Back Problems....Any success stories?

[ERSS]

I have been basically healthy all my life ( 48 yo now ), other than a fall off a house with some broken bones several years ago, I have never been a patient in a hospital, been on medications, nothing. I always felt like I could lift more than should be able to for my size, whether that was weightlifting when I was younger, moving bags of cement, moving rocks for landscaping, whatever. I would occasionally, a few times a year, tweak my back and walk a little sideways for a few days and then be good to go. In December of last year this same tweak happened, except it never went away. Initial injury was helping my daughter move, and then aggravated by months of shoveling snow and digging out snow machines, and then some new appliance purchases and rotation of appliances between a couple of residences. Finally in Feb, it was bad. Went to chiropractor for first time in my life with no relief. In late March, something happened ( herniated disc ), whole left leg was either the worst pain I had felt, numb or nagging dull ache. Chiropractor ordered MRI, diagnosis = herniated L4-L5 disc, solution microdiscectomy surgery. Had to continue working and do some traveling for work, so a corticosteroid injection in my back reduced pain and limitation by about 50%. Had the surgery on April 17th and walked out feeling like I got my leg back, felt like a million bucks. Within 3 days was having no issues with pain, tingling, etc.. That Saturday, 5 days after surgery, I did a little shed hunting and felt great. After a good non-symptomatic work week, I was a little more active last Saturday - more than I should have been ( this was definitely my fault, not the surgeon ) - which resulted in a reherniation of the same disc. Twice the pain this time, never felt like such a baby in my life. Two injections, and an MRI later....I was scheduled for a repeat of same surgery for today. Due to insurance delay it was cancelled today, and rescheduled for Monday.

The way I understand it, and after talking with my surgeon, usually 2-3 of these microdiscectomies, and then looking at an L4-L5 fusion.

Interested if anyone else has had the same or similar issues, what your outcomes have been and any lessons learned

Appreciate any input

 

[T Bone]

I've fractured L1, had temporary paralysis that kick started a very religious time period in my life.....and it still reminds me occasionally.

Amazingly I've had very minor issues.

My Father has major back issues from ejecting out of an OV10 Bronco at low altitude and pinballing through the trees. 6 surgeries....no happy ending, rather a steady degeneration, but he is still able to walk on most days at age . The worst is he falls a lot due to numbness.

Is Moreno still there in Neurology? It was a long time ago, but the guy worked wonders on me.

Listen to your physical therapist, and stretch often and then stretch more.

Best of luck in the surgery!

 

[Goatshoes]

Yes. One surgery for me two for the wife. Same surgery. Same location.

IMO: You will need to be mindful of your back for the rest of your life. You just can't do things like you used to. Keep your weight down and stay active (low impact), I always hedge on the side of my activities being conservative. Mostly, I hike and swim. No running. It creates to much impact. Also keep your core strong.

Good luck.

Do your best to stay away from the opioids. They can be a God send but they can also destroy lives.

 

[brymoore]

Ha! I did the same thing. 10 months of trying to fix, followed by surgery, reherniate within a few days and a second surgery.

Five years later I'm 98%. My back doesn't hold me back from anything but it's a great excuse to avoid things I don't want to do (like golf).

Take it easy on the rehab the first month until the incision heals (per my doc). I mostly walked/hiked the first summer. I'm back to weight lifting, hiking with 40lb pack, etc.

 

[BRI]

A great book for low back pain sufferers is called "Back Mechanic" by Dr. Stuart McGill. It explains most causes of low back pain and explains things to do and things to avoid depending on the issue.

 

[ERSS]

Thanks for the positive messages, success stories and suggestions. Much appreciated!!

 

[stooge]

I just had L4,5,6 fused in Feb '17,had a little discomfort and stiffness for 2 weeks or so that all went away,now back feels better but still watch what I lift and how I lift it. Then had my rotator done 2 weeks later,now that's a different kind of pain that hasn't gone away yet! I would be aware of what you lift for now on,we are not getting younger,try and get help when you can, don't want to be sitting on a couch when hunting season comes! Good luck on your recovery.

 

[MJE2083]

I herniated my L 4-5 a few years ago at the ripe old age of 28. No accident or anything. Worst pain of my life, injection did nothing. I never had surgery but I still have issues from time to time. I was really laid up this past deer season after I over did it ripping up some old flooring in my house. Months of therapy and medication and I'm just now starting to feel better. NSAID(Lodine) really helps me with the nerve pain. Despite what others say I've never had any great relief from PT personally. In fact during my initial injury I felt that the continued PT was only serving to leave my nerves in a constant state of aggrivation. That being said I plan to continue with the exercises in the hope that it may prevent any future injuries. I think everyone is different, but for me I have to sleep on a very firm mattress or else I'm in pain.

Also I don't trust chiropractic. I know people swear by it and I even have friends that are chiropractors. Most of the medical doctors and surgeons I have dealt with are also very skeptical of it. My first physical therapist was a young woman about my age, she had herniated a disc as a result of a botched chiropractic adjustment AND the chiropractor was a good and trusted friend of hers. I initially went to a chiro. for my injury and it certainly did not help, in fact he was adjusting me regularly before my herniated disc had been diagnosed and I do wonder if it made matters worse. I'm sure some are reputable, but I've seen too many selling snake oil to have a positive impression of the profession.

 

[esracerx]

My dad had L4 and L5 fused. One was completely degenerated. Had been in pain for years. Tries to get out of bed one day and be has drop foot. Left foot numb. That's when he made the decision to get it done. He knew a surgical nurse and she told him which doctors are good and which aren't. There's a difference. Being lower in the back you lose a little range of motion but not much. 2 months after the surgery he was getting the crap kicked out of him in an aluminum fishing boat at a camp up in Canada...and not a boat with nice swivel seats. No issues. He watches what he lifts but generally no restrictions. Done many elk hunts and a 3 or 4 full packouts since then.

His only regret is not surgically intervening sooner.

 

[esracerx]

Also I don't trust chiropractic. I know people swear by it and I even have friends that are chiropractors. Most of the medical doctors and surgeons I have dealt with are also very skeptical of it. My first physical therapist was a young woman about my age, she had herniated a disc as a result of a botched chiropractic adjustment AND the chiropractor was a good and trusted friend of hers. I initially went to a chiro. for my injury and it certainly did not help, in fact he was adjusting me regularly before my herniated disc had been diagnosed and I do wonder if it made matters worse. I'm sure some are reputable, but I've seen too many selling snake oil to have a positive impression of the profession.

This. The way I look at it. The skeletal system is mechanical. How do we fix broken parts on a car? Remove and replace. Not duct tape and bubble gum. If it's a muscle issue that's a different story.

 

[Gut Shot]

Herniated disc between C-5 and C-6. Chiropractor made it much worse, I'll never go to another one (and my sister is a chiro.). I couldn't sleep at night and was loosing the use of my left arm.

Went to an orthopedic spine specialist and he thought that surgery would be necessary, but said to try physical therapy first. Four months of PT, a shot of hydrocortizone in the spine, and a traction machine and I was good as new.

FWIW the cortizone shot was a huge help. Also the PT gal gave me a massage three times a week, this and the traction machine did more good than anything else.

I screwed up my neck this morning and it will be good as new after using the traction machine a couple of times.

 

[brymoore]

Two more thoughts: 1) I think the Chiro made my back worse. He may have increased the herniation. 2) get the surgery. I had a long list of people who told me to avoid surgery. Ten months of pain with a missed hunting season trying to avoid surgery. In a friendly way, I've let each of them know how wrong they are about surgery.

 

[Rainer]

I know this may sound weird but I've found that working out and doing hanging exercises really helps my back, as well as hot yoga. The yoga really help with the mobility and back stiffness. I'm 28 and need to have both knees replaced and have more surgeries on my spin. Playing Rugby and being ex-airbourne takes a large toll on your body.

 

[mixedbag]

Do NOT get use to taking any opioid pain meds.My back is really bad and fusion is all they can do.I'm not ready to lose that kind of range of motion.If your surgery worked the 1st time do it again but use your head and be ALOT more careful on straining it anymore.The shots never gave me any relief and I had that doNE 6x

 

[idnative1948]

I have a gimpy L5 and would need to go to the chiro four or five times a year for relief. But, I found a personal trainer where I work out and he talked me into REALLY working on my core. I go twice a week for core class and have been for the last three years. I don't have the 60+ slouch that you see alot of seniors walking with. If people are able to strengthen their rectus abdominus and linea semilunaris tissue it takes stress off the spine.

 

[BigGameDIY]

I have been having herniated disc in lower back for many years, when it starts bothering me, I go to jacuzzi, make jet massage my back and then use reverse table at home. When you use reverse table you start with couple minutes and increase couple minutes a day to 30-40 minutes, make sure somebody is watching you all the time. If it starts bothering me during the hunting, I just take Nimesulide 100 MG tablet and it usually takes care of it.
Chiropractic can make you much worse, I have been at chiropractic couple times and never again.

 

[esracerx]

Be careful with NSaids. Frequent use can cause ulcers among other things.

 

[esracerx]

Also, cortizone while it gives you relief. It never leaves the body. The relief is usually temporary and another shot or surgery is usually just an eventuality. From what I've been told, surgery after multiple cortisone shots isn't too much fun. It's like a gel they have to work around.

Mixedbag- if it's lower on your back l4 l5 fusion, the range of motion loss is minimal and my dad's only regret is not getting it done sooner. I'd get it fixed sooner before other stuff starts to go.

 

[archer wapiti]

I have a gimpy L5 and would need to go to the chiro four or five times a year for relief. But, I found a personal trainer where I work out and he talked me into REALLY working on my core. I go twice a week for core class and have been for the last three years. I don't have the 60+ slouch that you see alot of seniors walking with. If people are able to strengthen their rectus abdominus and linea semilunaris tissue it takes stress off the spine.

This. I'm just getting my resolve to start this, but I'm quite sure it's my ultimate problem. I have an awesome chiropractor and massage therapist that get me back to near 100% The rest is on me and fixing my core. All of my pain from between my shoulders down to my knees seems to stem from having a weak core.

 

[utahminer]

Have you had a 2nd and 3rd opinion? I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back from getting push in the back while playing college basketball. I have fought the symptoms (not being able to sit, not being able to stand up straight, leg pain...) for years not knowing what was wrong. Since finding out I have learned that cycling is my new best friend along with a number of other small changes have made a huge difference. I do know a few people that wish they would have never had surgery. My grandfather had two surgeries. The first really made a difference but the second left him a drop foot. He has tried to fight the drop foot but it has really affected his life and slowed him down. I would make sure you KNOW that you should have the surgery. Just my two cents