Ugh. *Talked to the Dr. today*

[phorsenuf]

So I have 3 bulging discs in my back affecting my nerves so everything below my waist hurts. It's getting worse it seems every day.

I was referred to the pain management clinic and I am on a waitlist. No idea when I can be seen.
So I called the Drs office today to see what else we could do, PT, surgery, anything at this point. The nurse said she'd put a message into the Dr to call and discuss it. From what I gathered in the phone call all they were going to do was manage the pain, no plan to fix things. I'd rather be fixed.

So we'll see what the Dr says. I'm going to push for either PT or a consult to a surgeon. I'd either have to go to the VA in Tampa or be referred to someone outside the VA.

Booo. All this time I was thinking I'd be getting treatment, not drugged up. Although at this point I'll take the drugs.

 

[CowboyCO]

In addition tot he PT, you may want to look at getting an inversion table. Very good....

 

[Mermaid02]

With my dh's bulging discs the insurance company paid out thousands of dollars in other treatments before they would approve surgery (and the surgery was a TOTAL success). I hope the VA is more reasonable than our insurance was!!

Good luck to you!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dh sees a specialist who is a neurologist, I do believe. I would start there.

You need meds and a MRI ASAP.

 

[phorsenuf]

My dh sees a specialist who is a neurologist, I do believe. I would start there.

You need meds and a MRI ASAP.

Had the MRI already. I actually see a neurologist tomorrow but for something different. Thought I would mention it him and see what he thinks.
I'm sure it will come up when he checks my reflexes in my knees, as I have none.

 

[powellrj]

I have been in lots of pain all summer. I assumed it was my hips because I was told I need a hip replacement a few years ago so I thought the time had come. Nope, its my back. I had a cortisone shot last week and feel good this week but I know it won't last forever.

 

[LindaR]

Before you jump on the surgery bandwagon, I would highly suggest that you do some extensive research on this! The doctors really push the surgery thing but the sucess rate/failure rate/new issue rate is not information that you will get from them!

You need to talk to or read things that people who have actually had back surgery write about life after surgery.

 

[Jennasis]

Check out www.spine-health.com they were a big help to me while I underwent treatment and eventual surgery for my blown disc that caused sciatica so bad I was crippled and in agony.

I was in agony for about 1 week between the time it started and the time they wheeled me into the surgical suite. I was an extreme case that no amount of chiro (which actually made th issue a hundred times worse), P/T, drugs or any of that stuff would help. Surgery was my only option and I was pain free the second I woke up.

While surgery may be a "slippery slope" (meaning once you have it there is no going back and you will have to treat your back with kid gloves FOREVER), do not let folks scare you off from considering it. If you need it, you need it. I have found (in my own research) that most releapses are because the patient didn't follow post-op guidelines and did too much too soon, or didn't listen to what their own body was saying regarding work limits.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I went through something similar a few months ago (had an MRI that showed several bulging discs). The neurosurgeon that I saw told me that he would not even consider surgery unless I was experiencing pain below my knees (mine stopped right at the knees). His advice was to treat it with physical therapy or go to a local chiropractor that he (and everyone else that I have spoken to) highly recommends.

Fortunately, my back has gotten much better on its own since then. I'm just afraid that one day it's going to go out on me again and I will have to deal with back pain once more.

 

[phorsenuf]

I went through something similar a few months ago (had an MRI that showed several bulging discs). The neurosurgeon that I saw told me that he would not even consider surgery unless I was experiencing pain below my knees (mine stopped right at the knees). His advice was to treat it with physical therapy or go to a local chiropractor that he (and everyone else that I have spoken to) highly recommends.

Fortunately, my back has gotten much better on its own since then. I'm just afraid that one day it's going to go out on me again and I will have to deal with back pain once more.

Unfortunately the pain goes down into my achilles and also into my toes on the right foot. I also have a numb patch on the thigh just above my knee. Standing for over 15 minutes kills my right leg. Very painful.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

oh ya, I have had the exact samething for many years. I go numb or just cannot walk, and If I try to exercise I cannot more for the next week. I just suffer, I refuse to do pills.

 

[Darsa]

My dad has this issue, has had it for manymany years and it kills me to see what pain he's in. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this!

 

[okeydokey]

I suffered a bad bought of sciatica this past summer. I saw a chiropractor recommended by a friend and it took a few weeks but it is so worth it. I still have a little numbness around my right knee but the pain is gone. I wish you luck, I know it hurts.

 

[phorsenuf]

I suffered a bad bought of sciatica this past summer. I saw a chiropractor recommended by a friend and it took a few weeks but it is so worth it. I still have a little numbness around my right knee but the pain is gone. I wish you luck, I know it hurts.

Thanks.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I have no recommendations to add just to tell you I have been thinking about you and praying for you since your last thread...pain is awful, I sympathize, empathize, and hope you get relief anyway you can SOON !

Ruthie

 

[Claudia1]

I had/have four buldging discs and a pinched nerve diagnoses last summer and had the cortisone injection. It has worked wonders!

Also, I sleep with my back curved like a cat arching his back, using a raised head and knees. That has also helped tremendously. Plus, I watch what I lift.

I said had/have because I have not had any pain since last summer. I know that it takes months or years for them to heal and so I doubt they are all better. However, I am pain-free so I'm not rockin' the boat!

 

[HsvTeacher]

Definitely mention it to your neurologist. I had a herniated disc and ended up having nerve damage from the disc material pressing on my sciatic nerve.

I had surgery on June 4, 2007 along with extensive PT, and I've never felt better! It was the best decision I have ever made.

Hope you find relief soon!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Have you tried the steriod shots? My husband had issues like yours after slipping on a shoe on the stairs (never had back problems until this). He's had shots a couple of times and they worked for him, but the first time it took two, which the doctor predicted. He was doing great for about a year and after snowblowing it came back again, but he got another shot (one) and he's been good again. He has it done as an outpatient. We're there for about an hour or two. His back is sore at the injection site for a little while, but other than that, it's a great procedure. Something to think about.

 

[phorsenuf]

Saw the neurologist today (for something unrelated) and we talked a bit about my back. He prescribed me an NSAID. (Unhelpful with what I went for. )

I talked with my PCP today to let her know how much worse it's getting. I really think I screwed it up bad last week when I started doing some exercising.
Anyway, we talked about the pain clinic and I told her while I do want relief from the pain I want it fixed too. Treating the pain for however long to me seems dumb, why not just fix it.

She offered to send me to a neurosurgeon but I asked her about PT and would that do anything? She said we could try it. She's referring me for traction therapy. I still have to go to the pain clinic though.

It's a start I guess, but I have no idea how long it will take to get into PT.

 

[Magic Mom]

I have a question for all of you. How do you keep from being scared. My problems have been increasing again. I put off going to the doctor, because sometimes they come and then go away after a few weeks of being careful and walking. And because my PCM was an *** that told me "You're no spring chicken." When I asked him what to expect from my back issues in regards to healing. I was 40. That was devastating.

But this time they haven't gone away yet. I'm not in terrible pain, but I think my feet might feel a tiny bet numb. Or am I imagining it because I am so panicked. I know I have to go to the doctor, and I will make an appointment tomorrow morning, but I am terrified.

You read so many horror stories online. I don't want to be in pain for the rest of my life. I feel like my whole life revolves around my back.