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New here.......L4-L5 Bulging Disc, please N E info would be appreciated

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Posted 10/29/2008 11:21 AM (GMT 0)

I'm new here.  Just found this site b/c I was looking into my condition.  I had an MRI done on Monday, got the results on Tuesday and the results were that I have a bulging between my L4 & L5 disc.  I'm not sure what that means for me.  Can it be cured?  Is surgery inevidable.  I've gone threw PT in the past for many years due to a car accident and the pain has never really subsided.  I'm not sure if that caused the "bulge" or if it's heritary(my whole family has back problems).  I don't see my Doctor till next Tuesday to discuss this, but until then I'm gonna go nuts.  First I have a 6 month old daughter, so I have to be active.  Second, I own a business so I've got things that have to be done there, and I'm in such pain that I don't know how I'm gonna get things done.  The doc prescribed vicoprofin which has helped a little but I can't understand why the pain hasn't subsided with the meds.  If anyone can give me any tips, advice or any info, I'd sure appreciate it.  Thanks bunches, looking forward to replies...Sincerely, terinsam

Posted 10/29/2008 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
terinsam,

Regardless of what the cause is for your herniation, surgery in the lumbar region would not be my recommendation. Generally, when a repair is done in that area it can lead to further herniations. Plus, this is not a simple procedure at all and requires significant recovery. Given your active life of business and baby, consider other options. My suggestion would be to go to a pain specialist. These are practicing Anesthesiologists which can provide injections which last a very long time (3-6 months) and can lead to permanent recovery if used properly. By that I mean PT tends to do little more than aggravate pain and leads to failure for ongoing recovery. But, by utilizing the pain specialist management, you can work into a PT program and gain strength during the time period that the injections are working. By the time they may be wearing off, you are stronger. The other recommendation would be Chiropractic. There are all kinds of new methods in the field that are assisting this type of problem. Best of luck to you!
Posted 10/29/2008 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the reply.  Those are some great tips, it does at least give me a direction to shoot for.  Thank you so  much.....
Posted 10/29/2008 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have bulging discs with stenosis in the lumbar region too. It is very painful. I agree that surgery must be the last resort. Many people get help from surgery, but many do not. Scar tissue will form. That is guaranteed with surgery. That will only add to your problems. Many people live with them. You just accept that you are now limited in what you can do. I live on pain meds, for sure. They take the edge off, not much above that. But Ic an function most days.

I went to pt and it made me worse. The injections help some. They didn't help me, but you should find a pain clinic and give it a go, if you can afford it. Some swear by accupuncture. I've not tried it. Probably won't. Get a good heating pad. Take lots of hot, hot baths. One more thing. Lidocaine patches are a help too. They help numb the area. They are big patches that you can cut up if you want to. You can use up to 3 at a time for 12 hrs.
Posted 10/31/2008 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
I had a fusion at L5 S1 two years ago this month and it went well but now like you said I have two more bulging disks and the same thing happened to my husband...then I had fallen on ice 8 years ago and now my neck that had just bulging has now herniated and a bulging disk so I know the pain you are going through...I do go to acupuncture for the last two years and if you can find one that does acupressure massage and acupuncture it is a huge relief...now I also have fibromyalgia and both shoulders I can hardly move as they tell me I have Osteo Arthritis , frozen shoulders, the neck...it is so frustrating but keep excercising...I am only 47 and had been doing yoga and everything than in the Spring started losing my balance and other problems and now it is so hard to do things...so please do not stop moving..I did chiropractor and injections before my surgery...I had an artificial disk put in and it went very well but don't do it unless it is your last thing..from someone who has been there and my husband who is in horrible pain ...he got an infection after surgery..hugs, pain4you!
Everything happens for a reason!
Posted 10/31/2008 7:50 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Terisam,

Yes, you can have bulging discs and not be a surgical candidate. Alot of times people can have a bulging disc and not know it, and then have some sort of trauma, have an MRI and then learn they have this problem. I have a bulging disc at L5-S1 which is the very bottom disc in your low back. Since I do not have any nerve involvment such as a pinched nerve or compressed nerve, I don't need surgery. There are many different ways of managing low back pain these days. By any chance are you on a muscle relaxer, if not your dr needs to prescribe you one to at least take at bedtime. Some people get groggy and if they work they can't take them during the day and only take them at bedtime. Muscle spasms can bring on pain from hell. If your dr is not willing to give you different medications for pain in an effort to find one that helps you, then you should probably ask for a referral to a pain mgt dr. Be sure though in finding a pain dr that does write sccipts for medication, some of these guys will want to procedures only and no meds.Alot of times moist heat works well, moist heat is much better than dry heat. Tiger Balm is a good for muscular pain. My old massage therapist use to rub me down in it and then do hot packs. Oh man, did that ever feel good. 

I do hope you get to feeling better soon. Susie

Posted 10/31/2008 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi & thanks for the reply. I did call my doctor and unfortunately since I don't have insurance(self emplyed) I don't have a very caring doctor, actually he's pretty arrogant. He has this attitude like we should count ourselves lucky that he shows up once a week at the clinic to help the little insignificant people such as myself. I did call and told his nurse that I was in a lot of pain and if they could even give me any suggestions to help ease the pain I would really appreciate it. She said try putting a pillow between my legs. That was all she could say. My doctor is a Joke, and the joke must be on me. So, since I have no insurance I guess all I can do is put up with this treatment, or lack there of. I will see him on Tuesday and see what happens, maybe he'll refer me to a speciallist that has some humanity in him. For now, I'm taking a lot of baths with the jets on and motrin of course. I live in a relatively small town, it's the only clinic that see's patients without insurance. I would have to drive an hour to get to a bigger city to get more options. My doctor did prescribe muscle relaxers to me about 3 months ago, I still got them but all they do is make me groggy, I have baby so I can't get groggy. I have tried taking them at night but they only let me sleep for about 3 hours and then I'm awake and in pain again.
I want to thank everyone here for being so friendly and helpful, you have no idea what it means to me to have others who know exactly how I'm feeling....I've got a great husband, but he's very healthy and couldn't possible understand the pain I'm enduring, God Bless Him, I know he tries....
But please feel free to shoot any advice you can my way. I do appreciate any help I can get.
And Thank you all again for being so open and helpful,
sincerely, terinsam
Posted 10/31/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
terinsam,

Maybe you could try a back brace. My neurosurgeon ordered one for me & it is a godsend. They are usually pretty expensive, but I know my NS has some gently used ones that they sometimes donate or else give at a minimum cost (under $100, based on ability to pay) to uninsured patients who can't afford to pay full price ($1500-$1800).

It might be worth a shot. I don't have kids, but do sometimes need to lift heavy boxes at work. Putting on the brace before picking them up has made a big difference. Maybe you back just needs a rest? If so, a brace should do the trick.

feel better,
frances
Posted 10/31/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)

terinsam,

I know the pain you suffer. Back surgery should be the last resort as everyone suggested.(I've had 4) The scar tissue build up and arthiritis is pretty painful at times. BUT my son had a bulging disc, and he had this new procedure where it was less invasive and was in the hospital  just over night, not much down time. (he's a young single father) He felt GREAT the next day. But sounds like your situation is more difficult with the Drs. attitude. nothing is worse than a Dr who thinks the pain is "all in your head", good luck to you and don't let the DR intimidate you. be sure and ask any questions you have, including a referral if you need it. I have tried pain management and am getting ready to start it again.  I had to do a lot of resting with hot and cold packs to reduce the swelling. I know that is hard to do with small children, Thank God I had my mom to help me then.

I am praying for you

Patty

Posted 2/26/2010 3:34 AM (GMT 0)

terinsam said...
I'm new here. Just found this site b/c I was looking into my condition. I had an MRI done on Monday, got the results on Tuesday and the results were that I have a bulging between my L4 & L5 disc. I'm not sure what that means for me. Can it be cured? Is surgery inevidable. I've gone threw PT in the past for many years due to a car accident and the pain has never really subsided. I'm not sure if that caused the "bulge" or if it's heritary(my whole family has back problems). I don't see my Doctor till next Tuesday to discuss this, but until then I'm gonna go nuts. First I have a 6 month old daughter, so I have to be active. Second, I own a business so I've got things that have to be done there, and I'm in such pain that I don't know how I'm gonna get things done. The doc prescribed vicoprofin which has helped a little but I can't understand why the pain hasn't subsided with the meds. If anyone can give me any tips, advice or any info, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks bunches, looking forward to replies...Sincerely, terinsam

Dear terinsam,

Welcome to the forum! This is a great bunch of people....very kind and helpful! But I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. I understand needing to be alert for a child....we have a 3 year old and a 4 year old.

You've gotten some great answers here; I too have bulging discs which cause pinched nerves at L3-L4 and L4-L5. My rheumatologist says he can give me a steroid injection - a caudal block. I'm going to try it. I believe this may be the type of injection that dennisandkristen was referring to.

In any case I do wish you the best of luck as you look into your options.....keep us posted!
(((((hugs)))))
JoAnn
Posted 2/26/2010 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
I hate to say it, but take a look at the date of the original poster. This thread is a year and a half old.

It would appear someone, J Smith, who does not bother to read the posting rules dug it out.
Posted 2/26/2010 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Oops, you're right! I didn't look at the date of the original poster, only the last one! :(

Usually the moderators delete those sorts of posts don't they?
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