Bulging Discs in back?
 

After a month of being in pain, I had an MRI today and found out that I have not one but two Bulging Disc's in my very lower back.
Im in so much pain that Percocet & beer wont even cure it. So I am getting an injection on Monday to get me through until I can see a Nero-Surgeon on June 8. Has any here ever had a surgery for a bulging disc in their back?
What can I expect?

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I've got a a bad back also, going on about 3 yrs. now, I have had x rays but they can't find anything, maybe an MRI is in order for me also, I hope you can get yours fixed up, good luck.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I had an Xray 1st and it showed nothing. It took an MRI for them to diagnose me.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

No personal experience with bulging discs but from what heard you will always have some kind of pain. Even after any surgery you will continue to have back problems. I guess it just a matter of how well the surgery goes...

Good luck and I hope it works out for you....

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Good info. I may need one, thanks.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

To feel a million times better after surgery. If you're like me.

For many months, I couldn't sit and couldn't bend over enough to touch my knees. Immediately after surgery I could touch my toes, no problem. recovery wasn't too bad, just listen to the Dr and don't overdue it.

Now, 6 yrs later, all I need to do is stay in shape (if I don't walk or exercise my back will get sore) and I can do anything without any issues. I really wish I would have gotten surgery earlier.

I can tell you I met with many Dr's and settled on a Neurosurgeon to have the procedure, as the others I met with I didn't like (especially the orthopedic surgeons - they were a-holes).

Good luck, find a good Dr, listen to him/her and you'll be great.
-Mike

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Not for me. The only time my back is sore is if I don't do any exercise for a month or so. Then I am more prone to get a sore back, but frankly I deserve it for being lazy!

My surgery was to cut off a severely ruptured, bulging disc, but I did not need fusing or artificial attaching of vertebrae. Dr. said don't lift a fridge by myself, stay in shape (at least walk every day) and do whatever else I need to. Been working.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I know exactly how you feel, the disks between L4,L5 and L5,S1 like to bulge out occasionally, the last time it took me 6 months before I broke down and went to the doctor, at that point I could barely put a sock on or drive my car because it hut so much to push in the clutch. After a prednisone pack I was pretty good but it still took 9 months of doing back bends on the floor before they were back to feeling good again.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Take your MRI to a reputable chiropractor. There's another option available that's non-invasive. I can't remember the name of the machine or treatment method but basically they strap you to a table that stretches you out. You're muscles will be stretched, the disks will be allowed to slip back into place, you'll spend about $2,000 to $3,000, and in less than two months you'll be feeling great. After that just stay in shape and be smart when you lift things.

Anyway, wouldn't hurt to get an opinion. That's my two cents.

And I sincerely hope whatever option you choose your pain abates soon! :tu

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

While anecdotal references are sometimes helpful, this is a question you should ask your doctor. If you are not happy with his answers seek out a second opinion. :sh

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I hope you feel better, Travis.


Chris.....

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Totally agree.
first and foremost, thanks to MRI's, they can now tell 2/3's of the world has bulging discs.
A bulging disc is not a herniated disc.
A herniated disc does not necessarily cause impingement, more known as radiculopathy.

I have two full blown herniations, with impingement, at L4-L5, L5-S1.
The L4-L5 is where half the world suffers from it.
Cervical is where the other half does.

I have been like this for 23 years.
I have good years and bad ones.
Thanks to acupuncture, I have had two great years so far.

Like a great doctor and family friend once told me an I have followed.......when you find yourself in the fetal position for a month and can't move due to pain and being drugged, consider surgery. Until then, live like 2/3's of the world with pain or find an auto accident to enrich you or let my fraud opration get you.:D

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

P.s.
Best cure.........lose weight.
Exercise.
Do leg raises and other exercise to strengthen back.

Most folks I know post surgery are not much better than before.

I was going to see the most reknowned surgeon in South Florida. Then I learned he operated Derrick Thomas, of the KC Chiefs who I believe is no longer on Earth due to complications post surgery to repair his back.
He was operated by this same famous surgeon.

Healthcare costs are ridiculous. Three grand to get strapped into a device made famous during the Spanish Inquisition. :rolleyes:
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Have 2 Ruptured Discs @ L4-5 & L5-S1. Had 2 Epidurals 2 Weeks Apart & I'm Fine, Now, After 3 Years With No Surgery. Try The Conservative Approach First.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Last year I was diagnosed with 3 herniated discs in my neck. 6 weeks of physical therapy and a bit more on my own after, I"m doing great. Like nothing even happened. Like Greg says, try the conservative approach first. Surgery should be the last option.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

After 15 years of dealing with 2 herniated discs I couldn't stand to long, tie my shoes and picking anything up was out of the question. Your Dr. may say they can fix you but I'd try the acupuncture and physical therapy before the surgery option. I had my first surgery in May 02 to repair the discs in Sept 03 I had to have them go back in and repair the repair and take out scar tissue and in Sept 06 I had a fusion and cage put in. I am now in a position where I have so much scar tissue that has crept into the sciatic canal that no surgeon will touch me for fair of causing paralysis. Do all you can before taking the surgery...IMHO... I wish you well my friend

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I am at the other and as of April 6 I am now fused from C5 - C7. All I can offer is a warning on the percocets.

They are like a gift from an angel when you furst start taking them and then 3 days later your dried up like a cold lava flow. Get som Senna tablets or some kind of stool softener and take them every day. If you think the pain is bad now imagine it x10 as you are stuck on the can and things aren't working as they should be.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

There is no stock answer, as everyone's condition is different. I do know I've seen enough people after surgery that either didn't improve or actually got worse that surgery would be the last resort for me. :2

Chiropractor and exercising have worked for me.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Many great responses to avoid surgery as I have practiced.

My biggest warning here is that no good doctor will recommend surgery for bulging discs. NONE.
Whoever does, run like hell.
2/3 of the world is walking around with bulging discs and always has.
It is natural as part of gravity and weight.

Herniations? Totally different discussion, specially when there is a rupture or impingement as I have previously stated.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

The point about MRI's is right. If you're over 40 years old, you have a good chance of having back pain and degenerative disc disease on MRi. Whether the MRI changes are the cause of your pain is not always clear.
The indication for surgery is nerve compression with either alteration in bowel/bladder function (surgery needs to be done urgently), or nerve compression with leg pain and motor signs (muscle weakness) that doesn't respond to non-surgical treatment. Surgery will not reliably lessen your back pain but it may help your leg symptoms. If you look at patients 3-4 years post surgery they look about the same as those that haven't had surgery, the pay off is the first couple of years post surgery.
I would be careful about the comparison to Derrick Thomas. He died because he had a spinal cord injury and was totally immobilized, he had a fatal blood clot in his lung. This likely had nothing to do with who operated on him.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

:tu

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

DT died in a car crash. It had nothing to do with back surgery.
The bulging disc's in my back pinch a nerve that runs down my right leg and into my foot, so I have the joy of feeling pain whenever I step.
I have looked into De.compression therapy (where they put you on a bed and stretch you) but I have heard that it doesnt solve the problem long term

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Bulging discs don't impinge.
That is more a herniation.
I at times have felt like cutting my legs off from the impingement so I assure you I know the feeling well.

I bet the house that in most cases, nothing helps to eliminate back problems completely. You can only help relieve it.
Best long term resolution is to lose weight and strengthen the back.
Research it. You will see surgery is not the long term answer.

DT died from a blod clot from complication as result of surgery as result of a car accident while attempting to assist in resolving his paralysis.
That surgery was performed by one of the best neurosurgeons in the nation.
While his was much more extreme, the point is back surgery is serious chit, only to be considered in extreme circumstances.
Thanks to epidural blocks for years, Meds, acupuncture and exercise, no surgery for me and I assure you I have had times I could not even dress myself, or get out of bed.
I still enjoy what I would call a normal life, with some occasional discomfort.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I had 2 such surgeries last year. For a number of years, I had experienced some numbness/tingling in my legs and thought nothing of it as I attributed it to being overweight. I had small children and they'd step on my back to help pop it at times and if they stepped on it, it would send a sharp pain down my legs.

In Sept. 2009, I was going through a lot of stress and had a lot of tension/pain in my neck and upper back-it was to the point that I couldn't move. I went in for an MRI and they never found the source of that issue, but revealed the source of my numbness/tingling in my legs. The canal (aka vertebral foramen) my spine passes through is quite narrow compared to most people and I had bone spurs (between T10-T12) protruding into my spine and was effectively causing the numbness/tingling issue.

The first surgery was quite successful-for 2-3 months anyway. After that time, the numbness returned to my left leg from my knee down. I then had another follow up last December in which the neurosurgeon opened up some more room around my spine. It didn't seem to stop the feeling I went in for, but I at least have a little more room.

The #1 thing recommended to me by my surgeon is taking off weight to relieve the additional pressure off my spine. That's one of the best cures for a bad back.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

"Moderate L5-S1 disc degeneration with a dorasal annular fissure, chronic L5 spondylolysis and 5 mm spondylolisthesis.
5mm AP and SI cephatically extruded right foraminal herniation at L5-S1 narrowing the neural foramen and abutting the right L5 nerve root and ganglion."


In other words... yep. Looking at my solution currently as well. Pain I can deal with (ibu, Vitamin V, rum and beer, anyone?), but the movement back and forth concerns me more, because I don't want to slip on some ice and be called "Wheels" for the wrong reason for the rest of my life.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Call it what you want.
My understanding is it was a post op complication.
My point is it was a surgery done by one of the best in the country in dealing with paralysis and he died.
Point being surgery is serious chit and for me personally, I am proof one can have a relatively normal life with two herniations and impingement and no surgery.
Point also is any good doctor will do all conservative treatment possible for common bulges and not immediately recommend or concur with what is always the danger of invasive surgery, particularly to the spine, housing such intricate nerves.
Surgery on the back is the option of very last resort. Bulges can and do improve. As I have said, weight is key and very often overlooked and ignored as a cause and cure.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Derrick Thomas

Post op blod clot as was being moved from bed to wheelchair.

Read the part where Dr. Barth Green (whom I was going to be operated by) talks about the successes and failures of surgeries.
It starts with "we do a great........."

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/10/sp...=derrickthomas

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I have three compressed degenerating herniated disks, I am still working extremely light duty and fewer and fewer hours. The pain is simply unbearable and without pain pills movement would be just about impossible.

Waiting for L & I to approve an occupational disease claim and did two epidurals with no help at all. Doc say surgery is all that's left to try. Work is two faced and tells me one thing and L & I another. worked for this company 19 years and continue still. You are family and we care only goes when you are a benefit to them when you start to cost them money things change. I am very disappointed and have hired an attorney.

You all saying the pain will continue even with surgery scares the crap outta me and I already am scared to death of surgery as it is. damn it. :sh

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I broke my lower back in an accident, had 4 screws and 2 rods installed, bone taken from my upper pelvis and used to fuse my sacrum to my pelvis, and a (multiple locale) laminectomy (bone removed from discs to make room for nerves to pass through unimpeded) done. I also have two discs blown out right below my shoulder blades. I have big leaky goomers called "Schmorl's Nodes" in a number of places, and I also have a couple endplate fractures.

My surgery helped a lot. I went from tears to hurts a lot all the time. I didn't have any expectations because I did my reading, furiously studied how backs work, surgical procedures, everything I could possibly learn and more.

All I can suggest is to listen to the docs, do your part and bust your ass to excercise and get the muscular support corrected, and try like hell NOT to ever have surgery.
Once you've crossed that bridge, you never come back.
In my case, the pain is lessened, but there are tons of things I can't do, my range of motion is shot, some days the pain is unbearable, and it's an ever-present problem that needs constant care. I literally live my live around my back, and it sucks.
Once again, it's better than it was, but the way it was, I was ready for a bullet. I insisted on every conservative measure possible for 7 months, and when I finally couldn't take another day, I was taken to surgery a couple of days after I agreed. They'd have taken me immediately, but I had to go through all the surgical preliminaries.

I wish I could pray you well, and I'll do my best, but you really have to work your ass off to try to avoid surgery. It hurts like hell every minute of every day and there's not enough drugs to kill the pain. You may be one of the lucky ones who can avoid surgery. If you can, you've done yourself a great justice, I promise. :tu

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Two epidurals?
I went three years doing multiple level epidurals (two and three levels at a time) every four to six months.
First epidural worked for six years.
After that, they didnt take all the way but I stayed with it and last one worked for about four years.
Last time, did acupuncture, which I would have previously considered quack stuff, and man did it work.
I have been good for about nearly two years now. May be a bit less than that but I do it all, with some occasional discomfort.

Here is what I truly, truly believe helped me.
Not drugs.
Not epidurals.
Not therapy which I did lots of.

Instead, two things.
Lost gut and got a Temparpedic mattress.
Every time I gain five pounds, I have to immediately lose it and so goes away the back ailments that arise.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Agreed, surgery is the last resort.
I am a doctor with Worker's Compensation, and my brother is a rehab medicine doc. Both of us see back surgery failures.
My point about Derrick Thomas is this- to highlight what happened to him as a risk of back surgery is not applicable to someone who isn't immoblized. That is the biggest risk factor for pulmonary embolism.
If I cross a street, I may get hit by a car. The chances of that happening are different if I cross a side street compared to a freeway. So, to use his case as an argument about why someone shouldn't have back surgery needs to be put into context.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Lost the weight already, 50 pounds, the epidurals the doc say's ruled out muscular and left me with disk, bone on bone and some nerve problems which causes the right leg pain. They gave me no relief at all none nada zip! Never had a back problem in my whole life then had right knee surgery and right into this back stuff. I am a tough guy worked with broken ribs all the usual stuff. I tell ya though this back has me in tears. I can't imagine no medicine, I tried it a couple day's a few times and I just couldn't move. Takes me a couple hours to loosen up to get ready for work I can't do any stretching or anything without the pain meds.

I am basically just supervisory right now and still little things like washing the truck at a car wash can knock me out of the game for day's. I get worse throughout the week and use weekends to recovers and that is doing almost no physical activity at all. walking forget it twice around the block and I'm on the couch for day's.

Meds may be bad but I'll take them over pain so bad I am in tears. :sh

Thanks

PS
Sorry for thread jack but please anyone post your stuff it all helps us. You the Doc can you please speak more. Thanks Dave

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Well, let's see.
A doctor I am not but let's determine how bad my Derrick Thomas example truly is.

He died of a blood clot, post operative.

As a doctor, please clarify for me.
Is there a potential risk for terminal blood clots post surgeries?
Is this potential recently being determined to be more pervasive than previously thought?

I believe you will have to agree there is.

If there is, and Derrick Thomas got one post surgery to attempt to repair his post traumatic paralysis, how is my analogy so far off?

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

What irony
I post about pervassiveness of post op blood clots and death and just ran across this.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b241...lood_Clot.html

Dead from blood clot 24 hours post knee surgery.
Folks may remember her from that Tom Greene movie Road Trip.

Again, point is just to avoid surgery at all cost, until all else fails.
1) it may not cure you
2) it may kill you
3) it may kill you before it ever cures you
;)

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

A word on epidurals...
I had two. The first one was in a top notch facility. It was a powdered cortisone injection (I should say injections because they worked both sides of my spine in about 20 or 30 spots and also loaded my spinal cord). Despite all the damage, it really did help a LOT. Iirc, it took about 5 days to kick in, then lasted about five weeks.
The second one was done at the hospital by the house, under old xray machines, and they had me sweating so bad they had to bring someone in to mop the floor. They constantly stopped the procedure because my blood pressure was bottoming out. When they were done, I couldn't walk and they hauled my ass to the ER, stuck a bunch of needles in me and gave me tons of muscle relaxers to break the grip.
That was my last "conservative measure". It was excruciating. My doc and my surgeon called me the next day and I agreed to surgery.

Point being, they work wonders if done properly by good doctors in good facilities. I'd not hesitate to have one done again if I thought for a minute it'd be any help.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Strictly outpatient surgical facilities for me with a good anesthesiologist.
Also, never, ever without a local and fluoroscopy.
All that said, they hit my nerve once and I almost went postal on them.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

In answer to your questions:

No, I don't agree that "this potential recently being determined to be more pervasive than previously thought". By whom?

Your analogy is very far off. Thomas had a spinal cord decompression, and then had his spinal column fixed with hardware and a bone graft from his hip. All of this time, he was totally immoblized. You are attributing his risk of pulmonary embolism to the general case where a non-paralyzed person gets a discectomy as a rationale to not have surgery. Simply wrong.
I'm with you on not having surgery unless it is the only option, this is just not a valid argument.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I respect your opinion.
I'll remain with mine.
Not the first time I have disagreed with a doctor.

As to where I got the prevalence of clots post op, tons of material on that.
In fact, it is even alluded to in the article I attached, which I candidly found post my post. I didn't type this. Someone else did.

"Nothing has been confirmed but the coroner did tell us that he thinks Mia died from a blood clot related to the knee surgery," she adds. "We are just now finding this out that this is all too common and people don't know the risks of arthroscopic surgery. They need to be made aware of the risks."

And to think this was knee surgery. Not a doctor but would bet the spine is a tad more complicated.
At least we agree on the surgery part which was my main point.
Enough about DT as far as I am concerned.
On with the thread.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I didn't write this either.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5084589_si...r-surgery.html

Or this.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/blood...r-surgery.html

Or this.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-research.html

Or this.

http://www.webmd.com/dvt/news/200912...clot-risk-high

Or this.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...at_should.html

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I know I said enough of DT BUT.......

Here is what one of the article says.
Like most things, developing a blood clot after surgery is more common with age. The chances become higher for individuals over 40 years of age. If you are over 40 and are anticipating a surgery you must be aware of the symptoms of a blood clot so you can contact your doctor right away.

First, a lot of clots form in the thigh or lower leg. Your leg may begin to experience pain and sudden swelling. The leg can begin to turn a reddish-blue color. Your leg may also begin to feel warm.

Second, Clots can break loose and travel back to your lungs. If it blocks the flow of blood to your lungs you could suffer a pulmonary embolism. This is serious and can often cause sudden death. Contact your doctor immediately if you find yourself suffering from any of the following symptoms: a stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, a rapid heart beat, dizziness, fainting, profuse sweating, anxiety, coughs for no reason, or coughing up blood.

Now isn't this what happened to DT, it went to his lungs?
Didn't he have surgery and didn't he have a pulmonary embolism?
I know immobilized is key more often but not always.
Aren't you somewhat immobilized post serious invasive back surgery?
If it can happen from a flight on a plane, it cant from any surgery confining you to bed, even if just days?

On to med school for me so I can better debate this.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

When you get there, ask one of your teachers what the term "relative risk" means, and how to apply it.
Please just let this go. I don't know what you do for a living, but I wouldn't presume to have the same expertise as you do in your field, and keep arguing on and on. Doctors, myself included, don't know everything, but this is a simple concept, and it doesn't get more fuzzy just because you can't understand or accept it.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Will do.
You call what I call discussion on a discussion board an argument?
Is that what you call it when a patient questions your judgment?
No doctor, including yourself can be provided a different perspective?

In the meantime, what about all the material I posted?
Is it all BS because it does not agree with you?
Why have you chosen to ignore that and instead talk me down?
Should they go back to school also?
Now we are arguing but I am done.
Let those that read this thread decide.
Couldn't care less.

I am genuinely amazed that at out of all on that post, to include quoting from attached material, on to med school for me is the thing to respond to.
Freaking amazing.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

No Offense to either but personally I am dealing with it now and can we move past the guy that died. so maybe the rest of us can get something from this thread. Doc I am interested in your thoughts as well as anyone's!

Thanks everyone.

Dave

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

Let's leave the thread for the OP to get some inisght and leave the debate or discussion to PMs or off this thread. Thanks. :)

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I am done and off I go.
Nothing to debate as never saw it as such.
Doc knows best and I am a fool to not see that, in spite of a litany of material provided for his review.
BTW,
I respectfully also disagree with both of you as I think I'll just disagree with everyone today.
From the OP's first post.
So I am getting an injection on Monday to get me through until I can see a Nero-Surgeon on June 8. Has any here ever had a surgery for a bulging disc in their back?
The dead guy IS relevant, as is the dead girl.
It is about the risk of surgery, which is the OP's direction he may be headed.
The first dead guy had back problems, paralysis and surgery.
Again, pure relevance.
However, I bid a farewell and may all enjoy the Doc's advice.
I'll choose to listen to my doctor and has worked well for me.
Anyone that can't see that, fine. Enjoy your surgery.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

This is a lot of reading and I may have lost track but here is what I know from my case. After 3 back surgeries a boat load of epidurals, physical therapy for 10 + years my disc literally looked on X-ray like a bomb went off in my back. The problem I have now is the scare tissue has impeded into my sciatic (or as I like to say psychotic) canal putting excessive pressure on my left side sciatic nerve resulting in loss of feeling in my left foot. I have been told by 3 neurosurgeons that they will not go in and remove the scare tissue for fear of paralyzing me for life. If I could do it all over again minus the blow out I would have tried other therapies out there. This is a decision you'll have to make for you and your quality of life. I wish you all the best take what was stated here and throughout the thread as good info to have and I wish you all the best on the decision you have in front of you. I'll pray that the choice you chose works for you and you don't have to live on pain meds for the rest of your life.

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

In order to pretty much comply with Tom's request, all I can say is wow...

Re: Bulging Discs in back?
 

I disagree-clots are a high risk for those who are immobile/paralyzed. Many techniques are used to minimize risk for clots, such as SCD's, ted-hose, medication such as coumadin, and getting the patient walking as soon as possible after surgery. To imply that DT died because of back surgery is ludicrous. The OP's procedure is not one in which he is suffering from paralysis (a leading cause of clot formation in itself), thus he's going to have minimal risk. If surgery alone was that big of a risk leading to clot-related deaths, millions would be dying off I guess.

That said, surgery is far from a first step without considering less invasive procedures, but consult with some recommended doctors in your area for the best advice.