nurkvinny Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Have any of you recovered from a herniated disc without surgery? I'm about 5 weeks into having serious pain. Had annoying pain for a few months. MRI shows a pretty hefty herniation. Physical therapy starts this week along with an epidural steroid injection. My gut tells me this is going to end in surgery. I'm sure some of you have been down this same path. What helped in your cases? Time, pills, stretches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 I herniated 2, never got treatment, no therapy or nothing. Just really watch what I do and don't do anything dumb. Every day I make sure to stretch my back out before work and doing anything. I know what motions make it worse. My pain lasted 4-6 months and I still move just slightly the wrong way and feel the pain. I've heard good and bad about surgery. Some say it works, others say it was the worst decision of their lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) This july will mark the 21st year post-broken back. I cracked 2 vertibre and blew L5S1 out to a 13mm displacement. Had a laminectomy done in 1994 and was fine with in the first three months. Doctor told me that if I was safe and didn't fuck around and cause an injury to it in the following 5 years I would heal just fine. Did that and have been great since. To this day I won't "workout" with heavy heavy weights, nothing over my head lifting for sure and no golf and unfortunately 1994 ended my martial arts training. 12+ yrs of enjoyment and fun and it ended in a moment. I've had two MRI's since, latest one about 10yrs ago thinking I reinjured it but it was simply a tweak from trying to lift too heavy of a box on my own. Now I'm just careful. What happens is scar tissue forms and when by tweak I mean the scar tissue rubbed or inflamed the surrounding area. 1 week of rest and I was fine. Not a day goes by that I'm not mindful of the injury though. Good luck man. I'm in my mid 40's now and if that had happened now I'm not so sure I'd heal as easily. I've been taking the OTC Sam-e daily for about 10 years. 1000% improvement on flexibility and reduction of any stiffness in the morning. I won't likely ever stop it. $1/day for 100% relief from anything and its worth it. Look into it. My surgery and treatment is through Neurological Associates on Ackerman Road. Great docs. Dr. Sigurdur Stephensen did the surgery and Dr. Burkhart Is who treated me on follow ups. I send Stephensen a Christmas card every year. He literally saved me from being in wheelchair after my accident. Edit: Haha! I found my notes and bills, etc. that I have scanned. My journal for the first three months was an interesting read. Took my about 1 month to be able to stand with no pain or numbness in my leg. Edited March 14, 2015 by TTQ B4U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 My roommate here in ND herniated his L5S1 disc. It's out by 8mm. He's been in serious pain since November and just keeps eating pain pills because his wife doesn't want him to have surgery because it would put him out of work for 6-8 weeks and her spending habits won't allow for that. So he's just going to suffer and in the mean time become a pill popping addict but as long as his wife can continue purchasing 2000k cats it's all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 My roommate here in ND herniated his L5S1 disc. It's out by 8mm. He's been in serious pain since November and just keeps eating pain pills because his wife doesn't want him to have surgery because it would put him out of work for 6-8 weeks and her spending habits won't allow for that. So he's just going to suffer and in the mean time become a pill popping addict but as long as his wife can continue purchasing 2000k cats it's all good. What a fucking cunt. My best friend had a serious back issue caused by HS/NCAA football. Scrip for percocet turned into trading percs for oxycontin, turned into heroin when he couldn't afford oxy. I recognized the signs and confronted him, he cut all ties with me for about 3 weeks when he and I went to a movie, then he committed himself to rehab. He's been clean almost 6 years now but has to stretch and be careful every day. Never had surgery. Don't do the pills. Even if you can control yourself, it makes you a target to anyone who knows your condition. Avoid painkillers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 What a fucking cunt. My best friend had a serious back issue caused by HS/NCAA football. Scrip for percocet turned into trading percs for oxycontin, turned into heroin when he couldn't afford oxy. I recognized the signs and confronted him, he cut all ties with me for about 3 weeks when he and I went to a movie, then he committed himself to rehab. He's been clean almost 6 years now but has to stretch and be careful every day. Never had surgery. Don't do the pills. Even if you can control yourself, it makes you a target to anyone who knows your condition. Avoid painkillers. My roommate is going to a Pain Management Specialist on Moday. And you're right about his wife being a cunt. Ever since his injury in November she has bought a 2500 Doberman, 2000. For some hairless cat, and another 1500 for another hairless cat from the Ukraine. He bought a Kimber last week with his tax money and he's scared to tell her he bought it??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 My roommate here in ND herniated his L5S1 disc. It's out by 8mm. He's been in serious pain since November and just keeps eating pain pills because his wife doesn't want him to have surgery because it would put him out of work for 6-8 weeks and her spending habits won't allow for that. So he's just going to suffer and in the mean time become a pill popping addict but as long as his wife can continue purchasing 2000k cats it's all good. her kitty better be hairless and smooth as silk. even then the pain of banging it still wouldn't be worth it. he needs to play his man-card and tell her to stfu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 her kitty better be hairless and smooth as silk. even then the pain of banging it still wouldn't be worth it. he needs to play his man-card and tell her to stfu. I've known him for I've 25 years and have told him multiple times to get rid of that fucking bitch. He's old school and believes in marriage working so he will just stay the fool for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Herniated t7-t8 vertebrae. happened years ago. Best pain management I found was working out. Paid special attention to my back building the back muscle surrounding it. Noworries I can get by on Aleve. Was on Oxycodone 10mg for a short time, then downgraded to vicodin, then tramadol, now aleve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Been thru the lesser pain killers, started narcotic grade stuff today. No desire to eat these pills for any length of time. Scheduled for epidural steroids this week. Kind of worried about those to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Herniated t7-t8 vertebrae. happened years ago. Best pain management I found was working out. Paid special attention to my back building the back muscle surrounding it. Noworries I can get by on Aleve. Was on Oxycodone 10mg for a short time, then downgraded to vicodin, then tramadol, now aleve. this x1,000,000 the rather unfortunate truth is that surgery related to back pain often does not relieve the pain/discomfort or even get the patient to an acceptable pain level. Additionally patients who've had more than one surgery to treat chronic back pain have abysmal success rates. Often times the hardest thing for people to do is make a lifestyle change in relation to their medical condition. In an effort to avoid changing their lifestyle i feel some people turn towards surgery & chronic narcotic pain rx use. Patients are often required to try physical therapy prior to surgery but often times they don't actually put forth appropriate effort nor do they continue the strengthening once discharge from PT. I'm not trying to knock anyone who has had back sx and each case & patients' circumstances are unique. That being said I would recommend a strong and consistent attempt at strengthening the back muscles & cutting weight before jumping into other options....it could be something remedied by simple prone exercises a few times a week. Edited March 15, 2015 by Sturg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattKatz Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I had three back surgeries in 2014 for a herniated and reherniated disc and I still today 8 months later have pain and numbness in my back and mainly right leg. I take pain meds regularly and I recently have started on a diet to try to lose 50 pounds or so before I decide if I will have a multi level fusion done or not. I'm not wanting anymore surgeries , so I'm gonna try whatever I can prior to any further surgeries as they have no gaurantee to help and could make things worse in rare cases. Back surgery of any kind is no joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Been thru the lesser pain killers, started narcotic grade stuff today. No desire to eat these pills for any length of time. Scheduled for epidural steroids this week. Kind of worried about those to be honest. My roommate had two of the shots and it gave him no relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Been thru the lesser pain killers, started narcotic grade stuff today. No desire to eat these pills for any length of time. Scheduled for epidural steroids this week. Kind of worried about those to be honest. Go see the docs I listed. Seriously. PM Me when you do. We can meet for lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattKatz Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 My roommate had two of the shots and it gave him no relief. I too Had these Shots and got zero relief pre surgery. And they weren't cheap either, I think it was like $1600 out of pocket for me since my deductible wasn't met at the time yet. the rather unfortunate truth is that surgery related to back pain often does not relieve the pain/discomfort or even get the patient to an acceptable pain level. Additionally patients who've had more than one surgery to treat chronic back pain have abysmal success rates. Often times the hardest thing for people to do is make a lifestyle change in relation to their medical condition. In an effort to avoid changing their lifestyle i feel some people turn towards surgery & chronic narcotic pain rx use. Patients are often required to try physical therapy prior to surgery but often times they don't actually put forth appropriate effort nor do they continue the strengthening once discharge from PT. I'm not trying to knock anyone who has had back sx and each case & patients' circumstances are unique. That being said I would recommend a strong and consistent attempt at strengthening the back muscles & cutting weight before jumping into other options....it could be something remedied by simple prone exercises a few times a week.I agree almost completely with all of this. I am guilty myself of not following my PT outside of my PT when I get them. I have however taken the path to try to lose weight to get some of the stress off of my back. I was up to 280 pounds and I vowed to get to 225. I am currently about 256 after about 2 months of eating better. What sucks is I love food, so that is the biggest struggle I will have with achieving my goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Where is the pain? In your back or down your leg? In your back---avoid surgery Down your leg---surgery WILL fix it. See my boy Derek snook. He's the only guy in that city besides rob gewirtz that I would let touch my back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKilbourne Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Where is the pain? In your back or down your leg? In your back---avoid surgery Down your leg---surgery WILL fix it. See my boy Derek snook. He's the only guy in that city besides rob gewirtz that I would let touch my back Why would anyone listen to an orthopaedic surgeon? :gabe: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Where is the pain? In your back or down your leg? In your back---avoid surgery Down your leg---surgery WILL fix it. See my boy Derek snook. He's the only guy in that city besides rob gewirtz that I would let touch my back Right butt, down right leg. Bottom of foot numb. Outside of calf numb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattKatz Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I had surgery and I still Have Nerve pain down my right leg....I have went from 14cm of disk space to just under 3mm in one year when you look at MRI's of my Spine....I am a rare occurrence according to my surgeon and a very tough case because of my issues. I wish no one on earth to deal with nerve pain....It sucks and is very hard to control pain on, especially if you're like myself and very resistant to most drug effects. I have good days, Bad days and Horrible days. The last year has really changed what I can do in my life but I am slowly learning different ways to do things and how to also deal with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPFSTheFett Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I've dealt with a L5S1 herniated disc for 8 years now. This last flare up has lasted 14 months and nothing seems to work. Steroid shots, physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractor, rest, losing weight, pills the doctors prescribe,etc... Best thing I've found is to use an elliptical machine for 20-30 minutes a day. Even if it's a bad day on pain, it really loosens it up. I feel what your going through. I won't do surgery. Odds aren't good enough. Guy I know had an almost identical Mri to myself had surgery. Fixed the nerve pain, but now has back pain. He said all ther steriod injections caused scar tissue that complicated the surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nurkvinny Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 CR is getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 If you end up shiting or pissing yourself it's normal so don't worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dammit Charlie Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 What a fucking cunt. This. Any person willing to put another through that kind of pain for a material object is a worthless piece of shit. I hope that dude nuts up, gets his back fixed and plows every other piece of ass out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsm_sleeper Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Maybe try acupuncture. From WebMD: Another nonsurgical treatment option is acupuncture. It's not clear how acupuncture works, but some patients get significant relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Maybe try acupuncture. Dry needling is taking off here in the western US. It's not like really acupuncture but they do use the same needles. The idea of dry needling is use a very thin monofilament needle to go in to a trigger point (or a painful muscle knot), cause a local contraction over a few seconds and the the muscle "resets" and relaxes. It's not at all painful just potentially cramping while that muscle gets stimulated. It's like a massage from the inside but instead of trying to break up that muscle knot with pressure going through all the tissue above the knot, dry needling hits the knot directly. My wife got trained on it as required by the PT outfit she got her job after we moved out here. She's done it on me and probably over 100 of her patients in the past 3.5 months. None of her patients were worse afterwards, maybe 10% had no change and the rest had varied levels of improvement. When used in conjunction with physical therapy it get's the patient more functional in a shorter amount of time. Just another option to look into. http://www.kinetacore.com/physical-therapy/Overview-of-Dry-Needling-Functional-Dry-Needling-Courses/page150.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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