update / ruptured disc

tne212 · 01-15-2005, 12:40 PM

hello backboard! thank you for all of your kind support back when i first posted in december. at that time, i had been having severe sciatica problems for several weeks and had been taking NSIDs from the doctor. everyone encouraged me to get a MRI, which i did as soon as the holidays were over and was able to schedule one. as promised, i wanted to update everyone on the results: the two bottom discs (are those my L5-S1 & L4-L5 discs?) are protruding into my spinal column; the lower one is ruptured, the next one bulging.

i've done the steroid pack and am still continuing with physical therapy. i saw the doctor on friday and he was surprised to see me walking without my cane and decided to keep me going on PT and see what happens in another two weeks.

school has started and as per everyone's advice, i obtained seat cushions and am doing what i can to make it through classes (i'm there! but can't say i'm able to pay attention to anything).

however, the mornings are still horrible (pain shooting down into my calf, i ice for 20 min, then walk around, stretch, then take a hot shower -the pain is still there, but more tolerable, and subsides gradually over the day as i do more walking - except for the times when i'm sitting in class). anyone else out there have this type of problem and was able to resolve with only PT and meds?

AlSmith · 01-15-2005, 01:18 PM

Tne, you have the discs right. Most disc injuries will heal without any surgical intervention so it is very possible you will heal up fine with what you are doing. Make sure you keep in contact with your doctor in case you stop improving or you take a step backwards. I am glad to see you are at least making it to class. I hope it does not affect your grades too much. Thanks for the update and I hope you keep getting better. Keep on walking!

Alan

Tifferzz · 01-15-2005, 01:40 PM

Hi tne212, I have the same problems as you. I have a ruptured disc at L5-S1 that is pinching my nerve root and a bulging disc at L4-L5. Sitting for me really s*cks!! It hurts bad if I try to sit in a chair up-right. I either have to sit and lean forward with my elbows on my knees or I have to like sit on the couch with both of my legs folded and up on the couch while my upper body leans on the edge of the couch. Or laying in bed on either side helps but then when I try to turn over it hurts!! I have most of my pain on my left butt cheek and down the back of my left leg. I get tingling in the back of my leg and sometimes my foot. I wish walking helped me!! Walking makes it worse then it makes my back start hurting when I walk.

I am on Propoxyphene (pain meds) but to be honest, I don't think they help me at all. They just make me sleepy but it doesn't take the pain away. So, I don't take them that often ....usually just at bedtime to help me sleep. I haven't tried ice yet on my back. I use my heating pad and it helps as I am using it but as soon as I turn it off i feel the pain again. I might have to try the ice.

I went to see a Neurosurgeon the first week of January and I WISH he would have said that I could try PT first. But he said that was not an option for me

He said that I needed surgery so that the disc rupture does not adhere/attach to my nerve root. I was actually supposed to call back this past Monday to schedule my surgery .... but I still have not called back yet. I am too scared!! I have been hoping that this will go away, although it started about a month and a half ago and I have not had 1 totally pain free day since then. I keep thinking to myself ... if I go a little longer maybe the pain will go away. I just tried Pilates for the first time today since this last bout of back pain. I used to do Pilates 3 times a week then had to stop when this started again with my back. I couldn't do a lot of things but I just did the best I could without over-doing it. I guess I will have to see how I am later in the day after doing that

I hope that your problems will get better with PT! Definitely let us know after the next 2 weeks of PT how you are doing. I am definitely eager to know since you have the same problems as me

AlSmith · 01-15-2005, 02:01 PM

Tifferzz, you may want to get a second opinion on whether pt would help or not. I get a little skeptical of a doctor who seems to be pushing you to have surgery. It should always be the last resort. You may remember I had a microdiscectomy in August and I have been very happy with the results but that was after I exhausted pretty much everything else. Hang in there!

Alan

Jessie1 · 01-15-2005, 04:41 PM

Tne, I'm glad you got an MRI to see what was going on, and that PT seems to be helping you. Please keep us updated!

Tifferzz, if I were you I would get a second opinion. It's just very strange that a doc is pushing surgery on you so soon and hasn't had you try any alternatives. As Al said, surgery is a last resort. Please check with another doctor. After they operate on your spine, it's never quite the same. Let us know what's going on!

Jessie