MRI of spine on 16th May

[countrygirl]

I have a long history of spinal problems with discs and my last lumbar mri was 4 years ago showing 3 hernaited discs.
6 weeks ago my lower back siezed up twice in 2 weeks and since then I have had awful stabbing pain in same place just to left of my spine with sciatic type pain down buttock and left leg and ice cold prickling sensations.
I saw my Gp last week and he has arranged another scan to see if a disc has collapsed. If it has then I will be sent to spinal surgeon for opinion - if nothing has changed then its pain relief. Normal painkillers do nothing. GP is offering either amiltriptyline or gabapentin, both serious drugs with side effects.

So I am struggling with the pain and almost housebound. I am worried that the scan will show something nasty like a cyst/growth.
I am worried that one of my discs has got alot worse and I may need surgery.
I am worried that nothing has got worse and then its down to pain clinic and drugs.

In the past my severe back pain has improved hugely after 3-4 weeks and then its just its usual slightly dodgy self but this is the first time I have had such severe pain for so long that I cannot function.

[Holds1325]

I'm sorry you're experiencing pain like that. I've known people with similar back problems and it all ends up with replacing the disc in the spine. I am sort of surprised that your GP has not suggested this as something that needs to be done because it seems inevitable. Perhaps your next visit you can explain that you do not want to go with painkillers since they do not help much and that you would go with something more permanent such as a Lumbar Disc Replacement which would probably clear that all up. Although I'm not sure that this is available outside the U.S.

Have you undergone a Lumbar Spinal Fusion? or is that the next step?

[countrygirl]

I am even scared to take the painkillers so up till now I would have run a mile from surgery.
The trouble is I have alot of damaged discs plus I have a totally collapsed one in my neck and this one then has the cascade effect of affecting the rest of your spine but neck surgery is so risky its not something they do unless they have to.
Once I have had the mri results then I could get a referral to a spinal surgeon to see if thats an option or not.
The thought is terrifying:scared15:

[Holds1325]

Some people that I have talked to after surgery told me, why didnt I do this sooner?! Its so much better now.

However that is an option that should of course be discussed with your GP and Spinal specialist.

Either way I do hope it gets better for you!