i have two prolapsed disks and was wondering if anybody else has lots of pain with sitting and walking and?

Question

not being able to do things as well as before

the disks are L4 L5/S1

Answer 1

I had prolapsed disc L5-S1 14 years ago - crawled on hands and knees for 3 weeks - would definitely recommend a GOOD chiropractor ( can give you name if in NY). It takes a lot of sessions to work the disc in (have you decent insurance?) and exercises, no big deal, for always to keep the back muscles strong. Having worked on Ortho Units I would recommend this over a laminectomy unless surgery is unavoidable - please see a chiropractor for advice if surgery recommended.

Always have pillow between knees if lying down and under knees if on back - you will notice the difference the next day as it stops upper leg from dragging on spine = nerve pain.

Always use thighs to take force of heavy lifting, never the back, if you have to lift heavy objects, and keep them close to our body and not at arms' length.

Always support your lower back if sittng in car - or in front of computer, You just have to learn to baby/look after your back and stop any unreasonable lifting - difficult if you are a nurse despite Health and Safety and PC guidelines which don't always work in the real world.

Good luck and remember to just stop and think before diving in to unreasonable lifting/transfers.

Answer 2

I had a MRI last year which revealed a 'small' bulge at L3/4.
St. Patrick's Day I stood up after eating breakfast and have been in a wheelchair since. I am already on Fentanyl patches.
Yes I have a lot of pain with just about everything and I am hoping to get back to my normal abnormal self tomorrow? I live in hope!!!!! I have to now have EMG 'nerve conduct test' end of May but as to if they will remove the Disc, probably not. I have been told that unless I loose the bladder and bowel function; emergency surgery, chances are this is as good as it gets. All I can state I know just what you are going through and wish you luck. Try not to end up in a wheelchair.

Answer 3

I have degenerative disc disease and have had trouble with walking, sitting, lying down, breathing, you name it it hurt! I now see a pain management specialist and I have had a series of operations which have severed the nerves in my spine removing the pain from the equation temporarily. I have to have the operations every 3-5 years (8 in total now over the last 5 years) but the pain goes away mostly for a couple of years.

keep on at your docs, they should be able to refer you to a pain management specialist for a consultation at the very least.

good luck!

Answer 4

I have 3 crushed disks, and have minimal tollerance for anything... I can't take long car rides, sit for more than ten minutes at a time, stand for more than a few minutes, bend, lift my legs to put my pants on, or even just sleep. I used to be a very active person, and now can barely keep up with my children.

Your options may be different from mine for treatments, and you should definately see your doc regularly.

Answer 5

i have the same problem L 4-5 S1
I couldn't do anything even cleaning my teeth was so painful, couldn't get out of bed, turn in bed
Try paracetamol and ibrufen together 2 of each
the only sort of relief I got was with voltral see your GP
good luck eventually after 6 years of pain and conterplating suicide and not being able to walk I was taken into hospital by ambulance and operated on
lumber laminectomy
believe it ot not pregnancy also helped !

Answer 6

i have degenerative disk disease, in all of my c-spine. i'm in pain 95% of the time. i've done PT and epidural injections, with some good results. good posture and a feather pillow at night helps me. you just learn to deal with it.

Answer 7

sure do!!!! sitting on the computer for any amount of time is a killer;i find walking everyday eases the pain a bit,and good old ibuprofen!! good luck