herniated discs

M

mrsb

Member
O.K. my freinds. I've done it now. Too much weight and too quickly led me to a herniated disc.
What I'd like to know is has anyone else experienced one, and, how and when can I safely get back to working out? I am still in pain, using painkillers and prednisone, but can't stand the inability to move. I just think stretching, or light excercise would help, but don't know what
others outside of mainstream medical practitioners say (most of whom seem terribly out of shape and some even smelling of smoke).
Thanks.
 
herniated disk

Hey mrsb,
I had two herniated disk last year. I was in really good shape and just started doing kick boxing and squatting heavier weight. I had to have two back operations because of them. I also did not listen to my doctor who told me to take it easy. I was doing Tae bo and when I was done my back started hurting so bad, I stood up and went paralize(SP?) from my waist down for about an hour. Landed in the ER and later had my frist operation. I reherniated it two months later. I'm now better but am still dealing with some pain because of scar tissue build up. I am just starting a walking program, and may never be able to do a Cathe tape again. I know I will never do Tae bo again.
Please, if your doctor told you to take it easy, listen to him. Also ask him about going to see a physcial therpist. They will help you get back on track. Be careful with stretching, some of it can actually hurt your back. One of the girls at VF mention that Yoga Journal had an article in it about stretchs for people with lower back problems, I picked it up tryed them,it was pretty good. Take it slow and dont expect a mircle over night. If you want any info or want to exchange back stories email me. I will try to help all I can. Take it easy, Judy R.
 
thanks

Judyr:
Thanks for your response, although I don't want to think that I can never do a Cathe tape again.
It sounds like we are alike though, both in really good shape, and maybe overdoing it.
What were your operations, and does having one mean that you are susceptible to one forever? This just happened about 10 days ago, so I haven't even been in to the specialist yet, I do that tuesday. I am not happy with the idea of being on steroids for months on end also.
I'm sure you are right, your experience shows it, and I will be good, but, damn, I worked so hard to get where I was physically, better than I ever have been and I hate to think I'm going to lose all of that.
Did you try physical therapy, or is that offered? You see I don't know much about this.
Anyway, my e-mail is [email protected].
Good luck to you and write if you can.
Thanks
 
Herniated Disk

May I ask how much weight you were squatting? I regularly do 42 lbs and it seems fine (even though I am pretty scrawny). Also, I do TaeBo three times a week and have never had any back involvement at all. Does your doctor think those two things alone caused your disk problems, or maybe that they made them worse? I hope you recover soon.
 
Back Problem

Hi msrb! My name is Sara. I also have a back problem. The disc between L4 and L5 has a tear and a herniation. The doctors felt that the only hope for recovery for me was surgery. I used to work in physical therapy with chronic pain patients and the majority of them were back injuries. It always depends on the individual, but do not give up hope! I can't take the anti-inflammatories or the muscle relaxers that the doctors gave to me because they tear up my stomach. Everyone told me to stop working out, but I noticed with the lack of movement, that my back only felt worse! Definitely take it easy for awhile, but like I said don't give up! You have to do what works for you! I have no intentions of having the surgery until I get to the point where I can no longer walk! I still have pain, but without my workouts, it is much worse! Please don't take my story as what you should necessarily do, but keep in mind that everybody is different - you need to do what works for you!! Keep the faith and don't give up!! If you ever feel like talking or have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]. I have had all the tests done: the steroid injections (temporary relief) and a discogram (avoid at all costs- very painful!) so unfortunately, I have been there! Good luck! Sincerely, Sara :)
 
wieght

I was squatting with 50 lbs., doing step-ups with the same and putting two 20-lb. dumbells above my pelvic area while doing bench work. I'm not sure which of those did it, who knows. It could have been when I carried a 50lb. sack of horse feed into the barn. I'm not sure which did it, but I assumed it was too much. I weigh 122, 5'4" and am very fit, but, I probably turned at a funny angle while lifting or twisted while putting the barbell down. I sure as hell will be careful from now on. It can happen to anyone.
 
movement

Sara:
Thanks for the encouragement. I agree with you. I noticed that even a little walk made me feel better. It's when I'm prone all afternoon that makes the pain unbearable.
I don't like all the pills either. I'm weaning from the prednisone, also had the local injection of it so I could sleep after none for 72 hours. The other anti-inflammatories are wreaking havoc with my stomach too.
Why are you waiting for the surgery? Are there risks? I'm to see two specialists this week and will ask for physical therapy to begin with. Keep me posted with your situation.
Thanks
Barbara
 
surgery

Hi Barbara. Usually with back injuries, it is the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. Often times, it could be something very insignificant that caused the injury. You may never know. Mine unfortunately was a car accident. There is always risk with surgery - be sure to ask the specialists! I would not rush into anything, though. When I was working with the chronic pain patients, too often the back surgery did not help. A lot of specialists will only give about a 50% chance of even feeling better. Please also try to see someone that does not specialize in surgery like a pain specialist. Sometimes they can give you alternatives to surgery. Dr. Oliveri, a pain specialist here in Las Vegas, recommends staying as active as possible for your individual condition. I am by no means a doctor, I personnaly would just leave surgery as the last resort. From my experience, it doesn't usually stop with one surgery when the back is involved. Just to give you an idea, they wanted to go in through my stomach, side, and back and were going to remove the "bad" disc and replace it with a titanium "spring". I don't know about you, but that scared the living daylights out of me!! Wait to see what the specialists say - but don't give up hope!! Good luck! :)
 
surgery las vegas

Hey sara, Im from Las Vegas too. Where about are you here? Small world.
I tryed PT, steroid injections and pain killers for my back. I finally had the surgery.I could not walk or sleep at night. My surgery was called a microdiscetomy(sp?) They go in and shave the disk that is pressing against the nerve. For one disk the cut is about 2 inches, I had two disks that needed to be shaved so my cut was about 4 or 5 inches long.
My doctor told me after the frist hernaition, now I am more proned to them.
There is a good site that a spine doctor will answer your questions at www.spine-dr.com
I hope you all recover well from your back problems. Judyr
 
Small world

Hi Judy! That is so weird! I live in Green Valley. Where are you? Yep, unfortunately, any time you have a back injury, you are more prone to further back injuries - what a bummer! Nice talking to you! :)
 
Hi mrsb

Hi mrsb,
I would not suggest that you have surgery unless you really, really need it. Try going to PT frist. I went once before my operation and then I had to go again after each of my operations.
My surgery was called a microdiscetomy. They shave the disk that is pressing against the nerve.
If a doctor tells you, you need a fusion, run the other way. My doctor would not do one because he thought I was to young(34). He also said the best thing I could do is walk and stabilization exercises.
Take care and report back to us when you find out what is going on. Judyr
 
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