Disc bulge

[Andywinds]

I've been diagnosed with a disc bulge. This was from heavy lifting in the gym. Has anyone experienced this before and if so how long was the road to recovery (roughly)? I know there are many factors like how much of bulge and how bad the initial injury was. Put it this way 2.5 weeks ago I couldn't even sit in a chair and had to lie flat.

 

[Andywinds]

Jesus that must be one severe case!

 

[Milkfloat]

I had a discetomy (cutting out 2 herniated discs), decompression and laminectomy in May. It was absolutely the best thing I could have done. I had spent quite a bit on other non surgical treatments but finally had to go under the knife.

I am right as rain now and totally pain free, in my case well worth it.

 

[Andywinds]

I had a discetomy (cutting out 2 herniated discs), decompression and laminectomy in May. It was absolutely the best thing I could have done. I had spent quite a bit on other non surgical treatments but finally had to go under the knife.

I am right as rain now and totally pain free, in my case well worth it.

Did you get the op on the NHS or was this private. A friend had his herniated disc done privately but he still has issues now. I'm glad yours is sorted.

 

[Andywinds]

[QUOTE 4177671, member: 9609"]Do you know what disc is bulging and what nerve is affected - and how do they know this ? MRI

for me bulging discs are worse than herniated ones, I had a couple of years near constant pain with one, I would describe it as constant tooth ache in the buttock. Then it ruptured which involved more pain that I ever realised was possible, crawled around on the floor for about a month. But I guess that initiated the healing process, and within about three months the constant pain was gone. probably another couple of years before all the numbness problems resolved themselves. Have done over 20,000 miles onthebike since.

I have heard so many horror stories from people that have had surgery I would be the very last resort for me. For me the best treatment has been Pilates, but get a good teacher and start off with one on one sessions, a good teacher will be able to address your weaknesses, getting my posture and core strength sorted out was the key for me.[/QUOTE]
No it was only diagnosed visually and reading the symptoms. It seemed to get worse after the initial injury, the pain was all around my lower back and glute muscle. But now it is very much at the base of the spine and to the left slightly, with pain running into my calf. I'm now doing back stretches and that has seemed to ease my suffering. I do not want surgery if I can help it, like I said a friend had this but he has never been right, to say that he can have another op is a little alarming!

 

[fossyant]

You'll need an MRI ideally, as it's just guess work. I've not had opportunity to ask about my crushed vertebrae and damaged disc yet, but even my surgeon said non-surgical treatment is best as operations can go wrong.

 

[Andywinds]

You'll need an MRI ideally, as it's just guess work. I've not had opportunity to ask about my crushed vertebrae and damaged disc yet, but even my surgeon said non-surgical treatment is best as operations can go wrong.

If I want an MRI right now I would have pay for it. By all accounts most active people in their 30's and 40's would show signs of damage, even minor disc problems.

 

[fossyant]

If I want an MRI right now I would have pay for it. By all accounts most active people in their 30's and 40's would show signs of damage, even minor disc problems.

Not necessarily with regards to issues. Mine was perfect prior to November as had recent MRI's. You shouldn't have to pay, it's just a case of getting referred. I'm not a fan of GP's guessing and recommending treatment without seeing what's going on.

I had similar issues with my GP guessing, then when I had an MRI on my shoulder it showed damage that needed a decompression op.

 

[Andywinds]

Not necessarily with regards to issues. Mine was perfect prior to November as had recent MRI's. You shouldn't have to pay, it's just a case of getting referred. I'm not a fan of GP's guessing and recommending treatment without seeing what's going on.

I had similar issues with my GP guessing, then when I had an MRI on my shoulder it showed damage that needed a decompression op.

I was basically told that it would be too soon to get a referral, I need to wait and go to pilates. I've also picked up a gym ball to hang over to stretch my back. Did this yesterday and it does feel better today. I just hope I am being a wuss and its not as bad as I thought.

 

[Milkfloat]

Did you get the op on the NHS or was this private. A friend had his herniated disc done privately but he still has issues now. I'm glad yours is sorted.

I was private. I went the GP multiple times and was told it was old age (39) and that the excruciating pain in my leg was due to nerve damage. He said the back pain was caused by the leg pain. The words were basically go away and get used to it. After being in absolute agony for a month, I finally forced the GP (another one) to refer me to a physio privately. The physio said I had the worst locked back she had ever seen and the most curvature caused by compensating for the pain. She tried treating me just for 2 sessions and then wrote a strongly worded letter to the GP telling him to refer me to a spinal consultant. It took me a 3 attempts to get the GP to refer me, eventually it was a locum who did it without much bother. The minute I walked into the consultants office he said he knew what the problem was. I had a variety of tests including an MRI. He suggested some non-surgical treatment called IDD which is basically being stretched on a rack. http://www.chiropractorswarwick.co.uk/index.php/idd-therapy-spine/ I tried 20 sessions of this together with chiro and sports massage, but although I had some results they were not good enough.

A second MRI followed and surgery was immediately planned as it was thought that by leaving it too long I would suffer permanent nerve damage. Surgery was performed, as soon as I came round I felt pain free for the first time in over 6 months. It was bliss. Since then I have not looked back (pardon the pun).

So - yes, it was private and expensive, my experience with the NHS was horrendous and I wait for the day this particular NHS doctor retires. I and my family refuse to be seen by him now.

 

[Andywinds]

I was private. I went the GP multiple times and was told it was old age (39) and that the excruciating pain in my leg was due to nerve damage. He said the back pain was caused by the leg pain. The words were basically go away and get used to it. After being in absolute agony for a month, I finally forced the GP (another one) to refer me to a physio privately. The physio said I had the worst locked back she had ever seen and the most curvature caused by compensating for the pain. She tried treating me just for 2 sessions and then wrote a strongly worded letter to the GP telling him to refer me to a spinal consultant. It took me a 3 attempts to get the GP to refer me, eventually it was a locum who did it without much bother. The minute I walked into the consultants office he said he knew what the problem was. I had a variety of tests including an MRI. He suggested some non-surgical treatment called IDD which is basically being stretched on a rack. http://www.chiropractorswarwick.co.uk/index.php/idd-therapy-spine/ I tried 20 sessions of this together with chiro and sports massage, but although I had some results they were not good enough.

A second MRI followed and surgery was immediately planned as it was thought that by leaving it too long I would suffer permanent nerve damage. Surgery was performed, as soon as I came round I felt pain free for the first time in over 6 months. It was bliss. Since then I have not looked back (pardon the pun).

So - yes, it was private and expensive, my experience with the NHS was horrendous and I wait for the day this particular NHS doctor retires. I and my family refuse to be seen by him now.

Crikey, well first off its great that you are better, but the process you have gone through was crap. This is not the first time that I have been down this road. Yes I always get the feeling after an injury that going to the docs is a waste of time. Surely its in the best interest of the NHS to get younger people fixed ASAP, otherwise we'll only get worse as we get older!
I went to an NHS physio once, no hands on treatment just a leaflet. If I can just train core and stretch to resolve I will be happy.

 

[Milkfloat]

Crikey, well first off its great that you are better, but the process you have gone through was crap. This is not the first time that I have been down this road. Yes I always get the feeling after an injury that going to the docs is a waste of time. Surely its in the best interest of the NHS to get younger people fixed ASAP, otherwise we'll only get worse as we get older!
I went to an NHS physio once, no hands on treatment just a leaflet. If I can just train core and stretch to resolve I will be happy.

Post Op the pilates was great (Yoga less so, but probably because the one I attended was a bit too spiritual for me). I would get yourself to a few proper classes, let the instructor know you are injured though. There were a few exercises I could not do because of my injury.

 

[Andywinds]

Post Op the pilates was great (Yoga less so, but probably because the one I attended was a bit too spiritual for me). I would get yourself to a few proper classes, let the instructor know you are injured though. There were a few exercises I could not do because of my injury.

Great thanks. I will have a look around, don't think my gym offers Pilates. While I think of it, I am on naproxen, did you find any anti-inflammatory work for you?

 

[Milkfloat]

Great thanks. I will have a look around, don't think my gym offers Pilates. While I think of it, I am on naproxen, did you find any anti-inflammatory work for you?

Ibuprofen helped a tiny bit, but I had more luck with ice packs and ice gel/spray. All of it very temporary and only took the edge off things.