Ruptured Disk...Whats the next step?

[It's A Happy Day]

I have been dealing with severe lower back pain for about 6 weeks now. After 3 weeks and many people recommending it I started to see a chiropractor. It has helped alot but still experiencing alot of pain - good days & bad days. I can't do a lot of housework w/o stopping to rest and ice my back and some days it's not even an option. I finally had an MRI last Tuesday and my doctor called on Monday to tell me I have a "large ruptured disc" and this is what is causing the pain. For the past 3 days I felt better but today again it is starting to hurt more. My dr. said that she doesn't want to send me to a surgeon if it's feeling better and reccomends therapy, rest, and keep up the icing. If it doesn't get better then surgery. I really don't want to go through back surgery if possible but I am realistic and know this may be the only way to resolve my problem. My dr is aware I am seeing a chiropractor and is ok with that. She wants my chiropractor to see the MRI films so they know exactly where my problem is. Has anyone out there been through this and have any of you been able to resolve this w/o surgery? What can I expect if I have to have the surgery. I realize this isn't a medical board or full of medical experts but would like some outside perspective.

Thanks!

 

[lisajl]

My MIL, 79 is having this surgery on July 10. I thought she was crazy to have it but she is in unbearable pain. She can barely stand up and walk it hurts so much.
She has seen many doctors and it has come to this.
I hope there is someone who has personally gone through this to tell you their experience.
If not, I will let you know how my MIL does with the surgery.
I don't know if I would do it at her age, but if the pain is that bad you do what you have to.

Good luck.

 

[7onbuzz]

I bulged a disc last year, but it didn't actually rupture. I recovered fairly quickly, but that is due in part to already being in pretty decent physical condition. My doctor recommended not going to a chiropractor because the manipulation can sometimes make the situation worse. At least right after the initial injury.
I have a good friend and occasional coworker who is a surgeon. He looked at my MRI and told me to definately not have surgery, but to also avoid the chiropractor.
If you are overweight, losing the food blister is a good way to alleviate some of the strain on your lower back.
Another friend and coworker had surgery 18 months ago for a ruptured disc. The pain is gone and he is doing great.
If the chiropractor isn't solving the problem and you're still experiencing pain, how is that a solution?
If therapy, exercise and weight loss don't work, surgery may be the only solution.

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm not sure there is an "easy, simple" solution to your question because it can all be very different for each person.

For me, I dealt with back pain for several years. It would come and go about every six months or so. We knew (from previous MRI's) that I had at least one herniated disc and another getting worse every day.

Usually, the pain would subside enough to go back to "normal" within 4 -6 weeks. Sometimes it took longer.

Physical therapy helped some, but it was only temporary relief. I didn't go to a chiropractor mostly because the one time I did go, I couldn't move immediately after the adjustments.

My doc tried the epidural/steroid injections and that made things amazingly worse for a few weeks, then I was back to "normal" (which, for me, did NOT mean pain free, just not as much pain) for about 8 months.

The last episode came on quickly...within hours my leg was numb from the knee down. I couldn't walk without a cane and it took an unsettling amount of pain killers just so I could get out of bed. The numbness is what really indicates a serious problem. At this point my doc told me it was time for surgery.

I had my surgery (laminectomy and discectomy...or something like that) a year ago and I have been "normal" since then. I have to be cautious, but doing the surgery was well worth it. I went home the day of my surgery and was back to work just two weeks later.

Walking is one of the best things you can do for your back. If you can't walk, try swimming (less impact).

 

[Libby X 3]

I ruptured a disc a few year back and also was in great pain and could barely walk. Dr recommended surgery and I said no way, what else could I do? He said I could try steroids but really didn't think it would help at that point. I tried them and he was right -it didn't help at all. I ended up having the surgery and I will say it was the best decision I ever made. I was out of the hospital and recovered very quickly. If you really need surgery then by all means get it. I'm not saying run out and get it if you don't need it but if you do I'm here to say it did work amazingly well for me.. Good Luck. I hope you feel better soon.