Comments for Bad Back Blog - Herniated Disc

Comment on Herniated disc – follow up to the diet tips by Sabrina

Sabrina — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:35:08 +0000

Matt
Thanks for the really helpful advice. I shall be reviewing your website. I have noticed that the sooner I stopped eating fried, fatty foods, the pain from my herniated disc had dramatically reduced.

Wolffs advice is certainly true – eating after 8 is v.bad – I used to do this, and my weight shot up! Now, thankfully, I am slimmer and able to walk without too much pain.
Anita

Comment on Herniated disc diet – Anti inflammatory foods by traseszed

traseszed — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 03:52:28 +0000

“I’ve also noticed after a booze up (some serious alcoholic consumption) that my pain was worse… Although I’m not sure if it’s from the alcohol, or the dodgy kebab and other crap I ate while I was pissed (drunk, sorry Aussie slang is coming out all over the place).”
You can see more?

Comment on L4-L5 herniated disc – Back Pain Update #10 by lenejoseph32 lene

lenejoseph32 lene — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 09:11:04 +0000

Great info, I will bookmark your blog and follow your future content. Are you allowing us to post any medication for back pain to your blog? If so any referrals?

thanks

Comment on Update # (not sure where I’m up to) by Sacramento Back Pain

Sacramento Back Pain — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:57:23 +0000

Here is an article that explains disc injury terminology. Some readers may find it useful! http://www.backpainsacramento.com/slipped-disc-bulging-disc-herniated-disc-ruptured-disc

Comment on Update # (not sure where I’m up to) by Pete

Pete — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:01:33 +0000

I know how it feels. Myself had a herniated disk and it took me 6 months to start feeling better. I was ready to go in surgery but last minute a doctor adviced me not to due to my young age. After that i started researching the internet for information and found some good info. A few months of working out, stretching and other thing I found on the net and i feel alot better. I’ve written a lense on squidoo that you might want to check out.
http://www.squidoo.com/how-i-lost-my-back-pain
I hope you can find it useful

Comment on L4 L5 Herniated Disc – Bulging disc by rey

rey — Sun, 23 May 2010 20:31:17 +0000

I have a L4-L5 disk herniation for about 4 months now. I just started
VAX-D decompression and it has been working wonders on me. For those who have never heard of it I urge you to please look into it and find a chiropractor who’s very knowledgeable with it. It is expensive, insurance does not cover it but it is still worth every penny.

Comment on L4-L5 herniated disc – Back Pain Update #10 by Tracey

Tracey — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:39:02 +0000

I found this blog when doing some research, it sounds like you have had a horrible time. I had a less severe herniated disc back in 2006. Sadly in 2007 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and was told that the chemotherapy treatment would make my bad problem worse.
Happily the treatment was successful but they were right and my back problem became much harder to manage.
Fortunately I was able to use Pilates based exercises as a pilates teacher and these have proved a godsend.
For more tips visit my website at http://www.ipilates.co.uk where you can download free Pilates exercises.

Comment on Herniated disc l4 l5 update 11 – back pain by James M. Cox, D.C., D.A.C.B.R.

James M. Cox, D.C., D.A.C.B.R. — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:46:30 +0000

A new MRI is academic. Studies show that with complete relief the retake MRI may show the disc totally reduced, partially reduced, the same or even larger – yet the patient be completely or greatly relieved of their sciatic or leg pain. It is not the size of the disc that determines clinical findings and there are many references to that fact. Chemical radiculitis may show a completely normal MRI and yet the patient have severe sciatic radiculopathy.
The important outcome is pain. 76% of asymptomatic people show disc herniations. I am pleased that my procedures are helping you.

James M. Cox, D.C. D.A.C.B.R.

Comment on Update # (not sure where I’m up to) by Jason Brown, DC - Chiropractor in East Greenbush, NY

Jason Brown, DC - Chiropractor in East Greenbush, NY — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:57:39 +0000

Matt,

Seems like it’s been a while since your last post. Just wanted to write and let you know I enjoyed your post and am so happy you found resolution of your disc symptoms. Also want to add that one of the major things we train resolving disc patients in is ‘neutral spine mechanics’. The website below has images of functional exercises including the squat and lunge, you’ll notice that the back is always in a ‘neutral’ position. Should you have questions please feel free to email me.
Jason Brown, DC
Neutral spine exercises

Comment on Herniated Disc L4 L5 update by Alexis

Alexis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:19:31 +0000

I have just gone through a herniation at L4-L5. I was screaming in pain for 12 hours in the ER. I have NEVER known such pain. I have had 3 natural births and none of them were close to that!!!!. I have had one epidural injection and am looking forward to the 2nd one, my leg pain is the worst, I have a compression on my femoral nerve so I have numbness in my thigh and down to my calf. I have not taken any pain meds as i don’t want to get hooked on anything and create another problem. i will take an aleve in the am and 2 mg of valium at night if i am having trouble sleeping. I have opted not to have any surgery as the majority of people i talk to that have had any back surgeries are saying dont get cut on let it heal on its own and wait it out they wished they would have!! so 2 months into recovery i am getting a little better, i will still get injjection number2 as it did help some..I will pray for you guys as i am in the medical field and see a lot of human suffering, i care about people and have been really humbled by this experience and will practice much more empathy when i return to work take care

Comment on L4 L5 Herniated Disc – Bulging disc by terabox

terabox — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:53:18 +0000

12 months have gone by and still no one could tell me what was causing my pain. XRay after Xray showed nothing. Then one day the pain got so bad I crawled down the steps from my bedroom and layed on the couch so I didn’t wake up my husband. That morning he found me downstairs and told him the pain was unbearable. He said he is going to call an ambulance to take me to the emergency room and what hospital did I want to go to. I told him the only one we have not gone to was Bethesda Navel Hospital – so off they took me. Never have been so scared in my life as hearing those sirens go off. My body was so scared I went into shock as when they asked me my name I could not talk. After lying there for hours someone gave me a shot for the pain and of course another xray and sent me home.

I thought NO, not again. My husband took off to care for me and the only thing he knew how to make me was put a pot pie in the oven. I really got sick of pot pie for the next 5 days. On that fifth day I could not feel my left leg. It was gone. I remember my tail bone hurting also through all this pain. He informed the doctor and they told him to bring me in the Emergency Room at Bethesda.

The doctor to see me was a Neurologist. He layed me on my stomach and told me to tighten my buttocks. I could tighten my right one but the left buttock I could not control. Within 5 minutes he told me I had a herniated disc. I was so relieved that someone found my problem and all this pain was not in my head. All of you how experience a herniated disc know what I’m talking about – the pain is unbearable.

He also told me that a regular xray on some people will not show the herniated disc and that a myelography (putting dye in your spine) would have to be done. Thank God for MRI’s today as the Myelography is a xray you will never forget.

They take you into the xray room (bone naked) and they get this very long needle which holds a dye an insert it in your spine. Then the tale is rated up so you will be standing while they look at the xray. I could handle it so far. No tears – nothing – until they started to remove the dye from my body. Oh my God!!!! they hit nerves in my body – knee cap felt they it was going to fly out of my body – tail bone! ouch and yes the tears started down my cheeks. Did not yell but the tears did flow. I asked them to stop but they said the wanted to remove as much of the dye as they could. Today if I have a xray there is dye in the spot where #3 disc used to be.

Yes, they finally proved that #3 was ruptured into my hip causing much pain as the disc was not in one piece but in many pieces causing the numbness in my left side.

Have the operation or not that was the question they posed to me. If I leave the disc in my spine the pain would always be there and if they remove it and they make a mistake I could be paralyzed. Chances of a mistake was about 10% – so I decided to have it removed.

Surgery back then was about 4 hours and they went in from the back and opened me up and tried to remove most of the pieces left in my hip.

Surgery was at 11:00am and the next morning my doctor was standing by my bed and told me to get out of bed and start walking. I rolled out of bed and stood on my two feet and off I went. Wow! that was great. It was a neurosurgeon who operated on my and said I could live fine with at least 3 discs gone from my body and no fusion. Fusion is a year recovery at least. Thank God he as a Neurosurgeon and not a orthopedic doctor.

They informed me that the nerve damage in my hip was bad and they could not guarantee me ever feeling my left leg. However, in about 3 months from my operation I felt the bottom of my foot and so so excited I jumped over a 12″ fence and fell right on my face. The leg was still a little sluggish and realized I have to cool it for awhile.

Years passed 2 – 5 – 10 and I pretty much have feelings in my leg and leading a very normal life. I can bowl, tennis, swim, run, lift about 50 lbs. and still thank God and the hand of that doctor that allowed me to have a very normal life.

If anyone asked me today the same question pain or surgery? The answer would be the surgery. Again we all know the pain a disc would cause and if it does rupture – there is no other recourse but to get it out before it causes more damage.

This is terabox signing ofrf and hoping this helps someone to make the right decision.

terabox – austin tx

Comment on L4 L5 Herniated Disc – Bulging disc by terabox

terabox — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:51:18 +0000

My daughter confronted me today after the quaterback from UT got hurt in and complained about numbness in his arm. The first thing I thought was a herniated disc and it will be the start of pain for this young man.
In 1968 I was involved in a car accident which a young driver hit my car going about 40 MPH. i waled away from the accident however in about 4 hours I had this weird pain in my spine and felt like someone hit me with a bolt of lightning. Didn’t think anything of it and in a few months start getting these really bad back pains. Went to the doctor and they xrayed me and said I sprained my back. I thought but how???
3 months have passed and got better but again had much pain and again went to the docs. They gave me pain pills and told me to rest. Which I did and it seemed to get better.
6 months have passed and again pain started in my back and my left leg. Again went to the docs and he gave me pain pills and rest and again it got better.
However all this time the pain gets worse with each episode and people around me looking at me like all this pain is in my head. Someone please find out what is wrong with me. Went to a military doctor again and they tested me with needles and heat and they still did not come up with any ideaS. So again they send me home with pain pills and rest.
This is starting to get very old at this point.
Will continue this tomorrow.

Comment on Your body shrinks in height every day, and grows every night! by Terry Knight

Terry Knight — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:27:55 +0000

I read your article when I was on line looking for someone who sells “inverter beds.” Who sells these beds? I need one duw to a nerve problem in my back. Can you help me with this request?

Comment on Update # (not sure where I’m up to) by Wolff

Wolff — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:09:37 +0000

I really feel for you.. i know too well the pain, and the mental fight of do I or don’t I have the surgery.

Best of luck, and thanks for the link.. I’ll have a read and might post something about it.

Great work on getting of the meds… it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers
Matt

Comment on Update # (not sure where I’m up to) by cr

cr — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Matt,

Thanks for your blog. When I read your story I thought I was reading my own. I also have a herniated disc on L4 and L5 and a ruptured disc on L5 and S1. The pain was the most excruciation pain I have ever experienced in my life and I was ready to do surgery because I couldn’t take the pain.

Many people encouraged me to try as many alternatives as possible before surgery. I am only in the first two months of the process. I am trying steroid injections to reduce the inflammation and pain. They have reduced the pain from a 10 to a 1, and I am no longer on any medication at the moment and will hopefully be able to make a full recovery without surgery.

Although you are in Australia, Check out the Palomar Pain Management Center http://www.painassociates.com/PhysiciansStaff.asp for more information on this process.

Thanks for giving me some encouragement.

Comment on Update # (not sure where I’m up to) by Sandra McFaul

Sandra McFaul — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:24:44 +0000

Hi Matt,
It is always interesting to hear and read ones journey about herniated discs.
Not sure whether you are aware of a speciality of physiotherapy called the McKenzie Method. You have included McKenzie’s books “Treat Your Own Back” on your blog.
I have a McKenzie clinic in Sydney.
Cheers
Sandra McFaul
McKenzie Physiotherapist

Comment on L4-L5 herniated disc – Back Pain Update #7 by Robert Morgen

Robert Morgen — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:50:44 +0000

I shattered a C-5 in my neck in ’92, so I really feel for you.

Glad you seem to be doing well with it.

Comment on Herniated disc, ruptured disc? Need to pass the time? by Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:41:38 +0000

Hello, I just found this site, it is Monday April 28th, I am trying to take it all in. I have a scheduled MRI this Wednesday to confirm a herinated disc in the L4 L5 region. This is all new to me, it started with a mild back ache a month ago and has grown to just trying to manage the pain on a daily basis. I am only 31 and have 3 kids that are trying to help their poor mom but this SUCKS!! I teach dance and run like it is a religion so this has put a huge STOP sign on my life. Any advice would be great and very much appreciated. I meet with a neurosurgeon on Monday the 7th, the waiting game is the hardest. You can find me at: rtgiard@rof.net Thanks in advance

Comment on Most viewed posts on the bad back blog for 06/07 by John

John — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:22:18 +0000

I just wanted to say “thank you” for the time and effort you have put into this blog. I am currently dealing with some severe back pain, after a trip to the ER today I was told that it is most likely at L4 herniation or rupture. I have found a lot of common ground reading through your posts and when my back allows I plan on reading everything. I am in my 4th week of the injury and was originally told it was just a pulled muscle. I am unable to stand for more than 3 minutes before my quad, hip flexor and or glute goes into SEVERE painful spasm. Sitting down had relieved the pain up until today when nothing would work. the ER doc gave me percocet and am trying to schedule an MRI for this week.
Again – thank you.

Comment on Herniated Disc L4 L5 – latest update 1-22-2008 by Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:54:26 +0000

Hi I was involved in a car accident back in September of 2007 I would be interested in chatting with you I have my MRI’s and X-rays I have some of the same things on mine I was never “diagnosed” with Scheuermann’s disease but the MRI to quote it exactly “Signal intentsity from the thoracic vertebrae demonstrate mild dessiccation of the discs and Schmorl’s nodes involving the lower thoracic spine consistent with a mild degree of Scheuermann’s disease” of course there is more but I have been to a number of Dr’s and am “trying” to work through this as best I can at work but am struggling greatly.

Comment on L4-L5 herniated disc – Back Pain Update #7 by Cheryl

Cheryl — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:14:31 +0000

I have just been diagnosed with a herniated disc L5/S1, I have had this pain since November that has taken over my life. The pain is almost at times unbearable, it is a relief to hear that I’m not the only one in this world with this problem. I am at the point that I can’t drive any more because the pain from sitting now drives me to tears, I have never had a pain like this before. I have just seen my surgeon today, and have been booked for surgery, I’m hoping someone can leave me a blog on the surgery and recovery time, which my Doctor tells me is 12 weeks and 3 weeks of complete bed rest? I want my life back @ the age of 38 and hoping very much that this works. All I do now is take medication and try to sleep. Any info would be helpfull…Thanks

Comment on Herniated disc l4 l5 update 11 – back pain by DENNY BOWLES

DENNY BOWLES — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:06:45 +0000

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR HISTORY. I LIVE IN A TOWN OF 124,000 AND THE MOST RECOMMENDED BACK SURGERY STILL PERFORMS THE WAY IT WAS DONE 15 YEARS AGO. 6-12 MONTHS OF RECOVERY. I READ ON THE INTERNET OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNICHS THAT HEAL MUCH FASTER WITH LESS POST-OP PAIN. I FOUND OUT, SINCE I’M A RETIRED ORAL SURGEON, THAT NONE OF THE M.D.’s SEND THEMSELVES OR WIVES TO HAVE LOACAL BACK SURGERY. MY HERNIATED DISC IS BETWEN L-4 AND L-5 AND THE BONY VETREBRAE RUB AGAINST EACK OTHER AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT DOES TO THE NERVES. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, DENNY

Comment on 10 things you should try before you have back surgery on your herniated disc by Linda L4/L5 Microdiscectomy

Linda L4/L5 Microdiscectomy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:52:04 +0000

Hi everyone – Suffered just like Texan for five weeks. Found a neurosurgeon to operate on Super Bowl Sunday-I could not take the pain for one more minute. I am glad I had the surgery but am totally depressed from the recovery. Stayed home for 3 weeks, went back to school as a high school teacher too early. I have constant moderate pain in lower back, top of left thight on the outside and occasional pain (mostly when lying down) on left front side of my shin. On sunday I threw myself into a swimming pool with a gravity belt and walked, jumped and stretched. I expected to come out of the water pain free but was again disappointed. Thanks for listening, any ideas.

Comment on L4 L5 Herniated Disc – Bulging disc by jasmine

jasmine — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:32:24 +0000

Do you have any suggestions for someone who is suffering from chronic backpain? I have been having ongoing trouble with my back for the last 4 or 5 years and I am desperate for relief.

Comment on L4-L5 herniated disc – Back Pain Update #7 by Olu

Olu — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:18:33 +0000

Great blog! I herniated L4/L5 some 5 weeks ago deadlifting, however this is not the first time, it took almost 2years for me to get over the first time..(which was as a result of deadlifting a lot of weight) I am quite an active person but for the first time in 5 years I had to call into the office sick today, I am still trying to train through the pain which I have found in the past to be the best solution for me, but reconsidering as I think I inflammed the nerves last night following a leg training session, I feel excruciating pain in my butt and this pain travels down my hamstrings ending up in a painful knot in my left calf, I am getting these massaged and doing the core muscle building excercises and these have worked for me in the past, never ever round your back! the cat stretch is bad with this type of pain, I find that the best stretch is pulling your knees to your chest and holding it for 20secs at a time. I am happy I found this site and it’s definitely helped me with dealing with the pain.

Comment on Herniated Disc L4 L5 update by Sam Jones

Sam Jones — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:03:40 +0000

Hi,
Thanks for your blog. Really helps. Doctors too “busy,” most physical therapists and support staff too incurious, unobservant to provide solid info so far. Mild rear-end car accident, I was in passenger’s seat, xmas 2007. 1 or 2 days not too bad, then 2 weeks shrieking lumbar pain with sharper still blasts of pain, then specialist (orthopedist) in top east coast city practice, spontaneous “improvement” to just bad pain led doc to say here’s your home “PT” sheet (including damaging touch-your-toes stuff, it turned out), 1 1/2 mos. of PT, still in pain, staying the SAME for last month, level 2 always, w/level, say, 5 spikes. WHAT WORKS to help HEAL THE DAMN THING, in your belief? i have to sit for work, use support, get up, stretch, but not really “living” now… MRI shows “very” mild protrusion at L4/L5 into nerve area. obviously the culprit. that and/or associated annular tear (not visible on MRI). can’t take NSAIDS (allergy). refused steroid (a chiro told me it is “bad for healing of connective tissue”) your thoughts at this point? thank you — s.

Comment on L4-L5 herniated disc – Back Pain Update #7 by Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:56:29 +0000

Thank God I found this blog! I can’t tell you how much of a relief it is to read about your experience. I thought I was just going crazy and it was all in my head. I’m out of surgery going on 6 weeks now and I still feel the same pain in my back as the day I went in pre-op. I originally herniated L5 and S1. I did physical therapy for three months, then low and behold, the other side of my body was hurting. My second MRI showed that due to me herniating the lowest discs, they couldn’t support L3 and L4, so those collapsed too! My recovery has been very long and painful. One week after surgery I checked myself into the ER of my local hospital because the pain was so great and I hadn’t slept for three days. I was and still am on a lot of muscle relaxers, lidocaine patches, vicodin, dilodid, lyrica, diclofenac etc. I ordinarily take quite a few meds anyway, so adding about five more scares me. I’m going in for a spinal injection tomorrow because after my post-op appointment with my surgeon he felt my pain was still just too great and I was crying begging for some kind of relief. Talk about this injury messing with your mind. All we have is time on our hands to think. I’m a single woman, never married and all I can think about is if I’ll ever be able to carry a child to term without being on bed rest for nine months! I have a woker’s comp claim in place, so I’m getting paid, but it still doesn’t seem to justify or compensate for all the pain and suffering I’ve endured. All I want, and I think we all want, is some relief from pain. It’s been seven months since my injury, I’m anxiously awaiting!
Your blog entry and all the others really have helped. I’ll be trying cold packs versus the heat that I’m constantly sitting on. I’m not sure why I didn’t know that ice was better than heat? I’ve also been on limited activity, but I’ve been taking small walks lately and if anything, it’s getting the endorphones going. I’ll also be trying those stretches! I feel a lot more normal than before I logged on. Thanks so much!

Comment on Herniated Disc L4 L5 – latest update 1-22-2008 by Karen

Karen — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 04:03:25 +0000

Woolff interesting re the cane etc, you are right! but re the parking permit, I thought you had to be considered permanently disabled, is that correct? I didnt think my GP would consider me in that way as its a back problem and I’m young? thanks Karen

Comment on Herniated Disc L4 L5 – latest update 1-22-2008 by Wolff

Wolff — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:12:38 +0000

Well, if you’re after a spare cane, I’ve got one They’re totally awesome because most people will give up a seat for you on a train/bus/tram. They also make more room for you when walking down the street etc – ie you’re less likely to be pushed or bumped. I’ve had old ladies look at me like I was an ass for sitting in a seat, and then they see the cane and almost look at you with pitty… a few times I’ve forgotten the cane and I sit there, and older people look at me like I’m a turd and you kind of feel like saying you’ve got a back problem.. but that would be weird.. after a while you just say to your self “stuff it”, I’ve got serious back/leg pain, they can’t see it, but it’s not my problem.. deal with it.

Also, I recommend anyone who can’t walk (like me) should just ask their doctor for a disabled permit.. they’re sooooo frigin awesome, and you have to get over the fact that you look normal so maybe you shouldn’t have one… just do it, love it, and save the cash on parking, and NEVER feel guilty. you know you’ve got major pain.

Comment on Herniated Disc L4 L5 – latest update 1-22-2008 by Karen

Karen — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:18:20 +0000

Matt..37 year old female, living in Melbourne. I have read all your posts and really found comfort in your journey. I have also seen Gary Speck many times over last ten years of back pain.I have another new episode now – large disc bulge at L5 S1, Left leg symptoms when standing or walking. But coping as can sit at work and am very flexible.
Anyway very interested re the cox technique as have never heard of it and never had courage to see a chiropractor before, but now attacking it all from many angles, and spending all my money!! I would like to know who you saw in Melbourne and moreabout the relief. I feel that if I could get some relief when standing I could do more exercise and even get the train to work!! I loved that you said using a cane for the tram/train helped, that is my biggest fear that I wont get a seat so now driving into the city every day which is soo expensive!!
please let me know who you saw. I live in the St Kilda area and work in the city, big thankyou again, Karen