Dianne-TX Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 My DH has lower back issues and has it go out on him at times (bulging discs I think and a tear in a lower disc, maybe even congenital issues) He had an MRI done a few years ago that showed those things. Any activity that pounds (running, riding bike ramps with DS10 :001_smile:, etc.) will cause it to go out. Jumping over a bike ramp with DS likely caused this latest episode. It's been 5 days. He's gone to a chiropractor which didn't help, in fact, trying to pop his lower back (with no success) caused him more hurt he thinks. I'm wondering if any of you have any ideas on how to help him? He can't get in with his back dr. for 2 weeks. He's taking ibuprofen, but doesn't want to take too much because of side effects. He's taking magnesium to help with inflammation. He's doing his stretches and resting it. Nothing is really helping him. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchie Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Has he gone to a physical therapist at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mryann Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I went to a crappy chiropractor who didn't help at all for a herniated disk. I then went to another chiropractor who used a decompression (traction) table. I was out of pain after the first session and after 8 session, no longer have constant pain/numbness down my leg. I urge your dh to find a chiropractor who can really help him. Good luck. Back pain is so exhausting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianne-TX Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 He went to a PT (I think it was a PT, maybe an OT, not sure) when he did therapy a few years ago when it went out. They taught him stretches, etc. and he's been doing those. I'll mention the chiro. recommendation with a decompression table. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I tried chiro. and physical therapy... lots of $$$ and no real relief. I finally caved and had surgery. I ended up having a bone spur poking my spinal cord that DID NOT show up on my scans... my body was trying to compensate for the bad disks and was trying to fill in the space with bone... Recovery was 2 weeks of down-time (they went in through my tummy) and a few months in a soft brace with limited lifting/bending. I wish I had done the surgery YEARS before... the new procedures are so much better (and less damaging) than the ones 10 years ago you hear horror stories of (multiple revisions....). ICE and Ibuprofen (600 mg) helped me the most. I did not worry about any side-effects -- I needed to cope! -- For some types of bulging disks, traction tables can make a difference-- but it is usually a temporary one... bulging disks degenerate pretty quickly once you are over 40~ I totally commiserate with his pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianne-TX Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 I tried chiro. and physical therapy... lots of $$$ and no real relief. I finally caved and had surgery. I ended up having a bone spur poking my spinal cord that DID NOT show up on my scans... my body was trying to compensate for the bad disks and was trying to fill in the space with bone... Recovery was 2 weeks of down-time (they went in through my tummy) and a few months in a soft brace with limited lifting/bending. I wish I had done the surgery YEARS before... the new procedures are so much better (and less damaging) than the ones 10 years ago you hear horror stories of (multiple revisions....). ICE and Ibuprofen (600 mg) helped me the most. I did not worry about any side-effects -- I needed to cope! -- For some types of bulging disks, traction tables can make a difference-- but it is usually a temporary one... bulging disks degenerate pretty quickly once you are over 40~ I totally commiserate with his pain! Thanks. Yes, we've always disregarded surgery because of hearing that it might not work, but it's good to hear your story. I'll share with him the ICE and ibuprofen suggestion. You're right, relief in the temporary is necessary. He doesn't take ibuprofen long term, so this short time should be fine. I think it might be a good idea to make the appt. 2 weeks from now and get him re-checked, even if the pain has subsided by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 The surgery where they try to 'clip' the bulge of the disk-- I've known 3 people who had this done and had to have revisions.... I had the disk removed --L4-L5 and no noticeable loss of movement and I can lift and carry just fine now PAIN FREE! I interviewed several different Orthopedic surgeons, and went with a tried and true procedure with the best non-revision rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianne-TX Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 I know he has a tear in one of his lower discs and it is degenerating already. Can they help that surgically? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Odds are it is best to just have the bad disk removed. I was walking around within 3 hours of surgery (I did not WANT to but my mean nurse made me!)... the back pain was gone as soon as I woke up from surgery! Recovery from abdominal surgery still sucked... Think of a disk like the tube of a tire. A weak spot has formed and the resulting bulge now has a leak. There are methods (mostly experimental) that try to patch it--but eventually it will need to be removed or replaced. I had a type of modified fusion done as my insurance would not pay for disk replacement AND the percentage of 'future revisions' was lower with the fusion since it was only on one level. (Well I still have a small bulge in another level but it is not bothering me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 There is a standard of care that moves from physical therapy to steroid injections in the disc space to relieve pain, to surgery. I have been through the (miraculously fabulous) surgery, and am now in physical therapy for other discs. It has made a great deal of difference in how I move to avoid painful events and in my overall quality of life. In some states you can schedule PT without a referral or prescription. Here, a prescription is necessary. Call you doctor and ask for a PT referral/prescription before the appointment. My PT has been very helpful in additional diagnoses and treatments. I waited way too long to begin this process and am paying for it in pain and disability. Get thee to a PT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3andme Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I would also recommend consulting a sports medicine specialist or functional movement specialist since the problem seems to be exacerbated by running/biking. I know there are many cases where surgery is the only answer but sometimes the discs are the not the root cause of the pain but just an anomaly that can be pointed to when there are no other explanations. My dh battled chronic back pain for 20 years and was diagnosed with bulging discs. He saw every variety of back specialist, physical therapist, and chiropractor and got very little relief. Finally, he got a recommendation from a coworker to a sports medicine specialist who diagnosed his problem as a muscular issue and assigned three specific exercises to lengthen and stretch his hamstring muscles. As long as he does the exercises, no pain. I am very grateful he finally found a solution but it was very frustrating to see him go through all those unnecessary procedures and costs when the solution was so simple. Back issues are very complex and I'm not suggesting that your dh will have a similar result just that it's good to explore all reasonable alternatives before surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Odds are it is best to just have the bad disk removed. I was walking around within 3 hours of surgery (I did not WANT to but my mean nurse made me!)... the back pain was gone as soon as I woke up from surgery! Recovery from abdominal surgery still sucked... Think of a disk like the tube of a tire. A weak spot has formed and the resulting bulge now has a leak. There are methods (mostly experimental) that try to patch it--but eventually it will need to be removed or replaced. I had a type of modified fusion done as my insurance would not pay for disk replacement AND the percentage of 'future revisions' was lower with the fusion since it was only on one level. (Well I still have a small bulge in another level but it is not bothering me). DH had an L-4/L-5 laminectomy (?) two years ago which failed to take away all the pain. After carrying an exhausted screaming toddler from Six Flags last month, the injury/nerve pain has come back full force. I think a fusion may be his last hope, as we've gone through everything else from chiropractic to PT to steroid injections and disc surgery. What is this 'modified fusion' called, in ortho-speak? What kinds of questions should he be asking of the orthopedic surgeon when he goes back? I'm so glad this thread was posted, because DH's back pain is starting to interfere with everything and we weren't sure where to even start looking from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosaicmind Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 My DH has lower back issues and has it go out on him at times (bulging discs I think and a tear in a lower disc, maybe even congenital issues) He had an MRI done a few years ago that showed those things. Any activity that pounds (running, riding bike ramps with DS10 :001_smile:, etc.) will cause it to go out. Jumping over a bike ramp with DS likely caused this latest episode. It's been 5 days. He's gone to a chiropractor which didn't help, in fact, trying to pop his lower back (with no success) caused him more hurt he thinks. I'm wondering if any of you have any ideas on how to help him? He can't get in with his back dr. for 2 weeks. He's taking ibuprofen, but doesn't want to take too much because of side effects. He's taking magnesium to help with inflammation. He's doing his stretches and resting it. Nothing is really helping him. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am not sure you want to hear my story but here it goes. I have had back pain and issues for over 10years. I had tried EVERYTHING imaginable to help and nothing really has. In 2007 I had major back surgery to scrape out my lower two discs and replace them with artificial bone material and then have my spine fused there also. I went to PT and such for months after and my back just got worse and not better. Now, 4 years later I am on Loratab 10/325 6 times a day, Nerontin 3 times a day plus a natural based anti-inflammatory. I am currently going to a pain doctor because my spinal surgeon said short of doing another surgery he could do nothing else. I have degenerative disc disease and a slight curvature of my spine. I now have a procedure called PRP that I will have done tomorrow for the third time this year. It will not heal me but it helps with my pain and has kept the surgery that is inevitable from happening for another couple of years I hope. PT and chiros did more harm than good to my back. I won't let another one touch me. Ibuprophen inhibits healing and so I do not take that anymore and I never use heat on my back; only ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Don't know about the surgery/chiro part, but for managing the pain you might try serrapeptase: http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-Best-Serrapeptase-90-Veggie-Caps/4467?at=1 http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-Best-Serrapeptase-270-Veggie-Caps/12714?at=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mryann Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 I would also recommend consulting a sports medicine specialist or functional movement specialist since the problem seems to be exacerbated by running/biking. I know there are many cases where surgery is the only answer but sometimes the discs are the not the root cause of the pain but just an anomaly that can be pointed to when there are no other explanations. My dh battled chronic back pain for 20 years and was diagnosed with bulging discs. He saw every variety of back specialist, physical therapist, and chiropractor and got very little relief. Finally, he got a recommendation from a coworker to a sports medicine specialist who diagnosed his problem as a muscular issue and assigned three specific exercises to lengthen and stretch his hamstring muscles. As long as he does the exercises, no pain. I am very grateful he finally found a solution but it was very frustrating to see him go through all those unnecessary procedures and costs when the solution was so simple. Back issues are very complex and I'm not suggesting that your dh will have a similar result just that it's good to explore all reasonable alternatives before surgery. I think this is really good advice. My newer chiro is also a sports medicine specialist. The first chiropractor that I went to was really useless and more interested in selling me pills than helping me to walk pain free. It sure is hard to find someone capable of dealing with back problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 I interviewed/consulted several Orthopedic surgeons specifically about fusions (after my insurance refused disk replacement). I found out that the 'revision rate' for disk replacement was the same if not HIGHER than the revision rate of fusion. I'm pretty sure the 'modified' part comes from HOW the surgeon gets to the spine as opposed to what he does when he gets there. I chose a procedure that goes in from the abdomen (kind of like a c-section vertical cut). A vascular surgeon began the procedure and 'pushed everything aside' after the incision so the Orthopedic surgeon could do his stuff. The bad disk (what was left of it ) was removed--and they checked for and found (and removed) bone spurs. A small appliance was inserted to keep the disks separated while I healed (my body quickly filled in the area with bone). I did not need a 'cage' or anything like that. Other Drs wanted to go in through the side---but this is a newer procedure and the revision rate was higher-- plus I'm pretty sure you can only go in that way one time on each side due to scar tissue issues.... The 'OLD way' of going in through an incision in the back is reserved only for special cases--because when you cut through the back muscles they never heal as strong as they were and this increases your chance for future problems. Physical therapy and traction (shots too) are temporary fixes. PT will help strengthen the abdominal and back muscles and helps to take pressure off of the spine--but if you loose a disk (mine spine was tipped due to the disintegration of my disk) you will still have chronic pain despite PT and chiro... There also comes a time when one waits too long to have surgery and the spine becomes inoperable. My MIL is in this situation and it is hard to see her in so much pain knowing there is no relief and it will only get worse (and she is not even 70 yet!)--she was too busy to slow down for a few months to get the surgery she needed... Questions to ask: What type of appliance will be used for a spacer while the back heals (bones fuse together)? What is the REVISION rate for this procedure with THIS PARTICULAR DR-- not his colleges? (We found several arrogant Drs). A revision is when they have to go back and do more surgery because something did not heal correctly. What type of brace will be used after surgery and what are the down time restrictions? (they can only estimate this one as they will not know until they see how much damage there is) I had to wear my brace a few months longer than the estimate--but it was a soft brace (Velcro, similar to what you can purchase at the drug store). How many back surgeries does this Dr perform monthly?-- I wanted a Dr that did mostly back surgeries! Some Orthopedic Drs only do fusions a few times each year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Thank you very much! I'll have DH read this when he gets home. He was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and arthritis about two years ago, at age 24, after the laminectomy. He can't go on like this for the next 50-60 years. Poor guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 I have had back pain on&off since I was about 20yo from uncorrected scoliosis (not too severe, but the doctors have said that I should be 2" taller). What helped me the most was starting to work out at the gym. Strengthening the appropriate muscles helps to hold the spine in place better. I used to throw my back out 2-3x/year, but I've only had it go out on me 2-3x in the 6 years that I've been working out at the gym. A friend of mine had the back surgery 3x. The 2nd surgery was just a few months after the 1st. The 3rd was a little over one year after the 2nd. While the surgeries did help short-term, they didn't help long-term. When he was in horrible pain again just one year after the 3rd surgery, his doctor recommended NOT doing the surgery. He suffered through it for months and then it gradually went away and he hasn't had as many issues with his back in the 5 years since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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