My MRI results are finally in

hi dear dorann I have a herniated disc in the same are where yours is. It started to hurt in 2008 and I had the MRI done in March, so I knew what enemy I fought with. The doctor I went to at this time didnt do any thing except prescribing meds which didnt help me. I basically sat at home mid March 2008 till June, then I was admitted to hospital cause I didnt trust my doctor any more. There I got some quite painful injections into the spine which had me a few hours pain free and then same sh.. different day. The only thing I looked forward to every of the 8 days I spent there were the extensions. They did me good. I changed doctors when I got out of the hospital and that was such a great move. My new doctor prescribed me physiotherapy which also did me good and then sent me to rehab to help me. This rehab was for 3 weeks and the pain increased in this time. I was not a happy camper. The pain subsided later (I returned to work in November 2008) Seems to be different for everyone so I cant tell you what to expect. There are people whom these injections into the spine help a lot and who also respond to warmth like warm baths etc. I dont seem to. In fact when we had real freezing temps in the last winters it was best for me cause I could walk without pain. The pain now comes and goes. I am well able to live with it and when times are rough there is always Ibuprofen. These anti inflammatory meds didnt do anything for me and they still sit in the meds cabinet here.

I read this discussion when I was on vacation in New Orleans and never had a chance to respond. I have a slipped disc which, I believe, is much less serious than a herniated or ruptured disc but, nevertheless, serious. I also have facet joint syndrome which I believe is a degenerative disease due to aging. I have had these problems many years and I have seen both doctors and chiropractors. I have lived with and suffered with pain. I was given exercises to do but have never stuck with the exercises. I tried chiropractic adjustment and that helped a very little. I joined the Y but do not get there very often. The machines at the Y seem to help and so does exercising in the pool. The pain in my lower back and down my legs is beginning to worsen. I think I will have to see a doctor soon. I have not seen the doctor for years. When I went last, I had to go to a clinic for the low income and uninsured. Now, I am on medicare and can see a private doctor. I think that I will need more X-rays to see how much worse my situation has gotten. I want to talk about treatments available to me at this point. I think that a back can be strengthened with exercise and maybe braces. I do not know about the latter. You want to be careful with medication, and surgery should be a last resort. What treatments are you getting now? Chiropractic adjustment or physical therapy might help you. I say might. Some persons swear by acupuncture. While I love massages, it helps very little for my back or foot pain. Try your local library for books on the topic.

I feel for you. I haven't had much back problems....not like that. I did however once throw out my back and it hurt like crazy. I hope they find something to give you some relief. Having a bad back is not a fun thing!

I would suggest reading what the NIH has to say (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herniateddisk.html)and going from there. One of the most important things that they say on that page is: "With treatment, most people recover." It may be a slow process, but the outcome should be a positive one.

I think that my eldest sister had herniated discs a long time ago and it seemed to take a long time to get better too. I think that if you follow advice of the doctor and physiotherapists then you will get relief. I am praying that you will also be rightly compensated by the Insurance Company. It is important to keep doing the exercises and not miss them. Best of luck

Ah, I was wondering how that went! I don't have it myself, but I do know several people who have it - all with different degrees of it. I think one has to find what works for them. One co-worker couldn't work at times - and had to stay home and lay there til the pain was better - surgery was recommended for him but he just refused to do it. Another friend seems to be able to maintain her back by working out . . . she actually became a trainer from it (and she opted to not have any babies because she was told by everyone she wouldn't be able to handle the pregnancy - I don't know about that). And then there are others who simply don't do anything in particular to help their back - so of course the pain just kept haunting them. See what the doctor says . . . and then look into the alternatives. Light yoga might be good - a lot of people maintain their various back issues with it - like the downward dog pose. In any case, see what the doctor says first. I think pain management is different for different people, but I think some type of stretching regiment can only help.

THere´s no such a word as doomed, friend. I has episodes of back pain from my 21th year. They came and they went. Exercise and not too much overweight help. When I was 50 years old it got too big so the doctors preferred surgery. I had surgery in L4 and L5 where they took out the discs. I occationally have a couple of days of pain, specially when I´m stressed. If I did some exercise instead of sitting all day long at the computer it would be better. Do what the doctor says and don´t worry.

Even though I have no experience in this, I would say that one is really not doomed unless one decides to give up. I hope that things get better for you. Hang in there.

No don't be so down and say doomed. I think there is nothing to be scared of. Just pray to God because he is the Doctor of doctors. I have not heard of this before but have hope that all is going to be fine. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead.