MRI for Possible Herniated Disc

[Tazicket]

About a year ago, I picked up a two year old and threw out my back. Then, about 6 months ago, I was picking up my purse and threw out my back again. Then, about 3 weeks ago I was standing up scanning some papers at work and threw out my back again. On Halloween, I was sitting telling stories to kids, and...you guessed it - threw my back out yet again.

Needless to say, I went to see my doctor this week, because I'm concerned that it's happening more frequently and it's taking less and less to do it. He shared my concern and did an examination and thinks that I have a herniated disc. To find out for sure, he is going to schedule me for an MRI.

It's going to be an open MRI, because I'm pretty claustrophobic. I've done one of them before, but it was for a neck injury. Is the procedure for an MRI of the back pretty similar? I know my doctor is going to prescribe some Valium for me to help with the claustrophobia, so I won't care once I have that. I just would like to know what to expect.

Also, for anybody who's had a herniated disc before - what was your recovery like? What did you do? Did it help?

 

[HsvTeacher]

I had a herniated disc that ended up rupturing a little over two years ago. I had an MRI, and it was completely routine. I was given Valium beforehand, so I was kind of out of it by the time I got to the imaging office. I remember changing into a gown, being put on the table, and that's about it. I don't do well with closed spaces, so it must have not been too bad.

I ended up having surgery, because the disc material had leaked into my spinal column and was pressing on my sciatic nerve. I was in excruciating pain and taking the strongest narcotics for pain, but nothing was helping. I ended up having nerve damage to my right leg, which is still significantly smaller than my left leg. I went to the neurosurgeon on a Friday afternoon, and my surgery was scheduled three days later on Monday.

I had to stay in bed for two weeks following the surgery. Then I was allowed to walk and go to rehab. I stayed in rehab for three months. (I was off for the summer, so we were able to take everything really slowly.) Since then, I have had little pain.