Herniated Disc!!

[psychotic1]

After dealing with what was thought to be a sciatic nerve issue for a couple months I finally got a MRI and was discovered to have a herniated disc. I am going to have to have surgery the Dr. says. I am 32yrs old and have never had any type of back injury or any other form of surgery in my life. I am kinda freaking out and would like some general input if any of you have went through this and what to expect. It really sux because I was just once again getting serious into lifting and focused. I had been lifting up until yesterday actually. Haven't talked to the Dr. about what to do and not do. Don't know if I will be able to "lift" light or a strictly "NO" lifting and for how long afterwards. Sorry for the long post but i'm sure there are guys been through this and would like some guidance and words of wisdom to keep me focused!!!

 

[Mrs P]

After dealing with what was thought to be a sciatic nerve issue for a couple months I finally got a MRI and was discovered to have a herniated disc. I am going to have to have surgery the Dr. says. I am 32yrs old and have never had any type of back injury or any other form of surgery in my life. I am kinda freaking out and would like some general input if any of you have went through this and what to expect. It really sux because I was just once again getting serious into lifting and focused. I had been lifting up until yesterday actually. Haven't talked to the Dr. about what to do and not do. Don't know if I will be able to "lift" light or a strictly "NO" lifting and for how long afterwards. Sorry for the long post but i'm sure there are guys been through this and would like some guidance and words of wisdom to keep me focused!!!

Welcome !

I'm kindda of going through the same thing myself, After going through severe pain last week in what I thought was a muscle spasm in my back or pulled muscle, 2 trips to the E.R and a ct scan later, I have two herniated disks (L5-S1 & L4-5)
After being on anti-inflamatory meds (Medrol) pain went away & I feel great,

Honestly not sure If I've had these disks herniated for a while & didn't know about it, It never bothered me when I lifted.

I haven't met with the specialist yet, But I've been doing research myself, & surgery is not always necessary.
You can get better with physical therapy.

Microdiscectomy Surgery is designed to take the pressure off the nerve root by removing the portion of the disc that is pressing on it, and to provide the nerve with a better healing environment.
I read the success rate is 95 %

Usually, only the small portion of the disc that is pushing against the nerve root needs to be excised, and the majority of the disc remains intact.
10% of patients will experience another disc herniation at the same location.
(within the first three months)a recurrence can be handled with another microsurgery
but if it keeps recurring multiple times, a fusion surgery to stop the motion at the disc level and remove all the disc material may be considered.


As far as lifting after surgery, consult with your doctor, excercise if the best method of strengthening your back.

I want to avoid surgery at all costs.

Good luck to you !

 

[Dreaded Pirate Roberts]

THey will heal if you give them time. I had 2 that healed 15 years ago. Don't let them cut you.

 

[psychotic1]

Well I have been on antiflamatory steroids for like 2 months now and not getting any better. Along with vicadin that I don't enjoy taking. I have started eating more and gotten off track already mentally. It's wierd I feel better when I am more active. When I am sitting still or not moving much is when I am in the most pain and then must lay down. I work in corrections so at work I am free to move about as need be to deal with the pain. Should I continue to do light lifting and light cardio up until surgery? I haven't got an appointment yet but I guess they will go over options with me? Trying to not it get me down and out!!!

 

[psychotic1]

Did 30 minutes of light cardio on treadmill today and then did light back and bis workout. I feel better then if I was just sitting around doing nothing. When I sit around and then get up and start moving its at its worst.

 

[JohnnyVegas]

Several years I had horrible pain for no reason. Apparently this injuries can exist for years before having symptoms. Found out I had an extruded disc and a couple were bulging. I didn't want surgery, so I went with spinal decompression therapy. The doc said my injury was serious, and they couldn't make any promises, but the pain was manageable after a few days, and I was mobil and functional after a week. After the full treatment I only started to feel pain if I over exerted myself. Unfortunately, it kept me out the gym until just recently.

Look into spinal decompression if you don't want surgery. It wasn't covered by insurance.

 

[psychotic1]

Yes I am leaning towards chiropractic stuff and physical therapy. Lately it has been tolerable. I have a consultation with surgeon next week. Appreciate all the input and advice.

 

[willypct40]

I had an l5-s1 herniation 5years ago. Thinking surgery was the
only fix, I went ahead an had a microdiskectomy. It took me about
3 years to recover.if I would of done my research,I would of not had
the surgery.let me tell you why:when they take the piece of disc that's
pinching the nerve,they can't close it back up,so the disc is left with a hole
increasing the chances for re-herniation.scar tissue will start to grow around the
nerve root causing alot of aches&discomfort. Which is what I've been goin thru since my surgery,dude I can go on and on with reasons why
you should avoid this surgery, but is better that you do your own research.(check out the
Pain forums like spinehealth.com).The newsurgeons are not gonna tell you the ugly side of microdiskectomy,because this surgery is their main source of income.
Do THE RESEARCh

 

[wannabe_big2]

Ouch! Me too

Just wanted to say I posted this same problem on the anabolic doctor forum awhile back I to flirted with the idea of surgery but after p.t got a little better each time still not 100 percent and I decided to see a surgeon he to said not to cut unless pain can't be controled or pressure on nerves is so bad you can lose bowel and or bladder function also I was not a candidate for spinal cortisone shots directly on the compressed areas. Hopefully you can recover with p.t and decompression takes time and everybodys different. By the way I have herniated disk at L4-L5,and L5-S1, and a bulge at L3-L4. Did all this from heavy squatting for 25 years. Was able to lift again for 2 years with some minor pain here and only to reinjure my back doing something else so you always have to watch what u r doing at all times. Hope this helps.

 

[arielbackpain]

Herniated Disc Pain Relief and Treatments Guide.

Herniated discs are a major cause of disability in people under 45.
I am one of those people.
For the past 3 years I suffer L5S1 disc hernia, the most common type of hernia.
But each case is slightly different and that makes it very difficult to treat.
In my case I also have hyperlordosis, scoliosis and spina bifida.
I have been trying countless treatments and supposed cures. I was often left in disappointment but fortunately found some sources of relief.
I'm not a doctor, just a student with lots of experience with a mother which is a doctor.
At this time, despite my efforts, I have reached a point where I need surgery.
But if I have had the experience and the knowledge I have now I could have avoided this complicated situation for sure.
That's why I made a PDF with my experience and everything I***8217;ve investigated and used to relieve my pain over the years.

I offer this guide for FREE to those who ask me by mail to this address.
dibujantesautocadrb@gmail.com

Since my insurance does not cover this type of operation I'm asking for help through the IndieGoGo platform. Through a donation you can get the PDF, ***8220;Herniated Disc Pain Relief and Treatments Guide***8221;. Through this platform I will also answer any questions you may have about the subject.

If you share this link, make a donation or just give it a like on facebook or tweeter you***8217;d be helping me greatly.
indiegogo.com/herniatesdiscrelief

There I explain who I am and where I come from, watch it if you can and share it if you like it.

 

[infection]

Hey, sorry to hear about your back. If you want, send me a PM with your location and I can give you a doctor referral if you would like. I had major spine surgery for severely bulging discs and some other stuff, and the surgeon I went to only believes in minimal non invasive techniques, avoiding putting in hardware, and he is the head of the orthopedic society of america and stuff.

I couldn't be happier.

 

[dar423]

I have a herniated L-3 and L-4 (lower back) I thought surgery was my only hope but after a series of 6 steroid injections between the disc and tons of stretching and physio, I managed to stay off the cutting table lol! Go slow at it and you will recover it took me over a year.......surgery should be your last resort 60 % recovery rate after surgery is not comforting odds.......Now when I tweek my back I take 3 400mg Ibuprofen gel tabs right away to reduce the swelling and I am good..............this is an old thread but just incase someone needs this info

After dealing with what was thought to be a sciatic nerve issue for a couple months I finally got a MRI and was discovered to have a herniated disc. I am going to have to have surgery the Dr. says. I am 32yrs old and have never had any type of back injury or any other form of surgery in my life. I am kinda freaking out and would like some general input if any of you have went through this and what to expect. It really sux because I was just once again getting serious into lifting and focused. I had been lifting up until yesterday actually. Haven't talked to the Dr. about what to do and not do. Don't know if I will be able to "lift" light or a strictly "NO" lifting and for how long afterwards. Sorry for the long post but i'm sure there are guys been through this and would like some guidance and words of wisdom to keep me focused!!!

 

[49ER]

Im wondering if thats what I have going on in my lower back I got hurt in Dec and still havent made a full recovery. Can anybody with herniated discs still do squats or is it best not too?

 

[dar423]

Gezzzz man you have to completely rest your back completely...........you have to let your back settle, the pain occurs when the swelling of the disc doesn't allow the spinal cord to slide freely inside of the vertebra..............ibuprofen works the best for me to reduce the swelling and let the healing begin, but without rest it won't heal..........I know its a bummer but its the only way...........the only way to really diagnosis a herniated disc is an MRI....... but they make you jump through all the hoops, x-ray (useless) ultrasound (useless) CT (a bit better) MRI ( what you need) hope this helps good luck

 

[hippiez]

Listen these guys love to cut, my father did it and Im not sure it was for the best. Think and Rethink!