2 herniated disc with no relief. Advice Please!!

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ChasityLindsey
ChasityLindsey Posts: 36 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I hurt my back in the first week of June. An MRI confirmed that the L3 and L4 disc are ruptured. I have been trying everything for the last four months. I have done chiropractor, physical therapy, and massage. I went to my specialist last week and he said we would try one last thing before surgery, epidural steroid injection. So I got my first one on Thursday. As of today,Monday, the pain is a little better, but I still cant stand for over a minute without pain going all the way down my left leg. Has anyone else tried the injections and had success? Do the shots actually help heal the herniation, or will I just be prolonging surgery? I want to feel better. These last four months have been horrible. My deductible is met on my insurance and I would have time to heal from surgery before Christmas. I just don't know what to do. I don't want surgery but I don't want to waste my time on two more shots only to have to have it anyway. Any advice?

Replies

  • LunaHare
    LunaHare Posts: 30 Member
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    I'm sorry you are having problems with your back. I have had a lot of issue with my back and damaged disks. I am now 'stable' and doing well, but it can be a balancing act. I take maganese supplements and also tumeric which I think really helps. Also extra protein powder and for me, starflower oil helps me too.

    When mine has been bad a week of bed rest then genlte movement and physio were the only things that made a difference. Unfortunately it will take time to heal, so you will have to be patient, but once its healed you will have to put in effort to keep it that way. For me, 7 years of physio and now swimming 3 x per week have me sorted, for now!

    Good luck!
  • QueenofScott
    QueenofScott Posts: 305 Member
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    I'm so very sorry to hear of your problem! Six or seven years ago I had a herniated disk in the lower lumbar spine (can't remember if it was L4 or 5) with some nerve involvemnet on my right leg down to my toes. i was given pain mess, muscle relaxers, and ain't-inflammatories. I did PT for about three months and that took care of it. I did well until 2008 when another lower lumbar disc herniated almost completely out. This time the nerve pain was unbearable. For a week and half I did. Of sleep and was in constant ago y, despite being prescribed many different pain meds to try. Because the pain was so severe and debilitating, and the disc was almost all the way out of the spine, my orthopedist recommended surgery to remove it. A few days later I had the surgery and woke up pain free. It was wonderful and I was so glad I did it. The recovery process seemed a bit long, but it was well worth it.

    My Mom has suffered from severe back problems all her life (she had a spinal fusion at 12 years old, due to scoliosis). The doctor describes her back as "a mess". She has herniated discs, nine spurs. She is 70 and trying to avoid a major surgery. She has had the injection now twice. They did provide her some relief for a period of time. That being said, the steroid shots won't cure the problem....they will just (hopefully) provide some relief from the pain.

    I hope you are able to get some relief soon, one way or the other. Please feel free to add me as a friend, or message me, if I can help in any way.

    Tracy
  • charkane
    charkane Posts: 26 Member
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    sorry for your pain, it look me nearly a year to heal from a herniated disk in my neck/ upper back. The patch helped me immensely!! I also went thru having the shots..one is not going to do it. Give yourself some time and rest lots is all you can do. I also saw a chiropractor which helped but its not going to be a quick fix. Good luck to you and ask your doctor about the pain patch that you wear for 72 hours, it will help. Try other things before optioning for surgery, yor back will heal over time, just keep seeing chiropractor.
  • dcurzon
    dcurzon Posts: 653 Member
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    i did mine at the start of April. I stopped using a walking stick completely just a few weeks ago. Things that helped - ice packs. Early morning and late evening, ice pack in the lumbar region to help reduce inflammation.
    Valium was pretty good, but docs didnt keep me on that long.
    As soon as i was able, i got into the gym doing LIGHT weights, concentrating on form. Squats, bench press, back flyes. Also, lots of gentle stretching.
    Dont rush it, you did yours 3 months after me and i've only just started walking properly again, but still have lost a lot of movement of the left leg.
  • MrsNANSEE
    MrsNANSEE Posts: 42
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    Hi,i have 3 herniated discs.I totally understand your pain.I had my first lot of injections a few months ago.The pain has eased a little but im still in a lot of pain.Today i have had to have the same injections into one of my hip joints as a side effect from me walking and sleeping in awkward positions all the fluid has left my hip joints and they are quite inflamed.I am seeing the specialist again in a few weeks to see about more injections into my spine.Like i said they helped a little and i have been told you need more than one shot of them.
    My only advice is to keep moving,I know it hurts but try and do at least 5 minutes in the hour just walking around the house or the grounds.It only leads to problems when you stop moving altogether.I try and get out to walk just before i have my pain meds,that way i know there will be relief after my walk.I have loss of feeling in the saddle area and have been told it could be lost forever if the disc slips anymore.Luckily after the injections i have started to get feeling back so i know i am moving better etc.
    The injections haven't taken the pain away completely,but i have some relief. Stick with it,i know here in England they recommend we only have 3 lots of the steroids in a year and then if its not any better then go for the surgery. Good luck,i hope you feel better soon xxx
  • vendygirl
    vendygirl Posts: 718 Member
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    I had 3 herniated dics (all at once) and PT helped me the most.
    I would get a second opinion, if you haven't already. I know the pain sucks but having surgery doesn't guarantee that the pain will go away or help at all. Also stay away from Chiros. They tend to put a band aid on the problem not solve it (IMHO).

    I still have issues with my back but it comes down to you have to stretch and do exercises EVERYDAY. SOme days are better for me than others. I originally hurt my back in 2001. Quitting smoking and doing Yoga helped a LOT at first. I still do yoga and other exercises at this point.

    Might I suggest swimming. It is low impact and great for building the muscles. It has done wonders for most folks I know. I am not a big swimmer so I do other activities. My Dad swims 3-4 times a week and he BROKE his back back in 1978 so he is always having to manage his pain.

    You have to keep moving. I know it hurts but the less you move the more the muscles tighten up.

    I avoided the injections just because I hate large needles and didn't feel it would help me. I don't like to mask my pain. I also am avoiding surgery until I can't stand the pain anymore.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
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    My wife has had a few injections over the last few years. They seem to help for about a year.

    Currently we are waiting to see how the mediacal community reacts to the latest scare with Meningitis related to the injections.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/03/health/meningitis-cases-are-linked-to-steroid-injections.html?_r=0

    Ask your doctor about the source of the medication before booking the procedure if you decide to have the injections.
  • MrsNANSEE
    MrsNANSEE Posts: 42
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    My wife has had a few injections over the last few years. They seem to help for about a year.

    Currently we are waiting to see how the mediacal community reacts to the latest scare with Meningitis related to the injections.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/03/health/meningitis-cases-are-linked-to-steroid-injections.html?_r=0

    Ask your doctor about the source of the medication before booking the procedure if you decide to have the injections.



    OMG!!! i had no idea about the meningitis thing.! Glad i am seeing my specialist soon!! I read that swimming helps to.I have hyper mobility so cant swim too long as i am extremely flexible (or was) in my spine.I have actually been helped out of a swimming pool by an elderly lady,as everything had locked up and i couldnt moveLOL!

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