Bulging disc- advice

[takethe 2]

Hi guys, long time chookpener here.

I’m layed up with a bulging disc in my lumbar for the past 13 days , I’m flat on my back in bed.

i do have some idea about treatments but was Very interested in hearing stories of recovery from this. If you have gone through this can you enlighten me with any advice through your experience?

currently I’m headed towards the conservative approach- rest heaps and it will come good after another 5 weeks on my back.

I’m a little hesitant to go down the surgery route as my wife recently became a quadriplegic and if something went wrong with the surgery (small % I realise) that would leave us both farked.

please, any suggestions or learned lessons along the recovery path would help me heaps!!!
I am hoping my Rooster brotherhood can help me in this regard..

thanks for reading and Easts to Win

[Big Dog]

See a good chiropractor.

[takethe 2]

Sad to say, it’s gone beyond that kind of help. The sciatica is hell

[eddie]

I can't give any practical advice but you have my sympathy.
VEry sad to hear about your wife........................and I hope you make a full recovery.

[takethe 2]

Thanks Eddie. I didn’t know what tough times were until 2022. Never envisaged life turning out this way

[mightyrooster]

So sorry to hear about your wife takethe 2 and of course your own back pain and suffering. I have no medical advice to offer you sadly. But I can empathise with sciatica pain as I get that occasionally along with lower back pain and for the past 7 months plantar fasciitis. I do hope you can find a solution soon and that you’re back on your feet pain free very soon.

[takethe 2]

Thanks mightyrooster. I appreciate your words.

with the sciatica you may want to investigate that….. a CT scan at least. One option is a discectomy. Or Microdiscectomy. It’s day surgery and you’re up and about the next day. It should/could reduce or eliminate the sciatica

[eddie]

Thanks Eddie. I didn’t know what tough times were until 2022. Never envisaged life turning out this way

You're welcome.
I urge you not to give up. Half of these battles is the mental one, and I know there's people that need you.

[Random Rooster]

Hi guys, long time chookpener here.

I’m layed up with a bulging disc in my lumbar for the past 13 days , I’m flat on my back in bed.

i do have some idea about treatments but was Very interested in hearing stories of recovery from this. If you have gone through this can you enlighten me with any advice through your experience?

currently I’m headed towards the conservative approach- rest heaps and it will come good after another 5 weeks on my back.

I’m a little hesitant to go down the surgery route as my wife recently became a quadriplegic and if something went wrong with the surgery (small % I realise) that would leave us both farked.

please, any suggestions or learned lessons along the recovery path would help me heaps!!!
I am hoping my Rooster brotherhood can help me in this regard..

thanks for reading and Easts to Win

Yes i had a bulging disc in my late 30s. Im not even sure how it happened but what was a little back pain turned into a nightmare in a matter of days.

I got a referral for a specialist but never went-no way i was going to have surgery. First month was the worst- i was only taking 400mg of Ibuprofen every 8 hours and was forcing myself to go for short walks every hour or so. After about 5 weeks i started walking in the pool a few times a day and after 2 months i was 90% better. Even today, 15 years later i, still get sciatica from my right hip that travels up my back and down to the back of my knee. It generally coincides with any weight gain and is better when i lose the weight (which made me think carrying extra weight was a big factor in creating the bulging disc-i was at my heaviest when it happened).

My advice to you is follow your GPs advice! Taking Ibuprofen everyday can be too much for your stomach lining or not mix with any current medications you may be touching. Dont try and do too much but dont do nothing- get up and walk as much as your pain permits. Also dont panic and be patient- i started to think after 4 weeks with minimal improvement that this would be it....but it will fix itself

Why would you even think of going down the surgery path? Its got to be the absolute last choice. Even with advancements in surgery these days so many people are never the same after being opened up for back surgery.....but only you know your body so do what you feel best

[takethe 2]

Random Rooster, thank you brother. I deeply value your advice.

I’m trying not to panic and ultimately I know patience and rest are the key… medical advice is that bulging or herniated discs repair for 84% of people after 6 weeks of no intervention.

im going for an injection to block the nerve next week but I’d like to avoid surgery for sure!!!

at least with an injection (guided under CT) it should at least allow be basic freedom to go to the toilet unaided… something I’ve given up on for two weeks now

[007]

Hi takethe 2,


As many have said, I’m sorry to hear about your wife (would not wish that on anyone) and your current medical condition.


Having had 3 ruptured discs (L4, L5 and S1 - the S1 is virtually disintegrated - basically bone on bone) for the best part of 30 years, I will offer some advice based solely on my own experience and hope this helps in some way.


Initially when I had severe back pain I had an X-ray, then a CT Scan and then an MRI. I had the option to have an operation but declined so now I just try and manage it the best I can. Initially I saw a chiropractor which may have been doing me more harm than good. Every GP I have spoken with (and there are several) over the years have all said the same thing; avoid chiropractors like the plague (or similar words). I believe chiropractors are GP’s number 1 enemy.


Anyway, I regularly take anti-inflammatories but my local GP does keep an eye on what’s going on in my stomach as they can have an adverse effect. But yes, they can help. Different medications will suit different people, also with different body shapes and sizes. I avoid anything that requires heavy lifting (especially if it’s awkward - think furniture removalist), gardening, twisting, turning or even the trickiest position that your body should not be subjected to (think a hip drop tackle for one). As others have mentioned, rest is important but so is exercise.


What has worked for me is to try and keep as active as possible. Sitting on one’s backside does nothing but put pressure on your discs. Walking will help, exercise bike (light resistance is fine), swimming, if you’re near the beach put your body in the salt water and hydrotherapy.


Finally, and admittedly this a very different injury (hip replacement), but one of the best forms of recovery/rehabilitation were the exercises the physiotherapist gave me post operation to do was hydrotherapy for 10 weeks as well as at the hospital. They will also give you stretch and strengthening exercises you can do at home at your own leisure - whether it be for a disc problem or a major operation. It's just a case of self management that can increase strength and flexibility,


My final advice is to see your GP if you haven’t done so already and are confident with them and go from there. They may refer you to a physiotherapist which could be worthwhile. Yes, discs can heal but there’s no guarantee obviously depending on the severity but you can also do a lot yourself to speed up the recovery process, and potentially prevent a recurrence.


Hope this has helped and all the best.

[Recky62]

Being the proud owner of a triple crush fracture in my neck and solid 4 bulging discs in my lower back ( all from a boogie board dumping at Umina) …I recently found laser acupuncture takes the edge off wonderfully