New here, advice needed! C56 and L5-S1 Buldge and Protrusion then twisted my back!

[FL8]

I'm new to the back injury or back problems situations in life. I've never had back problems until last year.

C56 and L5-S1 Buldge and Protrusion were the results of my MRI after an automobile crash last Aug 07, where an elderly lady went through a red light thinking that it was green. Unfortunately, I had the green and hit her going full speed ahead, through the red.

I had 8 months of therapy, did the muscle relaxers and pain meRAB too. All seemed better until two weeks ago.

I was lifting 2.5 gallons of chlorine out of my SUV, and putting them on the ground. As I lifted and twisted to take another out, I almost hit the ground in a pain worse than I experienced in child birth. I barely made it inside my house, and had to use a chair to hold onto as a walker to glide across the tile floor to go sit down.

The pain was in my lower center back. I couldn't walk without a cane for two weeks, and getting out of bed was almost impossible to endure. I couldn't even bend in order to get into a vehicle to go to the ER or to my doctor's office. It was pure hell. Emotionally, I was a wreck, thinking that I will be crippled forever. Just going to the bathroom was a chore and so very painful.

After a week and 2 days, I could no longer tolerate the disabilty I felt, along with the terrible pain. On a Sunday, my husband and a cane helped me into the car to go to urgent care. There a doctor accessed my condition and RXed me an oral 1 week steroid pack, muscle relaxers, and narcotic pain meRAB. It took a week and a half from that point to finally be able to ditch the cane to get around.

I am still experiencing slight pain, and feel as if there is a knot in the center of my lower back. It still feels tender and vulnerable.

Do you think that I should go to the doc and or chrioprator to obtain more PT and adjustments, or leave it alone and think time will better heal?

I'm so afraid that I will hurt my back again by turning, bending or twisting the wrong way. I have five children, and work FT and can't afford to be down and out over this again. I've already been out of work for three weeks now.

 

[lynn1961]

Hiya FL8.....

If I were you, I would get to a neuro doc and get that checked out. You could cause more damage maybe? Maybe since you had a bulging disc, it ruptured. I have 2 bulging disc, with tears in the lining of the disc and my report said something about a protrusion too. Not sure what a protrusion is? I was rear ended in april and have suffered every since. I do see a neuro doctor. And I am presently getting different things done to help the pain. I want to avoid my disc from rupturing and having to have surgery....good luck!

 

[MimiL4L5]

When you say : 'I'm so afraid that I will hurt my back again by turning, bending or twisting the wrong way. I have five children, and work FT and can't afford to be down and out over this again. I've already been out of work for three weeks now.' ---> I totally understand and can certainly relate!

I'm doing much better these days, all thanks to physio and lots of walking, but I live in the sheer fear of hurting my back again. Been off work for 5 weeks now. House looks like we had a tornado. Inside!

First time I hurt my back was in 2003 and I regret I didn't seek help back then. I should have gone to physio! Took me 3 months to recover on my own.

This time around I started physio straight away. I was referred to a neurologist (over here takes months to see one but oh well! I'm on the waiting list) and I am also coming to terms with the fact I have a bad back, can't do any heavy lifting, and I need to stop doing 372 things at once. I can't wait to be able to go back to Pilates. It strenghtens your back apparently. I try to read as much as I can about back problems. I ask my physitherapist lots of questions (she has the patience of an angel!).

I've spent my life taking care of others... now it's time I look after myself, my back. Otherwise I won't be able to be there for my family.

Do what it takes! The pain might disappear completely but better be safe than sorry. I would see someone about it.

And the very best to you. No one deserves to suffer like this.

Mimi

 

[FL8]

Thanks for your replies! My doctor wants me to do three more months of PT.

Having back problems is certainly NOT fun.

 

[mznell]

Hello Fl8~

First of all, be sure you are going to a physical therapist that has a specialization in the spine or at least a great deal of knowledge in that area. Everyone receives some education in school, but often it is so generalized as to be of little use.

I learned this the hard way after going through several courses of PT and getting few results. After my surgery I went to a clinic that only took spinal cases and the difference was just amazing. I was technically doing the "same" exercises, but the specialist had me moving one muscle in isolation, whereas the other guy had me moving my entire leg! You may have to do a little research to find someone good, but it is worth it in the end!

Second, even though you are a busy mom, if you want to recover from your herniation without having surgery, you need to BABY your back. You must recognize that it takes a long time to heal. Beyond the point where you start feeling "better," you have to continue on with the babying.

One trap we all fall into is being careful for awhile...feeling better and then because we are so happy to feel better, we do too much, and the next thing you know, you're right back where you started...or worse!!

You need to be sure you are using good and safe body mechanics and good posture at all times. Be sure your sleep position is healthy for your back. Avoid ANY activity that involves twisting, bending, repetitious activities using your legs and feet, and do not lift anything heavier than about a gallon of milk. This would include lifting chlorine out of the pool.

Ask for your groceries to be packed very lightly. Leave the chlorine for someone else to lift out and bring in. Don't pick up the kiRAB or the dogs, be careful using the vacuum cleaner, do not push the frig or sofa to clean behind, etc. You get the idea....

Then you also need to do exercises that will strengthen your core, also your pelvic floor and pelvic girdle muscles. These all work to support the back and to stabilize it. You must make a commitment to do these exercises faithfully just about every day. With any luck, in six months you should be much better.