Comments on: Herniated Disc

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:43:08 +0000

Hi every one, I know what all of you are going through. In 2004 I had a work injury due to that I have herniated discs. I have had 2 surgery after trying pain meds, shots, all kinds of PT, on top of many other things. My last surgery was a year ago and it was a disc replacement. It helped with some things I now have pain in my legs where I couldnt feel them at all before I walk straighter. I had a lot of hope when I first got it done but now I am still having problems. I cant stand or sit for more then 5 min with out my hips and legs and feet going numb. I have pain in my lower back some days that is so debilitating that I cant get out of bed. It is warring me down physically and mentally. I am going to be 32 this march and I want to be enjoying life. My life has just changed so much I use to be so active and to not be able to get out of bed some times and have to ask for help doing things like putting on socks is very hard. Now they are telling me that I have two deformed joints in my spine and that it could be the source of some of the things that I am experiencing. So now I am going for an MRI to make sure that it is nothing else. They want to send me for water pt now too. Has any one had a disc replacement and are having the same problems?

By: DONALD

DONALD — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:23:04 +0000

TRY dILAUDED-8MG 3 A DAY, AND IF REALLY BAD 4 TIMES A DAY, AND AMITYLINE 50 MG(1), AFTER 5 SURGERIES THIS WORKS FOR ME. i HAVE BEEN ON DISABILITY 11 YEARS, STILL NEED 2 MORE SURGERIES, INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANY MORE SURGERIES , THEY SAID i WAS SO BAD i MIGHT DIE FROM SURGERY, BUT MY ATTORNEY FINALLY HAD IT APPROVED.

By: Stepanie

Stepanie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:25:13 +0000

It sure is nice to know that i am not the only one out there with these issues. A little over 4 years ago my middle back started hurting, within 4 days there was a 3 in strip that went from the right side of my back & wrapped around the front. The finding was a hemorage in my spinal cord…nothing they can do since it is in the cord. After being on so many different meds, too many to list, finally they sent me to the pain clinic. They put a spinal cord stimulator in. Not a great thing for me, gives me back spasms. Medtronic is now working on this. Then, to top this, fell down & landed on my back….instant pain, finally a year later, at the pain clinic. Had 4 cortisone shots within a month. L4-L5 & Sacrial Iliac. It took dr’s 8 months, after I suggested, to take a simple xray. Also had a ct scan which showed the bulging discs. Am on Gabapentin 800 mg 5x a day & tramadal 50 mg 4x a day. still in pain & am very tired of feeling like crap. I respect each & every one of you with cronic pain that tries their best to keep on living the best life they can.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:31:55 +0000

I have been dealing with the exact disc issue you suffer since 2003.I am on pain management meds-muscle relaxer and vicodin.I take them as prescribed although they don’t seem to work as well any more.How I deal with it is I have learned to listen to my body,as well as plan what work I need to do. I can’t sit at a computer for more than 20 to 30 minutes without taking breaks to move around.I have had nerve blocks and other types of injections which didn’t work.I keep up on stretches frequently along with self massage,heat& icing.A good hot shower helps also.I went through 8 weeks of physical therepy because I favored my left arm and shoulder untill it froze up,I won’t ever let that happen again! I am very aware of what and how I lift and carry things.Sometimes it takes days to recover and during these times I take it extra easy.I also wake up some days with near bed ridden headaches, but I have to get up. I’m a single mom. I am disabled, for more reasons. My specialist told me today that stress can and does increase pain.I have had to move 5 times in the last 12 months due to poverty level income.Another specialist told me to not have surgery unless it sounded like fun.I am not near that yet.Yes I have pain,spasms,and am crooked at my shoulders.A seat belt hurts after about a half hour.I was given a neck collar,it really helps.It’s like taking the weight of my head off my neck is a good feeling.I cannot do repetitive movements very long or am supposed to lift more than 10 lbs on occasion.Yeah right.My pain starts at the base of my skull and radiates to my jaw,down the left side of my neck,to the middle my shoulder blades and under to my armpit all the way to my hand and fingers,occasional tingles and numbness.I am always rubbing my left palm.The areas I’ve described aren’t as sensitive as my right side.I did begin to get the leg pain and found that walking and stretching has helped considerably.I also take rx ibuprofin for inflamation.It works ok.Try to see about accomodations to allow you to get up and move around at work.As needed. If your doctor won’t write something in this regard,see someone eles about it.Has your pain interfered with your work performance? It sure did me. I went through 4 different types of work; 3 couldn’t last a year.I have not been able to work since may 2007 I wish you luck and a way to ease the wretched pain. Just try not to give in to it, that put me on antidepressants.By the way, it was my childrens father who thought I needed all this crap.I hope something in this reply helps you.

By: sherry

sherry — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:23:14 +0000

I have neck pain on my left side, shoulder, arm. Numbness goes down my arm to my thumb. I havnt had an mri yet, but I know its a bulging or herniated disc. I already have a bulging disc in my lower back and I can prevent it from hurting from doing exercise, but I think thats what hurt my neck. I was exercising my upper body using weights and the next day I couldnt turn my head, then it got worse. I know the whole process from my lower back, nothing worked but the exercising and keeping my weight down. I am taking ibpuprofin, doing neck exercises, messaging my muscles, heat. I can turn my head better but my arm and shoulder still bother me. Can anyone give me some suggestions until I can get to a specialist?

By: kelly

kelly — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:52:53 +0000

Hi Kelly
I just found this site and read alot of the comments. I couldn’t believe there were people out there like me. Your remark especially touched me. People don’t realize how badly I hurt and that doing anything is alot of effort. Sometimes I say to my husband, “I wish you could feel this for just one day”. I’ve had lumbar and cervical fusion and numerous steroid epidurals. They never work for very long. When I lived in California mu doctors gave me exactly what I needed as far as pain meds 30mg oxymorphone 3xday along with 10/325 hydrocodone for breakthrough pain. I have moved to Wisconsin 2yrs ago and can’t find anyone who will give me what works so that I can function and take care of my responsibilities. I have no real help. People say “just let me know if you need anything” but just try asking someone to vacuum for you lol I have bone spurs growing into my cervical cord, 7 herniated discs, rheumatoid arthritis, post herpetic neuralgia from having the chicken pocks as an adult and degenerative disc disease. Sometimes I think all doctors are full of you know what! In the last two and a half years since I have been in WI not one single doctor has actually put their hands on me to examine or look at me. The pain center here is like a fast food production line. Just stick a needle in your spine and shoot ya with cortisone seems to be the main menu. Sorry so long but I can’t believe I found this site and read what you said. I hope ther is some relief for you soon. My heart goes out to all who suffer with chronic pain.

By: Karin

Karin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:20:09 +0000

To all who suffer intense , unrealenting pain. I feel and cry for you all!I was injured on the job.Went to the occupational Dr.They really like to give out the pain killers and muscle relaxers but they really don’t care.I also was denied workers comp! I sustained herniated discs c6,c7.I have terrible pain starting from my left side of my neck and shoulder blade, and top side of my arm.Numbness down in my left hand with weakness and tingling in my hand too.I was put on 25lb. weight restriction and sent back to work! Needless to say I’m getting a laywer.

By: tiffiney

tiffiney — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:36:38 +0000

i hear you but yoy should really go to this site,im fixing to have this laser spin surgery done and there site gives you numbers of others who have had the surgery you can call them and ask any questions you have see how they feel now. im sorry your in so much pain ill say i prayer.

By: deana

deana — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:28:29 +0000

i have several madical terms i need definitions to concerning degenerative changes throughout my spine

By: nina

nina — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:32:28 +0000

hey my name is nina . i am going though so much with my neck and back . i have had 2 neck infusing and i am so tried of pain and numbness i cant sit sleep walk i get major cramps in my feet and tights . would like to talk to u and others to mybe change or help with what is going on with each other.. need help …..tried of course looking for answers and cant get no where..