Ruptured L4-L9/Buldging L1-L2

[Lulubel]

Hi...I used to post back in May or June over the horrible sciatic nerve pain I had down my right leg. I finally had an MRI last week and got the results today. Ugh! Buldging at the L1-L2 and Ruptured L4 thru L9. Thats 5 blown discs!!! I was floored!! My Internist couldn't believe I was walking and have been since it happened back in April and had just opened a new restuarant last month. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I am familiar with back problems and back surgeries. But only at a laminectomy level and dealing with a post op strep infection...my Ex not me. Now it's my turn. I just can't believe it.

Anyway,,,,,,I am looking for some answers. As to what I might expect. I do procrastinate quite a bit when it comes to myself, but he sternly told me not to mess around this time. I have been referred to a Neurosurgeon and/or Pain Management. I have been treating the symptoms with pain meRAB, advil and muscle relaxers but the pain has increased dramatically over the last month I was finally forced to seek and increase in meRAB and finally get an MRI.

At this time I am uninsured, but plan on filing for disability and medicaid, hopefully by next year it will kick in. Opening a restuarant has drained any unused cash flow I might have with no end in sight unless I win the lottery. Powerball maybe????

But I am looking for what I can expect painwise over the next couple months and the surgery. I want to get as much info as I can before making any monumental decisions since I WAS against any back surgery, especially my own.

thanks for any help, info anyone can pass my way.

Lulubel

***Sorry...My docs nurse gave me the wrong MRI reading.

Anyway...I basically have a buldging disc at L1-L2 and ruptured disc the rest of the way down to S1. With mass effect on the thecal sac as well at the exiting bilateral nerve roots at L5 S1 and L4 L5. The L3 L4 discs seems to have escaped any buldging or herination just shows bone spurs.

So any info would be so appreciated if anyone has had several herniations resulting in ALOT of nerve pain.

Thanks! Lynda

 

[SpineAZ]

Just so you are aware, there are only 5 lurabar levels (L1-L5) and then the sacrum is below that. Depending on your symptoms you may be a candidate for surgery. You'll need an evaluation by an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon or Neurosurgeon but can consider some non surgical options to start (epidural injections, etc).

 

[candosis28]

hi,I also have had 3 unresolved back surgeries.My last in "2000" where I had hardware and what I call an H-Bar in place.Recently I stareted with a new pain management clinic.There recommending an implant of wires that wre supposed to send signals to the brain to release endorphins and block the opain signals for the continuous spasms,nurabeness and pain.Has anyone else heard of this procedure?Any Good results outhere?I would love to find someone who has firsthand knowledge of this.Also required would be an rechargeable implant.This is after the trial with wires only for a three to four day period.Then depending on the effect the battery would be placed under the skin as well.Any one?I will check back tomorrow to see if there are answers.Thankyou,candosis

 

[SpineAZ]

Candosis:

The use of Spinal Cord Stimulators is relatively common. You should be able to find other posts regarding this on these boarRAB by using the terms "Spinal Cord Stimlator" and/or "SCS" in your search.