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Message
re: L5-S1 herniated disk
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:31 pm to birdieman
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:31 pm to birdieman
quote:
Two day prior to scheduled surgery. I have enjoyed 80% reduction in pain from single epidural. My pain is only minor and fleeting in hip area and left buttock. I am seriously considering cancelling and continuing with another epidural... I am only taking 600md/day ibuprofen and 1200mg/ gabapentin. I am not afraid of the surgery, I have had plenty, I just don't want to get it if I can avoid.
Any advice from those who were suggested surgery and were able to avoid with conservative means?
So did you get the surgery? I just got a steroid injection two days ago and Im so sick of the pain. Been 3 weeks now and Ive gotta get back in the office.
3
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:34 pm to birdieman
quote:
1200mg/ gabapentin.
be careful going off this stuff. I only took it for a few weeks after I slipped a disc, but I've heard some horror stories from others who had scary withdrawals after stopping
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:36 pm to WinnPtiger
quote:
be careful going off this stuff. I only took it for a few weeks after I slipped a disc, but I've heard some horror stories from others who had scary withdrawals after stopping
You respended to a post from 2017, I think already have the resolution either way
This post was edited on 8/10/22 at 2:37 pm
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:39 pm to birdieman
I had severe sciatic pain. Finally found out disc was torn and laying on sciatic nerve.
I actually had a discogram to see what was happening. MRIs are static. Discograms pump dye in to your discs and the look at it under X-ray. Very painful procedure. They knock you out and insert large needles hooked up to pumps. They then WAKE YOU UP so you can tell them that yes, it hurts when you pump up the disc.
I ended up having an L5-S1 microdiscectomy in 2004 and it has worked. I may need a fusion one day but so far it is all good.
I actually had a discogram to see what was happening. MRIs are static. Discograms pump dye in to your discs and the look at it under X-ray. Very painful procedure. They knock you out and insert large needles hooked up to pumps. They then WAKE YOU UP so you can tell them that yes, it hurts when you pump up the disc.
I ended up having an L5-S1 microdiscectomy in 2004 and it has worked. I may need a fusion one day but so far it is all good.
This post was edited on 8/10/22 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:53 pm to birdieman
My L4, L5, and S1 are herniated. I get a steroid epidural injection about once every 6-8 months. I can no longer squat or deadlift when I workout. Other than that, I’m fine. Just don’t do anything stupid, like squat and deadlift. The injection lasts for a while. As soon as I feel it wearing off, I schedule an appt with my pain doc.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:54 pm to XenScott
I have had two micros on L5S1. 2nd one kinda worked, I ended up losing 50 pounds 230 to 180 and that helped more than anything. Really worked on strengthening the back muscles without putting pressure on the disc. Feel a ton better than I did after the first surgery. 2 years lost and can’t mountain bike anymore.
This post was edited on 8/10/22 at 2:55 pm
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:55 pm to Monahans
quote:
Monahans
why would you bump this 5 year old thread?
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:57 pm to birdieman
I have loved with this same herniation since 2004. I chose not to have surgery. It's annoying but livable.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 2:58 pm to Monahans
Are you a bot
Posted on 8/10/22 at 3:01 pm to iAmBatman
quote:
why would you bump this 5 year old thread?
Probably to ask the OP how the surgery went if he got it.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 3:05 pm to birdieman
Almost everyone over 35 has at least a partially herniated disc, with this being probably the most popular level. If you can keep the muscles in your core strong enough to provide support, you can live a paid free life.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 3:10 pm to BeachDude022
I am 72 and just had a 3 level fusion in L2, 3 and 4. Prior to that, I could not stand for more than a minute without pain in lower back.
This surgery was done on March 15. One of the unfortunate effects is you have to learn how to walk again. Went to rehab hospital. Unable to walk so they use a specialized lift device to put you on the toilet. Then they have to wipe your arse for you. Doctor instructions are to wear a back brace, no twisting or turning and lift nothing heavier than 5 pounds.
March 25, blood pressure crashes to 66/50. Sent to Methodist in Woodlands for emergency surgery for blood clots due to pulmonary embolism. Sent back to rehab hospital. Since I am covered by Medicaire and a Medicaire supplement policy, they are forced to send me home. I am now able to stand up but unable to walk. Home health care supervisor tells me their people are unable to help. Suggests I call 911, long story short, sent back to Methodist for 7 days waiting on a opening in another rehab hospital.
Sent to another rehab hospital and it takes 14 days to get the strength to walk with a walker. All told, spent 45 days in hospitals. Now 5 months later, I can walk pretty good but now I have Lymphadema.
Yes I would still have the surgery again. Thank God for Medicaire. Total bills for everything is right at $200,000.
This surgery was done on March 15. One of the unfortunate effects is you have to learn how to walk again. Went to rehab hospital. Unable to walk so they use a specialized lift device to put you on the toilet. Then they have to wipe your arse for you. Doctor instructions are to wear a back brace, no twisting or turning and lift nothing heavier than 5 pounds.
March 25, blood pressure crashes to 66/50. Sent to Methodist in Woodlands for emergency surgery for blood clots due to pulmonary embolism. Sent back to rehab hospital. Since I am covered by Medicaire and a Medicaire supplement policy, they are forced to send me home. I am now able to stand up but unable to walk. Home health care supervisor tells me their people are unable to help. Suggests I call 911, long story short, sent back to Methodist for 7 days waiting on a opening in another rehab hospital.
Sent to another rehab hospital and it takes 14 days to get the strength to walk with a walker. All told, spent 45 days in hospitals. Now 5 months later, I can walk pretty good but now I have Lymphadema.
Yes I would still have the surgery again. Thank God for Medicaire. Total bills for everything is right at $200,000.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 3:32 pm to birdieman
Get a laminectomy/discectomy.
Do it sooner than later. Do not waste time with physical therapy. It’s a damn lie.
You have a structural deficiency in your spine and only surgical intervention will heal it.
It worked wonders for my QOL. Overnight hospital stay but nowadays might be outpatient. Within 3 weeks I was ready to go back to my desk job but took off another 3 weeks to heal.
Do it sooner than later. Do not waste time with physical therapy. It’s a damn lie.
You have a structural deficiency in your spine and only surgical intervention will heal it.
It worked wonders for my QOL. Overnight hospital stay but nowadays might be outpatient. Within 3 weeks I was ready to go back to my desk job but took off another 3 weeks to heal.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 3:35 pm to Purplehaze
I had herniated discs at L5-S1 and Spinal and Faminal Stenosis. We did a decompression on 12/27/21. I never did get right but in April i started feeling severe pain and we found out that I had a post surgical spine infection. They decided to treat with IV antibiotics but within 30 days after finishing IV antibiotics the pain was back and the infection was worse so they decided to clean and debride the area and do a two level fusion. This was one month ago today. I have been through hell for the first half of this year but finally feel like I turned a corner.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 4:08 pm to birdieman
quote:moved on up huh Baw
I live in the Lehigh valley, Pa.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 4:19 pm to iAmBatman
quote:
why would you bump this 5 year old thread?
To see if he got the surgery or not. 5 years would actually be a good sample size to see how it has gone. My doc wants me to do surgery so Im just laid up on my back surfing the net for information.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 4:20 pm to birdieman
IF.....IF....surgery becomes probable, definitely get a second opinion. Most health plans cover that & after managing 1000's of workers compensation back claims over 20+ years, back surgery is a real bitch. Especially as you get older....50-60 +. Find a very very conservation surgeon if you see surgery coming.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 4:21 pm to birdieman
I had nearly the exact same issue a few years ago. Find a good surgeon. At this point the surgery is routine, but I would still find the best you can. You have surgery in the morning and an overnight stay in the hospital. After that, you have PT for a few months. Do it. Then continue doing it after.
I know how much those spasms suck. The surgery completely fixed it for me.
Didn’t even see this was a bump.
I know how much those spasms suck. The surgery completely fixed it for me.
Didn’t even see this was a bump.
This post was edited on 8/10/22 at 4:23 pm
Posted on 8/10/22 at 6:49 pm to Paluka
quote:
I have L5-S1. This may sound silly but yoga has really helped. I go to yoga with someone who specializes in doing it for these types of injuries. It has helped me a lot.
Pretty much every PT wants to strengthen your core to relieve stress from the back, yoga is often recommended.
L5-S1 herniation here too. Had to miss several weeks of work due to back pain. No sciatica. I started eating cleaner and walking. Did some PT, but no progress so I progressed from daily walking to yoga and then reformer Pilates, and finally added in weightlifting.
Outside of a numb left thigh when I sleep, I am symptom free now and in as good of shape as I have ever been. Chase my toddler around nonstop and even got back to playing basketball.
I would recommend exhausting all non-surgical options before letting someone cut your back.
This post was edited on 8/10/22 at 6:52 pm
Posted on 8/10/22 at 6:52 pm to birdieman
Back surgery, I had mine in Oct, overall it is better but have to stay on top of stretching and exercise or pain comes back.
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