Herniated disc in my lower back..

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Who's had one, and what did you do to fix it?

I see a specialist next Friday. Just curious.

[Pro88LX]

Doug, that sucks man

you need to raid the medicine cabinet at work!!! LMAO

[ram57ta]

Vicodin, hydrocodone, whisky...in any order

Oh yeah...DANG

[slow99]

Fuck. I feel for you. I ruptured L4 and let it go for over a year until I couldn't walk, stand, sit, anything. I can comfortably say it was the lowest time of my life. I eventually had surgery and it was the best thing I ever did. Been 13 years and still ok. I just have to be cognizant of what I'm doing. Best of luck, it can be truly devastating.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Yes the pain sucks. My right leg is killing me. Its been about two months that it has been bothering me.

[KungFuHamster]

Call my wife on Monday morning. 817-348-8488 @ Path to Wellness. Dr. Cochran is her name.

[LaserSVT]

I have a couple bad discs. Been that way for over 15 years. They wanted to fuse my spine but I would rather deal with searing pain every couple years when I lift something wrong as opposed to a dull pain all the time.

Firm matresses are your friend.

[stephen4785]

I had one @ L5-S1. I had 5 different consultations. I ended going to Dr Guyer w/ Texas back institute and an artificial disc replacement. I had surgery on Oct 6 2007 and I was cleared to go back to work full duty 8 weeks later. I have days that my lower back hurts a little but nothing like it did before the surgery. The advantages I found were
#1. Speed of recovery is much faster than a fusion
#2. You retain the movement of the discs
#3. The artificial disc can be removed latter if needed(Movement ends up causing pain, something new comes out and is better than an adr)

[black50]

Originally Posted by stephen4785

I had one @ L5-S1. I had 5 different consultations. I ended going to Dr Guyer w/ Texas back institute and an artificial disc replacement. I had surgery on Oct 6 2007 and I was cleared to go back to work full duty 8 weeks later. I have days that my lower back hurts a little but nothing like it did before the surgery. The advantages I found were
#1. Speed of recovery is much faster than a fusion
#2. You retain the movement of the discs
#3. The artificial disc can be removed latter if needed(Movement ends up causing pain, something new comes out and is better than an adr)

This is the only surgical option I would go with. I had a L5-S1 8mm herniation, and siciata down my left leg. I met with a few surgeons and just didnt want them to cut me open. I have heard of too many horror stories of guys coming out of surgery worse than what they went in with..I kept hearing about the spinal decompression and I said what the hell, I will try some alternative medicine..The decompression worked fucking wonders..I still have lower back pain every now and then and if I pick up something wrong then I may have a little siciata for a couple days. But if you are having second thoughts about surgery then go in for the decompression.

Oh and another thing, once you have a lower back injury do not sleep on your stomach..It only makes it worse

[dmh165638]

I have had two (L4, L5) for about 12 years now. My doc told me if there was anyway around surgery he would suggest that route because back surgery is still a crap shoot. My best investment I ever made was an inversion table. I spend a few minutes in the morning and then again at night on it and haven't had any back issues in 3 years. If I do feel discomfort or flareup coming I just spend a little extra time on it and no issues. I have two co-workers that were so impressed with my results that they bought inversion tables also and they are now seeing similar results.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Originally Posted by LaserSVT

I have a couple bad discs. Been that way for over 15 years. They wanted to fuse my spine but I would rather deal with searing pain every couple years when I lift something wrong as opposed to a dull pain all the time.

Firm matresses are your friend.

Minor back from time to time, I can deal with. With this pinched nerve, my right leg is
In major pain. I can hardly walk without shooting pain. Plus, I don't want to suffer any
Permanent nerve damage.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Originally Posted by stephen4785

I had one @ L5-S1. I had 5 different consultations. I ended going to Dr Guyer w/ Texas back institute and an artificial disc replacement. I had surgery on Oct 6 2007 and I was cleared to go back to work full duty 8 weeks later. I have days that my lower back hurts a little but nothing like it did before the surgery. The advantages I found were
#1. Speed of recovery is much faster than a fusion
#2. You retain the movement of the discs
#3. The artificial disc can be removed latter if needed(Movement ends up causing pain, something new comes out and is better than an adr)

A coworker had an ADR. He is also pleased with the results.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Originally Posted by dmh165638

My best investment I ever made was an inversion table. I spend a few minutes in the morning and then again at night on it and haven't had any back issues in 3 years. If I do feel discomfort or flareup coming I just spend a little extra time on it and no issues.

This sounds like a good idea for future relief.

[Txstang1]

Originally Posted by slow99

Fuck. I feel for you. I ruptured L4 and let it go for over a year until I couldn't walk, stand, sit, anything. I can comfortably say it was the lowest time of my life. I eventually had surgery and it was the best thing I ever did. Been 13 years and still ok. I just have to be cognizant of what I'm doing. Best of luck, it can be truly devastating.

Similar story here, but 8 years and counting. Still hurts on a daily basis, but I can function.

Better get it taken care of before it ruptures. SPinal decompression is one of the best non-surgical treatments I have had.

[stephen4785]

Honestly if I had the money I would've tried spinal decompression first. I dont know if insurnace is covering it now or not but Andre(Strongnuff) was going to cut me a heck of deal on it. He and his wife own their own chiropractic clinic. I invested a lot of time and research to figure out which way to go. I tired phyiscal therapy, stretching, an epidural spinal injection(which gave me the worst head ache Iv had in my life for 3 days), pain meds and nothing helped.
Dr Guyer asked me this before I went into surgery "If this surgery would only alleviate 50% of your pain would you do it"? The statistics say that you have a higher chance of coming out with a 50% pain reduction. My pain level went down to around 5%.
Nick Chapman had another procedure where they implant a small device the sends electrical signals to the nerves in that area and interrupts the signals and he loves it.
My best advice is try some non permanent solutions first. An adr can be removed but you'll never have that disc material. I havent met one person or read any review of spinal decompression making it worse. Just give yourself some options to try before you finalize on a disc removal procedure.
I exhausted my alternatives and I was taking way too much vicodin so I pulled the trigger and Im glad I made the choice for an adr. I had severe mood swings on pain pills and I was taking it out on my pregnant wife which wasnt good. After my adr surgery I took pan pills for 2 weeks and then tried to give my dr back the bottle they gave me because I really didnt need it any more.
One tip I will give you and it was Nicks case is that if the pain is caused by stenosis(narrowing of the spinal canal) then nothing is going to help other than surgery.

[black50]

Originally Posted by stephen4785

Honestly if I had the money I would've tried spinal decompression first. I dont know if insurnace is covering it now or not but Andre(Strongnuff) was going to cut me a heck of deal on it. He and his wife own their own chiropractic clinic. I invested a lot of time and research to figure out which way to go. I tired phyiscal therapy, stretching, an epidural spinal injection(which gave me the worst head ache Iv had in my life for 3 days), pain meds and nothing helped.
Dr Guyer asked me this before I went into surgery "If this surgery would only alleviate 50% of your pain would you do it"? The statistics say that you have a higher chance of coming out with a 50% pain reduction. My pain level went down to around 5%.
Nick Chapman had another procedure where they implant a small device the sends electrical signals to the nerves in that area and interrupts the signals and he loves it.
My best advice is try some non permanent solutions first. An adr can be removed but you'll never have that disc material. I havent met one person or read any review of spinal decompression making it worse. Just give yourself some options to try before you finalize on a disc removal procedure.
I exhausted my alternatives and I was taking way too much vicodin so I pulled the trigger and Im glad I made the choice for an adr. I had severe mood swings on pain pills and I was taking it out on my pregnant wife which wasnt good. After my adr surgery I took pan pills for 2 weeks and then tried to give my dr back the bottle they gave me because I really didnt need it any more.
One tip I will give you and it was Nicks case is that if the pain is caused by stenosis(narrowing of the spinal canal) then nothing is going to help other than surgery.

about 60% of the cost of my decompression was covered by my insurance

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Thanks for the info guys. Will discus all these opptions with the Doc.

[black2002ls]

I was diagnosed with a herniated disc a few months ago. I went to spine team texas and they set me up with tramadol, and 6 weeks of physical therapy. One part of therapy was to be put in traction. This did me the most good. I was pain free for about a month and a half. Here in the last couple of days, it has come back. It is the same kind of pain. I get a pain in my right hip and it causes trouble walking at times, and I wince from the pain. I'm going to do some research on this spinal decompression

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

The pain in the right leg is what I am worried about the most. My toes are also going Slightly numb. My co~worker that had the adr had another surgery two years earlier. He Got some relief, but the pain returned. He just delt with it. To the point he lost feeling in Right leg and foot. After the ADR his back was great, just never got the feeling back in his leg. The damage was done.

[black2002ls]

I strongly recommend Spine Team Texas. Don't wait, get an appointment ASAP. They are a place where surgery is a last resort.

[Chas_svo]

Inversion table did nothing for me. Neither did 3 epidurals, so I had to have surgery. I would try decompression and inversion table, just in case.

[black2002ls]

For those with an inversion table, which table do you have? Are they all pretty much the same?

[shumpertdavid]

I have 3 bulging discs in my lower back, 2 in my mid back, and 2 or 3 minor bulging in my neck, pretty much deal with back and neck pain daily. Some days are pretty rough. I have an inversion table and it's pretty nice relief to use it. I did 24 treatments at the chiropractor; deep heat treatment, spinal decompression, and adjustments. This was over an 8-10 week time period. After the treatments I still had the same pain and problems (although it was nice while I was going), did not have insurance, and spent a little of 3 grand out of pocket. Sure am Glad my girlfriend at the time insisted I get my back checked and set up the wonderful consultation visit.

Best part of the whole deal was that my Brother in Law is a Radiology tech and the MRI was free.

[marcs95gt]

i had spinal decompression and it worked for me. Got it done at a board members chiro clinic. They did a great job on me and recommend them. I have a herniated Disc and had pain for several years untill i went to get treatment With Andre.

[black50]

Originally Posted by black2002ls

I was diagnosed with a herniated disc a few months ago. I went to spine team texas and they set me up with tramadol, and 6 weeks of physical therapy. One part of therapy was to be put in traction. This did me the most good. I was pain free for about a month and a half. Here in the last couple of days, it has come back. It is the same kind of pain. I get a pain in my right hip and it causes trouble walking at times, and I wince from the pain. I'm going to do some research on this spinal decompression

decompression is a modern day/advanced form of traction

[LS1Goat]

L5/S1 herniation right side lateral 10.1mm

PT helped improved range of motion and reduce symptoms of sciatica. Traction felt good, but relief is quite temporary.

Having Micro-endoscopic Discectomy performed next month. I'm tired of messing around with it. Conservative treatment is not going to yield desired results a 10mm herniation. And I finally found a way to admit that to myself.

Good luck to the OP. This particular back problem can really put limitations on your life, especially for those who continually symptomatic. Be aggressive at finding a good Dr./Physical Therapist and treatment plan. Whatever that may be for you.

[txstangnut]

I have disk problems also and use decompression and chiro. I chose not to have surgery and so far that was the right choice.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Originally Posted by txstangnut

I have disk problems also and use decompression and chiro. I chose not to have surgery and so far that was the right choice.

But are you having bad leg pain due to a pinched nerve?? Right now my back feels ok, its my freaking leg I can barely walk. Starting to sound like surgery will the best option. Will see what the doctor has to say.

[black2002ls]

Originally Posted by BlueCoupeRedVert

But are you having bad leg pain due to a pinched nerve?? Right now my back feels ok, its my freaking leg I can barely walk. Starting to sound like surgery will the best option. Will see what the doctor has to say.

This is the point that I got to before I finally went to the doc. So bad I could hardly roll over to get out of bed, at times the pain would be so bad and shoot down my leg it put me on my knees. After the prescribed cycle of prednisone, and the physical therapy, it has, for the most part been VERY helpful. I haven't been able to return to my old self, moving heavy boxes, and such, but what little pain I've had has been manageable with tramadol. I've relapsed a little bit, but I didn't do my stretches/exercises for a few weeks. Though like some have said, the severity of the herniation could play a large effect. I strongly recommend giving non invasive solutions a try first.

[slow99]

Originally Posted by BlueCoupeRedVert

But are you having bad leg pain due to a pinched nerve?? Right now my back feels ok, its my freaking leg I can barely walk. Starting to sound like surgery will the best option. Will see what the doctor has to say.

Exactly how I felt. My back never hurt, it was just everything from basically both ass cheeks and everything down. I let mine go too far, was a stupid 19-20 year old kid and didn't go see a dr. about it. I have urinary nerve damage (don't know for sure that's the technical term) but if I tweak my back it feels like someone is stabbing me in the bladder when I piss. When I finally checked in for surgery, they measured me at 5'10'' (I'm 6' 2'') just from the slouching, etc, trying my best to even stand up and walk around.

Now, my back - right where I had surgery - hurts only if I tweak it and do something stupid without thinking. I am back to benching/lifting heavy and this past Monday-Wednesday my back was cranked pretty bad. I think it's because I did weights followed by a pretty solid ab workout 2 days in a row. It seems the ab workouts hurt my back more than lifting pretty decent amounts of weights. I will say this, and others might certainly disagree, but for me finding a damned good neurosurgeon (not orthopedic surgeon) was the key.

[black2002ls]

Originally Posted by slow99

Exactly how I felt. My back never hurt, it was just everything from basically both ass cheeks and everything down. I let mine go too far, was a stupid 19-20 year old kid and didn't go see a dr. about it. I have urinary nerve damage (don't know for sure that's the technical term) but if I tweak my back it feels like someone is stabbing me in the bladder when I piss. When I finally checked in for surgery, they measured me at 5'10'' (I'm 6' 2'') just from the slouching, etc, trying my best to even stand up and walk around.

Now, my back - right where I had surgery - hurts only if I tweak it and do something stupid without thinking. I am back to benching/lifting heavy and this past Monday-Wednesday my back was cranked pretty bad. I think it's because I did weights followed by a pretty solid ab workout 2 days in a row. It seems the ab workouts hurt my back more than lifting pretty decent amounts of weights. I will say this, and others might certainly disagree, but for me finding a damned good neurosurgeon (not orthopedic surgeon) was the key.

what procedure did you have?

[slow99]

Originally Posted by black2002ls

what procedure did you have?

Discectomy. Best thing I ever did (but only b/c I let mine go so bad). The morning after my surgery I stood at the window in my hospital room and just looked out the window for 2 hours. I hadn't been able to stand in almost 2 years without the pain absolutely killing me. Looking back, I should have attacked the problem early and went through other options than surgery. I let it get so bad it was the only real option.

[black2002ls]

I'm hoping to find a solution that will allow me to return to a semi-normal life style. I can't move any heavy boxes at work, sometimes easy physical activites hurt, there are times it hurts to press the clutch on my truck.

[slow99]

Originally Posted by black2002ls

I'm hoping to find a solution that will allow me to return to a semi-normal life style. I can't move any heavy boxes at work, sometimes easy physical activites hurt, there are times it hurts to press the clutch on my truck.

Listen to others' advice about non-surgical options. Even though mine went extremely well, back surgery is still a crap-shoot. Mine was a ruptured L4...and I'm not joking at all when I say that time period (especially right before I got it fixed) was the lowest point in my life. I had a Dr. read an MRI and tell me there was nothing they could do for me, I had the back of an 85 year old, etc, and I'd just have to live with it. I was a 20 year old guy who couldn't walk, sit, stand, sleep, anything b/c of the pain. I gave up on everything for a while...it was an awful, awful fucking time of my life. I literally thank God every day for sending me a connection to the Dr. who fixed it.

[Chas_svo]

One more thing. If you opt for an epidural, take the juice. I tried my first without it, and drove myself there and back. Way more dangerous than driving at twice the legal limit. Also note that when Aetna approved this, they did not approve the anesthesia, so they tried to stick me for several hundred for shot 2 and 3.

One more vote for all non surgical first. Do the research.

[dmh165638]

I am not sure what model I have but I know it's about 10 years old. Bought it off Craigslist for $100. The more modern units are much more adjustable and comfortable. My boss also bought his off Craigslist. He went looking for a new one but they can run $300-400 for the nice ones. He spent $150 and got one of the newer units that go for $399 at Dick's Sporting Goods. His is almost identical to this:

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...uctId=11769673

Most people try them and give up immediately because they don't like or can't handle the head rush from being inverted. I admit I was one of those people. After a few weeks I started up again and just did very short lengths and built up my tolerance. I am doing about 10min twice a day now with no problems.

Originally Posted by black2002ls

For those with an inversion table, which table do you have? Are they all pretty much the same?

[Treadhead]

Another vote for ADR if it comes down to surgery. Like everyone else has said, try every non surgical procedure first. I had mine in 2005. I could tell as soon as I woke up from the surgery that my back was better.

This is what it looks like.

[black2002ls]

I'm going to look into an inversion table. I've been sleeping on my back with a pillow under my legs the last few nights and that has seemed to offer some progressive relief. Yesterday I still had the leg pain, today, its more of a lower back stiffness.

[txstangnut]

Originally Posted by Bluecouperedvert

But are you having bad leg pain due to a pinched nerve?? Right now my back feels ok, its my freaking leg I can barely walk. Starting to sound like surgery will the best option.

I did when I first started going to the Chiro. Remeber a good Chiro will tell u if he can not help you

[Rreemo]

Yes....Spine Team Texas....Dr. David Rothbart. 5-years fixed now. I saw a lot of Quacks before I found him.

[Special K]

I went to Rothbart too, its been almost 3 years. I had an obliterated disc and a herniated disc above it. The shattered disc had blown out into my spinal canal and I lost the feeling and vertical movement in my left leg and foot. Funny thing is that a blew off the back pain for a long time but started having the most severe pain in my left foot and realized that I had no feeling in my toes and up to my knee. Rothbart asked me to stand on my tip toes on the left at my first consult and nothing happened. After surgery I did not get back the sensation and still have some problems with my lower back, but still MUCH better than before. Best of luck.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Got a lot of rest this weekend, and Vicodin about an hour ago. So the pain is subsiding some. Just have a few more days of work then taking some time off for the holiday weekend. Can't wait to talk to the Doc about this crap.

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Originally Posted by Rreemo

Yes....Spine Team Texas....Dr. David Rothbart. 5-years fixed now. I saw a lot of Quacks before I found him.

Did you have a surgical procedure?

[STRONGNUFF]

Originally Posted by marcs95gt

i had spinal decompression and it worked for me. Got it done at a board members chiro clinic. They did a great job on me and recommend them. I have a herniated Disc and had pain for several years untill i went to get treatment With Andre.

Thank you sir, glad we could help !

[LS1Goat]

Originally Posted by 3.90x3.62

L5/S1 herniation right side lateral 10.1mm

PT helped improved range of motion and reduce symptoms of sciatica. Traction felt good, but relief is quite temporary.

Having Micro-endoscopic Discectomy performed next month. I'm tired of messing around with it. Conservative treatment is not going to yield desired results a 10mm herniation. And I finally found a way to admit that to myself.

Good luck to the OP. This particular back problem can really put limitations on your life, especially for those who continually symptomatic. Be aggressive at finding a good Dr./Physical Therapist and treatment plan. Whatever that may be for you.

My surgery is in 2 weeks. Going to be a bit more involved than I originally anticipated. Wish me luck. Not sitting up for 2 weeks is going to be interesting.

[Rreemo]

Originally Posted by BlueCoupeRedVert

Did you have a surgical procedure?

Yes, he did a Laparoscopic procedure on me...was in that morning and out by early afternoon. Noticed relief immediately too.

[Danny46]

This thread is FTW

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

Met with my doctor today going with the micro disection. Just going to cut it out! I will go in around early mornning. Should be home by 2pm. Can't wait lol

[BlueCoupeRedVert]

I had surgery yesterday. Everything went well. Feeling pretty good. My right leg no long hurts, what a relief!

[black2002ls]

So they just removed the disc entirely? I had a lady tell me it was the best thing she ever did. I would be interested to see how it affects your everyday movement and function