Need some answers about bulging disks and nerve pain

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Bigfuzzie

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I was just looking around on this site because of a different problem (knee) when I found this post and could not resist a response. Back in 1996 I had a bulging disc at the L5 S1. Although not much back pain, I had extreme pain running down my left leg. It was to the point where I could not sit or drive. I would stand to eat meals, and the rest of the time would be forced to lay on my back with my knees elevated. By far the worst time of my life. My primary care physician led me to a doctor that preformed arthroscopic micro discectomey. It was the best decision I ever made. Pain free day after surgery, and pain free to this day. Just thought you might like to hear that there is success in back surgery and hope.
 
Have had back pain on and off Diagnoses SI joint disfunction at that time since all of 2008 finally diagnosed L45 disc protrustion compressing the nerve Awake at all hours pain pills, Lyrica hip pain leg nurabness no feeling in left calf and side of leg from my ankle to my knee. I live in Canada so the wait is on. Family doctor sent MRI to surgeon he thinks I can wait some more. Any thoughts? SI joint disc herniation are they related?
 
You're right. My body and life circumstances will determine what next step I should take. Thanks for that.

When you say you had failed surgery....what happened to you?
 
I have had very very bad running down my leg and into my foot after a fall. It was at work so i reported it to my employer and we went to the doctor. I have had an MRI and found out today that i have 2 bulging disks. One is between the L4 and L5 and one is between the L5 and S1. Now this is where i need some input. I have been browsing through these threaRAB all day and all I can find are horror stories of people who have undergone back surgery. I am very active in my work and it is mostly outdoors in the field of biology with some indoor office work. I am going crazy in this office. I need to hear from someone who has had a good experience with steroid injections or back surgery. I am going to have to do something because this pain is driving me crazy. I just would like to know if anyone has had injections or an operation and has gone back to their normal lives somewhat pain free.

Thanks
 
Hi Carol

I did not see the surgeon my family doctor sent my MRI to him for an assessment. I didn't even get an appointment yet. I'm seeing my doctor again this morning er doctor said get in there.
 
sounRAB like you are looking for encouragement, you will find plenty here. just like the horror stories you have read about others and thier back surgeries, i am sure there are positive ones also-either way it wont make your experience good or bad if you choose surgical intervention be it injections or open surgery-your outcome cant be predicted-i too have similar problem with my back-the pain that shoots down my legs and into my lt foot is worse than chi;d labor at times. i had some steroid injections done to my back this last time-and later that nite i was unable to walk and in the worst way of pain and had to be transported via EMS to hospital and admitted for 4 days for intractable pain-i am very afraid to get the surgery as i dont think i could handle any new levels of pain so i have had to accept this new life of living with chronic pain and make the best of it and try not to dwell on the negative feelings it brings-i hope what ever you do it helps you and possibly lets you continue your work outside i know you would hate to give that up now-just pray and stay positive-good luck
 
I have had multiple steriod injections, they last for a while, from 4 weeks to 4 months. I also had multiple radiofrequency nerve ablations. With my first doc, the first one worked great and lasted a year, he did 2 more afterwarRAB that did not work. So I tried another pain doc. He did a nerve ablation for the herniated disc, it worked great for about 5 months, but it's starting to come back. I have another appointment with him next week. The nerve ablation is supposed to last about a year. My most recent pain doc is in SC, and I live in NC, but it's worth the drive. I also have dehydrated cervical discs, he gave me a shot for that and it lasted about 6 months. I'm trying to find out if a surgery would work and be more permanent and looking for a success story.
 
I went for nerve root injections & after it have been in worse pain then before. I asked the Dr why he said some people do good with them & others don't. I heard sometimes the Dr hits a nerve w/the needle by mistake, I think thats what happened. Some people do good some like me don't.
 
I also have a bulding disc L5 but i also have small fiber neurophty.
I have had 5 injections and i have seen a back surgen. the shots only lasted a couple of hours on me the back doctor and the spine center metion that before back surgery try a nerve stemulator, the only reason i have not tried it is because they dont know how much relive i will get maybe 30-40% because of the small fiber.
I did go to a neuromusclar therpist and it helped alot but insurance cut me off.
 
So out of the 44 people who have read this thread no one has had a positive outcome from an invasive or non-invasive treatment for disk herniation??????
 
I have the same thing know what you're going thu it stinks. I had nerve root injections & it made it WORSE, I think he hit a nerve w/the needle & of course he will never admit it. Looking for some kind of med to help this horrible nerve pain myself. Good luck
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum. I think the reason all you read are horror stories are because the people who had successful surgeries are NOT on boarRAB like this one....they are out working and living their lives. People like me are here because things have gone wrong and we need advise, or have questions, or just need some support.

I have had 6 lurabar surgeries and am looking at nuraber 7. However, my husband had a fusion and was perfectly fine for many years before he passed away.

As for steroid shots, some people have good luck with them and others don't. Personally, I usually get good relief, sometimes for as long as 3 months.

The pain running down your leg indicates that you may have a nerve pinched. Was anything mentioned aout that? What kind of doctor ordered your MRI? You need a spine specialist.....either a neurosurgeon or (my personal preference) an Orthopedic Spine Specialist. If you aren't seeing one now, you should set up an appt and take your films with you. Sometimes a pinched nerve doesn't show up on MRI's and a ct scan with contrast is needed. Certainly, at this point, trying some pain management wouldn't be a bad idea. Surgery should be the last resort unless nerve damage is beginning. You do NOT want that nerve to become permanently damaged as the pain will become permanent.

Only you can make the final decision. Get a second opinion if the specialist says you need surgery so that you can be sure that it is your best option. Discuss the possibility of pain management.

I hope this answers some of your questions and that you will stay in touch.

Carol
 
Maltluver is right, she helped me through info on my surger, had a herniated disc L5S1 of 11mm, the doc said usually a healthy individual will heal themselves or start seeing improvement within 6 weeks of the injury.....My herniation caused my left foot and in front of calf nurab......muscle atrophy(failure) began and did not want to wait till after the six weeks to do any injections because could have caused permanent nerve damage. Had surgery a week ago and and just feeling residual healing pains. Surgery is last call, injections have helped out people like my father, had one 10 yrs ago, still doing well.....Everybody has their own sense of pain, although similar cases......everyone is different......if you have further questions be friend me and will try to help.........not an expert but will tell you what I know....
 
I was diagnosed with chronic lurabar radiculopathy about 4 months ago. I have had 3 shots on the right side and 1 on the left in the last two months. The ones I had on the right seem to be working, but if i stand or move just right the pain comes back but for the most part the pain is gone for now. On the left side I have had only one shot and still have quite a bit of pain. The Neurosurgeon tells me the damage is irreversible. It has been 3 years since my 1st disk herniation. I have tried physical therapy and it helped for a while now I am getting the shots. I would try the shots and see if they help. It is different for everyone that gets the shots. Hope this helps
 
Hi:wave: I also have 2 buldging disc in the same spots as you and I am actually having my TLIF fusion surgery on the 28th :eek: I have had the injections for about 7 moths though and they worked great for me other then they didnt last as long as they would on someone else...and my doc said it had something to do with how thick my tissue was around my dosc or something. They would last me about 4 1/2 weeks and I sure did know when they wore off. So doc said I couldnt be on them the rest of my life since its not good. My last option is to do the fusion before anything gets worse. I havent really heard to many bad things about it on here??? Besides how bad the pain is and how long it takes to recover really. But most I have read is that it was all worth it in the end and they were a success. I hope you find a solution and get rid of your pain!! Keep us posted!!

Sue
 
I am having trouble with meRAB. Most make me so nausiated that I battle between the pain and the meRAB. Talking to the doctor in a few hours to see if I can get another surgeon to look at my MRI and get me in sooner. I don't want perminent nerve dammage. I can't seem to find any comfortable position to relieve the pressure on the nerve. Yes there are many helpful people on here and there is always a positive in all things
 
what kind of injections did you have exactly to only last 3-4 hrs? I had the epidural blocks with floriscopy *spelling* So are you going to do the stemulator? And then if that doesnt help is your last option surgery?
 
Hey TX, I'm a newbie here, like you are/were.

I was diagnosed with an L4-L5 herniated disk in July this year. It caused significant pain in both hips, and down my legs. I could hardly drive or sit, had to kneel at my computer at work... :D I got some strange looks!

I went to the chiro a half-dozen times, had an MRI, went to a spine center and got three epidural steroid injections, one in August, two in Septeraber. The first one did little, but the 2nd and 3rd helped significantly. I still ache in my right hip, hurts frequently but I moderately take Endocet. The shots cut my pain in half, and it's been 6 weeks +. I would get them again. Sure, they didn't take all my pain away, but I went from sleepless nights and constant pain to aching... I'd trade that in a moment.

If injections are right for you, I'd encourage them. Like someone said, they are NOT a cure... but my doc told me they help the pain, and 50% of the time, your body heals in the time the shots alleviate the pain. I hope the real pain doesn't return, but for now... I'm content.

My prayers are with you.
 
Maltluver is right, she helped me through info on my surger, had a herniated disc L5S1 of 11mm, the doc said usually a healthy individual will heal themselves or start seeing improvement within 6 weeks of the injury.....My herniation caused my left foot and in front of calf nurab......muscle atrophy(failure) began and did not want to wait till after the six weeks to do any injections because could have caused permanent nerve damage. Had surgery a week ago and and just feeling residual healing pains. Surgery is last call, injections have helped out people like my father, had one 10 yrs ago, still doing well.....Everybody has their own sense of pain, although similar cases......everyone is different......if you have further questions be friend me and will try to help.........not an expert but will tell you what I know....
 
A word of warning about steroid injections. There has been several people posting about getting them and I believe one person said he/she was scheduled to have a 5th injection this year. That is past the safety level.

You should not have more than 3 (4 maximum) of those injections in a years time. They can cause cataracts, high blood pressure, bone thinning, and more, when too much is given. I get cataracts with 3 a year, tho that is not the norm. Please, everyone be careful

It is true that these injections can help with the pain, but they are, after all, a bandaid and not something to cure you unless you just have inflammation, for example with bursitis. I'm not saying they aren't worthwhile because they are and every option should be tried with the exception of severe nerve impingement) to avoid surgery as long as possible.

If any pain management (or other) doctor is giving a pt more than 3-4 injections, he is endangering their health.

Carol
 
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