Back Surgery (page 2)

BrentR

I would be a bit concerned that your orthopedic doc has not tried a steroid epidural just for some temp relief until surgery. If and when they work it is nothing short of a miracle. In my case it was less then eight hours afterwards and almost complete relief within ten days.

jb

Hi AJ,

I had a ruptured disk (L5) for about 18 months. I woke up one morning and couldn't stand up straight. I was in severe pain. I saw my doc and he blew me off basically. Told me to lose weight and exercise. Sounded good only problem was I was bent over and was losing the feeling in my foot. So I pushed the issue with him and he sent me to PT. I went 4 times and left in more pain then I came with. Then my leg started giving out and I fell a few times. My doc finally sent me to a surgeon. First thing he said was "looks like you have a ruptured L5. Let's get a MIR and see." He was right. I had a steriod injection which did nothing and a few weeks later he told me I would need surgery. I was very affraid, near panic. I begged for another shot. He told me if the first one didn't work it would be a waste of time.

So I had surgery. I'm not 100 %. But I'm standing up staight! I can walk without falling and now I can go and do things with my kids that I couldn't do before. It is a very big decision. My recovery was very slow. I had a lot of swelling and was in a wheelchair for a few weeks after my surgery. It wasn't easy but I am glad I did it.

Just make sure you have a MRI and depending on what they tell you, get a second opinion. Do little things like sleeping with a pillow between your legs and use ice not heat. And keep moving. I hope this helps you out. Good Luck and my thoughts are with you.

jb

jaguarbass

Good luck, whatever you do.

Warlock

Jane,

My wife had a similar problem. Surgery was recommended, but she opted for physical therapy instead. She also had the numbness down her leg. Therapy provided a little relief. She ended up cutting way down on physical activity so she wouldn't aggravate the condition and it slowly went away. When she does too much, she will get some pain, but she knows not to overdo things.

We know someone who had surgery and her condition didn't change. We know someone else who had surgery, and it worked very well. No more numbness, no more pain.

There are a few others, but my feeling is, it will depend on how your body responds to the surgery. There may be no right or wrong decision here. Just one result or the other. Hope this helps you.

Warlock ,

AuntieJane

Thanks again all of you. The orthop did say the epidural was an option but that I should get the appt. with spine specialist and go from there. Since I'm able to get into the neurosurgeon next week, I chose to put off the epidural for now. Have doubled up on the

percocet. I do think from what all I have learned, and the extent of my pain, numbness, etc. that I will be a candidate for

surgery. This dr. comes highly recommended by more than one friend who has used him. They assure me he will not suggest

the procedure unless there are other options. At any rate, I am doing the ice pack, stretches, walking, etc. I wonder how much

sitting at a computer contributed to this? I know it is when I feel the pain worst. I am aware of my posture and even though I

always thought I had pretty good posture, I think it could have been better! There is a book, very affordable, that I bought

upon recommendation by a PT: How to treat your own back. I found it on eBay and Amazon. Very good. Thanks

again to you all, and I hope those of you who have been through this continued good health the rest of your years!

AJ

AuntieJane

Thanks for sharing and I hope your problems are over. Sometimes dr's can be so heartless; thankfully the ones I have dealt with so far have been understanding. I think we have to know our own bodies, which, after going through cancer surgery and a terrible episode with adhesions from that I truly think I know mine pretty well! I think mine has come to the point where it does not need another bandaid fix and it is time for the real deal, as much as I hate to go through with it. however I am still checking into other options and don't plan to rush into this.

Stay well,

AJ

chrissee

My husband suffered from herniated L4 & L5 (I believe those were the ones) - he did 3 cortizone injections with no relief - he suffered through several months of the pain before he finally broke down and went to a doctor about it - they did the MRI before the 3 injections and said to do the shots first and physical therapy, if there was no relief then surgery. He had surgery August of last year and when they went in they said the discs were no longer herniated ?? they told him that he had scar tissue built up on the spine, most likely from the injections and the discs healing... but he was still in pain and still in pain to this day. I told him to go back to the doctor, but he thinks there all quacks since they didn't do anything for him the 1st time.

But then his Uncle had the same kind of surgery about 7 years ago and he is fine. So I'm 50/50 on it - I think they should have done surgery on my husband before 3 or 4 months of shots - I think he would have had better results.

My husband is the type of guy that will push himself til he bleeds - he works hard at his job and at home - sometimes I think he'll end up in the hospital one day confined to a bed - then he'll be miserable! - P.S. he's only 36

Sad emo

I hope they find the best option for you AJ, and if that means surgery, that it is successful.

AuntieJane

Thank you sad; and chrissee, Oh your husband is too young to be in such pain. I do hope he gets something

done someday. I can understand his attitude, though, after all he's gone through; maybe in time something new

will come up and tempt him to seek help. I do feel pretty sure that I am going to have the surgery, after weighing

this very carefully; just like your husband, I feel why go through all the time and pain when it appears that is usually

just a temporary fix, if that. Take care all, and I will try to report back to you on the outcome.

Back Surgery

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