Associate
- Joined
- 25 Aug 2005
- Posts
- 717
- Location
- Derbyshire
So, after being unable to find the previous back thread I am going to start my own! I don't usually do these kind of threads, but I'm bored.
In September 2006, shortly after starting full time work and after finishing uni, I went to get up off my bed, and twisted at the same time. I then proceeded to have cramp like pains down my left leg and also a numb foot. Except it was so much worse than cramp, and it wouldn't shift. After that, I had extreme difficulties sitting down for more than 30 seconds due to agony in my leg. This continued for several weeks. I saw my doctor several times, who would only give me strong pain killers and not refer me on, stating that it was sciatica and would settle down on its own accord. I also started to have some Physio sessions, at my own expense. This helped slightly, and I returned to work after about 2 weeks off (still in pain, but I couldn't afford any more time off sick). The pain slowly settled down, but has never gone completely. I have also had about 2 relapses in the past year, where the pain is almost unbearable but still the doctor would not do anything.
In April this year, I moved to Wirral, where I joined a new doctor surgery. I had another relapse just before a holiday in June, and when I came back I vowed to get an MRI scan. So off I went to my doctor, and in October I finally managed to get a scan. The scan showed 2 prolapsed discs (the inner gooey centre of the disc escapes and causes pressure on the nerve running down the leg). So after that I was referred to a neurosurgeon who recommended that surgery on one of the discs would (in about 90% of cases) solve the problems in my leg. Some back pain may remain.
Why am I writing this? Because I'm going into hospital tomorrow to have surgery on the disc (between L5/S1 for those of you into medical stuff). And due to this will be off work for about 6 weeks, and will therefore be posting on here a lot more. I'm into white water kayaking, and have not been paddling for months. I have been told by my physiotherapist that after 6 weeks I should be able to get into a boat again. So here's hoping that everything is successful.
Thanks for reading, you can go back to sleep now!
In September 2006, shortly after starting full time work and after finishing uni, I went to get up off my bed, and twisted at the same time. I then proceeded to have cramp like pains down my left leg and also a numb foot. Except it was so much worse than cramp, and it wouldn't shift. After that, I had extreme difficulties sitting down for more than 30 seconds due to agony in my leg. This continued for several weeks. I saw my doctor several times, who would only give me strong pain killers and not refer me on, stating that it was sciatica and would settle down on its own accord. I also started to have some Physio sessions, at my own expense. This helped slightly, and I returned to work after about 2 weeks off (still in pain, but I couldn't afford any more time off sick). The pain slowly settled down, but has never gone completely. I have also had about 2 relapses in the past year, where the pain is almost unbearable but still the doctor would not do anything.
In April this year, I moved to Wirral, where I joined a new doctor surgery. I had another relapse just before a holiday in June, and when I came back I vowed to get an MRI scan. So off I went to my doctor, and in October I finally managed to get a scan. The scan showed 2 prolapsed discs (the inner gooey centre of the disc escapes and causes pressure on the nerve running down the leg). So after that I was referred to a neurosurgeon who recommended that surgery on one of the discs would (in about 90% of cases) solve the problems in my leg. Some back pain may remain.
Why am I writing this? Because I'm going into hospital tomorrow to have surgery on the disc (between L5/S1 for those of you into medical stuff). And due to this will be off work for about 6 weeks, and will therefore be posting on here a lot more. I'm into white water kayaking, and have not been paddling for months. I have been told by my physiotherapist that after 6 weeks I should be able to get into a boat again. So here's hoping that everything is successful.
Thanks for reading, you can go back to sleep now!
