Desperate Relief from Herniated Disk

[RACKER]

I am looking for input from others that have/had a herniated disk that’s compressing a nerve that causes wicked pain in the leg/foot every time you sit,bend over,and the worst is going to the bathroom. I am getting every form of physio from acupuncture to spinal decompression and radial shockwave therapy but it isn’t helping. This has been 2 months in and they keep telling me it takes time but I’m getting frustrated both mentally and physically now. I do a ton of stretching exercises and keep moving everyday but so limited to the range of motion. I’m having to report to a WCB doctor every week to review progress and nothing is changing so I asked to be referred to a specialist and he said to wait for more healing first. Any suggestions or treatments that others are doing would be welcomed. It’s my favourite time of the year to be ice fishing and all I can do is read up on here or watch YouTube videos.

[W921]

You are better off not letting doctors operate. Chiropractic waiting rooms filled with operations gone wrong. WC won't pay permanent disability four your back so I suspect how that will end
Chiropractors will take desperate peoples money
Try to walk or swim or keep moving. Find sweet spot of just enough exercise so build up stomach and back muscles without hurting yourself.
Give it time could mean years but don't give up.
If you believe you won't get better then you won't get better.
If overweight loose the weight.
Prayer is powerful but you have to believe or it doesn't work. Its your faith that enables it
In the meantime enjoy what you can do and try to help someone else with their troubles

[tirebob]

As someone who has lived with lower back issues like you are describing going on 25+ years I can tell you what works for one person is not always going to work for another. You need to try different things and find what works for you.

Surgery is an absolute last resort. The spine is a scary place to screw around. I know many people that surgery has helped and I know more than enough people that surgery has aggravated the issues far worse than they started out and no chance at correction after. I have lost two friends to suicide over it because they ended up virtually bed ridden and in deep depression over the results. The sad thing is both those guys were not so far gone before the surgery that they couldn't manage. They were just inconvenienced for a time and thought it was the easy way to deal with their back pain. My family doctor used to specialize in orthopedic's and he is the first to say that he generally advises avoiding the surgical route at all possible points unless there is literally no other way.

For me I work at keeping weight off as best I can, which of anything that is one of the most impactful things you can do. Working on your core strength is crucial as well. A strong core supports your spine far better than any brace ever can. Lower back adjustments when required along with massage and physio have helped me get through the worst of it, and stretching and core work is crucial, but it is always there and I have learned what I am capable of doing and not capable of doing to aggravate the issues, and I avoid what I am not capable of doing.

Good luck to you sir! Remember there remember there are no quick fixes for back trouble. it is a lifetime of preventative care and management for most of us who suffer these issues, but it can almost always be managed with the right work.

[artie]

When my back gets that bad physio and traction treatments help me the most
If it is not really bad then a chiropractor and acupuncture works for me

[pikeman06]

Living with a bad back for the last 20 years. Everyday starts with a halfhour soak in a hot bathtub, then a bunch of stretches, then walk the dog when im at home or walk lots in the morning at work, then a soak in the tub again before bed so I can sleep. Refuse to take the pain killers as it doesn't end well once you start down that path it seems...the pain is always there but I can handle it. Hang in there. I won't be getting back surgery either.

[nubote]

I found that a "tens" machine works wonders on my sore back. Smaller than a cellphone and costs less than a hundred bucks.

[Gabby61]

An Inversion Table is the only thing that works for me....I hang on it a couple time a day for a minute or two and Im good!!!

JMO

[SHEDHEAD]

I agree on the inversion table. It has helped me a lot. I also agree with losing any excess weight. Amazing how much extra stress weight can put on joints. I have issues every 4-5 years with my lower disc. Usually when I do something dumb. My doctor has told me to stay away from the surgery. He says most are right back to where they started within a few years or worse off. Exercise and muscle building are key. Takes time.

[prinny53]

Back in 2000, I herniated 2 discs in my lower back playing football. They tried to do an injection into my facet joint with cortisone I believe. That didn't work. The only thing that calmed it down and provided relief was being put in traction at the Glen Sather Clinic. It was a long process and ended up being a 12 week recovery. After recovery, core work and chiropractic were what kept me going.

Fast forward to now, monthly chiropractor visits had kept me feeling ok until my weight got a little out of control and I essentially quit exercising. Back was acting up all the time, constant pain, sitting, standing, laying down, didn't matter, back was sore. I finally started to walk daily and exercise daily. Nothing crazy, essentially an hour walk every day and about 20 minutes of calisthenics. Got my weight back under control and got my core strong. Now I don't have much back pain anymore. This has been stated a few times up above about the core and I believe that and weight loss if you need it are the two biggest factors in maintaining your back after its finally fixed.

I still see a chiropractor once a month as that has worked for me for years and continues to. Back pain is THE WORST. It is debilitating and takes most of what a guy can do away. I feel for the OP and hope you can find a way back to good health. Hopefully some of the tips given in this thread can help provide you with some relief.

[walker1]

Have had 3 back surgeries..... yes 3! 2014 herniated disc so I know and feel your pain. I had the issues for 3 plus years prior to the microdiscetomy .
Surgery number 2 about 5 weeks later emergency as the doc left a fragment of the disc in floating on the nerve. That was the worst time in my life. 2 trips in ambulance to hospital before they recognized this is not right.
Was ok for a short time but in 2015 needed a 3 level spine fusion at L 4-5-6.
Big surgery. First year I thought it would be better but needed more time. Physio, walking, core stretch and by year 2 I did see a difference.
The sciatic down the left leg was still there and still is but I will take that for what I describe as a better than before back!!!
5 -6 years of hell!

Bought a teeter inversion table and it will not fix what I had but it helped as others here have said. Sitting was the worst as the nerve was always firing!
Brutal nerve pain.
I got off the meds as quick as possible as it wrecks the guts bad.

It was a long haul and I watched what I did later such as lifting and exercises. Today is a lot better. Better than the dayzzzzzz of barely able to brush my teeth or put new scivees on!!!!
PM if you want or need more info.
Hope it gets better for ya. I could write a book on it. It still healed better than this broken ankle 3.5 years later and 3 surgeries to date!!!!

[88thunderbird]

my oldest Daughter (29) Had artificial disc replacement on nov 19 . She had to wait a couple years to get the surgery . 4-5 days in hospital after surgery . At home healing now. Her husband works during the day so my wife took a leave from work to care for her. healing fairly good . she's hoping to get back to work Feb 19 .

[warriorboy10]

From my experience traction or inversion might take pressure off the area.
Nasty discomfort, good luck!

[MoFugger21]

I went through the exact thing for a few years a while back... Anything I did was a temporary (daily) fix - chiro, physio, etc. Finally my doctor prescribed gabapentin, which I took for a while, and that really helped me with my day to day responsibilities.. Eventually I finally had an MRI done and now receive cortisone shots in 2 specific places in my back whenever I feel my back/nerve flaring up.

The cortisone shots, along with trying to be active and exercising regularly (though not as much lately due to being sick for 3 months...) has worked for me. I also have a stand up desk and use an exercise ball as my office chair when needed at both my office and in my home office, which I think was huge in helping my back feel better.

[Homesteader]

Inversion table to start, once things start getting better child’s pose a couple times at the end of the day maybe one minute a go.

[RACKER]

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice. I will try to explore all options. My biggest fear is damaging something more than what I have. The MRI I had showed a ruptured disk that the center gell pushed thru the wall and is pushing up against the nerve. I gotta keep moving around and exercise but no doctor is giving me info on if anything I do will cause more damage. They say if it hurts don’t do it-like I didn’t know!My hat is off to all of you that have prolonged effects of this pain as I’m not sure I could hack it out. And I really stress to everyone to kept flexible and range of motion. I’m not to proud to admit that I didn’t do enough exercise that kept me limber and core strong so nobody to blame but me. P.S. the reason why I did end up this way is falling off a ladder.

[fordtruckin]

Back pain sucks!!

[ESOXangler]

20 years ago I severely herniated L4/L5 and moderately my S1. 3 times in my life I have slowly built up the muscle to relieve the pain. Each time takes about 8-10 months to get to a great place. And then for some reason or another my exercise routine slips and once the muscle has depleted I’m back to square one.
How I start each time though is fairly the same. I begin with mild nerve flossing stretches and gradually build up. Then I move into Pilates for a while and that’s great for really building the anterior and posterior chain. Meanwhile start focusing on the Psoa muscle group. Once that’s better then it’s time to move into deadlifts and kettle swings. Anyways that’s what has always worked for me but like others have said everyone’s different.

Oh and don’t forget about your IT band. Tightness there really adds fuel to the fire!

[Hunter Trav]

Been suffering from a bad back and neck from a car accident about 20 yrs ago and have been a regular at chiro and physio ever since. Recently had videos from this clinic down in Texas pop up in my Youtube feed and I'm seriously considering going down there to get them to do some chiro work on me...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOiSUNdBzmU

[raised by wolves]

Cracked 3 vertebrae and herniated a couple discs ended my military service. Initially, the damage was overlooked (foot powder and cepacol) and the injury manifested as a numb leg, like pins and needles from sitting the wrong way and cutting off circulation. Eventually my leg felt like a dead weight regarding mobility but the pain radiating from toes to hip became excruciating. Numerous physiotherapy appointments, various painkillers did nothing as I was being treated for sciatica until the physiotherapist asked if anyone had X-rayed my back, which is when someone determined I had actually fractured the bones and herniated the discs. Several months of hobbling around with increasing pain and decreasing mobility caused further damage to the discs and spinal cord. Worst pain I have ever felt and at the time I felt suicidal due to the swing between extreme pain and dulled senses from the drugs.

The specialist/surgeon that finally brought me in was ready to remove discs and a vertebrae to insert a titanium column but even he reviewed the guaranteed loss of mobility after healing from the surgery. The surgeon talked me out of surgery as I had been dealing with the extreme pain for several months, suggesting that contending with it for a few more months in hope of an eventual return to normal, but with a controlled pain management and complete bedrest. It was two years before I was moving around on my own and doing so without a chair, canes, or crutches. I was still hobbled for several years. Lots of additional work with physiotherapists, chiropractors, daily walks, yoga stretching, a daily gym routine, and the better part of 10 years before I was truly walking and hiking again.

Another part of the story was massive withdrawal pains when I stopped taking the heavy doses of opiates. That was almost as bad as the actual injury.

This was a very long haul and an uncomfortable path, but I am glad I did not go through with the surgery to fuze parts of my spine. On occasion, I still require a cane and I must have help loading a deer into my truck. I was also fortunate that my wife was dedicated to helping me get through all of it and kept me from putting the barrel of an 870 in my mouth. I would not have made it through with out my wife and some loyal brothers from the army.

[RACKER]

Originally Posted by raised by wolves

Cracked 3 vertebrae and herniated a couple discs ended my military service. Initially, the damage was overlooked (foot powder and cepacol) and the injury manifested as a numb leg, like pins and needles from sitting the wrong way and cutting off circulation. Eventually my leg felt like a dead weight regarding mobility but the pain radiating from toes to hip became excruciating. Numerous physiotherapy appointments, various painkillers did nothing as I was being treated for sciatica until the physiotherapist asked if anyone had X-rayed my back, which is when someone determined I had actually fractured the bones and herniated the discs. Several months of hobbling around with increasing pain and decreasing mobility caused further damage to the discs and spinal cord. Worst pain I have ever felt and at the time I felt suicidal due to the swing between extreme pain and dulled senses from the drugs.

The specialist/surgeon that finally brought me in was ready to remove discs and a vertebrae to insert a titanium column but even he reviewed the guaranteed loss of mobility after healing from the surgery. The surgeon talked me out of surgery as I had been dealing with the extreme pain for several months, suggesting that contending with it for a few more months in hope of an eventual return to normal, but with a controlled pain management and complete bedrest. It was two years before I was moving around on my own and doing so without a chair, canes, or crutches. I was still hobbled for several years. Lots of additional work with physiotherapists, chiropractors, daily walks, yoga stretching, a daily gym routine, and the better part of 10 years before I was truly walking and hiking again.

Another part of the story was massive withdrawal pains when I stopped taking the heavy doses of opiates. That was almost as bad as the actual injury.

This was a very long haul and an uncomfortable path, but I am glad I did not go through with the surgery to fuze parts of my spine. On occasion, I still require a cane and I must have help loading a deer into my truck. I was also fortunate that my wife was dedicated to helping me get through all of it and kept me from putting the barrel of an 870 in my mouth. I would not have made it through with out my wife and some loyal brothers from the army.

Oh my goodness I feel like a wimp after your story. Man sorry you had to go thru all this. I suddenly realize that my condition pales in comparison to alot of people. May all of your struggles work out for those in severe pain.

[amosfella]

I have heard that an acquaintance of my dad had something similar, and found help rebuilding it by eating lots of bone broth.

I have heard that red light therapy can help with pain, but I haven't looked into that yet myself.

you might also look at HGH from Life Choice and DSMO or DMSO (can't remember the letter order).

[CBintheNorth]

Like every other person that has worked hard in their lives, my back is shot.

If you haven't yet, try dry needing.
It's like acupuncture, but more painful and way better results.
Helps me a lot as well as anyone I know that has tried it.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by raised by wolves

Cracked 3 vertebrae and herniated a couple discs ended my military service. Initially, the damage was overlooked (foot powder and cepacol) and the injury manifested as a numb leg, like pins and needles from sitting the wrong way and cutting off circulation. Eventually my leg felt like a dead weight regarding mobility but the pain radiating from toes to hip became excruciating. Numerous physiotherapy appointments, various painkillers did nothing as I was being treated for sciatica until the physiotherapist asked if anyone had X-rayed my back, which is when someone determined I had actually fractured the bones and herniated the discs. Several months of hobbling around with increasing pain and decreasing mobility caused further damage to the discs and spinal cord. Worst pain I have ever felt and at the time I felt suicidal due to the swing between extreme pain and dulled senses from the drugs.

The specialist/surgeon that finally brought me in was ready to remove discs and a vertebrae to insert a titanium column but even he reviewed the guaranteed loss of mobility after healing from the surgery. The surgeon talked me out of surgery as I had been dealing with the extreme pain for several months, suggesting that contending with it for a few more months in hope of an eventual return to normal, but with a controlled pain management and complete bedrest. It was two years before I was moving around on my own and doing so without a chair, canes, or crutches. I was still hobbled for several years. Lots of additional work with physiotherapists, chiropractors, daily walks, yoga stretching, a daily gym routine, and the better part of 10 years before I was truly walking and hiking again.

Another part of the story was massive withdrawal pains when I stopped taking the heavy doses of opiates. That was almost as bad as the actual injury.

This was a very long haul and an uncomfortable path, but I am glad I did not go through with the surgery to fuze parts of my spine. On occasion, I still require a cane and I must have help loading a deer into my truck. I was also fortunate that my wife was dedicated to helping me get through all of it and kept me from putting the barrel of an 870 in my mouth. I would not have made it through with out my wife and some loyal brothers from the army.

I went through similar issues, broke back twice, bulging and herniated discs, pelvis shifted a bit causing right leg to go completely numb, infection, two years to learn to walk again etc then due to the way I walked after recovery the hip joint went in the right leg so replaced that and can say the Army life was hard on the body looking back
Now it’s a religious regime of stretching, core strength, inversion table, deep tissue message, strength and conditioning if not well the pain will eventually creeps back in and I seize up.

Eat right, sleep right and staying active helped way better than the pills did by far. Every now and then I take an Advil but I think over the years have just grown use to pain or I should say discomfort.

All I can say is try many different things to find what works for you and then stay at it.

Best of luck to you folks going through dealing with pain.

[W921]

If you have access. Riding horses even at a walk is a great way to build muscle in your back and stomach without weight on your joints.
If you ride regular you generally don't have back problems. I have a issue with my knee and stopped riding and now having back problems again

[DirtShooter]

To the OP, have you looked into PRP or stem cells?

[RACKER]

Originally Posted by DirtShooter

To the OP, have you looked into PRP or stem cells?

No I haven’t at all. Just trying to get a referral to a specialist that can pinpoint/give proper information on the exact issue. The WCB doctor just says do physio and in time it will heal. My absolute worst pain all originates from my hip insertion area and I need more insight into this. With 2 months of physio I can’t straighten my leg while laying on my back without killer pain in the area. Maybe with more time the disc protrusion will recess back off the nerve and give me relief. Nothing they can offer will touch the pain except opioids and I refuse to take them so too bad for me. Now my leg from the knee down has constant “bubbling “sensation which is annoying but thankfully not painful.

[coyotecaller]

I was in the same boat. Wicked pain in the low back, numbness all down my legs, some days I couldn’t stand up, others I couldn’t bend over. If I dropped something, I may as well went to buy a new then try to pick it up. Tried inversion but it got worse. Tried yoga, chiropractic work, physio. I finally found relief in a kinesiologist. They helped me learn to move properly. It’s been 9 months and the pain is gone and I lost 45 lbs in the process! All body weight exercises.
Give one a try.

[Hawkeye]

I had central spinal cavity stenosis (narrowing of the hollow canal within the body of the vertebrae) that put pressure on nerves in my lower back, causing severe sciatica (burning and tingling on the back of my legs, from my waist to my ankles). At times, I thought the back of my pants might catch fire!

For me, gabapentin provided a lot of relief. It is NOT a narcotic, relatively safe and provides relief against nerve pain. Do your own research and perhaps discuss this with your doctor.

The problem I had generally responds very well to surgery. I had that done and after 2.5 weeks, I was pain free.

I now have a LOT more empathy for people with back pain.

Good luck to you. I sincerely hope you are able to get some relief.

[Jims83cj5]

Originally Posted by W921

You are better off not letting doctors operate. Chiropractic waiting rooms filled with operations gone wrong. WC won't pay permanent disability four your back so I suspect how that will end
Chiropractors will take desperate peoples money
Try to walk or swim or keep moving. Find sweet spot of just enough exercise so build up stomach and back muscles without hurting yourself.
Give it time could mean years but don't give up.
If you believe you won't get better then you won't get better.
If overweight loose the weight.
Prayer is powerful but you have to believe or it doesn't work. Its your faith that enables it
In the meantime enjoy what you can do and try to help someone else with their troubles

You are bat poop crazy, the lord will fix his herniated disc? Are bonkers. You don’t like surgeons, you dis chiropractors yet the lords gunna do it for him, unbelievable!!!

[1899b]

Originally Posted by Jims83cj5

You are bat poop crazy, the lord will fix his herniated disc? Are bonkers. You don’t like surgeons, you dis chiropractors yet the lords gunna do it for him, unbelievable!!!

He's been turning water into wine and shutting down liquor stores throughout the land for eons….