u/scottymoos

28 Male, Have had trouble with a bulged L5-S1 for nearly 2 years now. At first it was bad back pain and a bit of sciatic pain down the left leg, mri confirmed disc bulge. A few physio appointments and I was pretty sweet for a bit until around 8 months ago I started to get a bit of sciatic pain down the right leg and it gradually got worse. It has gotten to the point I can hardly walk until the drugs kick in or I can get moving enough to keep the pain down (movement is a massive help)

I’ve spent thousands now with Doctors, chiro’s, physio’s, MRI’s, I’ve had a steroid injection. Nothing is working. I do think lately I’ve had some slight improvement but I’m also eating a shit load of pain killers which I hate the idea of. I have seen a neurosurgeon early this year and he put me on the public waiting list for a microdiscectomy. They rang the other day to say we can get you in in about a fortnight. I told them I had a new physio and I would defer for 3 months and go from there. When the next time slot comes I have to give a yes or no answer.

Everyone is telling me to keep doing physio and avoid surgery. I agree, I don’t want back surgery at 28 years old. But it’s been 8 months of debilitating pain. I haven’t had a full nights sleep in months. I’ve lost most forward movement in my right leg. I can’t do half of the things I used to. I fear I won’t be able to pass a medical for my work when it’s due. I am laying in bed now knowing I’ll wake up around midnight and toss and turn in pain till my alarm goes off 5 hours later.

Basically what I’m asking from those in this position, do I stick out the physio? Is the surgery too risky? Is the likelihood of future problems too high especially for someone my age?

One side of me says to keep doing my exercises and see how it goes
The other side says I’ve done everything I can so far with virtually no improvement, what have I got to lose if I’m already fucked?