Bulging Disc Nerve Pain

jimmyjimmy

Hi Folks,

Hope you doing okay.

I have recently been diagnosed with a bulging disc that is impinging on my left nerve root, causing sciatica. I have been to loads of private physiotherapists as the NHS physiotherapist was very poor, i just wanted to get out of pain. All seem to give mixed advice, but i am awaiting a referral to a pain clinic from my GP too as the pain down my leg makes me very depressed.  

However i wondered what exercises i can do, as some physiotherapists state its hard work but over 6 months to 1 year the disc bulge can go back. What types of exercises do i need to be working on please? Some physiotherapists have given me strengthening exercises, some have told me to use a lumbar stretching device. Some have told me to focus on McKenzie exercises, however i really do not want to worsen anything.  

Thank you for any help you can give to try and get me out of pain. I appreciate your time reading my comments.

Jimmy  

Chloe_Scope

Hi @jimmyjimmy and a very warm welcome to the community!

I'm sorry this has continued to cause you pain, and that you haven't found much relief from physio. Have you ever had a pain clinic referral? I have had several over the years and have found them to be helpful.

Have you tried things like heat or ice to reduce pain? I know this can really help some people

Please do let us know how you get on and if there is anything else we can do to help then please do let us know!

Jiggy

I have a building disc and after practicing tai chi I can honestly  say I don't know it's there

Chloe_Scope

Hi @jimmyjimmy, how have you been this week?

ozzy19721968

Hi I have a fused c6 and c5 and disc bulge in c4 with trapped nerve and narrowing of the spinal canal I cant move my head side to side or up and down and have arthritis spores over the fused bones also have arthritis in both shoulders and muscle wastage on right side and weakness down my right side arthritis in the lower back and knees the pain in my knees is getting unbearable I am on morphine patches and anti depressants for pain is there anything that can help my knees 

April2018mom

ozzy19721968 said:

Hi I have a fused c6 and c5 and disc bulge in c4 with trapped nerve and narrowing of the spinal canal I cant move my head side to side or up and down and have arthritis spores over the fused bones also have arthritis in both shoulders and muscle wastage on right side and weakness down my right side arthritis in the lower back and knees the pain in my knees is getting unbearable I am on morphine patches and anti depressants for pain is there anything that can help my knees 

Have you been referred to a pain clinic? Exercise may also help. 

ozzy19721968

Yes April mom been sent to pain management was ment to have appointment a few weeks ago had to travel 58 mile each way for them not to turn up and when I phoned the next available appointment was September the 16th I do lots of walking but after 10 to 20 mins the pain is so bad I have a good pain threshold but this does get me down tried tramadol and other meds with them but pain is getting worse have just been told by work they are looking into retiring me on medical grounds 

Adrian_Scope

Hi @ozzy19721968 and a warm welcome to the community.

I’m really sorry to read how much pain you’re in and travelling 58 miles each way for nothing is ridiculous. Please let us know how you get on with your next appointment.

Are you happy with the possibility of being retired? If not, it might be worth consulting ACAS (https://m.acas.org.uk/) or EASS (https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/ and finding out what your rights are.

ozzy19721968

Hi adrian I do come under the disability at work act the job I do I am on my feet all day but been on restricted duties where I have been able to sit down but been told that they cant accommodate this for much longer i have other medical conditions that are getting aggravated with the pain I am in I am diabetic 6 injections a day have angina .I have applied for pip so waiting on them to come out on the 16th even they cancelled the first appointment an hr before they where ment to come out 

Adrian_Scope

You seem to be getting mucked about by a lot of people at the moment @ozzy19721968.
Lots of our members have been through the PIP process, so if you have any questions at all or need some help with that, just let us know.

Chloe_Scope

Hi @ozzy19721968, how are you doing?

ozzy19721968

Hi cloe I am doing ok at the moment had my pip assessment on Tuesday and going to pain management on the 16th of this month .how are you all keeping. 

Waylay

@jimmyjimmy

I had the same injury.  McKenzie exercises, Bowen Therapy and Alexander Technique are all supposed to help, but I can't afford them ATM. I found that massage, stretching and heat helped somewhat. I had a microdiscectomy after 12 weeks, and have had chronic pain since, but my outcome wasn't the norm! If advise that  if you'ref offered surgery, do your research first!

The body does usually slowly reabsorb the disc material, but it does take months-a year. I wish I'd known that.

ozzy19721968

Hi way lay if it was just the disc bulge I could manage that ok but it's the degenerative disk disease and the arthritis that seem to come all at once knees are painful all the time and I cant walk up right as my back kills feel the bones rubbing together got the pain management clinc Monday so hopefully they will be able to suggest something but will not hold my breath as surgeon has already said it is to narrow to operate on 

April2018mom

ozzy19721968 said:

Hi way lay if it was just the disc bulge I could manage that ok but it's the degenerative disk disease and the arthritis that seem to come all at once knees are painful all the time and I cant walk up right as my back kills feel the bones rubbing together got the pain management clinc Monday so hopefully they will be able to suggest something but will not hold my breath as surgeon has already said it is to narrow to operate on 

Good luck!

belfastdavid

I was referred by the pain clinic for Pilates classes (run by my physiotherapist on the NHS) a few years ago. Initially I scoffed at the idea, but to this day I do the breathing and slight stretching exercises, and while I am far from pain free, they make a difference. And those of us who live with chronic pain will do anything that provides any kind of relief. Check it out, it may well help to alleviate a little of the pain. 

Adrian_Scope

Good luck at the clinic today @ozzy19721968. Please let us know how you get on.

ozzy19721968

Thanks adrian will let you know what they say later 

Chloe_Scope

I hope your appointment goes okay today @ozzy19721968! Sorry for the delay, I was away last week.

ozzy19721968

What a waste of time what has the NHS come to been told today at the pain management clinc that I should have been refferred to the neurologist clinc and have some test done before I was sent to pain management said once I have been there they will refer me back to pain management he said the consultant should have referred me ther first so back to square one again said to him I will just struggle on as I am tired of getting pushed from one to other and nothing getting sorted .his reply we can review your medication once you have been to hospital for test .walked out 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @ozzy19721968, I'm sorry to hear this and I appreciate how frustrating this must be! I really hope you aren't having to wait long for tests and the rest of the process can run more smoothly for you. I understand how difficult this is, so please let us know if we can do anything to support you.

ozzy19721968

How are every one keeping got appointment for some tests on Friday and got a tex from dwp telling me they have received the report from my assessment and I should hear from them soon 

Topkitten

Just a quick comment about nerve pain and the spine. Generally, although most people think physio will help, exercise will often only make things worse. Nerve pain is caused by nerves being damaged by a malformed or damaged spine causing the nerves to "catch" on the bones causing pain. Exercise will only cause such pain to recur or even increase and much care should be taken before recommending to ANYONE with spinal damage to exercise. Such decisions should be left to pain specialists.

TK

ozzy19721968

I agree small movements at a time to keep the joints from not moving at all back pain and knee and back of my legs are in constant pain I try walking for as long as I can stand the pain then I am washed out for the rest of the day get so lethargic I cant keep my eyes open then get a shooting pain in my back and legs back awake again .but just have to manage the best I can no good feeling sorry for my self I always think some one has got it worse than I am the odd day I get angry but that's life for now on just have to get on with it 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @ozzy19721968, that's good to hear that they have your report! Will you be requesting a copy? This will show you what award you should expect from the decision. They rarely go against the report.

I wish you the very best of luck and please do let us know if there is anything we can do to help.  

Aimz2shine

@Jimmyjimmy, I have been through all the meds, pain management clinic, denervation procedures, etc. My L5 disc is degenerated at the top and herniated at the bottom, therefore suffering from nerve impingement, as well. I've found that doing water resistant exercises with a woggle/noodle has given me strength, agility, and weight loss. Since gravity seems to be the enemy, exercising on dry land only aggravates everything. However, the buoyancy of the water (about 4ft depth minimum) takes the compression off the spine (I'm actually pain free instantaneously, as soon as I get in the pool). I took it upon myself to join Broadly Active's aquafit classes (held at Riverside) and learned these exercises. I've never looked back. It also helps my depression (water somehow has a Zen affect), a great cardio workout, as well. Can't recommend it enough! I've been doing this M-W-F for 3 years. Give them a ring, and they'll take you through everything. It's council ran, so cheap and cheerful.

Aimz2shine

@jimmyjimmy Btw, I'm in Norwich, so I'm not sure what your council offers regarding exercise programs. I am of the understanding that quite a few councils do have something similar in place to take advantage of.

ozzy19721968

Hi chloe I phoned and asked for a copy of my report was told I had to waite as they havent looked at it yet but said I can ask for copy when a decision is made .got a letter from capita about the complaint I made about the two appointments that they cancelled at the last minute they up held my complaint and offered 40 pounds as composition for the stress this caused. I hope you are keeping well been to see rheumatologist got to have a new MRI scan on my whole spine to see if there is any change in my neck and thinks I may also have remitiode arthritis in my lower spine and knees to so he did some blood tests to confirm his thoughts and he suggested that I strongly think about stop working .

ozzy19721968

Hi aimz2shine I am going away next week to relax and I will try the pool see if that helps then look into my local pool and see what the can offer .just glad that I am getting some where and starting to get answers to what is wrong with me as some people I work with think there is nothing wrong with me but some are understanding when I have a bad day and the pain in my face they tend to send me home 

Aimz2shine

@ozzy19721968, I do hope the pool works for you. I do understand what you mean by people not understanding that there's something "wrong" with you. Unfortunately, you can't "see" pain, unless that person grimaces, moans, etc. Of course, we as chronic pain sufferers tend to put on that "public face," and come across as everything's fine. I've been put out to pasture, regarding the doctors "fixing" me. They won't do surgery. Their excuse? "The risks outweigh the benefits." SMH

clare_1

I have sciatica lower back that causes right leg pain, scheuermann's disease in lumbar thoracic spine with disc buldge and disc buldge in neck.
I have been sent pain management who gave me 6 spine injections that didnt do much, had hydrotherapy and normal physio and just having to change on different medications because my body gets used to them so quickly.

My fingers are crossed for you that you get some pain relief and the help that's needed. So frustrating when your not getting answers and having to deal with pain. 

It takes so long to get answers and to get some relief from the pain, I'm still have trouble after 4 years.
 I currently have started to try cbd rubs, oils and tablets. It takes the edge of a bit but it's not a full cure of pain

All the best

ozzy19721968

I to have been told they cant operate on my neck due to my spinal canal been narrowed been on tramadol now on morphine patches and anti depressants for pain my lower back in the last 5 to 6 months seems to be getting worse and my knees to cant walk upright I have to walk leaning forward as the pain is unbearable standing straight up and my knees hurt all the time .been told to give up work bye my gp and consultant but said I would waite  until I hear from pip 

clare_1

I also been told I can't have operation on lower back bescuse I'm to top heavy and would feel benefit from it apparently.
 I think once you get problems with back its like a domino effect a everything els starts to give up. I also have problem with my right knee. Got sent to orthopedics and more physio and then said injections. 
The hydrotherapy pool helped beacuse it is warm and takes pressure of limbs. Maybe worth suggesting  next time you see doctor.
I had to stop the pool during to being a lady and I'm not having much luck in that department either.
For pain I'm on pregabalin, Zapain, Amitriptyline, Naproxen and tramadol. All pain management suggest is injections and Morphine, that I'm not allowed to go on beacuse I'm only younger and if I want/ can have kids then I wouldn't be accepted to go to fertility.
I also have neurological problems, anxiety and depression. Hardly surprising really.
So for me it's been having to learn to live with the pain and keep changing tablet doses. I just feel lucky I have an understand partner.

I had to give work up about 4 years ago and had help of the union. Since then things have got worse due to lack of activity from pain. I do try and move as much as I can throughout the day as suggested by specialist.
Have also had counselling and CBT training to cope with anxiety and depression.

I really hope you get the right balance to managing pain and if ever you want to just have a little moan or need to chat, someone will always be hear to speak

hass

Hi all I wish everyone suffering  with pain ease and support that you all deserve. 
GP just don't  want to do anything anymore whatever happened to prenvention is better than cure  xxx 

What does one do if  gps don't help I've had pain  for yrs my shoulders are rubbish I can't even left my arms without pain in my neck and arms my balance is terrible