Anyone have experience with Herniated/ Burst discs?

[minimoogle]

Well, I think I herniated a disc. Horrible pain down my left side from lower back to the bottom of the left hamstring implies the disc must be pinching the sciatic nerve.

I can't walk right, I can't sit still for very long, hell I can't even bend over to put my socks on. Hopefully going to PP on Thurs for diagnosis and referrals/ recommendations.
Few major questions:


1. Anyone have any experience with this injury?
2. How easy was it to get rid of the pain? How long did therapy take?
3. What meds did you take? and what did you do to finally fix it.

I read that stretching and yoga help ease the stress and improve bloodflow to let the disc seal back up and stop pinching the nerve but I have my reservations.


Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[VIsland]

Well, I think I herniated a disc. Horrible pain down my left side from lower back to the bottom of the left hamstring implies the disc must be pinching the sciatic nerve.

I can't walk right, I can't sit still for very long, hell I can't even bend over to put my socks on. Hopefully going to PP on Thurs for diagnosis and referrals/ recommendations.
Few major questions:





1. Anyone have any experience with this injury?
2. How easy was it to get rid of the pain? How long did therapy take?
3. What meds did you take? and what did you do to finally fix it.

I read that stretching and yoga help ease the stress and improve bloodflow to let the disc seal back up and stop pinching the nerve but I have my reservations.


Any help is appreciated, thanks.

Get an MRI and a professional opinion on the degree of injury. No questions can be answered until then.

[XtremeOCD]

I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back (L4,L5 and L5,S1). I would go numb from my right butt cheek all the way down to my feet. I bulged one of the discs about 6-7 years ago and then ended up herniating that one and another about 2 years ago. I have done everything from edpidurals, physiotherapy, cupping, accupuncture etc but nothiong really offered me much relief because my job requires me to twist and bend a lot so I just irritated the thing over and over. Depending on how bad it is, it is manageable. An epidural is usually the first form of treatment which helps a lot of people especially if you catch it early. For me, it didn't work so well because I went a whole year before getting an MRI and by then, I had damaged the discs so badly that the epidural didn't do a whole lotfor me. I did end up seeing a specialist here from China that got rid of all of my nerve pain. 2 months after that, I got in an accident, fractured a rib in my back and my discs went out of whack again (that was January of this year). It's been a long process this year trying to get to where I was and surgery was what I was told I'd need to correct things or I'd have to change my profession and lifestyle to suit it. Anyways, in August I said I'd try working out a bit to see if it would help and knock on wood, I have never been better. Definately see your doctor though and get an MRI. The sooner the better and better safe than sorry IMO.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

[Cheap5.0]

My doctor (wifes employer) is 90% certain i have a bulge/herniated/whatever name you want disk. I injured my back years before i started lifting while at work. It healed up (so i thought) but popped back up again when i started dead lifting, bent rows, anything that strains the lower back.

I say the doc is 90% because she is has never made a false diagnoses in her 8 years as a doc. The only reason there is a doubt is because i did not get an MRI, since i have no insurance. I think i am pretty lucky since as long as i dont do something to piss it off, i have no problems.

Stretching did make my back feel great before i had a diagnoses and used to do back squats and deads. It was the only thing that made my back feel better.

[tjwoody]

I got 2 herniated disks, L4 and 5.

when I was heavy it sucked!

def drs, get mri. dont let them mess around with u if ur suffering. they may not want to give u the mri right away but def get some treatments.

then u will prob need rest, work on weight if overweight, work on core, stretching.

lots of people have broken disks just depends when those nerves get pinched.

[XtremeOCD]

I can't post links yet do to post count, but look up the McKenzie stretch routine (the one where you do it laying on your stomach). It's will usually give you immediate temporary relief whenever you have a flare up. Works for me quite a bit when I have a flare up.

HTH.

[Cheap5.0]

lots of people have broken disks just depends when those nerves get pinched.

Yep. I think the number is 1 in 2 in the US have a disk problem. Some people never feel the pain though, some people make up for it. Very hit and miss. I fall somehwere in the middle. Sounds like OP is somwhere towards the "making up for it" end.

[FlyingIllini]

If you have pain going down your leg then you have a disk impinging on your spinal cord. You can see an orthopedic surgeon, the first thing they will probably try is behavior modification. If its too bad they might want to go in.

[absntaxes]

Well, I think I herniated a disc. Horrible pain down my left side from lower back to the bottom of the left hamstring implies the disc must be pinching the sciatic nerve.

I can't walk right, I can't sit still for very long, hell I can't even bend over to put my socks on. Hopefully going to PP on Thurs for diagnosis and referrals/ recommendations.
Few major questions:


1. Anyone have any experience with this injury?
2. How easy was it to get rid of the pain? How long did therapy take?
3. What meds did you take? and what did you do to finally fix it.

I read that stretching and yoga help ease the stress and improve bloodflow to let the disc seal back up and stop pinching the nerve but I have my reservations.


Any help is appreciated, thanks.

I feel your pain...go to the doc., get the MRI and consider physical therapy asap. they'll probably give you celebrex or some other anti-inflamatory for a few weeks. i put my physical therapy off for 1 month after injury and it just extended the recovery process. i would avoid surgery unless absolutely necessary (too many risks with uncertain prospect of success). I've had my herniated disk for 11 years and i barely notice it today unless i push it on the deadlifts. mine started with the same symptoms - could barely walk for weeks after it happened. However, after about a 6 weeks of physical therapy, proper healing and recovery i'm stronger and in better shape than before.

good luck!!

[Farley1324]

Well, I think I herniated a disc. Horrible pain down my left side from lower back to the bottom of the left hamstring implies the disc must be pinching the sciatic nerve.

I can't walk right, I can't sit still for very long, hell I can't even bend over to put my socks on. Hopefully going to PP on Thurs for diagnosis and referrals/ recommendations.
Few major questions:


1. Anyone have any experience with this injury?
2. How easy was it to get rid of the pain? How long did therapy take?
3. What meds did you take? and what did you do to finally fix it.

I read that stretching and yoga help ease the stress and improve bloodflow to let the disc seal back up and stop pinching the nerve but I have my reservations.


Any help is appreciated, thanks.

I have a herniated L5-S1. My back has never been good. I recall going to the family doc in high school for back pain. I injured it semi seriously for the first time in 2008. I had typical symptoms. The pain, extremely limited range of motion, etc. I did not have sciatica (pain down my leg or to my feet, the pain was localized in my lower back and buttocks area). I walked with a limp for weeks a couple of different times, one of which I hadn't lifted a thing (other than like grocery bags) in months.

I finally had an MRI last spring to officially diagnose the cause. I then went to a physical therapist/chriropractic center (right down the street from me) where, IMO, the best thing I received was stretching with an assistant physical therapist. I had extremely, extremely terrible ROM. I couldn't lean forward at all. I sometimes couldn't bend over and reach my knees. Through time, rest, stretching, and then lifting again with light weights to work back up I improved. I no longer deadlift heavy but I do everything else. Heavy, deep barbell back squats, IMO, have helped. They keep me flexible and get blood flowing through the region. I do low bar back squats but keep my torso as upright as possible within that context.

It can get better. I had gone 1+ year with back pain that affected my movement every single day. Now *knock on wood* it is somewhat rare that my back actually hurts. It do do something that makes it flare up from time to time, but not very often and it seems to get better more quickly each time that happens. My current avatar image was taken in the last couple months or so. My back didn't feel good during back squat warmups so I did weighted pistols instead.

Don't just sit on the couch all day every day going forward, that is the worse thing you ca do IMO.

[minimoogle]

Yep. I think the number is 1 in 2 in the US have a disk problem. Some people never feel the pain though, some people make up for it. Very hit and miss. I fall somehwere in the middle. Sounds like OP is somwhere towards the "making up for it" end.

Yep, I definitely fell like it.

Got very mild sciatica pulling EZ bar curl like 2 months ago but that went way. This time I was maxing out Deadlifts and worked my way up to my max and then hit it for 4 reps. On the 4th one as soon as my ass broke parallel I felt a "twang" like a rubber band snapping and I knew that was it. I was in a belt and walked it off, then stretch it and massaged with foam rollers and a bit of yoga and went home. That was on Saturday. It's now Wed night and it still hurts.

I tried the McKenzie exercises and they actually worked rather well last night but the pain came back once I got to school, though it may not be as bad as before. Doctor tmrw, wish me luck.

[Come at me bro]

I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back (L4,L5 and L5,S1). I would go numb from my right butt cheek all the way down to my feet. I bulged one of the discs about 6-7 years ago and then ended up herniating that one and another about 2 years ago. I have done everything from edpidurals, physiotherapy, cupping, accupuncture etc but nothiong really offered me much relief because my job requires me to twist and bend a lot so I just irritated the thing over and over. Depending on how bad it is, it is manageable. An epidural is usually the first form of treatment which helps a lot of people especially if you catch it early. For me, it didn't work so well because I went a whole year before getting an MRI and by then, I had damaged the discs so badly that the epidural didn't do a whole lotfor me. I did end up seeing a specialist here from China that got rid of all of my nerve pain. 2 months after that, I got in an accident, fractured a rib in my back and my discs went out of whack again (that was January of this year). It's been a long process this year trying to get to where I was and surgery was what I was told I'd need to correct things or I'd have to change my profession and lifestyle to suit it. Anyways, in August I said I'd try working out a bit to see if it would help and knock on wood, I have never been better. Definately see your doctor though and get an MRI. The sooner the better and better safe than sorry IMO.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

This describes me a lot I don't have it down to the feet and the higher up to my Angus the deeper the pain is

How are you doing today?

Just got a notice from workers comp for a independent medical examition

I'm scared, I'm in pain all day from nothing and they want to pay a doctor to say I'm fine

I can't post links yet do to post count, but look up the McKenzie stretch routine (the one where you do it laying on your stomach). It's will usually give you immediate temporary relief whenever you have a flare up. Works for me quite a bit when I have a flare up.

HTH.

U wot mate? 2 years later 10k posts and modship

[libertino85]

I've had problems with a herniated disc. I was told by MD that I could NEVER squat again...

I stopped working legs and back for several months, maybe three or four months. And then I started back very slowly, gradually, with light weights.

I'm all better and am back to lifting heavy.

Just give it time and be patient. In my opinion, this is the hardest part - sitting around and watching your muscles get weak while you recuperate.

[Tommy W.]

85% of people have a bulging or herniated disc(s). It doesn't cause much of a problem unless it gets too far out or starts touching a nerve. You HAVE to get an MRI if you're having issues. The protocol for taking care of it can be totally different depending if the bulge is toward the front or back. Don't guess.

[caraleio]

the guy is probably dead by now this thread is so old...

[Tommy W.]

the guy is probably dead by now this thread is so old...

Probably died of his slipped disc

[Farley1324]

the guy is probably dead by now this thread is so old...

<---Posted the day after the OP started this thread.

[Come at me bro]

the guy is probably dead by now this thread is so old...

I think 2 years is a good window to see what results have came, it's not a 6 week injury

[Farley1324]

Speaking of which, I posted this Nov 30 of 2011

I have a herniated L5-S1. My back has never been good. I recall going to the family doc in high school for back pain. I injured it semi seriously for the first time in 2008. I had typical symptoms. The pain, extremely limited range of motion, etc. I did not have sciatica (pain down my leg or to my feet, the pain was localized in my lower back and buttocks area). I walked with a limp for weeks a couple of different times, one of which I hadn't lifted a thing (other than like grocery bags) in months.

I finally had an MRI last spring to officially diagnose the cause. I then went to a physical therapist/chriropractic center (right down the street from me) where, IMO, the best thing I received was stretching with an assistant physical therapist. I had extremely, extremely terrible ROM. I couldn't lean forward at all. I sometimes couldn't bend over and reach my knees. Through time, rest, stretching, and then lifting again with light weights to work back up I improved. I no longer deadlift heavy but I do everything else. Heavy, deep barbell back squats, IMO, have helped. They keep me flexible and get blood flowing through the region. I do low bar back squats but keep my torso as upright as possible within that context.

It can get better. I had gone 1+ year with back pain that affected my movement every single day. Now *knock on wood* it is somewhat rare that my back actually hurts. It do do something that makes it flare up from time to time, but not very often and it seems to get better more quickly each time that happens. My current avatar image was taken in the last couple months or so. My back didn't feel good during back squat warmups so I did weighted pistols instead.

Don't just sit on the couch all day every day going forward, that is the worse thing you ca do IMO.

My report would reach much the same today.

I don't deadlift, but I am not limited by my back on any other lifts, to include barbell back squats and front squats, as well as power cleans and standing overhead press.

I wear a belt for squat worksets, and make sure to stay tight and watch my form.

Daily activities are still not limited in any way.

I know it's there, and I can feel it, but it is mostly kept in check.

I did aggravate ****ing awful over Christmas in either '10 or '11, to the point where I was legitimately crippled for a few days...like I couldn't roll over in bed and it took me several minutes to get up off the couch (srs!) but it recovered, and now I don't deadlift anymore. And I have a lumbar support pillow thing I use in the car. (when I aggravated it terribly I deadlifted one day, drove 12 hours in an uncomfortable car seat the next day, and was completely immobile the next day)

[Tommy W.]

Speaking of which, I posted this Nov 30 of 2011



My report would reach much the same today.

I don't deadlift, but I am not limited by my back on any other lifts, to include barbell back squats and front squats, as well as power cleans and standing overhead press.

I wear a belt for squat worksets, and make sure to stay tight and watch my form.

Daily activities are still not limited in any way.

I know it's there, and I can feel it, but it is mostly kept in check.

I did aggravate ****ing awful over Christmas in either '10 or '11, to the point where I was legitimately crippled for a few days...like I couldn't roll over in bed and it took me several minutes to get up off the couch (srs!) but it recovered, and now I don't deadlift anymore. And I have a lumbar support pillow thing I use in the car. (when I aggravated it terribly I deadlifted one day, drove 12 hours in an uncomfortable car seat the next day, and was completely immobile the next day)

Good report back. Good info

[WillNotBreak]

Speaking of which, I posted this Nov 30 of 2011
My report would reach much the same today.
I don't deadlift, but I am not limited by my back on any other lifts, to include barbell back squats and front squats, as well as power cleans and standing overhead press.
I wear a belt for squat worksets, and make sure to stay tight and watch my form.
Daily activities are still not limited in any way.
I know it's there, and I can feel it, but it is mostly kept in check.
I did aggravate ****ing awful over Christmas in either '10 or '11, to the point where I was legitimately crippled for a few days...like I couldn't roll over in bed and it took me several minutes to get up off the couch (srs!) but it recovered, and now I don't deadlift anymore. And I have a lumbar support pillow thing I use in the car. (when I aggravated it terribly I deadlifted one day, drove 12 hours in an uncomfortable car seat the next day, and was completely immobile the next day)

If its doing you over that bad go and get the offending bulge cut out.

I had 2 severely prolapsed discs cut out in Jan 2012, best decision of my life.... Mind you i cried putting on socks before surgery so i was in a bad way.

Day surgery, immediate relief, recovery isn't bad.

[Farley1324]

If its doing you over that bad go and get the offending bulge cut out.

I had 2 severely prolapsed discs cut out in Jan 2012, best decision of my life.... Mind you i cried putting on socks before surgery so i was in a bad way.

Day surgery, immediate relief, recovery isn't bad.

Surgery...no.

I was only 'in a bad way' like that for a few days. It's been a couple of years since that, now, without even coming close to doing that again. *knock on wood*

If it had stayed that way for long I'd be MORE than willing to go under the knife, as it was basically impossible to live life.

[minimoogle]

Looks like this thread bounced back recently so I'll put my two year recovery progress and the process I went through post-injury.

Went in to see my Primary Physician and he diagnosed it as a stress-related injury and prescribed me a yoga book (........right)

I demanded an X-ray and got one which clearly revealed an L4/L5 bulge and dislocation of L4/L5 relative to the rest of the spine. The physical medicine specialist I went to also noted a slight scoliosis in my spine which may have contributed to the ease with which the disc protruded.

They put me on prednisone with a tapering dose for two weeks, tapering down to a half dose once a day. I also still continued lifting during this time, but went lighter using machines and isolations that did not compress the injured area. In retrospect I should have stayed away from the gym entirely, but the prednisone worked so well that I carried on.

The injury was in late Nov, I was diagnosed and prescribed steroids in early Dec, and by early January I was about 60% better and able to restart a relatively normal training regime, though I took it really easy on leg day and religiously used my belt for anything where my upper body wasn't supported by a seatback or bench.


Following the initial treatment, I decided to say **** it to the physical therapy as it was pointless exercises designed for people with weak core and supporting muscle strength. Things like planks and upward/ downward dog style yoga moves which I could easily do.


The biggest issue I had was not the initial trauma, but the leftover muscular issues. I had huge tension in my lower-left back which went mostly untreated until the late spring and I was on Ibuprofen for the pain most days, especially sitting in class bent over those little lecture hall desks.

I began foam rolling and intensive stretching late spring and moved the pain further and further up my back, treating the knots at the source and alleviating the secondary knotting caused from trauma AFTER the injury.


Today Im mostly pain free in that area, although I have frequent issues in the mid back that I'm forced to alleviate using yoga (especially for opening my chest, which is a recurring problem).

Moral of the story is:

For any acute trauma such as this, take off as much time as you need, ice and foam roll the initial knots and muscle imbalances that occur and then stretch out ASAP after you feel relatively able. The sooner you can alleviate the muscular knotting and issues after the trauma, the sooner you can heal. Also inversion therapy and hanging from pull-up bars while slightly rocking up and down really helped to alleviate acute pain triggers and was part of the reason why the disc healed so quickly for me. Definitely consider any exercise or movement (Im referring to yoga and stretches)that forces the vertebrae in the are apart and forces blood into the region and also which forces the disc itself forward towards the front of the body, allowing the bulging matrix of the disc to naturally flow back into the area under the vertebrae and away from the posterior nerve being impinged.


Thanks to everyone for your advice.