debbieumphress

Deb I have a cysts on L1-L5 and it makes the discs bulge and push against my spinal cord so instead of surgery....if if's not broke, son't fix it......My pain management specialist gives me shots in there every 6 months and I don't hurt or anything. Been doing this 5 years. The swelling makes them bulge and hurt. The pain mgmt shots help. Ask a painmanagement specialist to be referred to you. Good luck. HUGS♥♥

Tink's Mom

I have been living with bulging and herniated discs in my neck and lower back for many years...I would only do surgury as a last step.
I keep it in check with therapy and chiropractor. But, I would suggest a second opinion before agreeing to the surgury.

sandyl

DH has had a Laminectomy Disectomy. Spinal stenosis with ruptured disc.L-4 & L-5 He got no relief from the shots or PT so surgery was his option. Had the pain in buttocks, down his legs,and couldn't walk without terrific pain. Had the surgery Feb. 1 by a spinal surgeon and feels great now. Surgery was his only option. He is frustrated now tho cause he feels he cannot lift as much as he wants to.

carhop

I have had a herniated disk sence 87 won't have surgery just don't lift heave things and won't take anti-inflamatory injections in spine. Have stenosisin lumbar artheritis in my neck and knees have the sinvist put in my knees about once a year streching is the best for it.

JulieR

Give it time. He is still healing from the surgery, it wasn't that long ago. I'm glad it went well for him!

nativetexan

No but i need one. i have them in my lower back and neck too and a fractured one at waist level.
good luck on your operation hon. my hubby had his back done in the 70's and did very well.

AFQSinc

I am so glad that you said this. I was too chicken and felt that my first response was too long! :) I went to a chiropractor first when the pain was really acute and I didn't know what it was and while I did get some relief in the very short term (like one day then the pain would be back) it was not a good idea. The one that I went to did not do an MRI, only an x-ray. Very dangerous. Because my discs were on the verge of rupturing there was a very high chance that the manipulations could have ruptured the discs.

I am not saying that a chiropractor can't help but I would just make sure that he is fully aware of your specific situation and I would ask for references from his prior patients that he or she has treated that has your same condition or similar.

Deb53

Thanks for all your responses. It has made me pause and think it through. I do not plan on going into surgery just yet. The neurosurgeon had me scheduled for 2 injections in my back (L5 area) and I've had P/T for while a few weeks - he extended the P/T twice. I'm a bit perturbed the P/T exercises were to stretch the periformus and hamstring plus strengthening the core. The pool (warm water) was great to work in but I don't know if it helped. The neurosurgeon said it was OK to go to a chiropractor too. I did go get slight adjustments (no big manipulations) and in a decompression table. I stopped going to him because I felt worse afterward. Don't know exactly which of these helped but my initial intense pain was relieved and replaced with leg tingles and numb back of thigh and foot. Now the thigh has minimum numbness but the poor foot gets the brunt of numb and pain. I'd guess that's progress. But I'm trying to manage these effects with how I sit and stand. When I do the pelvic tilt (tuck my tailbone under) it stops the leg tingles 50% of the time. I'm trying to put my foot up on a stool in the kitchen when I'm doing dishes and cooking. Have to figure out how to grocery shop and keep the symptoms away.
ANY ONE HAVE IDEAS other than those??
I'm thinking of getting a second opinion and maybe they'd have more exercise ideas. I'm gaining weight with such physical limitations. When I had my feet operated on years ago a few times that stopped my activities too. I hate to keep putting my family through this too. I have very young grandchildren.
Well I thought you'd understand also. I want to help the kids but can't very much. But I sew and they are always asking me to do something for them - which I can! !

tolepainter54

Have you tried the series of 3 epidurals. I have herniated discs in my neck and I don't want to have surgery unless I absolutely have to. I have had 2 epidurals and am pretty much pain free. The first one brought a lot of relief and the second 1 a month later has made me almost pain free. I can have one more within 12 months but I'm going to wait and see if I really need it. Whatever you decide I hope it works for you.

Tink74

I am confused here...what did you think they would do? I am asking nicely and please don't read it as snotty.

Your periformus, if tight, wil compress the nerve bundles and be part of the cause of your foot numbness and tingling.

Over 60% of back pain in simply caused by tight hamstrings...stretch those and pain and numbness will be better.

And your core...when your core is weak, your back is left unprotected. Stronger core will = stronger back and less pain and numbness.

If this all doesn't work, along with the injections and chiropractor, then think surgery. The best advice that I ever got about surgery was...the scar tissue could make all your symptoms worse!! Try the above for a year 100% and then decide. You are in control...surgery should never be your first choice =D