anyone ever compress a disk in your back? (update)

[raised by wolves]

Take it very seriously, it can get really bad.

I herniated two and compressed one, all severely. Initially it manifested as mild numbness in one leg, then progressed into loss of coordination and severe pain in my entire leg and back. It became so bad I could not walk for several months. Unemployed. Kept going from specialist to specialist, and multiple trips to clinics and ERs due to the pain. Not one of the many specialists ran me through an Xray or an MRI. I was labelled as "drug-seeking" and was routinely discharged as soon as soon as I arrived. Eventually a physiotherapist recognized what he was seeing; after I was in a wheelchair, and called my family physician directly. I was then rushed through an Xray, and MRI, and directed to surgery. Unfortunately, as it had gone undiagnosed for so long, and the damage was so severe, I ended up with permanent scarring on my spinal cord, which now limits coordination and mobility in one leg.

To this day, I still hear whispered "drug-seeking" from the MDs when I have had to visit a hospital. 2 years ago, I came down with pneumonia. I knew it was pneumonia as I dealt with it once before. Grey Nuns ER doc sent me for an Xray, but made the "drug-seeking" comment to one of his colleagues and discharged me. An hour later he phoned me at home, apologizing profusely and requesting me to return for treatment as the Xray tech saw it in the imaging and followed up on my case.

All this due to a herniated disc.

[histyle]

Injured my back at 19, if I moved my right leg a certain way I would crumple to the floor in tears the pain was so bad. Chiropractors & acupuncture helped to alleviate the pain for a while, but it always returns. Bought an inversion table 5 years ago (hang upside down like a bat!), and haven't had any issues since. It puts your lower back & pelvis into traction, and stretches everything out. My only complaint is that it puts stress on your ankles.

[Ronji]

I injured by back by sliding down a mountain sheep hunting. . I have 2 compressed discs. The pain got so bad, that if I was skinning a deer, I would have to pull myself up with the use of a tree. I tried the usual treatments, and all had very little effect. My bone cruncher Dr. suggested acupuncture treatment. Visited this elderly Dr. for a number of treatments, that lasted over about 5 months. I can honestly say, that this was the only treatment that worked. I haven't been back in 8 years, and I am pain free.
I understand, that not every form of treatment works for all...........but it worked for me.

[sakogreywolf]

Originally Posted by troutbug

Well I go for a CAT scan Monday, The Doctor got me in very fast, not sure the normal wait times for a CAT but the front desk lady said its alot faster then most

Sounds like you have a good doctor on your side.

[Lildog]

Good luck all. I've been through a lot and can say a compressed disc (caused by a fool texting and rear ending me) is by far the worst pain I've ever endured. Dunno 'bout you people south of 49 but Canadian doctors look at you like you're complaining about a head cold even if you crawl in on all fours.
It's like I say. You don't know pain 'till you've had real bad back problems.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by Lildog

Good luck all. I've been through a lot and can say a compressed disc (caused by a fool texting and rear ending me) is by far the worst pain I've ever endured. Dunno 'bout you people south of 49 but Canadian doctors look at you like you're complaining about a head cold even if you crawl in on all fours.
It's like I say. You don't know pain 'till you've had real bad back problems.

Iv been lucky, our friend works at a clinic and recommended the doctor she works for. She got me in with him and he seems great. Looked at my xrays, gave me a prescription and im booked for a CT Scan on Monday. My friend said the waiting list for a CT can be up to 6 months so im considering myself lucky.

[thrude1]

i compressed L1-L5 back in 1993 digging a stepped footing by hand . I lived with it, some real bad days and some just bad. finally 2 years ago I went into a pain and wellness clinic in Red Deer he put me on a decompression bed and after about 9 months of twice a week visits at $100/visit I'm good as new . Well almost.surgery wasn't an option for me but this seems to have worked

[rwm1273]

I hurt my back when I was playing hockey while in the Military. I didn't do anything about it, and lived with the pain. It progressed to shooting pain down the legs and made life pretty difficult at times. I initially saw my doctor who sent me to physio, which really didn't help much. I then saw a chiropractor and he also had me see a massage therapist. The chiropractor had done heat tests on my spine, as well as xrays, and some other tests to check for nerve reaction. I have a couple discs semi fused in my low back, and will most likely need surgery at some point.

I get an adjustment from the chiro from time to time, and I get regular massages. It works wonders for me. Biggest difficulty was finding a good massage therapist. The ones that I find are the best are those who know about pressure points and reflexology.

[troutbug]

well...results came in...I find out Friday....I have a friend that works for my doctor (front desk girl) and all she could tell me is I wont be going to work for a bit, at least not at my normal job, I was considering a career change anyways

now im really freaking out, worst thing is, I was laid off last week and have no benefits, didn't realize the actual cost of prescriptions until I shelled out for them..yikes lol...

Looking at some courses right now, GPO or something to help me get into that line of work. I have lots of experience, now need the courses

and flytying......lots of flytying lol

[Lildog]

G'luck Troutbug!

[mischief]

Compacted my L5 vertebrae, about 4 years ago now, to the point the disc annulus ruptured and it hit a nerve and I crawled for 3 weeks before I could stand, I had a lot of "fun" in those weeks. Depending on where and how bad the leg pain is, according to a few doc's i have seen, it will tell you which disc hit what nerve as leg pain is an indicator that one is inflamed.

Best advice take it easy and be careful and when you get to the rehab be cautious as that is what caused my injury, I just had a "mild back sprain before" according to the quack wcb doc.

[pyke88]

An MRI will define injury. As someone else mentioned, call office very day for cancellations. If you are respectful and persistent, your wait will be minimized. Mine was. Be cautious using the chiro, depending on the nature of your injury. I had 2 discs removed in Dec 2008, and surgeon recommended zero chiro pre surgery. Also keep active. The easiest thing to do when you have a sore back is to become sedentary. In my experience, post discectomy and laminectomy, the importance of keeping the muscles moving is paramount. It won't feel natural at first, but you will be better off in the end. Good luck.

[pdog15]

A herniated (ruptured) disk is a very bad thing, but it can be managed - albeit with some pretty major changes in life style. The so called farmer's back from lifting, hucking, pushing, etc. - all of those things done because "things have to get done" and often there is nobody else around or the hydraulics are not handy.

You start feeling good and then feel the urge to do a round of golf. Not a good idea. You have to lift/move something - plan it out exactly how you are going to do it before even trying it out. Then ease into it a little at a time, but probably better to get some help. Change the way you bend down to pick something up - i.e. flex the knees and go down, don't bend at the waist. If things go south - it is probably something you did three days ago that aggravated the back. Eventually you learn what is o.k. to do and what is going to cause a problem. Bad backs and any job do not go well together.

Via Workman's Compensation you can get a heavy elastic belt - three buckles, about five inches wide, with a triangular pad on the back that fits into the small of the back. When cinched in, it can really help on the job by "holding you together". At home, I will often lie flat on the bed with feet and legs from the knees down dangling over the end - it works like mini-traction and has often helped. Once into pain, it is basically flat on the back bed rest that is going to be the best thing.

Med's will ease the pain (robaxasil etc.) but really they only mask the problem. Chiropractors can also bring temp relief and sometimes this is necessary to maintain the work routines without taking time off. Again - probably short term and it doesn't really get at the root problem.

There may come a time when you really have trouble just getting out of bed. This probably means that you are due for a trip to the hospital to go into traction for a week or ten days - not painful at the time, and it pulls the ruptured spot apart and lets the vertebrae settle back to where it belongs. After traction, lifestyle modifications/changes are a must or it will simply happen again.

The only way to get a reading on what is happening is to get x-rays, MRI, or whatever it takes to see exactly what is happening. The knife - usually a fusion of the vertebrae - is probably a very last step. Never went there nor did I want to go there as there can be some permanent stiffness once this is done. But whatever it takes as the situation will do nothing but worsen with age. Once into retirement it is much easier to control those things that cause aggravation. However between 35 and retirement - managing what causes the aggravations is key. Good luck.

[colin455]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

It doesn't go away, you just learn to live with it.

Sorry. This is true for me too. Reminder everyday that it is still there. L3, L4 for me. Varying levels of pain from 0.5 on a good day - 9 when they pop again. Stepped in a frozen rut 10 years ago at work in the dark. Popped it 2-3 times afterward's learning what I can and can't do. Pretty much got it figured out now. First spasm's put me on my knees in a store. Lifted my son out of a car seat when he was little. No more lifting while bent forward. Second was lifting wheelbarrow full of dirt. No jerking-lifting with load in my arms. Can lift heavy, just slowly.
I've found that bed rest was bad for me. If I kept moving and only rested sitting for bits, it kept it loosened up. Long rest let it lock up totally.
I don't take pain killers, just anti-inflammatories. Take food with them, can be hard on the stomach. Lifting and twisting is a no-no too.
Best of luck. Take it easy until you learn your trigger actions. Keep a few anti-inflammatories in cabinet.

Word to the wise. When discussing your injury with the Dr, DON'T man-up and make less of the pain levels. It can really screw with your meds/claim status/placement on surgery list...ect. If it hurts, be honest.
This baby can affect you for the rest of your life.
Good luck

[troutbug]

Well saw the dr today. CAT scan showed bulging at the L5-s1 which is causing the sciatic pain also. They are booking a appointment with the spinal surgeon for me. Also reccomended a career change. Waiting list for surgery could be over a year pendi g how bad it is. He said for severity im at about 70 percent. If it gets worse he said to come see him and he will let the surgeon know.

Not a great day

[troutbug]

Has anyone herniated the same disc (L5 and a bulged L4) and managed to not need surgery, Surgery would be over a year away anyways.
just curious

[missingtwo]

I don't know why anyone hasn't suggested an inversion table. I have had back problems for 35 years. Caused by an injured vertebrae. My disc bulges or gets compressed easily. A few minutes hanging on the table each day relieves the pain. This is what works for me.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by missingtwo

I don't know why anyone hasn't suggested an inversion table. I have had back problems for 35 years. Caused by an injured vertebrae. My disc bulges or gets compressed easily. A few minutes hanging on the table each day relieves the pain. This is what works for me.

Actually a few have recommended one, My wife found someone in town who has one for sale so im going to check it out tomorrow

[ESOXangler]

When I was 20 I herniated discs in my L4,L5 and S1, two were severe and one moderate! Pain was intense and had me off work for 6 months. I smoked a lot of pot to deal with the pain. I don't do percs or Oxys and that's what was prescribed! Although I don't touch the stuff now I can really attest to how well it helped! Over time I was able to strengthen my core, slowly doing the prescribed exercises, and within two years I was at 95%. I sure learned to lift with my legs now, and I take more care but I still do stuff I shouldn't! But if you can get the surgery when you are young and you follow every bit of advice to he letter you will be alright! Just don't push it, and learn to not be the hero, I was the tough guy hero and I still remember the exact moment she happened! Best of luck man!

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by ESOXangler

When I was 20 I herniated discs in my L4,L5 and S1, two were severe and one moderate! Pain was intense and had me off work for 6 months. I smoked a lot of pot to deal with the pain. I don't do percs or Oxys and that's what was prescribed! Although I don't touch the stuff now I can really attest to how well it helped! Over time I was able to strengthen my core, slowly doing the prescribed exercises, and within two years I was at 95%. I sure learned to lift with my legs now, and I take more care but I still do stuff I shouldn't! But if you can get the surgery when you are young and you follow every bit of advice to he letter you will be alright! Just don't push it, and learn to not be the hero, I was the tough guy hero and I still remember the exact moment she happened! Best of luck man!

Thanks for that information, As bad as the pain has gotten at times, I just cannot bring myself to smoke pot. I have nothing against others who do it in their spare time, but its just not for me.
I was prescribed torodol and flexeril, if I take them in the morning Im good for the day, if I take them to late or forget, I pay for it. I also have percocets for the really really bad nights but iv only taken them once so far and hope to keep it that way. I hate taking anything really.
Im 27, the one thing that worried the doctor was I have had this lower back pain for about 8 months and ignored it until it crippled me one day so he thinks I may have done the damage that is unrepairable.
taking it day by day, tough thing is the career change, Im getting calls for work for hd mechanic positions but nothing for other jobs iv applied for LOL

[RandyBoBandy]

Naw...I have no experience with a compressed disc but I still have NO feelings in my legs ...troutbug ask your doctor for nabilone...you may need to get this prescribed by a neurosurgeon or physiatrist google nabilone

[ESOXangler]

Originally Posted by troutbug

Thanks for that information, As bad as the pain has gotten at times, I just cannot bring myself to smoke pot. I have nothing against others who do it in their spare time, but its just not for me.
I was prescribed torodol and flexeril, if I take them in the morning Im good for the day, if I take them to late or forget, I pay for it. I also have percocets for the really really bad nights but iv only taken them once so far and hope to keep it that way. I hate taking anything really.
Im 27, the one thing that worried the doctor was I have had this lower back pain for about 8 months and ignored it until it crippled me one day so he thinks I may have done the damage that is unrepairable.
taking it day by day, tough thing is the career change, Im getting calls for work for hd mechanic positions but nothing for other jobs iv applied for LOL

Yeah I hear ya. What scared me about the pills is I saw many a good man fall down the road to addiction! And you're only 27 so don't sweat the career change. While hd is a great trade she's a body wrecker. Go back to school, pull loans, take disability, or ei retraining and have a fresh start! You've paid into the system, and the whole point of it is for these situations! Best of luck man and watch those bloody pills, they'll sneak up on you!

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by ESOXangler

Yeah I hear ya. What scared me about the pills is I saw many a good man fall down the road to addiction! And you're only 27 so don't sweat the career change. While hd is a great trade she's a body wrecker. Go back to school, pull loans, take disability, or ei retraining and have a fresh start! You've paid into the system, and the whole point of it is for these situations! Best of luck man and watch those bloody pills, they'll sneak up on you!

Yeah I only take the percs if its really really bad and thats only happened once. The
For the career change, the system is not as easy to use as one would think, I have a wife and 2 kids to support to EI doesnt even cover rent, its tough. If I can find something work wise in the Edmonton area, I have friends to stay with and we would just move their. It is also not the best time of year to look for work. I have been looking at courses that will help me get my foot in the door for a plant/field operator position, but for income am trying to find something along the lines of oilfield maintenance, maybe even a new trade. who knows what will come up lol. Im going crazy being stuck at home!

[newguy]

i'm no expert but like alot of people on here i have had my fair share of lower back issues... all my years of poor posture and bad lifting habits gave me numerous bulged discs, i didn't realize it at the time though... after some nasty falls of a few horses back in 05, 2 discs in my lower back ruptured. had the surgery to clean them up and felt alot better.

since then i've had a few bulged discs that have always healed thankfully... last episode was this past christmas.

without any doubt, the single biggest thing that helps me on a daily basis to manage pain and lead a normal life, is exercise. there are sooooooooooooo many treatments/machines/diets/etc that it can be very confusing.

the best thing i've found over the years is to maintain a strong core group of muscles. there are an infinite number of exercises to help build a strong core. be careful though, this has nothing to do with ab crunches or sit-ups. i have found many great stretches and exercises that work for me that might not work for another person. i'm of the opinion, if it feels good, do it. if it hurts, stop.

my back issues have affected every area of my life... i hope you find some relief.

[colin455]

Originally Posted by missingtwo

I don't know why anyone hasn't suggested an inversion table. I have had back problems for 35 years. Caused by an injured vertebrae. My disc bulges or gets compressed easily. A few minutes hanging on the table each day relieves the pain. This is what works for me.

Actually, I had a Physiotherapist try 'extension' on me and it made it worse. Lost feeling in my leg for few hours, pain afterward. She indicated that "I should NOT do inversion - ever".
I may have been an odd case, but ask someone first before trying it. Just in case.
Good luck.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by colin455

Actually, I had a Physiotherapist try 'extension' on me and it made it worse. Lost feeling in my leg for few hours, pain afterward. She indicated that "I should NOT do inversion - ever".
I may have been an odd case, but ask someone first before trying it. Just in case.
Good luck.

Yeah im waiting to speak to my doctor before I attempt anything like that. Last thing I want to do is make it worse.

Does anyone here know if there are any programs in Alberta that help someone change careers, like helps cover course costs for training for a new job etc? I figure Ill go for my 4th class PE course, most likely do the study from home program as I need to work to support the family, EI just doesn't pay nearly enough so that is a no-go

I am currently looking for something to support the family, as long as im not lifting all day ill be good so it shouldn't be to hard to find a gig along those lines.

[troutbug]

For those that have had surgery, How long did it take you to heal, or at least how long before you could walk and sit?

And when the pain really hit, what did you do that gave you the most relief?

[troutbug]

Well guys this has been one hell of a debilitating ride so far, mentally, physically and financially. I could stay on the strong meds as they were making me sick so no im looking for anyway to get relief. I am on a very strict diet to drop the extra weight, which ill admit, I have to lose.

Did those who lost weight notice a big difference in pain relief?

Anyone get cortisone injections? Doctor has not said anything about that but iv been researching it

I am looking for any way to get relief possible. Its not so much down my leg lately as it is in my lower back which is crippling. On bad days my wife has to help put my socks on. I( am thankful for such a caring women in my life and this would have been 100 time harder without her.

If you have any ideas for relief, please share, I cant fly tie, I cant work, I cant play with my kids. I can go for small walks, thats all and its killing me.

any help is appreciated

[ESOXangler]

I told you before and you disagreed! Your call but it works!