Herniated disc... Just what i needed.

[Twin]

Was in the gym last night doing squats and at the bottom of movement i heard a crack. I then took a seat. Was in pain. Then everything started getting black. And i felt real dizzy. An i laid to the floor. Couldnt get up. So they put me in an ambulance to the er and they did a cat scan and said its a herniated disc .

Fml.


First my shoulder, now i lower back. Cant do nothing now.


Laying in bed atm. Stilll i pain. Can barely move

[JohnnyVegas]

Look into spinal decompression therapy. It worked like a miracle for me. My injury was severe enough that the doctor wouldn't commit to saying it would help me, but I got lucky and went from debilitating pain to on my feet in a few days. After a few weeks I was functional (but still fragile). It may not completely fix the problem, but it can take pressure off the nerves to relieve the pain.

[Times Roman]

time for an inversion table. you can get em on craigslist VERY inexpensive. Here's an example:

http://modesto.craigslist.org/for/3405966114.html

[Twin]

Thanks for the quick reply fellas.

The doc at the hospital gave me 3 scripts.

Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet 1 tab orally every 6 hours



Vidcodin 5-500mg tablet 1 pain every 6 hours.

Naproxen 500mg tablet delayed release

1 tab take every 12 hours.



Are these all worth buying? And thanks for the suggestions. I will def look into all of that.

[Lunk1]

You need an MRI. Then you can determine if it is buldged or ruptured. If it is ruptured then surgery is really the only option. If it's buldged most will go back to normal with TIME and cold pack therapy coupled with ant inflam. drugs. If the buldhe is contacting or pinching the sciatic nerve it MAY still require surgery.

How you handle it now is crucial...do not push it!

Ice 20 min on...20min off!

[JohnnyVegas]

You need an MRI. Then you can determine if it is buldged or ruptured. If it is ruptured then surgery is really the only option. If it's buldged most will go back to normal with TIME and cold pack therapy coupled with ant inflam. drugs. If the buldhe is contacting or pinching the sciatic nerve it MAY still require surgery.

How you handle it now is crucial...do not push it!

Ice 20 min on...20min off!

Agreed. I have one extruded (ruptured with fluid still attached) and a few bulging. I will eventually need surgery for the extruded disk but want to wait as long as possible as they get better at the surgery every year.

Ice can definitely help right now.

time for an inversion table. you can get em on craigslist VERY inexpensive. Here's an example:

http://modesto.craigslist.org/for/3405966114.html

Inversion tables basically do spinal decompression and I know someone that has had great luck with one. The spinal decompression I did was a fancy machine that uses variable pressure so the body doesn't see it as an trauma. They went a little heavier every day. I also had the electrical current treatment but have read several times since that the therapy has turned out to be a bust. Not really beneficial.

[Twin]

Thats goood to know lunk. What pissed me off is they were cheap and said an mri is not needed. Only a cat scan. Im pretty pissed off now.


I also have no idea how im going to drive to the pharmacy to get these meds... Going to be a bitch

[Lunk1]

Thats goood to know lunk. What pissed me off is they were cheap and said an mri is not needed. Only a cat scan. Im pretty pissed off now.


I also have no idea how im going to drive to the pharmacy to get these meds... Going to be a bitch

Did they tell you if it was buldged or ruptured...many Docs will call both herniated. I suggest telling your doc you want a referal to a specialist. You may benifit from an epidural or physical therapy before surgery as a last resort.

Do you have any pain in either leg..to the kne or to the foot? What disk did they say is herniated...let me guess 1st guess L4/L5 2nd guess L5/S3

[Lunk1]

I swear I had the best nuerosurgeon ever...saved my life as far as I see it!

[Twin]

No pain in knees or legs. Just lower back. And they didnt tell me what was herniated. I did get a referal to see a specialist though . I just hope i dont need surgery, and im good to go in a month. (No squats or any other. Exercise that puts pressure in lower back for a while)

[Far from massive]

Hey I am no expert but I have had 3 ruptured disks.

Myself I would definately seek a second opinion, from your description I would not be suprized if you find you have a fracture of some sort. An MRI is almost always needed to get a good look at the soft tissues and access what needs to be done.

As far as any home treatment, I would for sure hold off on that for now. Decopression is a very exact process where the back is supported at the correct angle then the exact amount of stress is applied for a given time then released then reapplied over and over and as said is usually combined with electrical stimulation of the muscles in the back. Placing yourself on an inversion table could potentially excerbate the injury at this point.

As far as the medicine, yes yes and yes.

Although the methocarbamol is disgusting (to me at least) as it makes you feel like a rubber man it will relax the back muscles relieving tension on the lower back and preventing potential muscle spasm which can be very harmful. The vicodin is simply a narcotic pain reliever and will allow you to rest and relax which is essential to recovery. The Naproxin's main purpose in this applicaiton will be to reduce inflammation of the nerve bundles preventing further damage as if they swell they will press against the buldged/ruptured disc and this will cause a catch 22 where more swelling results in more pressure and more damage.

Whatever you do, don't drink or use any recreational drugs while on the medication. And if by chance you use anything like cocaine or amphetamines you will want to stay away from these for a long time as they are really hard on the recovery of this sort.

[Lunk1]

No pain in knees or legs. Just lower back. And they didnt tell me what was herniated. I did get a referal to see a specialist though . I just hope i dont need surgery, and im good to go in a month. (No squats or any other. Exercise that puts pressure in lower back for a while)

The fact that you do not seem to have any nerve pain is a great sign. The fact that they are not able to tell you which disk is herneated tells me they are not even sure thats the prob.

Take the meds the prescribed...I def. found relief in Naproxin, do the ice treatments, avoid any lifting. If you can keep moving ie: walk or bike or swim. This will increase blood flow to the area and help keep swelling down. Avoid long periods of sitting! Def. seek advice from a specialist.

[Far from massive]

Thats what kills me Lunk,

They tell him he has herniated discs but no reffered leg pain and further they do not know which disc is ruptured????

Definate second opinion time, as said I would not be suprized to see a fractured vertabrae. This is why I would be very careful until a second opinion is done.

[Lunk1]

Thats what kills me Lunk,

They tell him he has herniated discs but no reffered leg pain and further they do not know which disc is ruptured????

Definate second opinion time, as said I would not be suprized to see a fractured vertabrae. This is why I would be very careful until a second opinion is done.

I'm not sure of his pain level but it could be as mild as a severe muscle pull. I'm sure he was seen my a GP in ER that just assumed based on the cause of pain and the area that they would label it a herneated disk. Obviosly lack of sciatic nerve pain doesn't mean it's not possible but an MRI is def. a must.

I will be curious to see if the op has relieve in the next few days as swelling subsides!

[MickeyKnox]

Dont mess around with this. Get second opinion AND then an MRI!

I have had two microdiscectomys. L5S1, L5S2. Its not fun. But like Lunk, i too have had a terrific surgeon.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatmen...-spine-surgery

[Twin]

The fact that you do not seem to have any nerve pain is a great sign. The fact that they are not able to tell you which disk is herneated tells me they are not even sure thats the prob.

Take the meds the prescribed...I def. found relief in Naproxin, do the ice treatments, avoid any lifting. If you can keep moving ie: walk or bike or swim. This will increase blood flow to the area and help keep swelling down. Avoid long periods of sitting! Def. seek advice from a specialist.

Excellent info the by u both.
And yea to be honest this hospital that i went to was pretty trashy.

The doctors thought it was a muscle spasm at first till i pushed for an mri but tjeu said no and gave me an xray.


I definitely need to get a 2nd opinon. I need an mri anyways for my shoulder...


I plannd on running tb-500 too soon . That would help wih the healing to for bulge disc.


Thanks again fellas

[Far from massive]

Best wishes!!!!

[Lunk1]

Dont mess around with this. Get second opinion AND then an MRI!

I have had two microdiscectomys. L5S1, L5S2. Its not fun. But like Lunk, i too have had a terrific surgeon.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatmen...-spine-surgery

Funny story Mick...my surgeon hunts. After trying 3 rounds of epiderals it was obvious surgery was the only option. I expressed my concer about deer season. He totally understood and allowed me to hunt for 2 weeks mid Dec but still got me in before the 1st of the year since my insurance deductable had been met

[MickeyKnox]

Funny story Mick...my surgeon hunts. After trying 3 rounds of epiderals it was obvious surgery was the only option. I expressed my concer about deer season. He totally understood and allowed me to hunt for 2 weeks mid Dec but still got me in before the 1st of the year since my insurance deductable had been met

Haha that's a great story! Gotta love a cool doc like that..lol

[likelifting]

I had a ruptured disc and had a microlaminectomy.

My pain ran from my lower back through my sciatica, down my leg and also into my nutz. Weird that my right nut hurt but it did. I had an mri, they read it that day and called me back for a consultation and she showed me the entire mri (really amazing) and did some sort of an priority referal to the surgeon. I had a quick consult with him and had surgery within 2 weeks of my mri. I guess mine was really bad.

My suggestion 1. GET AN MRI. 2. Is to take something to get the swelling down and see if your pain goes down your leg or radiates(correct word??) through your butt. If the pain is localized in your lower back, you probably have a bulge. Still not good, but better than a rupture. Try to avoid vicodin for a little bit to see where the pain actually is.

Just my 2 cents....and good luck.

[tattoo449]

I've got 2 herniated discs that cause severe sciatic nerve pain. Been having this since a job accident about 20 years ago. Some days it's very bad and some days it's just fine. The doctor said I will prob need surgery one day. But as for now I have more good days than bad days. I started doing inversion about 1 year ago. Ever since then I have WAY more good days than bad days. I swear by it. I do it 4 days a week for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Fantastic results.

[Lunk1]

I've got 2 herniated discs that cause severe sciatic nerve pain. Been having this since a job accident about 20 years ago. Some days it's very bad and some days it's just fine. The doctor said I will prob need surgery one day. But as for now I have more good days than bad days. I started doing inversion about 1 year ago. Ever since then I have WAY more good days than bad days. I swear by it. I do it 4 days a week for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Fantastic results.

Please don't take this wrong but the fact that you have lived with sciatica from herniated disks for 20 years is dumb.You have no doubt caused permenent and unreversable nerve damage at this point. Had you had this taken care of properly in a timely manner you could have likely avoided this!

[likelifting]

^ I waited a little too long as well. I would go to the chiropractor and rest and think things were getting better. It was just too much pain (probably 6 mos) and I finally basically yelled at my doc to do something.

My right leg had atrophied. The pain was one thing but I was running down some steps and hit the bottom and my right leg muscle didn't fire. Doc said my brain was sending the signal but nerve was pinched??? or some shit like that.

I still have a little issue with my leg but not really worth mentioning.

[Twin]

alright. I got the cd and a paper to go with it, Here it is. Makes my eyes waterly as i read it... just cant deal with this. the gym is truly my life and what i look forward to...my living was living hell before the gym.. and then it all changed.. but not to change this topic to my life story... ill just post the related material..



"Examination:CT lumbar Spine"

Indication:weight lifting injury

comparison: none

Technique: 3mm thick axial images were obtained through lumbar spine without intravenous contrast. Thin section reformatted images were obtained in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes.

Findings:

The paraspinal soft tissues are unremarkable.

There is no evidence of acute lumbar spine fracture. The reformatted images demonstrate unremarkable alignment the lumbar spine with maintenance of the vertebral body weights.


There is evidence of early loss of disc space at the L4-L5 level. there is a moderate degree of left paracentral disc protrusion which indents the thecal sac to left of midline. the the disc protrusion extends laterally to slightly narrow the left neuroforamen.

impression: evidence of degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 with moderate left paracentral disc protrusion which extends laterally to the left to slightly narrow the neuroforamen"

I have the cd of the scan that they did on me. but for some reason my pc is not reading it

also thanks again you guys for the great info and for the mental support! glad to have this forum that understands the pain of injuries..(mental wise)

[Lunk1]

If I'm reading that right you have a buldged disk with no rupture, this looks not that bad but will require a ggod amount of rest. Keep icing and using the ant inflam. meds. If yoou think you have rested enough...rst more. Sucks but muscle memory will bring you back after you have healed all the way!

[Twin]

thx bro. Im on a strict 20 min on and 20 min off icing schedule and will continue using the meds.

I slacked on the icing for the first 48 hours of the injury(only iced it 4 times on the 20 min on and 20 min off) because of finals and constantly moving around to write papers and such. but now im home and im on a real strict 20 min on and off schedule for icing.

[Lunk1]

thx bro. Im on a strict 20 min on and 20 min off icing schedule and will continue using the meds.

I slacked on the icing for the first 48 hours of the injury(only iced it 4 times on the 20 min on and 20 min off) because of finals and constantly moving around to write papers and such. but now im home and im on a real strict 20 min on and off schedule for icing.

Does the pain seem to be getting any better?

[Twin]

Well i can now walk and move around(but still pain in lower back and some tingles in foot). i feel the aches. but no leg pain. just tingles. been walking alot to class today. when i left the hospital on wednesday morning, i could barely walk and had to piss in my empty jug of water in my room. so i guess its getting better(mobile wise) .

but the pain in the lower back is still there. in faact its hurting me right now sitting in the chair typing this.

[Lunk1]

Well i can now walk and move around(but still pain in lower back and some tingles in foot). i feel the aches. but no leg pain. just tingles. been walking alot to class today. when i left the hospital on wednesday morning, i could barely walk and had to piss in my empty jug of water in my room. so i guess its getting better(mobile wise) .

but the pain in the lower back is still there. in faact its hurting me right now sitting in the chair typing this.

Yeah..honestly sitting is about the worste...causes alot of pressure on the disk and ofcourse swelling will increase. It may take 6-8 weeks for a full recovery. there is very little blood flow to the disks so healing is slow.

Google stretches for herniated back. There are alot of stretches that PT's recomend and keep moving alot. It sounds like you will be ok as loing as you don';t push it. I pushed it and made the buldge worse resulting in sciatica, resulting in surgery. If I would have followed my own advise it would have gone down on it's own.

Bad news is that once this happens it seems as if you are always more at risk. I no longer squat or deadlift heavy. 315 squat and 356-405 deadlift for max now.

[Twin]

ok no more sitting. i will only use the computer when needed. i will stick to my netflix laying down.

1 thing, which type of should should i see first?

a orthopedics doctor? orthopedics surgeon? a sports doctor? which type? im searching online and there are so many categories i dont know which type to check out. thanks bro.

[Lunk1]

Usually you will get a referel from your GP...I was refered directly to a surgeon who lined up my epi's and tried everything before resorting to surgery!

[Twin]

I dont have a GP. As I never had health insurance before. I have medically currently with the school. and they gave me a card with a site that shows me local providers that i should see. so maybe i should just call a Orthopedic surgeon?

[boxingfan30]

Thanks for the quick reply fellas.

The doc at the hospital gave me 3 scripts.

Methocarbamol 500 mg tablet 1 tab orally every 6 hours



Vidcodin 5-500mg tablet 1 pain every 6 hours.

Naproxen 500mg tablet delayed release

1 tab take every 12 hours.



Are these all worth buying? And thanks for the suggestions. I will def look into all of that.

Decompressing the spine does help a lot. I was working yesterday and naturally when I got home and my back started to stiffen up, I was in a lot of pain. I had to do my back workout, which because of shoulder problems consists of about 7-8 sets of pull ups to failure with the final rep just holding onto the bar and hanging for a 30 seconds to a minute.

I also started taking MSM, i'm taking 5 grams a day ... 2 early in the day and another 3 later on. It's only been a few days, but hopefully I will start to notice some relief soon. I would get some though.. it's always worth a shot and helps a lot of people.

Also, I don't know if Roman had suggested it yet or not, but the TB-500 seems to be very promising for faster healing and a lot of other benefits. I'm highly considering it myself.

[Lunk1]

I dont have a GP. As I never had health insurance before. I have medically currently with the school. and they gave me a card with a site that shows me local providers that i should see. so maybe i should just call a Orthopedic surgeon?

I can't properly advise since I am not sure how your insurance situation works. The surgeon would be considered a specialist and I would need a referel to a specialist from a GP. That's how my insurance works anyhow. I would def. try to see a specialist though, however you need to handle it! From what you have told me though, my belief is that surgery will not be a requirement, although I can't feel your pain and discomfort...but I have lol

[boxingfan30]

By the way, I have 2 bulging discs, a torn disc and small crack in my spine so I feel your pain.

[Twin]

i noticed this last night before i went to bed. i guess this is normal with a herniated disc for the bruising.? ill keep icing it...

[Twin]

I can't properly advise since I am not sure how your insurance situation works. The surgeon would be considered a specialist and I would need a referel to a specialist from a GP. That's how my insurance works anyhow. I would def. try to see a specialist though, however you need to handle it! From what you have told me though, my belief is that surgery will not be a requirement, although I can't feel your pain and discomfort...but I have lol

same here. hoping not to go the surgery route . i dont think its that bad. going to just call an orthopedics doctor to schedule an appointment. till then, icing laying in bed watching movies all day. so depressing, but what can i do.

[Lunk1]

Keep us informed...hoping the swelling goes down and everything goes back to normal

[Twin]

thanks i will. i plan on ordering tb500 tomorrow night. i will also make a log which will include updates. ill post that thread in this thread so you can follow.. which is where i will be updating on how i feel daily... . and i appreciate all the help lunk1. i really do. cant thank u enough... and to everyone else who posted in this thread. each and one of you, i thank you...

[boxingfan30]

thanks i will. i plan on ordering tb500 tomorrow night. i will also make a log which will include updates. ill post that thread in this thread so you can follow.. which is where i will be updating on how i feel daily... . and i appreciate all the help lunk1. i really do. cant thank u enough... and to everyone else who posted in this thread. each and one of you, i thank you...

that will be great, the more logs from people the better.