Bulged disk and some stenosis. Had my first nerve block yesterday, and so far today no leg pain. Doc says he may be able to get me by with a block every year or so. If that pans out, I will put off surgery as long as possible. however, the disk decompression surgery he described to me is not too radical if it comes to that.
Hey Mike. Glad to hear you are doing somewhat better. Which vertebrae is the bulge located between?
Here is a story and some advice from a guy who knows what you are going through.
I had a ruptured disc L5-S1 (lower back) which had wrapped around a nerve causing sciatica. I had no pain in my back but had unbearable pain running from the inside of my left leg all the way to the bottom of my foot. I couldn't sit down for more than 5-10 minutes without being in excruciating pain, and I have a fairly high tolerance for pain. Upon standing, I would get a dagger like pain going down my leg, I would walk like an old man for 100 yards, then loosen up and be relatively pain free. I could not bend over to pick up anything.......couldn't sleep because my leg was tingling. I dealt with this for about a year, going to the chiropractor (which sometimes eased the pain for a few days), and seeking medical advice.
One doctor saw my MRI he said "How are you not screaming in pain?", he referred me to a well known and highly recommended neurosurgeon who views surgery as a last option. After meeting with him he said that surgery would greatly improve my ability to move around and return to a normal life......so I decided to do it. When I woke up after the operation (enjoying the buzz
), I opened my eyes and they were wheeling me back to recovery/post-op.....the guy pushing me said "Wow, you woke up quick." I told him I needed to pee. He said, "You might not want to get up just yet." At that point I realized my leg wasn't tingling and I was laying down......something I hadn't experienced in quite some time. I told the guy, I needed to pee and I was good to get up. I stood up, only minutes after surgery, and walked (very slowly) while the nurse held my arm and wheeled my IV bag.........my gown was untied in the back.....I was mooning the entire room and didn't care
.....my pain was already better as I was back to my old self.
The doctor had me take off work (teacher) for 3 weeks but could have easily returned after 2 weeks. I walked very slowly with a cane and my back was extremely sore for about a week or so after the operation. I was great for a few months then I started to feel a slight tingle in my leg one night.......no pain, just a slight tingle.....
I returned to the chiropractor to get an adjustment and a massage. When talking to my chiropractor I asked him, "What can I do to keep my back from returning to its previous condition?" He gave me two pieces of advice.....
1.) Get an inversion table and use it a few times a week.
I did this. The inversion table did help relieve pressure on my back but was not/has not been what has kept me pain free. I still have it, and use it from time to time.
2.) Get an ab roller (looks like a couple push mower wheels with a rod through them........you get on your knees and roll the wheel out in front of your with your arms, then roll it back) and strengthen your core. Strong ab muscles take pressure/strain off your back.
I did this. I am doing this. When I slack and don't do it for a couple weeks, my back starts to act up again. When I start back up, the pain goes away. I highly recommend you getting one of these. It is fairly easy to do and doesn't/shouldn't be a strain on your back. I can't over emphasize enough how much this cheap and easy thing is and how much it has helped me.
See you at Blade!
