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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> UPDATE..Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
        
(Message started by: luveemom on Nov 6^th, 2007, 9:04am)

Title: UPDATE..Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
Post by luveemom on Nov 6^th, 2007, 9:04am

I have wasted lots of time yesterday in the ER, and din't even get an x-ray...they wanted to work up my heart instead........even though I clearly explained that I injured my back and now my left arm is in terrible pain with numbness and tingling.....no I have no chest pain, and all checked out fine for my heart......big shocker there....so they sent me off to my PCP who said they should've done an x-ray and sent me off for one.....in the mean time I am in pain.....Who do I call now my Neuro?? Anyone ever had this condition pls advise me.
Thanks
Alicia

Title: Re: Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
Post by NJRik on Nov 6^th, 2007, 9:27am

Please try and find an ortho quick as you can. Sounds like the disk may be pressing on nerves.

Title: Re: Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
Post by Kirk on Nov 6^th, 2007, 9:36am

Your PCP should get you to a Ortho ASAP. As a temp. measure you might try cryotherapy. An ice pack on the affected area of the back, 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off.

I'm not a Doc. But it used to give me a bit of relief.
[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
Post by 2late on Nov 6^th, 2007, 10:01am

I'v had alot of expereance with backs (2 surgerys discectomy and fusion) is it a constant numbing and tingling, chances are you do have the disc pressing on nerves. at first (after the ortho) i decided to try a chiroprater who scewed me up worse, surgery was the answer for me i still have numbing feeling down my left leg, perminent nerve damage, but my back is much improved. good luck to you hopefully you can improve and avoid surgery.

Title: Re: Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
Post by Callico on Nov 6^th, 2007, 11:49am

My first choice would be chiropractic. Once they cut on your back there is no going back. Scar tissue often ends up putting pressure on the nerves and you end up with basically the same situation as you have now, although usually to a lesser extent.

When I had a major wreck in '92 I had two vertabrae dislocate in my lower back, with two disks herniated. I was in a back brace and going for thereapy for 18 months, but got back to where I could lift over 200 lbs and load it onto a truck. My ins co wanted to do surgery and get it over with so they didn't have to continue the payments, but the neurosurgeon I went to see told me that if he were to cut on me I would never lift 25 lbs again.

In Jan of 2000 I got hit again, but not quite as badly. I was out of work for 9 mos with that one, and can no longer do the kind of work I had been, but I think I am still better off than friends who have had fusions and are very limited in their scope of movement and ability to work.

There is a time and a place for surgery, but hold it off as long as you can.

Jerry

BTW Most good Chiropractors will give a comoplimentary evaluation before beginning treatment. Take xrays with you and sit down and discuss types and length of treatment. That will give you the opportunity to evaluate the Dr and decide if that is the way you want to go. Try to get recommendations and possibly meet with a couple before you decide. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Advice
Post by Karla on Nov 6^th, 2007, 2:58pm

I had severe numbness and tingling going down my left leg. I had severe pain in my lower back and couldn't stand for more than 5 min. without my back giving out and having severe muscle spasms. I went to my pcp who ordered an MRI. This showed that I had 2 disks that were bad. I was refered to a surgeon who I saw who then told me NO surgery and to go to the pain clinic and try physical therapy first. I spent a year in pt before we gave up that exercises just agrivated my back and made it worse and wasn't strengthening my back any. I was in the pain clinic for a year as well. They tried a couple of meds that failed and then they upped my dose of the fentanyl patch and put me on a muscle relaxer and ibuprofin. None really helped much a little but not much. Then they had me change my patch every 2 days instead of every 3 days and that made the world of difference. Now the pain is gone and I can function again. If that would not have worked we had discussed the option of having steriod injections into my back where the disks are bad. If that would not have worked then they would recomend surgery. But since the pain meds worked finally they said I didn't need surgery.

Now in 2000 I had a bulging disk and couldn' t move and no meds or muscle relaxants helped and within 2 weeks of onset of pain and numbness I had back surgery and it took 6 months to recover from it. I had a perminent numbness left in my leg from nerve damage. But the pain in my back was gone. I guess it is either the difference in insurance companies and hospitals or medical practices changed over 7 years time.

I hope you find relief soon.

Title: Re: UPDATE..Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Ad
Post by luveemom on Nov 7^th, 2007, 10:31am

Thanks for all the replies......I had an MRI last night, and it was negative....no herniated disc's. My Neuro is now referring me to a vascular doc because he thinks that I may have a nerve/vein or blood vessel compression....I am a little worried....lots of pain in my left arm....also lots of weakness. Waiting on his call back now he wants to get me seen by the vascular guy today. I had no trauma this all started by me lowering the baby down into his jumper chair when I got a knife like pain in my upper back that took my breath away..... :-X [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: UPDATE..Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Ad
Post by BarbaraD on Nov 7^th, 2007, 6:18pm

If ice packs don't work - try heat. Heat always worked better for me. I pulled a muscle like that one time and had about the same symptoms. Turned out to be nothing but a pulled muscle but scared me silly till it quit hurting. Thought I was having a heart attack (doc had told me if I didn't slow down I was gonna have one - that time I thought he might be right - he wasn't!).

Try to relax - they tell me that helps ;;D (they didn't tell me how to relax when you're hurting like the devil).

Also, if you've got a real strong stomach you might try some Valerian Root capsules (health food store). They smell like dirty gym socks, but work great for muscle pain.

Hope your up and going strong real soon.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: UPDATE..Anyone ever Herniated a Disc?? Need Ad
Post by lorac on Nov 7^th, 2007, 7:00pm

oooohhh sorry that you hurt...

Best way to relax ---- LISTEN TO YOUR BREATHING

It works...Get in your most compfy place, and listen to your breathing.....Little Yoga tip

Hope you get help soon... LORAC