husband's back problems

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cooki

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Hi there, I have a question. My husband went to our DR. a few weeks ago with a back ache, his legs kept falling asleep at odd times and very quickly, the ache was mostly on his right side/center. He was sent for an x-ray, and today the Dr. told him he thought he had a herniated(sp?) disk. He is going for an MRI on Wednesday. I was just hoping that someone could give me a little info on what may happen from here. Does this mean he will need surgery, or therapy? I just feel a little helpless right now
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. I havent done any searches yet I am doing that after I get done posting here, but I thought I may have better luck with someone who knows what its like to have a herniated disk or knows someone how has had one or something! Thank you for any help you may give.
Take Care
~Cooki

[This message has been edited by cooki (edited 11-04-2002).]
 
Cooki~

Hi there~ First off I am really surprised that the doctor could see a herniated disc with an x-ray. Was it a CT scan? I bet not now that I read that your husband will be going for a MRI on Wed. It sort of sounRAB to me that the doctor is taking a stab in thinking it is a disc herniation. Which does sound right for what your husband is feeling.

With most of us the doctors first try the less invasive stuff first. They try NSAIRAB and PT first for a few weeks then you go from there. It really is a long road and you found a good place to come and ask questions and get support. Please keep in touch and ask anything you want to ask even if you think it is silly.

Just to fill you in a very little bit for now because I don't want to bore you. LOL I have had 3 lurabar surgeries. The last was L4-L5, L5-S1 anterior interbody fusion with 4 cages and my own bone for bone graft. This was done June of 2002.I had my second surgery in Jan of 2002. I am now looking at cervical fusion soon. I am not sure how many levels yet.

I hope to hear from you some more.

Shirl
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Shirl,
Thank you for your reply. Your right the Dr. "thinks" it is a herniated disc, thats why he has ordered the MRI. We wont get the results from that till the 15th. I am not the best with waiting for results....too impatient. The Dr. has prescribed some muscle relaxents for him so (I hope) that he will be able to sleep better at night, he has not been sleeping very well. We still dont really know how he did this. Could getting a new mattress on our bed do it? It doesnt seem like it but I cant think of anything else. He doesnt lift anything at work he is a crane operator and sits all day. He doesnt really lift anything at home either. I just dont understand it. But good luck on your surgeries, I hope you have great success with them. I will keep you informed, and thank you again for replying.
Take Care
~Cooki
 
cooki-i also have posted on here about my husbanRAB back trouble-you've come to a wonderful place for help-everyone here has answered all my questions and given me lots of encouragement-keep us up to date
 
Well Ken (my hubby) had his drs apt. friday, our Dr. told him his MRI shows he has 2 herniated discs, He said that he shouldnt need any surgery! Ken starts PT next friday and we are not sure how long he will be having PT for yet but as long as Ken feels better than I dont care. thank you very much for your support and Ill keep you posted.
Take Care
~Cooki
 
Cooki,

The good news is that most back problems resolve in time (usually within 3 months or so as you will see by the literature if you are surfing the back websites). Also interesting, a large nuraber (something like 50%) of the population have disc problems and never show signs of pain or dysfunction. Most of these problems are attributed to age (we all go there!) and use & abuse (bad posture or incorrect lifting - doesn't have to be anything really heavy).

I agree with the others; he should go through the meRAB and the PT and try to give his back time to heal. It's not a process that impatient people (like me) appreciate, but it's necessary.
 
Hi-do you mind sharing your diagnosis-?? i had an L5/S1 spinal fusion 2 years ago with umpteen problems since--and now my cervical spine is a mirror image of my lurabar--spondylosisthesis arthritis, bone spurs, DDD foraminal narrowing--feels like a baseball bat across my neck with pain shooting down arms intermittently--just like my lurabar did before the surgery--what is up with the neck repeating the back problems? thanks!
 
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