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bulging lumbar discs

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Posted 3/4/2009 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi - just to say hello as I am new here. Am really glad I stumbled on the site! I have two (maybe three) bulging lumbar discs which fortunately arn't bad enough for an operation but cause lots of back trouble and pain in both legs. I also get the pins and needles, buzzings sensations, numb feelings down to my feet etc. Have had it for over 18 months now - two mri's, one set of bi-lateral facet nerve steroid injections (didn't work), can't take the stronge anti-inflams and am currently taking tramadol - which helps a bit with the back but not the legs. I appreciate that I am quite well off compared to a lot of people - I am able to walk and carry on life carefully but am unable to work because I cannot sit for very long. I feel I am improving but very slowly but have recently been trying to get my head round that this may be the way things are going to be which is a bit hard having been very active and am only (!) 47. On the one hand I am grateful to be told it will improve but on the other my 68 year old mother is ten times fitter than me!

Sorry about the ramble - just saying hi!
Posted 3/4/2009 12:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Tabithacat,

Welcome...so sorry for your pain!  We are all here to care and send lots of loving support and understanding....just wanted to say hi!

Patti

Posted 3/4/2009 5:00 PM (GMT 0)

 

 

Welcome to the "Nut-House" Tabithacat...Just kidding.  We are all pretty stable when we take our meds on time. smilewinkgrin

 

I am 41, and have been having CP issues for over 20 years!!!  I feel like I'm 90 most of the time because I can't do anything like I used to.  Of course, like you, I am grateful that I can do anything at all..Some people are in wheelchairs or have to use walkers or canes.

 

Anyway, you came to the right place.  We can offer our wisdom and sometimes some great advice.  But we are NOT Doctors...

 

Here's to having a great day!!!!

 

Me.

Posted 3/4/2009 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Tabithacat,
Have I welcomed you yet? Sorry I can't remember - don't take it personally. I think I did briefly on another thread, but let me say hi again regardless!

Have you tried any PT? Having bulging disks is pretty common as we age, but there are things we can do to help slow down the process, especially if you don't have any herniations. A good PT could give you some exercises (the right kind) and maybe some thoughts on how to manage your work setting, sitting, etc. so as to minimize your symptoms. I've had bulging disks in my neck for well over 20 years, and have managed them with a whole list of things but never surgery or even injections. The big problems for me were in my lumbar spine after a fall.

Anyway, welcome!!

PaLady
Posted 3/4/2009 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW!!! This is a great place to find the compassion you need!
Posted 3/5/2009 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi & Welcome to HW, Tabithacat. Like Palady, I can't remember if I've already welcomed you, whoops! I actually I can barely see at thing at the moment, so I must admit, I didn't really get around to reading your story yet, sorry! But I did want to make sure that I welcomed you.

Skeye

ps - love the name, it reminds me of "Bewitched"
Posted 3/5/2009 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Wanted to say Hello and welcome with all the others, CP can be very trying,
Just hang in there maybe someday a better procedure will be out there for us,
other than injections and radiofrequency ablations...
come and post here anytime, even if you need to let off steam or to vent cause
we all need to sometimes.....
lots of soft (((((((((((((((((((((((HUGZ)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) for now...........
Posted 3/5/2009 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
One more stopping in to say welcome. You have already read posts that are filled with good advice. What I would like to pass on is that many of us had to face the fact that this is the way life is going to be. That does not mean that life still can't be enjoyable. It also doesn't mean that you should not do everything possible to improve the situation. I agree that PT is an option that you should look into. Most Drs are easy to work with when it comes to PT. Dealing with CP is a long distant event and not a sprint. Blessings!

Posted 3/5/2009 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tabithacat, you stumbled upon a very good place, I am rather new here too, and if your experiencing chronic pain, or any pain, I can't think of a better place to be! Even bulging disc can be a real problem sometimes, and the pain can be very difficult. So your definitely not alone, as they say misery loves company, but here you get caring, and understanding company and that is the Best kind!
I wish you all the best!
White Beard
Posted 3/5/2009 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome aboard Tabitha. I am glad to meet you as well. I am sorry to see that you have to join us but it is a pleasure to have new people here to vent with and share our stories. I am sure that you have read each of our stories about our pain and our experiences and I hope to hear some more of your life as well over the next few posts.

Hugs and welcome aboard.

Scarred/aka the painter that has now gone back to her painting!!!!
Posted 3/5/2009 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
welcome...alas, as more eloquently state previously, we add another to our ranks. At least here, you know that you are not alone as CP can isolate one mentally and physically from the rest of the world...
again, welcome...
Posted 3/6/2009 8:38 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks all for your replies.  I must admit I do feel humbled by some of your stories and what you have to go to and think I should just 'shut up'!!  I do think the site is great and it is good to vent because I think my partner and friends are sick to death of me going on about it - I have one friend who still can't understand the fact that my back problem causes so much trouble with my legs!

And PALady - I think I have just found a PT who is really good and hopefully will help.  I havn't dared go near one for over a year becuase I am convinced the first one I saw made things way worse.  This one treats your whole body with a mixture of PT/reflexology/eastern medicines etc.  I now do a lot of gentle pilates - the whole problem probably starting from weakness due to several abdominal surgeries over the years.  Again my thanks.....

Posted 3/6/2009 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Tabithacat,
I have learned (the hard way) to ask every PT, massage therapist, etc. to describe to me what they are going to do before I let them touch me. Especially areas of my body that are problematic like my neck (entire spine since my surgery). But I also have a Pilates machine I bought used about 10 years ago. It is the only exercise I have ever loved, but since my lumbar fusion haven't been able to do much of anything. Yet I know that's not going to help me, either. Weak abdominals (core) just causes more problems. So I plan to slowly get back on it and figure out at least a few exercises to do. Before my back surgery, I think Pilates was the only thing that kept me functioning, but I love the machine because it makes it easy for me to stay in the right position.

And keeping coming here to vent or anything. Most of our friends and family get tired of hearing us, and wow, do I know about the back/legs thing. I really think telling people I have "back problems" doesn't anywhere near describe it. But you get tired of explaining how you have back/butt/leg/foot problems caused by problems in your spine and no, all the list of things haven't worked!

PaLady
Posted 3/7/2009 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
PA Lady - Hi - I don't have a pilates machine but was lucky to find a good instructor to make sure I do things right and safe! Am enjoying this site - everything seems to get discussed! Most people seem to be USA based which is interesting for me. One thing is obvious we are lucky to have our National Health Service here in the UK and to have access to a doctor free of charge. Those on social benefits also get free meds. Our NHS gets moaned about here but compared to what some of you guys have to go through when you have no insurance etc. Back to the pilates I think it is good that you can just to a very little and it will help and hopefully you can build it up slowly. I started 18 months ago when things went wrong and can now do things I didn't have a hope of at the beginning! Good luck...
Posted 3/7/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
You're right about our insurance here in the U.S., but hopefully its going to change, although not without a battle. I will likely be on government insurance anyway soon, because I lost my job and health issues, etc, etc.

I wish I had a Pilates instructor. I used the videos years ago to teach myself the basic routine, and always hopee I was doing it right! But then after I took a bad fall, I cut back to a few basic moves, which I believe helped me tremedously. I can feel the difference with no muslce tone in my legs (my knees are starting to hurt again) and very weak abdominals. I did as much as I could on the machine to strengthen myself before my lumbar fusion surgery, and i know it helped because I could squat and stand up without bending. Now that's no longer the case. I squat and have to hang onto something to stand up! LOL

Yes, most of us appear to be U.S. based, but I love the fact we do have people posting from all over the world. That's the neatest thing about internet forums!

PaLady
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