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

[troutbug]

Over the past 2 months iv had some bad lower back pain. Some days were good, some bad. Yesterday it all the sudden got 100 times worse. Im at the point where its to painful to stand or sit, and trust me, I can normally handle pain.

I went to a walk in clinic today as im out of town and she said everythings pointing to a issue with a disc in my back. Gave me a prescription for flexerol(sp?) And something else and once she gets the xrays she will call if it shows anything.
I also get a shooting pain down my left leg, reminds me of my sciatic nerve type pain.

Anyone else ever have an issue like this. I called to ask if they could maybe rush the xray but the front desk lady was totally rude and said *what do you want, more meds?*

I havent even taken what they gave yet as it will zonk me out she said so ill wait until evening

[Fisherpeak]

I ruptured the C 7 disk in my neck,fell off a wall at work last Jan.I slept sitting up for 2 months.Could not turn my head an inch or drive or,well you get it.Finally I got sent to Re-hab in Kelowna for 2 months.Physio,shots in the disc and it`s pretty good now but surgery is probably in my future.Hurts like crazy though somedays.Spinal injuries are hell.

[58thecat]

Compressed, herniated and ruptured, spider cracks in vertebra....yeah long story short take the pill, rest and heal, pay attention to your body when lifting, core strengthening...ahh feel for ya. Set up an appointment with your doctor for a follow up, might need an MRI, CT scan, Xray to see what they are dealing with but don't let them push you out the door until you get it looked at by a specialist as there might be underlying issues. Good luck.

[slopeshunter]

My wife had a herniated disc impacting the root of the sciatic nerve. Has taken about two months. It took an MRI to really show what was going on. Acupuncture helped with her pain. She had a couple weeks over Xmas where she could pretty much just lay down, then got to where standing was ok. Was probably a month to when she tried sitting. Not pleasant at all. I wish you the best in your recovery, take it easy and go slow is what I'd recommend.

[Artist]

Been there - still there - just living with it now. A herniated disc in the lower back is debilitating. Not much you can do while the disc is herniated other than rest, and let the swelling go down. (might last 2-3 weeks before you can straighten out again. ) Did you do something to trigger it?

Once a disc has herniated once, it is usually susceptible forever-after, and you'll now have to pay close attention to avoid "triggers" such as lifting the wrong way, turning the wrong way etc...

In the meantime, pain-killers may help, but they really do little to bring disc-swelling down - the disc itself is not a muscle. I would recommend ice-packs and a good rightly-placed jet in a hot-tub (that has worked the best for me for immediate relief ). In the long run, more exercise to strengthen the core muscles around that area, and, possibly a few visits to a good chiropractor!

[Fordman]

Very painful. Suffered for about 10 years with the pain coming and going. Finally hurt it to bad and had to go for surgery. 3 months off work but definitely better and pain free now. The only thing that bothers me now is trying to lift something heavy or vacuuming. That's a good thing though as the wife has to do all the vacuuming now.

[Hawkhills]

if you are near Edm or can make the trip get in touch with Pain Release Clinic. 13408-66stree. 780-473-7799 I have no affliation just a satisfied customer.

[KegRiver]

I've lived with a herniated disk since I was 16.
The result of a 380 pound man thinking it was fun to injure a 90 lb kid.

I've been to several doctors over the years. Their best advice were to say, live with it.

You will learn to be very careful about how much you lift and how you lift it.
Even then, some activities will leave you gasping for breath, from pain.

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

[grizz325]

Yep two disc's between the t8-9 and t9-10 bulging into my spinal cord hurts like he'll and allergic to all pain medication so it's tylenol and way we go. All I can say is strengthen your core. Good luck

[ganderblaster]

Got smoked in the head by a deadfall doing pine beetle control last winter. Knocked me on my butt, threw out my neck and compressed a disc in my back from the force of the side impact. Thank God for side impact hard hats! I couldn't stand up straight for a month. Acupuncture helped tremendously but I still need a half hour soak in the tub most mornings to loosen it up.

[schmedlap]

I had severe sciatica in 2000 due to a ruptured lower back disc. I was lucky to only suffer for a few months, because it was debilitating. So bad that towards the end of it I was having to set my alarm to get up at 3;00 am to take the strong painkillers, etc. so I would not be in screaming agony by
4:00 am. Once I got to the specialist it was MRI next Tuesday (paying for it - not waiting for a "public" spot) and surgery on Thursday. What a relief!! Only a few days after I was fully mobile, and a few weeks of "taking it very easy". It means you have to be more careful in physical tasks ( I had to quit playing recreational hockey and the like), but I never want to go through that again. The second bout I had, about 4 years ago, turned out to be related to other lower spine degeneration, and was fixed by a really good physiotherapist (Sather Clinic, U of A, Edmonton), with joint manipulation and targeted exercise to build and balance relevant support musculature. Until then, it was even worse in some ways, because the only painkiller that worked at all was dilaudid (morphine), and one does not want to be on that for long (?). Anyone who has never had sciatica cannot really imagine how painful, frustrating, and debilitating it is.
So, it is a question of zeroing in on the exact cause, and finding the right treatment. If it is a ruptured disc, then, really, if you can, get the surgery, I would be inclined to go for it. My (now deceased) Mom had the same issue and surgery as myself, and it worked for her.
My brother has had recurrences of it due to a slipped disc for many years. As he lives in the Maritimes, it is much harder to get surgery - due to the lesser resources, you have to be with absolutely no alternatives. When his flairs up he is compelled to very insistently pursue cortisone injections to the site. This resolves the inflammation for periods of months to up to a couple of years, but these steroids are very hard on the system in a number of ways. But, if I could, I would not hesitate to get this done while awaiting surgery. He would submit to the surgery tomorrow if he could - he has seriously considered going to the US or Europe to get it done, despite the outrageous costs involved.
Then there are the chiropractors and others who advertise their ability to resolve such issues. In some cases, maybe ...? There are a variety of specific causes. But some acquaintances who have tried those options always found the relief, if any at all, very fleeting, or just totally wasted time and money with no benefit at all. I really don't have mcuh faith in such options.
That's my "2 cents".

[josey]

Originally Posted by troutbug

Over the past 2 months iv had some bad lower back pain. Some days were good, some bad. Yesterday it all the sudden got 100 times worse. Im at the point where its to painful to stand or sit, and trust me, I can normally handle pain.

I went to a walk in clinic today as im out of town and she said everythings pointing to a issue with a disc in my back. Gave me a prescription for flexerol(sp?) And something else and once she gets the xrays she will call if it shows anything.
I also get a shooting pain down my left leg, reminds me of my sciatic nerve type pain.

Anyone else ever have an issue like this. I called to ask if they could maybe rush the xray but the front desk lady was totally rude and said *what do you want, more meds?*

I havent even taken what they gave yet as it will zonk me out she said so ill wait until evening

I had exactly that in 2006. Go see a chiropractor. I know an amazing one downtown Calgary (not sure where you are). He "fixed" me, no meds in about 2 weeks. Never had problems again. I am still going every 5-6 weeks for check ups (general not just back). He has also helped me with pinched nerve in my neck, dislocated rib (don't ask), knee pain etc.

After you are up and running, let me know. There is a PT in California who has an amazing homepage with exercises, a bestselling book and videos online to help you maintain your body and avoid stuff like that. Works great!

[Bearbreath]

I have problems with my lower back on and off. Bad episode a year ago, so went for a MRI and turns out I have a disc bulge. It's not as bad some folks. I really focus on my core strength and proper positioning while exercising. When lifting anything I tighten my abs. You can feel them take the weight off your back.

[Spidey]

In my early 20s I herniated a disk (L5) and tried for over a year to rehab with no luck. Tried chiro, physio, meds, and nothing worked. Finally went for surgery and thankfully they only had to shave back the bulging disc and since then I've been fine. Prior to the surgery I walked hunched over like a 100 year old Japanese rice farmer.

[sakogreywolf]

For years I experienced pain from standing for any length of time. Finally a few years ago the pain started to go down my left leg. First x-ray and physio, then chiropractor(I am not a fan), finally my Dr sent me to pain management for cortisone injections where the specialist also sent me in for an MRI and CT scan. The specialist than referred me to a neurosurgeon who told me that a spinal fusion of the l4-l5-s1 was really my only option, as without it I would become disabled. He was right, as after spring seeding 4 months later, I could no longer stand nor sit........I was couch bound for the next 4 months waiting for surgery of which I am still in recovery.

To the OP........from my experience, I would push to get an MRI. Unless the x-ray shows something seriously amiss, you will most likely have to pay to have it done privately if you want it done in a timely fashion. Unfortunately there is no hurry up in Canada when it comes to this. Your issue may or may not be similar to mine and surgery may or may not help, but as I understand it an MRI is really the only way to know. Feel free to pm me if you would like further info about my experiences.

[troutbug]

Wow I really appreciate the replys!

It helps to hear what everyone had for symptoms.

Earlier I couldnt get over the pain, it was crazy.

Right now its faint and I can bend and walk fine. When it gets bad I look like a hunchback and pain goes down my left leg.

Sigh...lol

[slopeshunter]

something we found with the MRI appointment is that my wifes appointment was given to her back in mid Jan for around March 20, she got in within a week by calling to ask about cancellations. So if you get an MRI appt that's way out in the future, do call to find out about cancellations, apparently they happen quite a bit from what we found out.

[Ruger1022]

I've had the pain for 3years off and on, last Nov I was in the mountains and the pain hit me with a vengeance!! Extreme pain, couldn't sleep, work, drive, ect. The doc put me on some pills. X-rays didn't show anything, my MRI is booked for St.Patricks day. Hopefully the find something because the pain wouldn't be something I would want to deal with for the rest of my life.

[troutbug]

Originally Posted by slopeshunter

something we found with the MRI appointment is that my wifes appointment was given to her back in mid Jan for around March 20, she got in within a week by calling to ask about cancellations. So if you get an MRI appt that's way out in the future, do call to find out about cancellations, apparently they happen quite a bit from what we found out.

thanks for that info. My wifes friend works at a clinic and the doctor she works for is a no bs old school doc. She said he wont mess around. It is hard to get in to see him but she said she will put my name on the list first thing and to just show up and she will get me in to see him. She said he will most likely check the xrays I got today and if its serious he will send me for an mri due to the urgency as hes done it many times. So hopefully tomorrow I will know for sure what exactly is going on. Even sitting at the computer desk as I type this is extremely painful. off to lay in bed with the laptop lol

[npauls]

Get it checked out by other doctors. Push as much as possible to get it fully looked at with an MRI or whatever other tests you possibly can. A lot of doctors wave off back pain and if you have a serious injury it can cause a lot more damage.

I have been battling an injury for almost 5 years now with my L5-S1 that I paid for private surgery in B.C. to get fixed. If I would have waited I would still be waiting for surgery through Alberta healthcare.

I have seen tons of doctors and because they waited so long and kept pushing me away saying it would go away I now have a problem with the nerve and am on nerve meds. I have had to change careers twice and as of tomorrow I will be unemployed and looking for another new career that I can handle.

I also have injuries to the 2 discs above the one I had surgery on but the doctors have said it will need fusion to all 3 joints in the future. They have said to live with it as long as I can stand it before have the fusion done.

I am 30 years old and if I wasn't I the nerve meds I am on now I would be crawling from my bed to the bathroom and back to bed. I literally can't function when my back acts up. My body won't physically let me use my legs.

If you seriously injured your disc be prepared for a long frustrating road ahead. Hopefully your injury gets taken care of in a shorter period of time then it took me to get things figured out. My injury is well past being able to be controlled or fixed permanently.

[troutbug]

Well I saw the new doctor. Xrays showed im actually missing some little bones. He explained what they were and that I was born like that and doesnt think it plays a roll in the issue. I am now booked for a CAT scan of the spine to see exactly how bad the issue is and what exactly it is. He could see how much pain I was in and gave me a prescription for toradol, flexeril and one other thing to make it easy on the guts.

Real crappy thing is I was just laid off this week and benefits were cancelled

[silverdoctor]

I waited for doctors to figure out what was wrong with me for 10 years, not one could diagnose my back issues. x-rays, MRI, cat scans, bone scan - I wonder if any of them actually look at the images.

10 years, lost count of doctors. In the end, a chiropractor diagnosed me, actually held a ruler to the xray and measured the slippage between L4 and L5...

If you're tired of waiting, get some x-rays or whatever and find a good chiro.

[josey]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

I waited for doctors to figure out what was wrong with me for 10 years, not one could diagnose my back issues. x-rays, MRI, cat scans, bone scan - I wonder if any of them actually look at the images.

10 years, lost count of doctors. In the end, a chiropractor diagnosed me, actually held a ruler to the xray and measured the slippage between L4 and L5...

If you're tired of waiting, get some x-rays or whatever and find a good chiro.

Totally agree.

80% of surgeries are not necessary according to my chiro and also do not fix most of the problems.

I would always at least try a chiro (non-invasive) first before I go to a doctor for meds & surgery.

My (ex) doctor was just shaking his head when I told him I went to a chiro and he fixed my back. In his opinon I should have seen him for pain killer shots and schedule surgery. BS in most cases I think.

[Taco]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

I waited for doctors to figure out what was wrong with me for 10 years, not one could diagnose my back issues. x-rays, MRI, cat scans, bone scan - I wonder if any of them actually look at the images.

10 years, lost count of doctors. In the end, a chiropractor diagnosed me, actually held a ruler to the xray and measured the slippage between L4 and L5...

If you're tired of waiting, get some x-rays or whatever and find a good chiro.

And I went to chiropractors, some excellent, some out and out quacks for 20 yrs and finally it was a good surgeon who cured me.

[silverdoctor]

Originally Posted by josey

Totally agree.

80% of surgeries are not necessary according to my chiro and also do not fix most of the problems.

I would always at least try a chiro (non-invasive) first before I go to a doctor for meds & surgery.

My (ex) doctor was just shaking his head when I told him I went to a chiro and he fixed my back. In his opinon I should have seen him for pain killer shots and schedule surgery. BS in most cases I think.

The chiro that diagnosed me and got me back to functional is still in the same office in Toronto, tracked him down a few years ago to say thanks. Haven't met a chiro as good as him since. Told him to keep me on his patient list, if I ever need a major correction, i'll be on a plane in a heartbeat.

I would always at least try a chiro (non-invasive) first before I go to a doctor for meds & surgery.

Not all chiro's are wonderful - but I agree fully with this. You don't need to get a correction, just another set of eyes on your back is sometimes all it takes.

[silverdoctor]

Originally Posted by Taco

And I went to chiropractors, some excellent, some out and out quacks for 20 yrs and finally it was a good surgeon who cured me.

Totally understood. Every case is different. I have spondy L4-L5 which is degradive and have had doctors tell me I should go for surgery. The original chiro said to not have surgery unless i'm heading for a wheelchair - and that's the opinion I agree with.

[josey]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

The chiro that diagnosed me and got me back to functional is still in the same office in Toronto, tracked him down a few years ago to say thanks. Haven't met a chiro as good as him since. Told him to keep me on his patient list, if I ever need a major correction, i'll be on a plane in a heartbeat.

Not all chiro's are wonderful - but I agree fully with this. You don't need to get a correction, just another set of eyes on your back is sometimes all it takes.

I have a great one in Calgary (might be closer than TO). His grandfather started the chiro association in AB or something. It's in his blood I think. Very holistic approach and can diagnose without me telling him what hurts.

It might not work for everybody and everything but as you said a 2nd set of eyes is worth it. And who knows, if you can avoid surgery/recovery why not try it. It's not like you get scheduled for surgery the next day.

[Taco]

Originally Posted by silverdoctor

Totally understood. Every case is different. I have spondy L4-L5 which is degradive and have had doctors tell me I should go for surgery. The original chiro said to not have surgery unless i'm heading for a wheelchair - and that's the opinion I agree with.

Don't get me wrong, good chiro's kept me goin' for yrs before surgery. Turns out I had a ruptured disc that got progressively worse with every cowboyin' wreck I got into. I went from losin' 8-10 weeks a yr to back pain down to maybe a week in the last 18 yrs.

[sakogreywolf]

Originally Posted by troutbug

Well I saw the new doctor. Xrays showed im actually missing some little bones. He explained what they were and that I was born like that and doesnt think it plays a roll in the issue. I am now booked for a CAT scan of the spine to see exactly how bad the issue is and what exactly it is. He could see how much pain I was in and gave me a prescription for toradol, flexeril and one other thing to make it easy on the guts.

Real crappy thing is I was just laid off this week and benefits were cancelled

Did your Dr say what the function of these missing bones were? I too was born with some bone missing.......it's purpose was to keep the vertebrae in place. In my case the vertebra tried to compensate by adding bone to itself, until it finally pushed itself out of place. It's called pars defect. If this is the case a chiropractor will not do you one iota of good.

[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