Ow~ herniated disc...A few more questions

[minkydog]

I work at home on my computer and Friday night when i stood up to go to bed, I felt a shock go down my leg. The pain was almost unbearable. I thought I was not going to be able to climb the stairs to go to bed. Even once I got to bed, I could not turn over. I have had three babies and never had pain like this!

So I spent many hours in the ED yesterday, had an MRI, and found out I have a herniated disc, L5-S1. The pain is still pretty bad, but now I have drugs. My poor DH is really having to pick up the slack here--usually I'm the one taking care of him(he has severe heart/lung disease). My older kids, DS19 & DD12, are helping as much as they can.

I am a pediatric nurse. I know more than you want to know about RSV, pertussis, buckle fractures, and head lice, but I know nothing about disc herniation. Other than bedrest & meds until I can see the orthopedist, whay can i expect?

 

[Jeafl]

I agree with you about the pain. I always said that the births of my 3 kids were nothing compared to disc pain. My disc is not herniated, it is actually broken, 1/3 of it is missing so I know where you are coming from.

At one point I was so desperate for relief that I was taking 2 Vicodin and 4 Advil all at once. I'm lucky I didn't kill myself! The only thing that helped alleviate the pain was a Medrol dose pack, which is a 5 day course of steroids. There are a couple of not so pleasant side effects, but anything is better than the sciatic pain that goes down your leg. Maybe your doctor can prescribe it for you if he/she thinks it will help.

Good luck.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Ouch! I feel for you more than you could ever know. I'm finally back to almost 100% after dealing with a herniated disc (L4-L5 & L5-S1) for 7 months. Mine started out as a small bulge, but it was very painful. I tried exercises, chiropractic, and more advil than you can imagine. I've been on several muscle relaxants and more painkillers than I can recount here. I finally received a Medrol dose pack in late April, and the results were amazing. I had no pain after the first 2 pills I took. However, this only lasted for about 3 weeks. The pain came back with a vengeance, and my disc fully ruptured. Couple this with the MRI showing that I have spinal stenosis, and I had no choice but to try surgery. I was taking 120 mg of hydrocodone a day just to be able to get out of bed, so the laminectomy w/discectomy procedure was booked. Best decision I ever made in my life. The surgery took 30 minutes, and I woke from the anesthesia with no pain. That was July 6th, and I haven't had a down moment since.

Exercise seemed to help with the sciatic pain I was experiencing. I'd walk on the treadmill first thing in the morning. Otherwise, I couldn't even stand up straight. I second the suggestion of asking for the Medrol dose pack. That could be all you need, if your disc isn't as far gone as mine was. You might also try icing the area to help reduce any swelling that's occurring.


If you have any questions, please PM me. I think I know more about this topic than I would ever care to admit. to you!

 

[hiwaygal]

BTDT...I have felt your pain, and while I don't have childbirth to compare it to...I'll take your word for it!

I've had problems off and on for several years, but this past January was the worst!! I woke up with a "stiff" back (nothing new) and as I was getting ready to dry my hair my back went out...I quickly hobbled to the bed and just kinda fell on it. A few minutes later, I managed to get up and finish getting ready for work and actually went to work for a few hours...but it was awful.

Ended up in the ER for several hours. They pumped me up with lots of drugs and gave me some steroid pack (I'm guessing it was the Medrol). Within an hour of getting home from the ER my right leg was numb from the knee down. That's when you know it's REALLY serious!

I managed to get out of bed the next morning...but for the next week it would take me 5 percosets JUST TO GET OUT OF BED!

I had surgery a week later...and I was ASTOUNDED when I woke up and had really no pain in my leg!!! Yes, I was "sore" where the staples were, and there was still some numbness...but I could sit and stand and WALK!!! WOO-HOO!!!

My guess is, unless you are showing signs of nerve damage (numbness or weakness) the doc will not prescribe surgery for you at this point. Most likely they will suggest an epidural cortisone/steroid injection, but I didn't have much luck with it and the two weeks after it were pretty bad...

One thing to consider...try to walk as much as you can...get a cane if you have to. I know it sounds contradictory but I found out after my surgery that laying down or walking was the best thing I could do for my back (they didn't want me sitting for long periods).

Good luck to you...I know what you are going through...keep us posted on how things go, okay?

 

[minkydog]

Okay, it's been 4-5 days since my back injury. At what point can I get back to normal? I'm so frustrated! I can't even get in to see an orthopedist for 2 weeks! I'm trying to do things that don't aggravate the pain more. I can load the dishwasher & wipe counters. Feeding the dog hurts. Doing laundry is difficult. Vacuuming & sweeping are out. I'm going to try driving today.

I'm taking a muscle relaxant, which seems to help. I'm trying not to take too much pain medicine(Demerol is the only thing I've found taht works AND doesn't make me sick.) Tylenol doesn't help at all and I'm allergic to Advil.

I'm just ready to be back to normal. Yesterday my DS10 grabbed me and I nearly fell due to the pain. i got halfway through fixing dinner and had to lay down. Most of the time my back pain is about a 2, but it can shoot up to a 7 in an instant.Everything seems to take great effort, leaving me sweating and dizzy. Is this normal?

 

[Jeafl]

Unfortunately, I think as long as your disc is bulging, you will have the pain. Nothing is going to change until the disc problem is resolved. Some pain meds may temporarily mask the pain, but it won't resolve it.

I would contact your doctor and see if you can get in earlier. Put your name on a list in case there is a cancellation.

I was in total agony for more than a month before I was given the steroids which reduced the swelling. I really feel for you.

 

[minkydog]

You know, the worst is when i go to bed at night. Every time i move it hurts. Just trying to roll over is an ordeal--last night I had to roll over on my stomach and slide out of bed on my knees, then stand up. It still hurt! I've called my doctor and they are trying to get me in to ortho sooner. Until then I'll just take a double dose of Demerol at night and continue the muscle relaxants, I guess.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Unfortunately, I think as long as your disc is bulging, you will have the pain. Nothing is going to change until the disc problem is resolved. Some pain meds may temporarily mask the pain, but it won't resolve it.

I would contact your doctor and see if you can get in earlier. Put your name on a list in case there is a cancellation.

I was in total agony for more than a month before I was given the steroids which reduced the swelling. I really feel for you.

Just remember, too, that steroids will reduce the swelling, but they won't eliminate the bulging/herniated disc. Once you have some pain relief don't rush back into your normal lifestyle. You'll feel much better, but you won't actually have resolved the initial problem. Physical therapy, weight loss, etc. can reduce or sometimes even eliminate the disc problem in a large majority of the cases. If the disc problem is very bad, as mine was, your only alternative might be surgery.

I hope you get some relief soon. I've told my husband many times that I'd rather go through a c-section without anesthesia than have back pain again.

 

[minkydog]

I have actually had an episiotomy cut without anesthesia and it didn't hurt as much as this. And it hurt A LOT!

 

[LindaR]

Well, unfortunately.........I have alot of experience in this area! I've had two spinal surgeries (the second was a spinal fusion).

Cold packs followed by heating pads may give a tiny bit of relief. Bed rest is actually NOT a good thing (not for more than a day anyway). I am very much "anti-drug" because the meds they give for back pain are extremely strong AND addictive and they don't alleviate your pain, they just make you doped and unable to function.

Your family needs to do ALL the housework and chores until your doctor tells you otherwise. Consider yourself fortunate that you have family around to help.

There's so much info I can pass along.....some VERY descriptive, so if you are interested, PM me with your questions!

 

[Big V]

I feel your pain! I had surgery in April for the L5-S1 and I still have numbness in my leg. But before the surgery, I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes without EXTREME pain! Don't expect it to go away anytime soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[SamRoc]

I know what you are going through, i experienced a herniated disc almost 8 years ago, the pain was horrible, it went right down my leg and it felt like someone was stabbing me in the ankle! I got to a point where i couldnt walk up my steps, i actually slept on the first floor on the couch until i was feeling better. Luckily my doctor gave me a muscle relaxer and pain killer which helped alot, but what i really found helpful was vistiing my chiropractor 5 times a week in the beginning (i know that sounds like alot) but he got me moving again with stretching excercizes, machines, and adjustments. It wasnt fun and it hurt like heck, but this happened in September and by December I was feeling great enough to drive to Disneyworld. Just remember to take it slow, especially with simple things like making beds. I threw my back out one time by bending over and turning at the same time! ouch! In time you will feel better but its always something you need to be mindful of.

 

[tnhillbilly]

I fill your pain (l5-s1) also. I done the physical therapy, the steroids, had surgery, where they cut out the bulge, not her fusion. Had instant relief when I woke up from surgery. While doing pt after the surgery my left leg went numb again. The pt therapist put me off the workout for about a week, but the old feelings were coming back. Went back to Doc and it had bulged again. Went them to pain management. They gave me direct shots into my spine. Three visits later and 10 shots put in, still no help. I have changed my complete lifestyle, my family’s lifestyle. Think Goodness for the love of my wife, She was always the “bread winner” in the family but my check was nothing to laugh at. We paid off debts until all was left was the house payment and I became a stay at home dad. I have days it is all I can do to get our son to school and picked up and then there is days that are not too bad. Explain to your family what is going on and will step up and help with the choirs of the home or it will be there when you feel better. Life will change for you so just except what you can do and let the rest take care of its self.

 

[minkydog]

I got my MRI films today. There are actually two small herniations, L4-L5 &L5-S1. You know, this is the one injury I have always dreaded. My youngest child,DS10, is severely mentally handicapped and requires a lot of physical attention. He can walk, but cannot dress himself or bathe himself, and has to be lifted into the car. I do at least 80%+ of his care, especially since DH was disabled with a heart condition. DH has been wonderful to take over all that, including getting DS on the bus--I can't get the boy down the stairs! But it has been very wearing on him and I worry that he isn't getting the rest he needs. But I can't really do anything about it. I have no family nearby other than my two older kids, 19 & 12. They are being helpful (DS19 brought me a chocolate-dipped ice cream today )

Friday I will go see the orthopedist. Yesterday I hurt my back when I jumped up to kiss my DD. Today I wrenched my back carrying 6 library books to the car. I'm supposed to work all weekend, 22hrs of sitting at a computer, and I don't know if i can. Thank goodness we were able to obtain some respite hours for DS10--he'll go away to the Respite home for the weekend. I hate doing it (he loves it though, like going to your Auntie's house) but DH has to get a break.