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re: L5-S1 herniated disk

Posted on 9/30/17 at 10:58 am to
Posted by birdieman
New Orleans
Member since Dec 2012
1647 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 10:58 am to
My only side effects from gabapentin are blurry vision in the morning and weird dreams. My appetite is out if control too but I have been attributing that to the Elavil I also take. Weirdly even with way less exercise and eating more I haven't gained a pound.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14138 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 11:16 am to
quote:

How long was recovery? I have a 20 month old child that needs to be picked up 1000 times a day. That's what I'm concerned about.


You can make it. Its hard been there post op and not being able to pick up the kiddos for 12 weeks. It sucks but they don't remember.
Posted by Commander Data
Baton Rouge, La
Member since Dec 2016
7289 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 12:01 pm to
Since you aren't having much pain the doctor will probably set up a series of epidural injections and shoot you up with roids, fentanyl and lidocaine. Good luck. I have had two herniations there and 2 back surgeries. Sucked but I am good to go now.
Posted by Ric Flair
Charlotte
Member since Oct 2005
13712 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 12:17 pm to
Is it “contacting” the nerve root, or “effacing” it, or “severely impinging” it? Would start with a Medrol dose pack and McKenzie exercises, then move on to Steroid injection. Whoever said fusion is crazy, would start with a laminectomy.
Posted by Isabelle81
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Member since Sep 2015
2718 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 12:33 pm to
Had burning in upper back and left forearm with spasms. Was nerve impingement. Surgery fixed it.
Posted by Geaux2Hell
BR
Member since Sep 2006
4790 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 1:03 pm to
MDT certified PTs in PA
Sucks you aren't getting any benefit from PT. Truth be told you are probably at a clinic that has no clue how to treat spines. Unfortunately PT clinics are way too focused on $ and numbers and less on high quality care and outcomes but this isn't the place for my rant on that. If you can find an MDT certified PT and they cannot get the symptoms out of your leg then I'd look in to pain management options unless you begin to develop painless weakness in your leg. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by birdieman
New Orleans
Member since Dec 2012
1647 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 1:10 pm to
Thanks, for the pt info. I will go by that advice and ask the physiatrist to send me to a mckenzie therapist for sure.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
22014 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 1:18 pm to
Stretch and get a wobble chair. Had the symptoms you had. Took care if it myself without injections and whatnot
Posted by sanantoniosleauxgeaux
Texas
Member since May 2015
296 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 2:09 pm to
I had L4,L5,S1 fusion about 40 years ago. So no comparison to today’s methods. Took bones from my hip to use and fusion only took on one side. Basically I was on my back with little movement for almost 4 years. Now that I’m an old man my hip hurts worse than my back, and it it hurts constantly. They did eliminate the sciatica, which like you said is crippling, so I lost all the way around. Wish you the best and pray all goes well.
Posted by birdieman
New Orleans
Member since Dec 2012
1647 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 2:54 pm to
Is there nothing they can do now to help you?
Posted by sanantoniosleauxgeaux
Texas
Member since May 2015
296 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 11:36 pm to
Beyond caring. I just live with the result. There might be something but I’m not sure it’s worth the risk at this point. But thanks for asking.
Posted by Kcrad
Diamondhead
Member since Nov 2010
55496 posts
Posted on 9/30/17 at 11:40 pm to
Thanks for the laugh.
Posted by birdieman
New Orleans
Member since Dec 2012
1647 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:09 am to
Physiatrist said I need surgery, herniated such that pt will not help. Going to give me epidural steroid injection this afternoon to try and reduce it.
Posted by The Torch
DFW The Dub
Member since Aug 2014
19566 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:24 am to
I've been dealing with a L-4/L-5 for 20 years, keep your stomach muscles tight if possible.

I've had one surgery and 3-4 epidural shots.

Had to lay down yesterday at 7:30 pm due to spasms pain around my lower back.

Mine runs down my left leg and my left foot gets numb on the bottom, after that the pain comes.

Do what you can now or you will have problems for years
Posted by birdieman
New Orleans
Member since Dec 2012
1647 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:38 am to
First thing he said after introduction was that I need surgery. I was kind of surprised since I expected a physiatrist to recommend therapy first. I guess I will just get the surgery and get on with recovery...
Posted by bamarep
Member since Nov 2013
51818 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:48 am to
Just dealt with something similar.

Torn L4, bulging L5. My body over compensating aggravated my SI joint.

Injections and therapy did nothing. I stopped going to therapy and started using a natural inflammatory and an inversion table right before I get into bed every night.

I feel better than I have in a year.

Dr wants me to get fitted for shoe lifts to correct a posture problem but other than that I'm much better.
Posted by SamuelClemens
Earth
Member since Feb 2015
11727 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:49 am to
quote:

Just got MRI back on a problem I have had since March. Previous diagnoses was piriformis syndrome then si joint dysfunction so it's been a long road to get to here....


The SI joint dysfunction likely caused the herniated disk.

Disk herniations can be resolved with physiotherapies and injections. It's not torn or ruptured so avoid surgery.
Posted by lsucoonass
shreveport and east texas
Member since Nov 2003
68532 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:52 am to
motrin and water
Posted by Jim Smith
Member since May 2016
2915 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 9:57 am to
Just ask G what you should do!!
Posted by lsubeck
Metairie
Member since Jan 2007
288 posts
Posted on 10/3/17 at 10:06 am to
Had same thing 2 years ago, pain was brutal. WOudlnt wish that on anyone. Had minor same day surgery, walked off the operating table, home for 2 weeks, no lifting or driving or riding in car. Good to go .

Get second opinions as previously mentioned and also do your research on the docs.
Good luck
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