Lower back pain

[xttxt]

Lower back pain crept up on me at the beginning of summer... went to see my family doctor who sent me to physical therapy (for the time being until I can get my MRI results) ... physio diagnosed me with a Disc Bulge but needs the MRI results to determine which disc.

I'm experiencing intense sciatica that shoots all the way down from my lower back to my ankle.

I've found theres an unlimited number of methods to treat lower back pain.
-Acupuncture
-Chiro
-Physio
-Decompression machines (DRX9000 - which I've heard is a scam)

Am wondering if anyone has experienced Disc Herniation, Disc Bulge, Slipped Disc, Degenerative Disc, or other disc disorders and what method did you go about to treat it?

I've been consicous about my posture and doing recommended stretches and core strengthening exercises. Is it just going to be a slow healing process?

[G-ZUS]

I've had 2 friends who had slipped discs. They both went for surgery

[A790]

Originally posted by xttxt
Lower back pain crept up on me at the beginning of summer... went to see my family doctor who sent me to physical therapy (for the time being until I can get my MRI results) ... physio diagnosed me with a Disc Bulge but needs the MRI results to determine which disc.

I'm experiencing intense sciatica that shoots all the way down from my lower back to my ankle.

I've found theres an unlimited number of methods to treat lower back pain.
-Acupuncture
-Chiro
-Physio
-Decompression machines (DRX9000 - which I've heard is a scam)

Am wondering if anyone has experienced Disc Herniation, Disc Bulge, Slipped Disc, Degenerative Disc, or other disc disorders and what method did you go about to treat it?

I've been consicous about my posture and doing recommended stretches and core strengthening exercises. Is it just going to be a slow healing process?
Been 7 months for me now. Mild/moderate pain resonating in lower back down to right calf. The best treatment has been exercise. Stretching, cardio, core, etc.

Consider an anti-inflammatory like Voltaren or neproxen. Get your MRI before you do anything serious.

[Ronjacinto83]

I use to have the same exact problem. My doctor told me it was because I hardly do any ab or core workouts.

I finally started to put more ab workouts into my session.

Tada! My back problems were gone. Never bothered me since. THis was about 4-5 years ago.

[Pacman]

I've been dealing with it for a few years, and going for a fusion surgery tomorrow. Hopefully that takes care of it.......

I tried all of the other "non invasive" options, and they didn't work for me.

[Darkane]

Originally posted by xttxt
Lower back pain crept up on me at the beginning of summer... went to see my family doctor who sent me to physical therapy (for the time being until I can get my MRI results) ... physio diagnosed me with a Disc Bulge but needs the MRI results to determine which disc.

I'm experiencing intense sciatica that shoots all the way down from my lower back to my ankle.

I've found theres an unlimited number of methods to treat lower back pain.
-Acupuncture
-Chiro
-Physio
-Decompression machines (DRX9000 - which I've heard is a scam)

Am wondering if anyone has experienced Disc Herniation, Disc Bulge, Slipped Disc, Degenerative Disc, or other disc disorders and what method did you go about to treat it?

I've been consicous about my posture and doing recommended stretches and core strengthening exercises. Is it just going to be a slow healing process?

Hey,

Are you Sedentary? Have an office job that has you sitting all day?

Do you Train in a gym?

Do you stretch your Hip flexors?

Do you have tight hamstrings?

Do you have weak Glutes?

Do you have lordosis of the spine? google it

Do you have a poor diet? this can lead to unnecessary inflammation.

Do you drink?

Are you stressed?

Reason I ask all these is because you said it 'creeped' up on you. Bulged discs don't creep, there is an initial damage movement - and trust me you'd know when it was.

How old are you? I'm willing to bet it's weak core coupled with poor mobility that snuck up on you.

Disc bulges are with you for life. Now the goal is to maintain it and minimize the pain.

[xttxt]

Originally posted by Darkane


Hey,

Are you Sedentary? Have an office job that has you sitting all day?

Do you Train in a gym?

Do you stretch your Hip flexors?

Do you have tight hamstrings?

Do you have weak Glutes?

Do you have lordosis of the spine? google it

Do you have a poor diet? this can lead to unnecessary inflammation.

Do you drink?

Are you stressed?

Reason I ask all these is because you said it 'creeped' up on you. Bulged discs don't creep, there is an initial damage movement - and trust me you'd know when it was.

How old are you? I'm willing to bet it's weak core coupled with poor mobility that snuck up on you.

Disc bulges are with you for life. Now the goal is to maintain it and minimize the pain.

Sciatica has decreased significantly, but the "soreness" in the lowerback has now turned into a "pinching" pain or like being stabbed by a bunch of needles...sometimes with very slight movement.

I've been stretching regularly and doing core strengthening exercises. I also got dubbed into buying the "back-2-life" from the tv infomercials haha even though I'm skeptical about it I use it almost everyday since the thing cost me $200+


I am sitting at work for the better part of the day, but by no means do I have poor mobility (at least not until the pain kicked in) ... I think I would consider myself pretty active. Last year I hit the gym 5 days a week doing a combination of strength training and cardio (with 3 out of 5 days doing core/ab). During strength training I never attempted to do deadlifts, which I understand if not done right can cause serious injury. I also played basketball, volleyball, and badminton at least once a week and went to yoga occassionally.

I stopped going to the gym because I was traveling for 8 months. And during that time, I definitely didn't lack mobility as I was walking so much. I lost about 15 lbs from walking so much (but gained most of it back after I got back to Canada) The pain hit me about a month after I got back.

I'm 23 about 5'8" and currently weighing about 158lbs.

Maybe you're right that disc bulges will be with me for life. I remember similar pain when I was about 12, I assume it was caused by improper golfing technique at that time. However the pain has been in "remission" with no symptoms at all for the last 11 years.

Went to get an MRI 2 days ago. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what the report says.

[zipdoa]

I actually completely tweaked my back SWEEPING the other day. I'm super tall so I do have to strain the back to get chores done, but I've never felt a bulging throbbing pain like this before.

my solution? YOGA!

[xttxt]

life sucks.... MRI report confirmed Degenerative L4-L5 disc with slight bulging to the right which is pushing against a nerve and causing the pain.

i feel like i'll be in a wheelchair by age 35...

[Pacman]

well, not sure if this will make you feel any better, but I had the exact same issue at the same level (left side herniation at L4/L5).

Just had a full lumbar decompression and fusion done (with 2 rods, 2 screws, 2 plates and a titanium "cage") 2 weeks ago and I was walking the very next day at the hospital.

2 weeks later, I'm relatively painfree. The "disc pain" is gone, and only the pain from the 4 incision points remains, which you would expect considering all the muscle they had to cut through.

I've still got a bit of neurological pain in my left leg, but that is also expected as the surgeons have to move the nerve around quite a bit to access the disc and install the hardware. Surgeon says it could take up to 6 months for the nerve to heal completely.

Is your doctor going to refer you to a surgeon?

[HONDA_CALGARY]

I had a herniated disc Dec 2008. The pain behind the right was just unbearable for the first few weeks but went away eventually. I was left with some numbness in the heal and back of the right leg. I tried everything from chiropractor, acupuncture to physio therapy but the numbness did not go away.

I had to wait for about 6 months to have an MRI done. My family doctor sent me to see a neurosurgeon at the Foothills. A few weeks after seeing the neurosurgeon, I was back at the hospital for a micro discectomy to have the herniation removed.

The numbness is still in parts of right leg as there may be permanent nerve damage but I feel stronger in my back now.

Best of luck. It suck...I know.

[Pacman]

I had 2 microdisectomy surgeries on my L4/L5 but the disc kept herniating. I seem to recall there is a 10% chance the disc will herniate after the 1st "micro d", and 40% after the 2nd one.

I wish I had done the fusion instead of the 2nd "micro d", as I may have avoided the 3rd surgery.

Some of the numbness will stick around. Part of my left foot has been a bit numb since the first surgery which was 3 years ago.



Originally posted by HONDA_CALGARY
I had a herniated disc Dec 2008. The pain behind the right was just unbearable for the first few weeks but went away eventually. I was left with some numbness in the heal and back of the right leg. I tried everything from chiropractor, acupuncture to physio therapy but the numbness did not go away.

I had to wait for about 6 months to have an MRI done. My family doctor sent me to see a neurosurgeon at the Foothills. A few weeks after seeing the neurosurgeon, I was back at the hospital for a micro discectomy to have the herniation removed.

The numbness is still in parts of right leg as there may be permanent nerve damage but I feel stronger in my back now.

Best of luck. It suck...I know.

[xttxt]

Originally posted by Pacman
well, not sure if this will make you feel any better, but I had the exact same issue at the same level (left side herniation at L4/L5).

Just had a full lumbar decompression and fusion done (with 2 rods, 2 screws, 2 plates and a titanium "cage") 2 weeks ago and I was walking the very next day at the hospital.


Doctor is really against me getting surgery as I'm only 23. He's referring me to a "specialist" I don't know what kind of doctor he's referring to, but he said its a team of doctors (actual MD's) and Physical Therapists...

I've read a little bit about the fusion surgery, can you tell me if there are any possible implications later on after the 6 month healing process? (ie. restrictions and limitations to any sort of physical activity) And how long did you have to wait for the surgery? I'm guessing awhile? unless youz iz ballin and using private health care.

[xttxt]

one more question - how long after the onset of the pain until you decided to do surgery?

[Pacman]

I was 28 when I hurt my back....probably due to heavy weightlifting and too much golf.

Generally, surgeons don't like to operate if there is only back pain. However, if there is any type of neurological deficit (like numbness in the legs/feet) then they usually like to go in.

I waited 2 months for my first surgery (microdisectomy) and walked out of the hospital later that day. I was back to normal after 2 months and things were going well until I slipped on some ice and then it re-herniated.

I only had to wait 1 month for my 2nd micro d, as I was on the urgent list. I couldn't stand, sit or lie down without having a major throbbing pain in my groin that radiated down my left leg. I was in a lot of pain and pretty miserable. Again, I walked out of the hospital the same day and things went well for 2 years. Unfortunately, once you have gone in, poked and prodded a disc a few times, the annulus is weak and there is a good chance of a re-herniation. I'm not sure how it re-herniated, but I remember being at a sales meeting in a hotel room and bending over to get something out of a suitcase and hearing/feeling some popping sounds followed by a bit of pain.

For my 3rd surgery (the fusion), I only had to wait 1 month. The MRI results showed a big herniation and my left foot was numb. I couldn't stand on my left heel as my foot had no strength and would slap down on occasion when walking. I also had lots of throbbing in my left knee with some occasional throbbing in my groin.

I just had the fusion done 2 weeks ago. From what I understand, 80% fuses after the first 2 months (assuming you are a non smoker and do not have diabetes) but it takes a full year for everything to fuse up properly.

I'm on a no bend/lift/twist restriction for 2 months and then slight bending/lifting/twisting for another 4 months after that.

The prognosis on fusions is generally good. It does put some extra stress on the disc above and below (l3/l4 and l5/s1 in my case). You don't lose much mobility as the fusion is down low. As far as limitations.....there are PGA golfers, and MMA fighters that have had fusions done and are back to work after a year. I don't want to risk anything and go overboard, so I'll be happy if I can go for a brisk walk, swimming as I just want to keep fit and keep the weight down.

Anyhow, you are at least 2 surgeries away from a fusion so chances are, if you do end up electing surgery, your issue will be rectified after the first one and you won't even have to worry about a fusion.

I assume your doctor is going to send you in for a referral to one of the ortho/neuro spine surgeons at the Caleo clinic in Crowfoot? If not, I would consider asking to see a surgeon just so they can assess you. If you do have any nerve issues, you don't want to wait too long as you could develop permanent damage.

When I was recovering after my fusion, there was a guy in the next bed who had the same surgery done. He waited for a year before getting to his doctor, and he has permanent bladder/bowel dysfunction.

[xttxt]

I'm not sure if its the Caleo clinic...but he did say "a clinic that's in crowfoot".

Is this where you went? Apparently I have to wait for THEM to call ME? My family doctor told me NOT to expect a call from them for at least a month.

Seems like I'm waiting a lot longer than you are?!? I waited 3 months just to get an MRI. Feels like even if surgery was necessary, I wouldn't get in to the OR for at least another year!

He told me they would assess me and most likely continue to do conservative therapy with me. Did you go through the same physio-like therapy or elect to do surgery (microdisectomy) immediately after their assessment?


Anyhow, I'm not so sure they'd recommend surgery as the sciatic pain down my right leg has decreased significantly. The pain is centralized to my lower back, but the MRI did reveal that it is compressing on some nerve in the spinal canal. I'm more concerned about the degeneration of the disc.

Your advice is a huge help though! THanks!

[Pacman]

I didn't have to wait long for my first surgery, as my foot was numb and I was on the "urgent" list. For my second and third surgery.....the wait was minimal, probably because of the nerve issues.

Caleo will call you. There is a huge wait time to see a spine surgeon in Calgary. I see the other doctors in the Caleo clinic for my job, and they have mentioned the wait times are up to 6 months in some cases. They actually have family physicians there that are only doing spine assessment and triage and will determine when you actually see the surgeon.

I didn't bother doing any physiotherapy after I met with the surgeon. He told me straight up that my issue was serious, and probably not going to go away on it's own. Plus, I took the risk of permanent damage in my foot if I had waited.

It's a tricky situation to be in. If you are feeling great now, you might decline the surgery......but if things get worse in 2 months, you will have to call and book an appointment with the surgeon (2 month wait), then go for an MRI (another 1 -2 month wait) and then wait to see the surgeon again (1 month) and then book the surgery (1-6 months).

The week before my surgery, I was feeling absolutely amazing. My back pain was gone, my leg pain was minimal and I was just about to cancel the surgery. Thank god I didn't, as the day of the surgery, I was back in pain again and the surgeon said things were pretty nasty back there when he opened me up.




Originally posted by xttxt
I'm not sure if its the Caleo clinic...but he did say "a clinic that's in crowfoot".

Is this where you went? Apparently I have to wait for THEM to call ME? My family doctor told me NOT to expect a call from them for at least a month.

Seems like I'm waiting a lot longer than you are?!? I waited 3 months just to get an MRI. Feels like even if surgery was necessary, I wouldn't get in to the OR for at least another year!

He told me they would assess me and most likely continue to do conservative therapy with me. Did you go through the same physio-like therapy or elect to do surgery (microdisectomy) immediately after their assessment?


Anyhow, I'm not so sure they'd recommend surgery as the sciatic pain down my right leg has decreased significantly. The pain is centralized to my lower back, but the MRI did reveal that it is compressing on some nerve in the spinal canal. I'm more concerned about the degeneration of the disc.

Your advice is a huge help though! THanks!