Need some answers about bulging disks and nerve pain

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Hi, I have a similar problem . I would try the injections if that's what your doctor suggested. They work well for some people, and may rid you of the tingling and pain in your leg.Good luck. RegarRAB, oliejune
 
I had the i belive it was cortazone three times and i had the nerve block done twice i think the stuff they give you to put you out took away more of the pain then the shots.
I cannot talk myself into the nerve stemulator yet they told me it might give you up too 40% relive in the back back surgen said maybe 50% with back surgery but with having small fiber neurophty which is in my feet and legs they can not tell me if i will bring the back pain back because they cannot cure the sfn. I walk bad and my feet really swell up i cannot be in shoes i have been wearing flip flops for about 8 months now.
 
TxForrester,
I have an L5-S1 herniation and spend my summers doing data collection. The herniation started in January and has gone up and down in pain since.

I don't have any operation experience with this condition yet either, but this post came up shortly after I joined the forum looking for answers. It's good news, it keeps bouncing around in my head about what to do, since I can't make up my mind. I don't know if this will give you answers, but it could give you hope.

http://www.healtrabroadoarRAB.com/boarRAB/showthread.php?p=4226574#post4226574

Best regarRAB.
 
Hillary, you mentioned that you sometimes take tylenol #3 and it sometimes helps.....in that case, you might ask for tylenol #4 as it is a bit stronger and may give you better relief more often. Lots of people have problems taking pain meRAB, and sometimes you just have to keep trying until you find something your system will accept. Just push that doctor to get you in as fast as possible to a spine specialist. And keep posting any time you need help or support.

Carol
 
Hi. I was diagnosed by MRi with a 6mm protrusion at L5/S1 on the right side on 09/14/2010. I had the MRI because of severe sciatic pain. I immediately went into physical therapy 4 days a week (including electrodes), started taking flax oil, fish oil, hylauronic acid, etc. I religiously do the exercises they gave me and have always been in great shape. It is now going on 9 1/2 weeks and I am still in pain daily. For a bit, I felt like i was improving (pain level 1/2 throughout day, maybe more at night) but last week I ran for 15 minutes on the treadmill for 2 days and have been in pain level 4-7/8 for 3 1/2 days. Also some tingling in right foot, buttock just started today. My question is: How long do you go on like this? Some people say after 3 months if it's not better, it probably won't be. Others say keep on trucking. If I have tingling now, is that horrible? I have not tried the injections yet, but am thinking about doing it to get me through a trip to South Africa Dec-22-Jan 13. Any advice would be amazing as I feel a bit lost and alone right now.
 
I am sure this information is out there in the boarRAB or perhaps you have read it too. I myself am 5 days post op m-discectomy of L5-S1.

In my journey to the surgery and decision , I also read through a lot of articles and forums.


2 things about surgery, if your only symptom is pain (even unbearable), it is advisable to exhaust all conservative treatment options before thinking about surgery.
If you have Cauda Equina symptoms or leg weakness then you need to get the surgery done and that too asap.

It is almost guaranteed that the surgery will take the pressure off the nerves and get them started to heal again (healing may take for ever though), but there is no guarantee that the pain will go away completely, because there is no way to find out if the operated disc or herniation was in and by itself causing all of the pain. I understand, a myelogram may help identify if the herniation is 'a' source of the pain and not the only, so it sill leaves doubts.


Hopefully this helps.
Best of luck.
 
Thank you

Still waiting for next Dr's appointment Dec 7 I am just getting worse and worse. I have had pain on and off for 2 years but has been steady since June 2010 and as I said getting worse. When I go for examinations they want me to stand and walk I cry. I was only taking ibuprophine at the beginning and now its lyrica and tylonol3. I tried dilodiRAB 2 mg and it did not even touch the pain t3's did more but not all the time. I have never been a drug user and I thought these would really affect me. This is Canada and our health care is free however it takes time for non life threatening issues.
 
Hi I had 5 cortisone epidurals so far this year and one more next month. At the same time as the epidural I get facet joint injections and nerve blocks on S1 and butt and hip and had about 40% relief with the shots. I take Cyrabalta for the leg pain and nurabness and a slow release narcotic. I had a L5-S1 herniated disc and tear now healed but have Degenerative discs causing nerve pain and compression in my lurabar spine. Best wishes and hope you get some relief. I also use heat on my leg also. Sara
 
This answer is sort of understood. I had failed l5s1 surgery and now burning leg pain. Exercise and don't stop exercising. If your body cannot take it you will know. :wave:
 
It is pretty normal to get bulging discs as you get older. A large percentage of people have bulging discs but I believe only about 50% of people who do have pain as a result. The presence and location of bulging discs are really a very bad indicator of pain, and in many cases, the pain is not because of the bulging discs. In any case, even if it is, this is something that in a majority of cases resolves on its own in a few weeks or months. So don't panic yet.

It sounRAB much too soon to even think about surgery. Steroid injections do help for some (though my experience was very bad - they jabbed my nerve root with the needle and caused nerve damage). Some people apparently get great long term relief with just one Enbrel injection, but this is an off-label use of the drug and it is not easy to find practitioners who will do this for you.
 
Hi, I had back surgery for a herniated disc at L5S1.It was a fairly simple operation, and I felt good for one year.After that, I started having terrible pain down my left leg and foot.An MRI showed scar tissue formed , and is pressing on the nerve root.My neurologist
advised against another surgery which would just produce more scar tissue . I had steroid injections ( 3 ) they were about 65% helpful for about a month or so.I currently have a lot of pain and really no answers. I am taking Lyrica.I'm sorry I can't offer a more
positive picture.Take care and good luck, Olliejune.
 
Gram4- Sorry about your injections. I have read in some other forums that sometimes they don't work, or they inject a nerve and make it worse. I will think good thoughts for you.
OlieJune- I think if I dont feel much improvement before Dec 22nd (when I leave for South Africa) I will try the injections as I must function in a foreign country for a month...
Zeon- That makes perfect sense. You are right. I'll work on mind over body pain management as long as possible. Keeping the big picture in mind. This is a lifetime thing and I don't want to resort to surgery too soon. If I feel weakness or loss of motor function, that's when I'll do it. How are you doing 5 days post op? Please keep me informed of your progress. I will think good thoughts for your full recovery as well.

Does anyone know anything about Decompression? Where do you find such units and what do you guys think of it?

How long before I get on the plane should I get the injection (if I need to do it that is)?

You all are such a wonderful help. I truly appreciate all of you and the time you take to answer my questions
 
Thanks Carol
The doctor is sending my file to the surgeon to ask that I be considered an emergency. The left side of my left lower leg is pretty nurab.and so is my left foot. I noticed the leg Fri. when I shaved my legs. Trying arthrotec it seems to help a bit to ease pain so far today. Still have lots of tingles though
 
Hillary, since your system there in Canada is so different, I'm not sure what you can and cannot do, but I would try for a second opinion. If you have nerve compression, the sooner surgery is done the better as it can lead to permanent nerve damage. I think the surgeon you saw may not be the right doctor for you. If you have access to an Orthopedic Spine Specialist, that is the route I would go. If the surgeon you saw is a general surgeon, then he is not trained in spinal problems as the Ortho or neurosurgeon would be.

Please stay in touch.

Carol
 
Hi, I had back surgery for a herniated disc at L5S1.It was a fairly simple operation, and I felt good for one year.After that, I started having terrible pain down my left leg and foot.An MRI showed scar tissue formed , and is pressing on the nerve root.My neurologist
advised against another surgery which would just produce more scar tissue . I had steroid injections ( 3 ) they were about 65% helpful for about a month or so.I currently have a lot of pain and really no answers. I am taking Lyrica.I'm sorry I can't offer a more
positive picture.Take care and good luck, Oliejune.
 
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