs get squeezed.
Hope I have helped you somewhat, kushti bok Nomadman! Think and feel positive - we humans are amazing "mechanisms", hee hee - you will be OK and simply need to find the right path for you.
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nomadbill
Posts:200
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| 03 Apr 2007 21:52 |
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Hiya Bajan, i've done some research and found out a fair bit. I think my problems are degenerative (spine compression).I know that i'll always have problems now. The Steroid Epidurals are only a short term fix and only a 30% chance of stopping the sciatic pain. The benefits may only be visible for anything between a week and a year and this option will not fix the compression in my spine. The Discectomy has only a 70% chance of releiving the pain but again will not actually fix the spine problem. I'm slowly coming round to the idea that life will have to change but i don't like it! I am trying to find specialist exercises to do to strengthen my back muscles etc and could also do with shedding a stone or so, then there's giving up smoking, sugar, caffeine and anything else that u enjoy but is bad for you!
I've heard that swimming is good for your back but only if you can swim, otherwise it falls into the bad for you catergory! Cycling is also meant to be great for your back so mayb a new bike!! Either way i need to start doing something. I am still working which probably isn't ideal but i can't sit about doing nowt all day - it drives me mad!!
THanks for your time in passing your knowledge, take care, the nomad |
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Bajan
Posts:363
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| 03 Apr 2007 22:22 |
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I feel working is better than not working cause stress multiplies back probems loads and having way too much time to dwell on "life" would not be positive forya.
Won't give you the usual crap well meaning people dish out in trying to make you feel better... you seem like the kinda guy who will get where you need to when you need to on your own.
Maaan, its usually the most bestest, most funest, most excitingest things in life that are "bad" for us (f..k that) and its never too late to learn new tricks - you might meet a lovely mermaid - who know's and you're welcome.
How was that champagne and pate? Lucky you fa true den, I goin fix me some quick eggs and toast now cause allde leftova chicken gone and I hungry as ass, chekya lata
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nomadbill
Posts:200
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| 03 Apr 2007 22:45 |
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Yeah i like to work, i'm lost without it.
Sometimes you need to dwell for a bit to work things out but i agree, too much is bad.
I normally find my way, not always the route others would take but i get there eventually!
Ain't that right, the best things are the worst!
Mermaids! One day I hope! I've been abstaining for a bit, seem to have this natural attraction to the wrong ones!! The Pheasant & champagne pate was..... hmmm not as good as it sounds!! Better than eggs though, i cannot do eggs in anyway, shape or form, urrgghhh nasty! Take care dudess, the nomad |
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Veshengro
Posts:0
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| 06 Apr 2007 20:04 |
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Posted By nomadbill on 01 Apr 2007 19:40
Hiya Folki,
I have Sciatica and have had for almost a year. The MRI showed problems with two discs so the NHS want to either administer Steroid Epidurals or do a double discectomy. I'm not convinced that surgical proceedures are the answer. Does anyone have any suggestions as to alternative therapies or have you been through this and got better. If you do not want to put your personal circumstances on here then please use the email link in my profile that can be accessed by clicking on my name, Luck to you all, the nomad
Nomad, Phrala...
Latcho dives...
And you have my sympathies (for what they are worth) for I am in about the same boat as you as regards to the back. Sciatica due to a prolapsed disc that trapps said nerve. I hate to say this but, as I have been told and taught, if that nerve is trapped for too long it can cause more than just the current problems. However, I am like younot convinced that surgery is the answer in this and the steriod thingy neither... I assume the damaged discs are third and fourth from the bottom up... therefore my suggestion.. have a word with the two-wheelked chiropractor, known as a bicycle. Gently riding a bike helps, and I kid you not. Believe me, I am no doctor but a First Aider, LOL.
You have my emaiul in another post.. shoot me a line and I tell you more...
Latcho drom,
Veshengro
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lsa47
Posts:222
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| 07 Apr 2007 22:38 |
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| hi nomad i have a curve in my spine an suffer with siatica an back an neck pain,i am supposed to have physio every week but i dont go,but i know from past consultations that physio an exercise will help an you def need to strengthen those back muscles supporting the spine,realy watched your posture,i was advised to swim,but not to do breast stroke as it puts to much pressure on the back,your gp shud be able to refer you to a physio,an they should work out a exercise plan suitable for your complaint xx |
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nomadbill
Posts:200
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| 08 Apr 2007 18:41 |
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| Isa, thanks for your input. The NHS is two bob, 6 month wait for physio so i tried several osteopaths/chiropractors/physios at my own expense and it didn't seem to help so my gp has ruled out that option on the NHS, they just want to butcher me or stick great big needles up my back that could cripple me, nice!! I did get some exercises from one of the osteo's but i'm not very disciplined when it comes to doing them - I really must start doing them. I too was advised to swim at least three times a week, walk 2 miles a day and do said exercises 3 times daily - wot about work? Take care, the nomad |
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nomadbill
Posts:200
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| 08 Apr 2007 18:53 |
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| Veshengro, phrala (brother)??
Thanks for your sympathies, only someone that suffers with it understands just how much it affects you. I had heard that if it's not sorted it can lead to weakness in the leg and incontinence etc - not nice. My problem discs are the ones between L4/L5 & L5/S1. I've actually recently got a bike and it defo helps, it's just finding the time to cycle....... I've just done my first aid training too! I'll drop you a mail, take care, Latcho drom, the nomad |
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