6packofun Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I know surgery usually isn't necessary, but this is my 3rd episode in a year and I'm ready to be seen by someone. I am not 100% sure a hern. disc is what's going on, but from all the symptoms and related pain, I'm almost positive. I'm on day 8 for this round and I'm basically useless. Chiropractor? Muscle relaxers until it gets better? Injections? I think I'm beyond the point of just doing some stretches and I'm VERY inflexible anyway (although strong) so most stretches for the accompanying sciatica, for example, are out of my range! lol But I'm open to trying whatever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Never had that, but I have had some back issues. I would see a chiropractor who doesn't crack and pop things. My guy just literally hits you with a rubber mallet in certain places. It's the craziest thing. You would laugh - except it works. He hit me on the jaw one time and healed a 20+ year neck problem more than 10 years ago. Hope you find relief quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 (edited) Treatment for me involved PT focusing on increased strength and (I know you don't want to hear this) stretching. I also was encouraged to install a back-up camera in my car to avoid over rotation. Several years later, I am on no meds and have had no surgery. I am still good about exercise and PT and haven't had a flair up for a couple of years now. Edited August 27, 2016 by Plink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Rest, a pack of steroids to get the inflammation down, a brace for a while, and PT. That was over 10 years ago. Haven't had problems since. Note: the first PT tried to manipulate my back and made things worse. The second PT used standard methods and it worked great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandamom Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 (edited) My 16 year old daughter (competitive gymnast) was diagnosed with a herniated disc in the spring. She has sciatic nerve involvement so if it gets bad she can feel it in her foot. Driving is very uncomfortable. We looked into the injections (too young) and surgery (too young) so after a little chiropractor (weren't impressed) we found a good PT. He was willing to work with her to get her back in the gym and his philosophy is for her to figure out what she can do and avoid doing what causes flares. By going to practice, she's maintaining strength and activity which will benefit her in the long run. Eventually she may need surgery but I'm hoping by that point that the surgery will be better. We currently have her functional so she's in the gym on a regular basis (a couple hours per week) instead of going to a Physical Therapy place) and hasn't had any flares in a couple of months. She can't do all of what she could do but she but her coaches are learning what she can do and encouraging her to work on those as much as possible. We will find out how much competition she'll be able to do this year. I do know of two mothers have gone through the surgery and they are very happy with the result. The did say that they had limited mobility for months afterward but it was well worth it. Can I brag :) ?? Here is her flipping on the beach last week-end. https://www.flickr.com/gp/60176769@N00/Avr3g8 Edited August 27, 2016 by Mandamom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I believe that you are correct that surgery is rarely required. However, in the case of my Stepson, it was required. He had surgery last November. The recovery, was, IMO, remarkable. He is apparently still going for occasional therapy. I think he went for that 1 or 2 days ago. IMO, the surgeon who did his surgical procedure in truly outstanding. I hope, in your case, surgery will not be necessary, but if it is, they can do truly amazing things these days. GL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 Treatment for me involved PT focusing on increased strength and (I know you don't want to hear this) stretching. I'm not opposed to PT or stretching at all...when I'm past the worst of the pain, you know? But I need to get to the point where something as simple as looking down at the floor to see if I dropped something doesn't cause a startling pain down my back and legs. I am TOTALLY convinced that I need to strengthen my back muscles and get back into shape. I had some foot issues that caused me to stop exercising after I lost 55 pounds and I've gained most of it back over a year and a half. :( I just need to get to the point where I can DO something! lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I'm not opposed to PT or stretching at all...when I'm past the worst of the pain, you know? But I need to get to the point where something as simple as looking down at the floor to see if I dropped something doesn't cause a startling pain down my back and legs. I am TOTALLY convinced that I need to strengthen my back muscles and get back into shape. I had some foot issues that caused me to stop exercising after I lost 55 pounds and I've gained most of it back over a year and a half. :( I just need to get to the point where I can DO something! lol This is what I was given the steroid pack for. At first I was worried about taking steroids, but a nurse friend said, "DO IT." Turned out to be great advice. Nothing else took the slightest edge off the pain whereas the steroids got rid of the inflammation which was causing the pain. (The area around the disc was inflamed which was impinging on the nerve. Yowza.) The pain was horrific. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RKWAcademy Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 (edited) My problem was in my neck not lower back. But, it was making my arm numb in addition to the radiating pain from shoulder to hand. I opted to have surgery. It was a very quick recovery (and surgery, too!) and made all the difference in the world to my day to day well-being. On a side note, nerve pain medicine (not pain pills but something that works on the nerve -- gabapenten (sp?)) helped while I waited to have the surgery. PT did absolutely nothing for my problem. I know this because while I waited for the nerve study (scheduling!), I had to do several weeks of useless PT. Edited August 27, 2016 by RKWAcademy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thia7278 Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Several years ago I went to the chiro to address a serious back issues (like not being able to move). What he discovered was that all the muscles in my back had locked up, from tension from pain, that there was not much he could do to fix the problem until those muscles relaxed. I was nursing, so I couldn't just start popping any old pills. So it took a few days/visits to get sorted out. Since then, when I feel an episode coming on, I need to focus on keeping my muscles relaxed. I use some pain relief and a hot rice sack. Thankfully, I've never had such a bad flare up since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Never had that, but I have had some back issues. I would see a chiropractor who doesn't crack and pop things. My guy just literally hits you with a rubber mallet in certain places. It's the craziest thing. You would laugh - except it works. He hit me on the jaw one time and healed a 20+ year neck problem more than 10 years ago. Hope you find relief quickly! This technique is called Directional Non-Force. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplejackmama Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Where do you begin for treatment? I think I need to try a round of steroids. Will a GP treat this? Or do I need an ortho? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Mine was 13 years ago. Massively herniated disc. Surgery. No problems or complications from the surgery. Immediate relief from all pain. Been doing the PT exercises ever since, but I think the disc is continuing to degenerate. In the last few years, I have been extremely limited in what exercise I can do, what I can sleep on etc. Severe sciatica and cramps all the way from my feet through my calf. At first it was just the left leg (same as with the original problem), but now it can be either. I cannot walk far or fast or hike. Certainly no running. Swimming, yoga, even gentle exercise sets it off. So does sitting in a chair with a downward-angled seat, like an adirondack chair. Or sleeping on something without enough give - like a thin camping mat. It stinks. I used to be an active person... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaplank Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 You probably need an MRI to determine what is going on. The level of herniation and how it's impacting the nerves should determine what kind of treatment you need. When the disc is completely sequestered and separated from the vertebrae, most likely surgery would be the only thing to help. However, many herniations can be absorbed back into position over time. Traction really helps with this. Sorry for your pain! Hope you get something figured out soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmtzc2009 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 I went to a pain specialist for mine. I've done steroids and most recently injections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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