Back pain woes

[riverbasser]

Looking for advice or experiances from those who have suffered with lower back issues. Based on an Xray I was told I have a herniated/bulging disc. Cant confirm which one without MRI. After talking with the doc the options are physical therapy which will only train me how to live with the issue. Epidural shot which should ease pain but is temporary, or surgery discectomy.

 

I'm 28 with alot of working years ahead of me. Be grateful to hear some of yall experiance's and what you've went through good and bad.

[haggard]

Just don't do anything to aggravate it (heavy lifting, twisting, straining). My doc says sometimes they just heal themselves after time. But if you put strain on it, you risk setting it back. I'm 51 with a herniated L4/L5 disc which fortunately so far has not caused major pain (mostly just stiffness... not sure if it's the disc or just older age). After I found out about the disc, I've been careful, trying to avoid stress/strain on the lower back. I'm sure the occasional 8 hours of fishing in the boat or yak isn't great for it, but fishing is more important than back pain  So far so good. 

 

[Hammer 4]

Did you happen to find out what is causing your back issues..?  I've had lower back problems for over 50 years, your posture, how you lift things, if you play golf, ect..My PT recommended a couple of good stretching exercises to help with correcting the bulging disc, ect..At 2 points in my life, I could not even walk, the Doc's put me on some heavy drugs, to relieve the pain, in hind sight those were just band aids, and caused their own problems.

 

I'm 71, and play golf regularly, I can make a 90 degree shoulder turn, and hit the ball fairly well for my age. However, if I don't swing correctly, I do get some pain. I also some years ago bought a sleep number bed, and I have it set so it's really Firm, that helps, if I sleep on a to soft bed, I feel the difference as soon as I wake up.

 

Seeing a Back specialist is a good start, having a really good PT helps a bunch.   

[TnRiver46]

Just stretch it out! I bet a good portion of the population has a herniated disc and doesnt know it. I bet I do, my spine is beyond crooked on lots of mornings. When it starts hurting I can look in a mirror and I look like the letter S. Mine all seemed to start from cutting too much firewood. I Couldn’t figure out how to put my feet on the floor from bed one morning and made a doctors appt. By the time the appt. arrived I was fine and doc just prescribed muscle relaxers that I didn’t take. If I can remember to stretch every morning and lift things properly, I never have any trouble. 

[riverbasser]

6 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Did you happen to find out what is causing your back issues..?

Swinging a baseball bat was the initial injury. Was on crutches for a month.

 

Went several months trying to do everything correctly and stretching often. Was installing new floor in my house and after 2 days on my hands and knees I woke up with it severely aggravated to the point I am in pain unless lying down.

[Hammer 4]

2 minutes ago, riverbasser said:

Swinging a baseball bat was the initial injury. Was on crutches for a month.

 

Went several months trying to do everything correctly and stretching often. Was installing new floor in my house and after 2 days on my hands and knees I woke up with it severely aggravated to the point I am in pain unless lying down.

There are now certain things you cannot do, and some things you do have to be done without bringing your back into the equation, just a fact of life unfortunately. Your Doc and PT should go over some of these things to help keep you as pain free as possible. Once again, Proper stretching will help a bunch, your Doc and PT will recommend which ones to do.  Hope things work out for you. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

29 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Just stretch it out! I bet a good portion of the population has a herniated disc and doesnt know it. I bet I do, my spine is beyond crooked on lots of mornings. When it starts hurting I can look in a mirror and I look like the letter S. Mine all seemed to start from cutting too much firewood. I Couldn’t figure out how to put my feet on the floor from bed one morning and made a doctors appt. By the time the appt. arrived I was fine and doc just prescribed muscle relaxers that I didn’t take. If I can remember to stretch every morning and lift things properly, I never have any trouble. 

There are indeed data to support the idea that much of the population have “asymptomatic” herniated discs.

 

If your pain is not related to the disc, then it should get better with rest. The epidural can help with the pain in the meantime. My suggestion would be to go with conservative efforts first. Especially if you are not experiencing any leg weakness or numbness. A discectomy usually requires adding hardware which you want to avoid at 28 (although it’s not a huge deal to have it that young). Additionally, you can always have the surgery if you don’t get relief with the conservative efforts.

 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, riverbasser said:

Looking for advice or experiances from those who have suffered with lower back issues. Based on an Xray I was told I have a herniated/bulging disc. Cant confirm which one without MRI. After talking with the doc the options are physical therapy which will only train me how to live with the issue. Epidural shot which should ease pain but is temporary, or surgery discectomy.

 

I'm 28 with alot of working years ahead of me. Be grateful to hear some of yall experiance's and what you've went through good and bad.

 

1 hour ago, riverbasser said:

Swinging a baseball bat was the initial injury. Was on crutches for a month.

 

Went several months trying to do everything correctly and stretching often. Was installing new floor in my house and after 2 days on my hands and knees I woke up with it severely aggravated to the point I am in pain unless lying down.

Been dealing with a very similar deal which started at about the same time in my life. (28 yrs old)

I injured my back badly in the gym.

I had a very active life style & profession and I was down hard for 2 months.

Slowly the bulging disc retracted and most of the pain was relieved. 

Since then 32 years later, I have re-injured it a few times which always requires that I give it time to heal again.

How much time & for how long depends on the severity of the injury.

Along the way I made being in shape and keeping my back & core healthy a priority.

 So I've been able to remained active BUT know & Obey my own limitations.

Keeping my back & more importantly my entire core strong & flexible has allowed me to continue to do most of the things I like to do - with very few re-occurrences of the back injury. 

I'd say your age will work for you if you let it.  

No doubt that it's a painful deal, but if you're not getting pain or numbness in either leg, you might be OK in time. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[Mike L]

I had fusion of L4/L5 with a Laminectomy in 2012. I was 62. 
 Starting about 4 years ago I started a regimen of epidural’s every 3 months because of another disc degeneration!!
This time L3/L4. 

I’ve been on Percocet to manage the pain ever since. 
 

It’s gotten to point now that I’m risking permanent nerve damage without another fusion. 
Soooo, next week I’ll have another MRI to determine if I will have more screws and pins or a cage with a steel plate. 

My suggestion to you is to get it diagnosed by AT LEAST 2 back SURGEONS, no one else. 
If it is determined that your discs are indeed ruptured inquire about all the available options with surgery being the last one. 
I was fortunate, my first fusion was successful but when you have one the chances of needing another is greatly increased. 
 
I’m proof. 
 

Good Luck

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[Catt]

Not all spinal injuries are the same

 

Not all spinal injuries should be addressed with surgery 

 

I have 3 ruptured discs, torn ligaments, & server nerve damage.

 

I've done everything but surgery & my neurosurgeon is dead set against it.

 

I work my core muscles as much a possible, I have a Chiropractor friend who helps keep everything aligned.

 

Last Sunday I simply stood up, couldn't straighten up, couldn't sit back down, couldn't walk for 5 days, & the level of pain was close to unbearable.

 

As @Mike L mention get more than one diagnosis 

[Oregon Native]

Almost seventy and I too have had the back thing.... Was the worst after pancreatitis and being hunched up in pain for so long and moving wrong.  Went to good....no great Physical Therapist and after going a bunch of visits and a bunch of exercise I didn't want to do life is good.....very good...(as far as feeling body wise)

I hope you find someone that helps...

[lo n slo]

give the physical therapy and core strengthening a serious chance. it has really helped me. once you go under the knife, there is no reversal. 

 

a good spine specialist will recommend an MRI prior to any treatment. good luck brother.

[Sam]

Be very careful who you see for an opinion.

 

Surgeons want to operate.

 

Chiropractors want to align the spine.

 

MD's want to do nothing but wait it out.

 

Please get two or three opinions from different doctors.

 

Once you start surgeries they never seem to stop.

 

Good luck and all the best for a rapid recovery.

[N Florida Mike]

I had a couple lower back episodes in the last 10 years but they healed up quickly. 

But I had the worst one recently. I had done a side job in the Lake- cleaning the weeds out of a lady’s lakefront out in the water. I put the weeds I raked up into the J boat.

I was too tired to unload that day, but 2 weeks later I did unload the weeds out of the boat with a shovel. Lots of lifting, twisting , turning. I overdid the lifting part. Back is still bothering me after 6 weeks now.

If If I stand on a hard surface for more than 2-3 minutes, I can’t bend over or hardly walk without severe pain. But as soon as I get in the car to leave ., it quits hurting. As long as I keep moving -no pain. 

[jimmyjoe]

4 hours ago, Sam said:

Once you start surgeries they never seem to stop.

  Amen!  Lots of truth in your post! My wife worked 35+ yrs in a hospital. She impressed upon me to NEVER have surgery unless it's absolutely needed. I've found out the hard way that she's right.       jj

[VolFan]

28 and a bulging disk? Unless its pinched or strangulated, PT and some core strengthening should get you back to good, and then maintainence should keep you there. Did you play much baseball before the swing that hurt you? I play golf about twice a year, mainly in fundraisers. It can be horrific for my back  (and forearms) if I dont prep some leading up and then stretch the day of. Yoga might also help you quite a bit. Even more if youre single.

[flyfisher]

All great advice.  I hurt my back when i was 19 or 20 dunking a basketball.  I didn't know how severe until i finally got it checked out a few years later.  Turns out i had micro fractures in the fused vertebrae that caused all kinds of other problems.  Pain management for me was key and still lis as I have yet to get surgery.  One thing that has helped me out a lot is keeping my hamstrings loose as it relieves some added pressure on my lower back.  

I am scared to get surgery, too many horror stories out there, but i do get it checked out every few years just to make sure I am not doing more damage.

[James A]

Back pain problems according to statistics with effect around 80 percent of people some time in their life. Although there are hundreds of remedies and products out there that work well, in my experience getting plenty of sleep and having a daily exercise routine along with any pain relief product is very effective. Some great routines to try are ones like the ones I found in this article. https://ableandfit.siterubix.com/

[NHBull]

I have crumbling L 3,4,5 vertebrae and have had multiple series of injections.  They work for me and occasionally, 1 will last almost a year.

Since I can't do any more damage, I am up to 12.  The beauty of an ingestion is that you know almost immediately it they will work.  PT is your friend as most benifit.  Get the MRI and learn the extent of what you are working with.

[riverbasser]

Suppose I should have elaborated a little but I'm learning more everyday about the spine. My pain is really in my left leg more than my back. After this last episode going on 7 days now I cant stand for very long and walking is worse. It's strange to have both pain as well as numbness/weakness at the same time. it is also very tight to the point that i cant make a full strand because of my calf being so tight and its painful to extend it. certain moves shoot a shockwave down my leg.

 

MRI was done but I cant meet with doc to review until 31st. He had his nurse call and told me I had a large herniated disc so that's confirmed, then she asked did I want to schedule surgery or get an epidural. I almost wish they never called because I cant ask questions so all I can do is dwell on it. The pain is bad enough that I suppose I am going to get the epidural. What's most upsetting after doing research is that it seems there really is no fix for a herniated disc. Even with surgery it will always be a weak point never knowing when it will re-inflame and put me out of work.

 

If anyone is reading this that has never had any back issues take some time to learn and do all you can to prevent it! Because from what I've read once it happens you can never go back.

 

Thanks for all the shared experiances. I will update once something happens.

[Hammer 4]

Did they mention anything re: your sciatic nerve..?  When I experienced pain, think a Dull constant pain, in my left leg it was due to a pinched sciatic nerve. It's a shame you have to wait until the 31st to find anything out, and ask questions.

 

Re: your disc, that's partially true, it will always be subject to re injury, the good news is, once you find out why is became herniated, you can take measures to avoid doing it again, and with the proper PT, you will feel little to no pain.

 

Tonight while I was at the golf range working on my swing, I made a Stupid move, and my back was hurting, my point is, it may only take one small move to aggravate the disc, as I mentioned before, you have to very careful on how you move, i.e. no sudden jerky type moments, ect. Anyway, I sure hope you get some Good news, and be on the road to some pain free living.   

[TimberTodd]

Herniated Li and L2 6 years ago. The doctor told me surgery or PT and it would heal some over the next 3 years or so. My wife is a nurse and has spent 25 years of her career in the back/ortho dept. She strongly urged me to go PT saying surgery is not a guarantee and I could hurt worse afterwards. She told me to ask the DR. flat out if he would do the surgery if our rolls were reversed. He didn't want to answer that so I went PT. Its been a road for sure but I'm still doing maintenance/landscape for the same employer. There are days it will ache but nothing compared. I do watch what I'm doing and how I do it more closely now. Best of luck, just don't let it get you discouraged or depressed. I'm actually looking into kayak tournament fishing this coming year.

[NHBull]

The first thing I would do would be to ask for oral steroids.  If it eases the pain, the path to recovery is more clear

[riverbasser]

3 hours ago, NHBull said:

The first thing I would do would be to ask for oral steroids.  If it eases the pain, the path to recovery is more clear

I did the 6 day oral steroid pack with little to no change

[WCWV]

First I would say don't ignore it, and don't take the first diagnostic. 

When I was younger I had back problems and just kept going, thinking if you work hard every day that's just part of it.

Fast forward to 2014, I lost the use of my right leg while doing night work on a interstate Hyw, after drinking a cup of coffee, I finally got it back. A few days later and after a MRI I found myself in a surgeon's office discussing all my issues. I found out I had broken my back at sometime and I had two herniated disk above it and that I needed surgery. I asked how long I would be off work and he said I would probably never work again. I didn't agree with that thought and seek further advice. I was 48 at the time and had never heard much good come from a fusion. So I continued on, wearing a high dollar brace, eating pills and getting epidural shots every 3 months. 

It all came crashing down this past February, again working nights out on a Hyw and I had no choice this time.

Over the last four years, the surgeon that gave me my shots had told me of a neuro surgeon that he would refer me to if this day ever came.

On April 1st 2019, I went into surgery for five hours, they did a fusion, along with two rods, four bolts and two artificial disk. I was released on April 3rd, quit all pain meds by April 7th and took the boat out on April 12th (didn't catch anything) on May 15th on my 54th birthday, I returned to work on a light duty basis. 

Fast forward now, I feel better than I have in 25 years, I can stand for a hour or so on the front of my boat, I went back hunting this year, not wearing any brace, No Pain pills. 

God is Good!!! Best decision I ever made. 

Look at All your options, don't be to quick into letting doctors telling you all you can't do. 

It's amazing the things they can do to help you these days.