As scary as it is, will pursue new MRI

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gatorfan1968

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I have had 2 herniated discs for 11 years now, dirung the 11 yrs. I think I have had about 4 MRI`s and still the same discs herniated. Now with a recent MRI, still & now my back seems to be worser, so as far as with me, no herniated disc healing here. But, hey I guess I am just unique lolol. But I am also in terrible pain. :(
 
After doing a lot of reading, I'm going to one more chirpractor today to get second opinion. I wall directly ask him if I should get repeat MRI to rule out possible reherniation of L5-S1. First chiropractor told me herniations will repair. Not sure I believe that. SO....that is my questions: can herniations repair/heal on their own??

I've had to fusions in same area, second one due to failure of first.


Many thanks,

Lisa
 
The pain is hard to deal with as it just doesn't let up but the surgery gave me a lot of relief and completely took the nerve pain from my butt and leg. The general pain level I have now 2 weeks post surgery is less than half of what I had before and is settling more each day. So I have no regrets from my decision to go with the fusion. Thankfully he only did one level on me and that has helped a lot (no brace etc). I am on a lot less pain killers now and I am halving that again in a week.
Allan
 
Let me see if I understand your situation: you have had two surgeries for fusion and you are concerned that you have reherniated the same disc at the segment where the fusion is? What segment are we talking about?

It is possible for a disc herniation to repair itself. My husband ruptured L5-S1 18 years ago and was advised he was not a candidate for surgery at the time. He went to physical therapy and within about six months, he was fairly back to normal.

I can't quote you specific nurabers, but a high percentage of herniated discs heal on their own. Something like only 5 % of all patients complaining of back issues end up requiring surgery.
 
Thank you to everyone who offered thoughts and experiences. I actually tried a second chiropractor who said he didn't think I'd reherniated again, because I didn't show weakness in my left leg - true I can walk on my toes, which I wasn't able to do before first two surgeries. I think the fear around the MRI is that there is no good result: if it shows further damage, then fusion is in my future. If it shows no further damage, then I have to live with pain. Both chiropractors were very dismissive of surgeons and both told me that only 4% of back problem patients actually need surgery. I have an appointment for an epidural injection, hoping that will help while things heal. I just hate this.

Thanks for listening,

Lisa
 
To answer your questions: I have had two discectomies on L5-S1. The first one failed, and then two months later had same procedure. It's now four months later and my pain seems to be increasing; I'm not sure if it's due to strenuous activity (moving, putting christmas tree up, working out), or if I've ruptured again. I am getting ready to return to work in January, and want all of this behind me - I don't want to start work again, and then be out with possible fusion surgery. That's what I'm afraid of. So, options are: do nothing, trust that all will heal - or be aggressive and get MRI.

I so appreciate your thoughts/insights

Lisa
 
Stormme, I urge you to see a spine specialist and not a chiropractor. This really isn't their field of expertise and tho they might come up with answers, they might very well be the wrong ones.

If you see a chiro and he suggests any kind of spinal manipulation, it could land you in a world of hurt and damage. The chiro has his place, but I honestly don't believe working on the spine or diagnosis of spinal problems is reliable.

Carol
 
I hope he is right and the pain subsides for you. The injections sometimes help. But I have had so many that I don't like to go there any longer. But if the pain continues you may need someone to help you manage it. I was in your position when my leg wasn't effected and I continued in pain until it was actually a relief to have the leg symptoms emotionally because then there was a treatment apart from pain killers.
Good luck with it.
Allan
 
The only Chiropractor I have seen was a Chiropractic Masseur and that was ok but many years ago and I would never go to one, not with my back. I had problems with my lower back back when I was about 38 and doing concrete work. I had an indecent but after 2 weeks off with physical therapy they cleared me for work. After that I had times of pain but brushed it off and kept working hard to support my wife and I. It got worse over a couple years and I was told to change my lifestyle or I could find myself with a permanent injury and chronic pain. But I ignored the warning. Eventually I had a breakdown at work and a separation partly because I started drinking more heavily for the pain and my depression. I ended up of work for 2 years and tried to go back to another job but I was falling into chronic pain and my L5-S1 disc was degenerating fast.
The point I am trying to make is be careful what you do, to not make it much worse because it will get worse if you don't care for yourself now. See a spine specialist and be gentle on your lower back when lifting. bending etc. It is horrible to go through 10 years of chronic lower back pain like I have. Make sure you are doing the correct exercise and lots of walking because that is really the best.
I really hope it doesn't get that bad for you.
Allan
 
Storrme, I do hope that you aren't seeing only chiropractors! Please tell us that you have a spine specialist who is keeping track of what is going on. As I stated previously, a chiro is NOT who you want when it comes to spinal issues; they aren't trained to deal with that so you really need a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine specialist. I'm quite sure that a chiro didn't do your surgery, so I am wondering why you see a chiro in the first place. That really frightens me as you could have more going on than he can diagnose.

Let's hope the injection will help you, but it's very important to get evaluated by a specialist first. I'm sorry if it sounRAB like I am being pushy, but I am concerned for you.

Carol
 
Lisa,
I'm with Carol on the Chiro thing. They can very well make your problem much worse instead of better. That's what happened to me. I saw the best chiro in my area and the manipulations caused me so much nerve pain I had to have a discectomy. You can have a herniated disc without leg weakness. I've never had leg weakness, yet had three really big herniations of the same disc. I've even had a free fragment of disc material crushing my nerve.

If you moved and did a lot of working out it's possible that you reherniated your disc. Only and MRI will tell...you are right in wanting another. Hopefully it's not the case and you will improve on your own, but i wouldn't recommend seeing a chiro if you have had back surgery or have a herniated disc.

A steroid injection could help as well. I hope you find the relief you are seeking soon without having to have surgery.

I've had two discectomies and just had a fusion a month ago. I'm hoping this fixes it... Time will tell.
 
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