370nel Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Ive sufferd all my life with sciatica, been to all the Chiorpractors under the sun and the ONE thing that has helped me more than anything is a very simple Seat wedge, just lifts my arse so its level with my knees when driving. Good luck with the scan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown7758 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 the scan for me was fine, i got brought back from Afghan and was in the Q E hospital in Birmingham, they gave me huge noise cancelling headphones with some funky tunes playing through them.. 4 month on and a seriously worn disc in my lower spine (3rd from bottom) im still in pain and the specialist said he would rather not operate as im still quite young(26) and a good Physio could be a better option.. Physio is the best thing for it (if its an option) good luck and i really hope it gets sorted soon. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lincolnbaggie Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Scan done this afternoon No gown required, just had to empty my pockets and remove belt, so kept my ar*e concealed. Headphones with radio to help pass the time, so spent 15 minutes listening to Lincs FM arguing about parking charges in Scunny Hospital, when I'd just bought a ticket Weird experience - the noises and odd movements of the machine appeared completely random, but found it quite relaxing overall. Two weeks max till the results are with my GP so will report back. (and the nurse was quite cute as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky370z Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 i have had a full body MRI and numerous CT scans. its not that pleasent but for a 20min procedure it really does tell the doctors alot. glad you got it done through your GP. mine basically told me that i wouldnt get referred because it cost so much. turns out i had a broken back due to cancer in the spine. needless to say i am changing practice. hope the results come back OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 (and the nurse was quite cute as well) Remember, you have got a bad back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 (and the nurse was quite cute as well) Remember, you have got a bad back Could be related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choptop Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Hi, Hope your results come back with a solution in mind to your back problem. Just thought I would explain the difference between a CAT Scan and an MRI. A CAT Scan uses x-rays to produce quite a high resolution image of what is being scanned. Cheaper to run than an MRI Scanner and is older technology. Good points: A lot quicker and not quite so enclosed, a big plus if you hate enclosed spaces. Bad Points: Radiation does nothing for your health. Ask the people around Sendai in Japan on that one. Living around there for 1 year is equivalent to having a CT Scan. Also, the quality of image of the soft tissue not as good as an MRI. An MRI Scanner uses a different technology (Magnetic Resonance) to jiggle about the cells in your body around a huge magnet to produce an image. Good points: No known danger to your health. Better/High quality image on what is being scanned. Bad Points: You are put in a enclosed space (not good for clostrophobia) and costs more to run (only bad for Health Authority's Budget). Here endeth the lesson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lincolnbaggie Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 Well, the results are back Basically, I've got three degenerated discs in my lower back with annular bulges (L4-L5, L3-L4 and L5-S1) with narrowing of the nerve channel and compression of the root nerve on L5-S1 (which is what is causing the sciatica). No surgical intervention recommended (unless I insist on it, which I'm not) and physio is the recommended root with neural blokers if the nerve compression gets much worse. Arthritis is almost guaranteed at some point On the plus side, no need to change my lifestyle About what I expected really. Time to buy some cod liver oil................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Glad its nothing you werent expecting matey. Plety of cod liver oil and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 (L4-L5, L3-L4 and L5-S1) with narrowing of the nerve channel and compression of the root nerve Live with it you wuss I now all about L4-L5 and narrowing of the nerve channel and compression of the root nerve. At least you know now and can take care of it. Also, always carry your pills with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 From being a rugby player, I too suffer a bad back. The physio will prob start with gentle massages to loosen the muscles in your back after that no doubt give you weight resisting stretches and possibly some light weight excercises to build your back up. Get youself a rock solid bed and do plenty of excercise........ I found the more I rested it the worse it got and felt like it kept seizing up on me. Keep active ( OH and pop the pills ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Ditto that with the hard bed. It works wonders for my back, I've slept on the floor before now in hotels when the bed has been to soft as it brings on the sciatica if I don't Mind you rugby tours have seen me sleeping on the floor for other reasons From being a rugby player, I too suffer a bad back. The physio will prob start with gentle massages to loosen the muscles in your back after that no doubt give you weight resisting stretches and possibly some light weight excercises to build your back up. Get youself a rock solid bed and do plenty of excercise........ I found the more I rested it the worse it got and felt like it kept seizing up on me. Keep active ( OH and pop the pills ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I have woken up on the floor a few times. I go to see a mate who is a Chiropractor and he is amazing. He has pretty well taught me how to manage the problems i have and has helped a lot. Highly recommended if you can get a good one. Rugby and anchor handling dont mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choptop Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Glad you have the results. Cod liver oil and regular massage will certainly help. Long term pain relief may be a way forward for you but only go down this road when it gets really bad. No heavy lifting either. Take it easy matey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 is there lesser amounts of arthritis in the future if you have the op now. Old boss had the op and his back was loads better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choptop Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 is there lesser amounts of arthritis in the future if you have the op now. Old boss had the op and his back was loads better. There is a large risk with backs of the operation not going well. If they advise against it then do not do it. If you think it will help, make sure you get a Neuro Surgeon to do the op. They are much better as sorting out nerve damage than an Orthopaedic Surgeon ever will be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 is there lesser amounts of arthritis in the future if you have the op now. Old boss had the op and his back was loads better. My consultant told me artritis is just an age thing with joints wearing out. 5 years ago Liam (some of you have met the nutter) had 'reactive arthritis' which is a different thing. (the arthritis bit is used as an explanation of the condition) He was in a wheel chair for 10 weeks and was fine 18 months after. If you still have your mobility they don't like to operate, as pain can be managed with drugs, physio, change of life style etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Glad you got the results, first stage is always finding out the problem so at least it can be addressed. Hope this is the start of the road to recovery for you as you seemed in a lot of pain up in Wales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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