Any of you guys have or had back issues?
Pennsylvania
Contributors to this thread:
What part of PA do you live in? I have a friend that is researching docs now for surgery he's going to need. He does not have a herniated disc, he has a fracture in L4-L5 that is causing problems. Laser is not an option for him because they have to put in supports. One of the best surgeons we've been able to find in PA is at Penn - Dr. Marcotte - but there are other good ones in Lancaster.
I don't have any advice, just sympathy. I have a bad back too and it really sucks when it's being cantankerous. I've been bedridden and dropped to the ground in mid-stride like a spine shot deer. No fun.
Good luck with it though. Hope you get it fixed up.
don't know about laser surgery, but i had my herniated disk trimmed that was pushing on siatic nerve. did months of therapy, traction, tests with no relief. went to hershey to have mine done. felt better, relief immediately. went back to work in a couple months, still took about a year to feel "right". the key after healing is maintenance. stretching, exercise, and proper lifting go a long way in overall wellness. probably the best side effect i have is i have not had a migrain since surgery. i work as a carpenter and a drywaller and my back seems to be holding up ok 10yrs later.
As Jeff said, sorry I can't offer any advice, just sympathy. I have scoliosis and at any given time it can creep up on me and become very painful. Mainly when I'm sitting and/or not sitting up straight is when the pain can become unbearable. Standing and other things it can still kick in and get painful but I have learned to manage the pain WITHOUT any pain meds or any other meds for that matter. Even sleeping the wrong way can cause pain. I understand what you are going through and I wish you luck in finding a doctor and relieving the pain. I know for me exercises/working out/stretching help strengthen my back muscles, lessen the pain and keep the pain subsided a lot.
I go to the Rothman institute in Philadelphia. Look up Dr. Jeff Rihn he did my neck .One hell of a Doctor I will not let anyone else do me!!!!
SnS, I have the exact same problem along with four or five degenerated disk and arthritis.
You can get buy without surgery if you get your core and legs strong. Avoid sit ups/crunches and focus on doing planks and ab rotations. You also need to build your legs and butt up which can be done by doing light a variety of leg exercises. If you are in physical therapy I'm sure you are already doing this.
Last year I couldn't get up with out an electric jolt like spasm(at least thats what if felt like) going up my back and if I sat for more than 30 minutes my right butt and leg would tingle and go numb. After 8 months of PT and revising my workouts I could easily sit for 3 or 4 hours and haven't had a major spasm since December 2012.
However, you have to stay in shape. I hurt my knee last summer and didn't get it operated on until February. I was able to keep working out until October when I couldn't handle leg presses, lunges, or light squat type exercises. The result was a weaken core and the re-emergence of my back problems.
Now that my knee is fixed (sorta) I'm slowly getting back into shape and my back problems aren't as severe.
I'm going to avoid surgery as long as I can. I've had to many friends who have had back surgeries that had little to know effect.
BTW I tried going to a chiropractor years ago with mixed results. After going it would feel GREAT that day and some of the next day, but after that the pain would come right back just the same. Was told to go 4 days a week but also told it's not that great for your bones and joints going all the time or going long term. I don't have any proof of this just personal experience.
I also saw many doctors, at jeff and rothman institute and iirc temple orthopedics. They suggested surgery. I was around 22-22 years old at the time and wouldn't even consider that an option. I'm 30 now and still don't, to many what if's and potential bad outcomes in the surgery route IMO.
Doing exercises and stretching works best for me, it keeps the pain subsided most the time and when I do get pain light work outs help reduce the amount of pain.
SnS do you do any daily exercises or stretching besides going to the physical trainer?
How often do you go to PT? I went to NovaCare for PT for months, it takes time to get into the routine of doing those exercises and stretching and it also takes time to build your core muscles up enough to subside the pain. You have to build up those back, stomach and leg muscles. Especially the Lats, at least for me.
He is a Great Doctor! Has that Rut? :)
I have no disc in my L 5 so I know what pain is .
I had microdiscetemy on L4/L5 /S1 about 7 years ago. I did the epidurals 3 ( didnt work) and was in decent shape prior to the problem. I waited 6 months until the pain affected my family jewels, I scheduled surgery for two days later. Instant relief I had all the symptoms you are describing. Over night and out of work for 4 weeks. Before you go with a ortho get checked by a neurosurgeon. I have a very small scar and you're dealing with nerves not a lot of bone.
Good luck its a long road to hoe but its worth it.
Been dealing with Sciatica about once a year for about 10 years. Last summer was the worst. My dad was a chiropractor, retired now. They may provide temporary relief but IMO physical therapy is the way to go unless it is so severe that surgery is required. That is usually last resort. Once you have surgery you can't go back.
If you have extra weight, lose it. Do the PT to strengthen up muscle groups and don't sit around. The more active, the better.
For pain relief, 800mg of Ibuprofen 3x/day is what I did last summer. I also had a prescription to scramble the my nerve signals the pain was that bad. Luckily, PT got me some relief and I didn't have to use that script much.
Good Luck
Lot of good advice here. Justin- 3 weeks is not alot of time when you are dealing with nerves. Muscles respond the quickest, then tendon/ligament then nerves last. I would say give it more time with the PT.
Not familiar with the laser surgery, but surgery in general can be effective. Lots of variables, but bottom line you have to decide when you can no longer deal with the pain and limitations. I have talked to people that have suffered for years, and after surgery said they wished they had done it(surger) years earlier. But have also talked to a few that had mixed results.
Reading this thread makes me very thankful I have been relatively healthy my whole life! (49 yrs)