Anyone have experience with having 2 herniated discs in your lower back?

Question

I have had 2 since Feruary this year. I've work at jobs in the past doing shipment, I'm guessing that's what stressed them out. Then in Feb. I lifted something heavy and that was the final straw for the discs. My options are live with it, steroid shots or surgery.

Just wondering if anyone has gone through the same thing and what my best option would be. I've heard various pros and cons about the two procedures.

Yes, they are debilitating and it's hard to live with, but I have no insurance and no money, so unless there are some miraculous exercises, please tell me!! Thanks :-)

Just like to add, I wasn't working at the time. I moved a heavy bench inside my home so it was my own fault. And right now all I have is free care, it'll cover the surgery but not the doctor's fees.

Answer 1

I get relief from my lower back a pain that sometimes is paralyzing it seems. No surgery or steroids but in about 2 minutes excercise I can get a half day of relief. I am passing on to you a special back / leg excercising and stretches a friend told me about some 10 years ago. Her source was the physiotherapist she saw off and on for years. Lie on your back on a thick soft surface and pull down both bent knees slowly until it looks like you're hugging your knees. Keep it there for a couple seconds. Slowly release and do over as many times as you feel. Get up and see if that relieves pain.

Answer 2

You poor soul. I, too, "lived with the pain" that was always there, with the joy of limited range of motion and the constant worry that "my back might go out." I was scared of surgery. The chiropractor visits helped me alot for years. If you tell them you're uninsured, you will find one who will work something out for you ... like $25/adjustment around here (NC).
However, if at any point, the herniation becomes so severe that it pinches the nerve going to your lower body and leg - surgery is the only answer. I had been in pain before, but nothing like the 2 weeks I endured last year. It was screamin' cussin' wishin' I was dead pain. Really. I think I aged 2 years in 3 days. It was that bad. I went in through the ER and they shot morphine in me, enough to "knock out a horse" and the pain was so intense that I never fell asleep, but yeh, the morphine helped. I had surgery 2 days later and it was instant relief. I was walking the same afternoon, and went to the State Fair a week later and walked all day long. I was able to carry my toddler after about 6 weeks and have had no problems since then.
Now, the insurance thing ... man, that's a tough one. I'm wondering what happened to worker's compensation from the employer where you had your injury? It might not be too late to file a claim, although if it wasn't reported or you were working for cash, I hear you on that. But surgery would set you back about $12K with everything included. (Actually "surgery" was a deal at $1800) ... I would have paid anything at the time .... cos that was no way to live. This sounds bad, but if you are able to work when you are feeling better, get a job and get insured. That way, if the worst case scenario happens, you'll be ready and able for surgery.
Otherwise, my surgeons said the best prevention and cure ... walking. At least 30 minutes a day. Mild stretches help as well. And, maybe you'll get lucky and your body will "adjust" and you will have less problems over time. Good luck

Answer 3

I got injured last year at work and have the same problem.ive done physical therapy,trigger injections,epideral,steroids,surgery to me is not an option.Iknow of lots of people who have had surgery and can not walk any longer.So i live on pain meds.I just found the best pain management dr ever.I was on 6 to 8 norco a day and he gave me methadone and i only have to take 2 a day.I personally feel 100 percent better of course i will never be the way i was a year ago,but i can now get out of bed and do the housework that needs to be done.I understand u dont have insurance or any money but you need to get assistants to get this taken care of,being in pain becomes very depressing so use the system to get fixed then get off of it when your done.good luck and i hope ive helped a little.

Answer 4

My husband has herniated discs in his whole lumbar spine. He was injured on the job in 1996 and as a result has been diagnosed with failed back syndrome. Like you, he tried the steroid shots to no avail. He tried a fairly new procedure where they burn the end of his nerves, that didn't work. They've tried everything and nothing is working. So now we are trying acupuncture, so far it has given him the best relief.Don't trust the pain relief docs when they say pain meds will work, they don't for long and highly addictive. Vitamin B shots also work well because your body needs Vitamin B and often your body is deprived of it. I have spoken with The Cleveland Clinic for Back Pain and they are great,unfortunately you are in for a life of almost constant pain. Also talk to a Chiropractor about decompressing your discs, this is a machine that gently and slowly pulls your back "open" so that the fluid in your back can redistribute into the herniated disc. Find out how severe the herniation is bcuz in my husband's case it lead to arthritis bcuz it was so severe. GOOD LUCK TO YOU. This is not an easy condition to deal with.

Answer 5

Thats the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. No relief whatsoever. But, do not get it operated on. You can never reverse back surgery. I was two weeks away from getting back cut when a chiropractor talked me out of it. That was 1991. If a all possible, try to find the money for a chiropractor. I swear by them.

Answer 6

I have no L.5 disc left.. the fusion has not completed yet but, I have no symptoms presently.. I have had episodes in the past but with minimal chiropractic care, I was able to continue working without any lost time. I am aware of the condition being there but, so far am asymptomatic..

Answer 7

My dad had this situation. He says to get surgery its the easiest method from them all.
1. Live with it is still going to hurt.
2. Steroids not a good idea.
3. Surgery can eliminate the problem and fix it.

Answer 8

In the first place, at least if you live in the US, if you were injured on the job, *ALL* of your medical expenses are covered by workman's compensation, as is 60 percent of your income.

You need rehabilitation and therapy, and hopefully you can get away without surgery - there are no miraculous exercises.

Answer 9

i tired steroids shots (9)only worked for a month or so,tired pain management work for a few months even tired RF to kill small nerve ending I'm out of luck, still lot of pain, spent lot of money. now I'm using Morton 800 mg(4 pills) every 4 to 6 hours,going on walks and spending lot of time in the pool also using the big work out ball trying the core DVD work out .to me surge is the last thing i want to do.try Morton for pain and to keep the swelling down with ice,walking, swimming and core work out.

Answer 10

i have 4 in my back, two in the lower and two in the upper, i did steroid shots but it made me eat like a pig and gain weight, and is no good for you, i did not want to have surgery because a friend had it and it made him worse, i did intense physical therapy and regular stretching exercises, and it works