Uh, Oh-- Major Back Problems

This is a vent.

Two weeks ago, my back went out and I've been in a lot of pain since then.

It looks like I blew a disk as the last few days I am also having severe leg pain. (Back pain has improved).

It is nerve pain from the hip to my ankle and is getting worse.

I can barely stand as the pain increases when I do that. (I can walk with the pain.) I'll be seeing the P/T guy tomorrow and doctor on Wednesday, but I am sure it is a sciatic type pain.

I have my PC surgery scheduled for 1/25. Frankly, I don't want anything to interfere with that surgery. Hopefully, it will not (I don't even want to mention that problem to my PC surgeon! I may not mention it).

Has anyone else had these kinds of back problems.

Mel

 

Acupuncture did it for me.

In 1998, I herniated a disk at L-5/S-1, which sent knife-like radiating pains down my leg. Couldn't sit at all. Consulted a neurosurgeon after exhausting physical therapy modalities. Was a month away from begging for surgery and discovered the supplement MSM. Did my research on it after having it recommended, and within 3-4 weeks of taking it daily without fail, I got to about 90% pain-free. Continue daily use for preventive measures to this day (still have the herniation, but no symptoms); in addtion to back exercises, weight control etc. It's based on the healing properties of sulfur. But don't take my word for it, google it and read about it before giving a shot. It's relatively cheap, and can be purchased at GNC, Puritan's Pride, or just about any drugstore. Of course, a week or so prior to surgery, i had to stop all NSAIDs vitamins, supplements, etc., so depending on the date of your surgery, you might want to wait until after if you're so inclined. 

 

Arnie in DE 

Hi Mel

Getting old sucks!!!!

Mika

Time is on your side, as most patients will recover with nothing more than bed rest. That said, I spent 30 years caring for, and operating on, more than a few lumbar disk herniations. When a patient says the back pain is better, but the leg pain worsens, it often means an extruded disk fragment. The pain all the way to the ankle is not a good sign either. None of this disk problem will ever kill you, so you might bear that in mind. The bed is your friend right now.