Herniated disc c6 c7 and pressing against nerve root

Gabapentin might help with the nerve pain. I take it for that and it does help me. I have non-disc things that push on those nerve roots and C5, too. Mine's chronic and been with me a while, which I certainly hope yours won't be! But I can tell you that even with chronic pain, you can eventually work around it.

If they have water physio where you are, that was the absolute best for my neck/back (mine radiates to my shoulder blade area). It was just so much more comfortable than land lifting/exercises. Warm water is even better.

I have built up my strength enough by now that it really helped the daily pain level and I can do more, although there are a ton of movements that I can't do without causing pain. Be smart and learn what really doesn't work (and then don't do it with those body parts). Pushing through everything usually just backfires, so get used to that early on and you'll feel better. Physio should really help you know what is safe and not safe.

I do all sorts of things and have to avoid others. I do many isolation lifts instead of compound for the upper body, for instance, so that I can tailor the weight very specifically for the movement/muscles used. Then I also have stronger pain meds than you mention, and that does help a lot so that I can stay active and not totally miserable when the pain shoots up too high. There are extra rest days and the like, but you get used to it. But hopefully yours is very temporary and you won't have to get used to it!

ruelha wrote: »

Thank you all sooooo much for replying.

@Tfrasur, you mentioned losing 30 lbs. That sounds awesome. How did you manage that? Weights or cardio mostly? I feel really bad hearing about your nerve damage.

I lost 30 lbs by simply eating at a deficit, with some cardio and some lifting. I think I've only went over my calories a cpl times since I started in late November. I work at nite and stand and walk the whole time, so I generally get 12-15k steps in easily and sometimes more. Along with doing cardio about 25-35 min each day and some lifting Mon-Wed-Fri totally about 25 min. Nothing to crazy tho, my back is always thought of when doing anything like that. I wish I had my surgery sooner, as the epidurals, I had 3, worked for only about 2-4 weeks each. And another after surgery and since I've been great minus some permanent damage from waiting too long. But, with the weight loss, I notice the little annoying numbness feeling in my left leg an foot being much less. I am starting Insanity soon and hoping it to continue improving my fitness. My surgeon kept asking about my accident that cause the damage, lol. I never had anything for a reason, it just started to linger from low back to feeling it deep in my hip, to numbness down my leg with sharp piercing pain if I moved wrong or did anything sudden. Chiropractic care an epidurals felt great for a while, but wasn't long term for me at least. I'm able to play as much golf as I can and my back has been really solid since then, but I'm always mindful of it and stretch an take care of it as best I can, an now losing 30 lbs is even easier on it. Hope all goes well for you and always rest it when you feel the need.