Hey all thanks for the advice that was given to me here recently, I have learned so much from this board and all of your experience. I thought i would give you an update and my progress to this point and would hope that you folks would chime and give me any advice.

I'm 25 and was diagnosed with a bulging L4-L5 and a herniated L5-S1. The bulge is a center bulge and the herniation is mostly to the left side severly pinching my nerve. There is also a little bulge on the L5-S1 to the right side as well. My Nuerosurgeon told me that he thought the herniation was too severe to be fixed without surgery and was worried about permament nerve damage. He wants to to a Microdiscectomy using the Metrx system. But first he wanted to try PT for a few weeks just to make sure. So i started PT yesterday. The PT told me that he felt the only way we would see any progress was to go everyday for two weeks. So i am spending 20 minutes on the traction table and another 30min with the electric stimilus thing (don't know the name). I have been doing the excercises that he told me to do and am trying not to take the hydrocodone pills that were given to me. The pills make me feel sick, but feeling sick is better than being imobilized. I have an office job that is very flexible so PT time is not a problem. I also modified my office and built a platform to the side of my desk and moved my laptop up so that i don't have to sit down to do my work. I have been standing for most of the day now for the last week and it seems to help.
I have so many questions and I guess only time will tell. Has anybody had the same problem with the disk and how did PT help these problems. My surgeon and Primary Doctor feel that surgery will ultimately be required and so far (i know only 2 days), but PT has not eleviated any pain. And i feel exactly that same when i leave the PT as when i walk in.
I have talked to many people in the local medical community and all feel very confident in the surgeon. I even had one lady tell me that she went to him for chronic headaches and he told her that he was sorry, but she needed to see a neuro that specialized in headaches, becuase his specialty was spines an back problems. He does not have a spine fellowship though. I have read many times on this board that you should always get a second opinion, and so i asked my primary about it. He said that he would be more than happy to refer me to another nuero for a second opinion if that would make me feel more confortable, but he wait would probably be three months. And that is a long time to be in this much pain and to remain so inactive. So i don't know what to do about this. I feel confident in my nuero, but i have nothing other than other peoples opinions to base this on.
Thanks for listening and any advice that you have.

I think you should give the pt a little time, unless you start having more pain. You said your ns is afraid of nerve damage....and that is a real concern.

As for a second opinion, yes, that is generally the way to go. However, if you have complete confidence, and if you really like this ns, I can understand not wanting to wait 3 months. Truth to tell, in your case under these circumstances, I would probably stick with the ns I already have. IF you can get in sooner to see a different dr., then I would do so as a 2nd opinion goes a long way in your own confidence that you are doing the right thing.

Decisions, decisions...and ultimately only you can make them.

Good luck.

Carol

Jake,

A couple of points I want to touch on. One, if the surgeon feels the herniation is too bad to not have surgery, I can see that maybe 2 weeks won't be the end of the world, but I suggest that if PT does not show improvement and surgery is in order, remember that the longer the nerve is being compresses, and how badly it is being compressed will affect the liklihood of a full recovery. Therefore, don't delay and reduce your chances for a full recovery.

If you've been on the boards a while you know that I've had 8 spine surgeries and the last one for 10 levels was in Dec. I totally support seeking other opinions, not necessarily just two. You can be doing that now and not have to wait until the two weeks are up with PT and you return to the surgeon. If other doctors agree totally with your surgeon and you feel that this guy is the best, that is your call to make. Personally, I've seen both neuro's and ortho's and it was an ortho spine specialist that has worked miracles for me, but I am one who advocates seeing someone who is a spine specialist and not a general neuro or ortho.

Best wishes for luck with the PT, but go ahead and get other opinions.

Jake,
I had the same problem, hearnited disk at L5-s1. Went to PT didn't help me a bit. My back got so bad, I couldn't sit on the couch, go the bathroom, get in the car without very bad bad bad pain!!!!! Oh my gosh it was horrible.. I had the surgery. Let me say this it was the best thing that ever happen to me! I mean I would do it all over again in a min! oh boy!! I would get another opinion. But I my nerve was messing with me down my left leg. My nerve was compressing that nerve so bad but now after surgery it is like a miracle.. I mean i still have pain about a 1 and half on a 10 scale I would say.. plus like somebody else said in a post they can tell when they have not walked alot in a few days. that is me. I am kinda stiff today, because I have been layign around too much these past couple of days and not walking enough.. Take care and I hope things get better for you. Tracy