Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

extruded disk, now what?

Vanyel
Vanyel
Hello all, I am currently totally out of the game. I have degenerative disk disease in lumbar and cervical spine, as well as very aggressive arthritis in all my joints. I've had back problems since my 20s, and know that my 2 bottom lumbar disks were completely dry back in 97. Well, apparently one of them has now burst, and is extruding itself onto the L5 nerve root and I am just in agony if I trry to stand and move around. Pain down the left leg to the foot that is usually worse than the back. There is also bulging into the spinal canal, bulging of the disk below this one, and the one above. I can't work, can't play, can't sit for any time, can't stand much at all, can barely use the dang toilet. Anyone with extruded disk experience? What did they do for you? I am supposed to see a neurosurgeon tomorrow and just dread it. I hate doctors - especially back related doctors. Its such a fight to get them to pay any attention at all. My chiropractor won't touch me and is the one that sent me off to the surgeon. Pain meds don't help at all. Traction helps a tad, but only while i'm in it. I can't afford all the time I am missing at work. Anyone have any words of advice, wisdom????

Thanks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
try gabapentin if its ok with doc try fish oil , heat. i have many of same problems so gabapentin , tramdol. but heres the low down on arthrites do not slow down keep going no matter i do things a little aty a time .really get mj medcial card it helps hug minnie
immarcie
immarcie
I'm sorry have no words of advice or wisdom....I do have one that does apply to you though...
ADMIRATION....you are able to work with all that going on!!!!!!

Chriopractors are off limits with me (drs. warned me not to have that done) and surgery can never be an option because of the curvature.

I'm lucky to get what I do around the house done let alone be able to have an actual job.

I know a lot of folks here are able to work in spite of CP and I am deeply humbled by your courage and tenacity.

Whatever you have within your spirit.....is there a way you could bottle it and send me some??? I'd gladly pay any cost to have that!!!!

(((((((((((((gentle hugs)))))))))))
deleted_user
deleted_user
My guess is that you are headed to surgery. If the disk is ruptured and pressing on the nerves and spine there is nothing else that will fix the problem. And more importantly the longer those nerves are compressed the more likely you are to have permanent damage.

Check out spine-health.com. They have lots of info on spine problems and solutions. There is also a great forum there.

Good Luck today.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Sorry...no advice except you have my deepest sympathy. I know how painful spine problems are.
Vanyel
Vanyel
Thanks everyone for your replies. I saw the neurosurgeon yesterday and have surgery tomorrow. Tigg was right. They are doing laminectomy and microdiscectomy to get the part of the disk that is pressing on the nerve root out of there. There was some discussion about doing a 2 level fusion, but they felt that was way overkill at this point and think that this minor procedure (yeah right) may fix this problem. So we spent the afternoon getting more MRIs, EKGs and labs for pre op. Tomorrow, surgery. Gawd i hope this is a good idea. I think I am rather anxious about it to be honest. I never thought I would be in a place to allow back surgery to happen. But I certainly can't function the way it is, and they all tell me it would be 6 months to a year for the extruded disk to resorb, and that is no guarantee it would relieve the problem. Of course they say that surgery will immediately relieve the pain and i'll be back to work in a week. I don't believe that malarky, but still...... The doctor offered to put me in the hospital yesterday to get on a pain pump. By the time I got to his office I was a wreck. But then last night, I could walk around my house upright with just a little pain for a while. I don't understand. But this morning, its back with its usual misery. The poor doctor could not fathom that I didn't want pain medicine from him. I have plenty at home and it really isn't bad if I stay on my back in bed. Sigh. Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks again for the replies. Wish me luck tomorrow. I hope you all find some relief.......

Vanyel
Jenna77
Jenna77
Good luck with your surgery. My brother has had laminectomy as well. This was his 3rd back surgery and the one that relieved his pain the most. I hope you have the same experience. My thoughts go out to you!

Gentle hugs,
Jenna