DX of Bulging Disc--Where do we go from here?
Right now, two options have been discussed, but neither in depth. One is to remove the jell from the disc that is bulging, and relieve the pressure. The other is epidural injections into the nerve itself. Or--- just suck it up and live with it. I feel better, as the horrible pain in my lower back has let up, but it still feels weak. It also feels like at any minute, it could begin to really kick up again. I was told to watch the twisting and bending, as that can be just as damaging as lifting. They also mentioned 12 weeks of down time for healing. Yeah-- right. Anyone ever had the procedures above done? Any stories or recomendations would be appreciated  |
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| You're preaching to the choir here - I've had both options done. My problem disks were in my lower back - S1, S2 and S3. Had 2 disk surgeries to "scrape" away the bulging disk material. They basically shave the disk smooth with the vertebrae, so the disk isn't impinging on the nerves running down the side of the vertebrae. It works, but the downside to this is that the disk material doesn't regenerate itself, so whatever they take off is gone forever. Meaning, there isn't as much "give" between the vertebraes in question. Before my 3rd surgery, I went the epidural injection route. Since it's a steroid, you're only allowed to get 3 per year, no closer than once a month. The first two sort of worked - gave me some relief but it didn't last very long. Before my third shot, the dr got a new neurologist's report and saw that the problem was a bit lower than he originally thought from the MRI. The last shot went right into the problem area and I could feel almost immediate relief. Although it lasted longer than the first 2 shots did, it still wasn't a cure. SO - back for my 3rd surgery. You're right to assume that it can kick up again at any moment - my back once went out because I gagged while brushing my teeth! Just that little sudden jerking motion did it.  My last surgery was in 2005. It's been okay since, but I've learned to be VERY careful at doing anything. I also have residual numbness that won't ever come back. The heel of my right foot is numb (from before the 2nd surgery), the big toe of my left foot is numb (from before the 3rd surgery). And I limp a lot - not because it hurts, but because my left foot "drops" when I walk, making it look like a limp. I don't even notice it any more, but people are always asking me if I hurt my back. Nope, I say - it's just the way I walk! I tried the physical therapy route before surgeries, too. Never helped enough to NOT do the surgeries. Maybe my disks were bulging too far for that kind of help. Sorry this got so long, but I wanted you to know what you're facing. Please PM me if you have any other questions. |
| Oh no, I'm sorry. At least you have an official diagnosis now. |
I've felt your pain  . After a minor car accident I was left with two herniated discs, one in my neck and one in my back. I tried the PT and after 56 visits wasn't any better. I lived on vicodin and robaxin for a year and finally had to have the surgery. My neck was done first because I had no range of motion and numbness in my right arm. Six months later I had my back done. Mine was a little different, they harvest bone from the iliac crest because in that area an allograft won't regenerate. The recovery period was over 2 months but I was painfree after the first couple weeks. The hard part is wearing the turtle shell for so long, it gets cumbersome but you can't take it off. You learn to sleep sitting upright in a chair pretty quickly  . I know it's tough to stop your life for that long but the surgery is the best thing to do. The downside to this problem is the high percentage of it reoccuring and needing the surgery again at some point, which is where I am now  |
| As mentioned - all the options are feasable, normal options. (Like that really helps, right?!) Every situation is so different within the same diagnosis, so it really will end up with what you are comfortable (bad pun) doing based on your doctor's recommendation based on your individual situation. Options from meds and live with it to surgery; and everything in between.....  At our house, Todd did the meds, PT, injections and ended up with surgery. For him - surgery did the trick, because he couldn't live with the pain...no sleep, no comfortable position, just non-stop pain; numbness and pain all the way into the foot. Personally I was glad, as he was so miserable and miserable to live with. |
| I worked for Neurosurgeons/spinal surgeons for over three years. It really is a case by case basis on treatment. I have seen a lot of people really benefit from a micro-diskectomy (removal of the herniated disk). With the removal of the herniation, depending on how much of the disk has herniated, there is risk of re-herniation, since the disk is no longer stable. I have seen people who keep re-herniating and after the third time, fusion is the only option. My sister had a micro-diskectomy done, she has had a bad recovery. Part of this is due to her chronic smoking (it weakens the bones and will slow healing time), and since she waited so long her nerve was damaged. I've also known people who had their lives restored to them owing to surgery. It's really something to consider. It's also about quality of life. I would really speak to your PCP and your surgeon to discuss which options are best for you. |
| Sucking it up and living with it would NOT be an option with me. The old saying that you don't know how bad you were feeling until you start to feel better is really true. There are options out there. Speak to your Dr. One thing that comes to mind is commercials I've seen about spinal decompression without surgery. |
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