Hello all,


Apologies in advance for any misused/incorrect terminology. I'm just a sufferer.

I turned 22 in June but have been suffering from a disc prolapse which is causing Sciatica. I'm 6'2 and I weigh about 12 stones, I used to play a lot of football and frequent the gym, but not anymore.

This all happened in December 2009 and has been causing me problems everyday since. I had an Wikipedia reference-linkMRI in April 2010 and the report I have typed out below...

Quote Originally Posted by Radiologist
Saggital scans from T11 - S2. Conus terminates at L1. Normal appearance of the visualised spinal cord. There is loss of normal lumbar lordosis. There is a right foraminal stenosis due to a broad based disc protrusion with right lateral component at... (Radiologist seems to have missed out where exactly this is on report).

Axial images


At L3/4 there is a diffuse disc bulge which is indenting the thecal sac but not causing any nerve root compression.


At L4/5 there is broad based disc bulge which is indenting the thecal sac. There is no nerve root compression demonstrated.
No spinal canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis at this level.


At L5/S1 there is a left paracentral disc protrusion and a left lateral component. This is causing compression of both the lateral recesses more so on the left side, affecting the transmitting S1 nerve roots bilaterally. This is also causing foraminal stenosis on the left with compression of the exiting left L5 nerve root. This is also causing about 50% spinal canal stenosis at this level.



Conclusion:

Broad based disc bulge with a left paracentral protrusion and a left lateral component at L5/S1 which is causing compression of both the S1 nerve roots and the left L5 nerve root.


There was an Addendum...


1) L5/S1 disc protrusion compressing both S1 and left L5 nerve root.
2) Left L5/S1 foraminal stenosis.

I'm having problems sitting, standing, walking etc. I have seen a musculoskeletal specialist who attempted manipulation but that was to no avail. I've also seen an Osteopath who thought I could do exercises to help the mobility and stengthen the area which I tried for a few months and then had to stop as the pain suddenly increased. I've also tried many alternative forms of therapy before I had my MRI and that also didn't work.


I can't quite put my finger on how this has happened but nevertheless I've been trying to live through it. Initially I carried on as normal, walking, driving, sitting, standing, jogging, running but then it got excruciatingly bad and have since dropped everything

I have been on a range of medication, some of them I still take, NSAID's - first started on Naproxen, then Diclofenac. Dihydrocodeine and Diazepam were also added. Amytriptyline and Gabepentin have been added recently and I've been told to take Paracetamol to help manage the pain too.

A few weeks ago the pain reached new heights, every position including laying flat caused pain, I took a trip to the hospital and was given morphine which helped. They since added Targinact Oxycodone/Naloxone - this works wonders for pain but not so much for your head. So I only take this if I am kicking and screaming, lol.


I saw a neurosurgeon who hopes to try a nerve root block and if that doesn't work will try a discectomy.


My questions are:

Can anybody explain to me briefly my problems? The surgeon and his team I saw were most unhelpful and I got made to feel a nuisance if I'm honest, I feel as if I'm the boy who cried wolf everywhere I go.


Should pain meds alleviate all the pain? How can I best manage the pain? As the pain is always there even with the meds, I've tried my best to deal with it but I've reached a point where I cannot do anything as sitting longer than 5 minutes is almost impossible.


Are there any specific exercises I can do to assist my recovery?


Nerve root block, is this a temporary measure?


Discectomy - what are the risks? and what other options do I have?



Any help or advice is greatly appreciated as I am ready to tear my hair out.


Thanks.

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