2 herniated discs, 2 bulging discs, and spina bifida in one of the vertebrae.

Being referred to an orthopedic surgeon. More waiting.

Ohmigawd! ((hugs)) I don't know what else to say.

so I feel for you. Hopefully the orthoped will have have a good game plan.

Did they give you an option between physical therapy and surgery, or are they saying just go do surgery?

Herniated discs are so, so painful and difficult to deal with. I'm sorry you're feeling so terrible, too, though I'm glad it isn't any kind of crazy tumor.

There are a lot of options these days for disc problems. I can also refer you to excellent docs if you decide on surgery.

They are putting through a referral to an Ortho doc...once he/she assesses the damage, I assume they'll make a plan from there.

Meanwhile, I just have to deal I guess. Nothing else to do.

and stretch and walk. Sitting all day is murder. For awhile, I had to sit on one of those giant exercise balls at work. You look like a tit, but it's more comfortable and also helps you work your core.

*sigh* So sorry, mikey.

Mine are all bulging discs...5 total. It is a pain but so far no surgery needed...PT of little help - this was due to a car accident by the way - hit in the rear (an idiot didn't see all 5 of us cars stopped at a traffic light- my guess he was texting or talking on the phone).

Case not settled yet....hit my head too and have had to see a neurologist a lot. Guess I am okay but a few things showed up that he is just not sure why they are there....but says not a biggie. Hope to be done with that Dr. in a month. It wears you out so all my best to you. I hate the thought of anyone even poking me in the back. Be sure to get at least two opinions.

Were you in an accident?

Excellent Neurosurgeon option, only to see about surgery, he is at UVRMC, his name, oh shoot, let me think oh yeah, Gardner.

excellent, honest about what you need (he recommended NO surgery for me thank goodness) and highly reputable.

That sucks though, no wonder you are in so much pain. I hope they can get it figured out, I suffer chronic pain and have for decades and it really sucks the life out of you sometimes, as you have experienced lately.

Good luck

GLA
How old are you? Is this from an injury? Sorry if you addresses this somewhere else and I missed it. Is this normal wear and tear or family genetics?

but not too long ago.... i took some viagra.... :)... and i had some INTENSE back pain two days later!! really debilitating!! good luck young man!! looks like your hubby will have to do all the work!!
just sayin!

You really need to take care of yourself, GLA! This is not good.

Take care of yourself.

Hope they get your back issues resolved. That just sounds like a lot of things wrong for someone your age.

But apart from that you're okay...?

Apologies but I try to find humour in everything, even if it is sometimes inappropriate. Back problems are a bitch.

Keep drinking the cocktails and remember my little motto - we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time, cheers!

... STOP IT!

Its bad for you!

Best wishes, my friend. Medical science has come a long way. You'll be alright.

Timothy

I get all of this except the spina bifida part. I have a cousin who was born with spina bifida and my understanding is that it means part of the spine is exposed due to the flesh not closing around it. Certainly, I don't know WTF I'm talking about in all things, but how is that applicable in your case.

Get better soon, please.

Ron

It's just DUDE!

I was going to ping you to see if you were feeling good enough for the Calm even at Camp Williams. I kind of want to go but wanted to have a least one friend there.

Stunted

cut out that acrobatic sex stuff, Mikey. Its killing your back!! ;P

Ooowwwwwweeeyikes!

80% of asymptomatic people have some degree of disc herniation. They walk around and do not have a pain.

The key with back pain is to zero in on the tissue that is generating the pain. The herniations that are encroaching on neurological tissue need to be dealt with as will as any other ligaments, discs that are inflamed generating pain.

Good luck and feel better.

Hang in there until you see the surgeon, there may be lots of options to help you. So sorry you are suffering. :(

Surgery may help in the short term but outcomes are absolutely abysmal a few years out. You are trading a sore spine for a completely rigid one that will cause pain in the segments above and below the surgical intervention for the rest of your life. It may take a long time to heal, but take it from a DPT student...avoid surgery at all costs.

My ex tried all the physical therapy and injections, etc., and ended up having the surgery. He did end up having a second surgery 3 months later because he twisted wrong (too soon) and herniated more of the disk. That was almost 16 years ago and he does really well now--just has to be careful. He is a grounds supervisor so still does heavy work after all these years.

I didn't think he should have surgery either, but he was to the point of laying on his back on a mattress most of the time and couldn't do anything else even with pain medication.

He does have a scar--but not much of one. He felt SO MUCH BETTER after the surgery, it was amazing.

Be well, Mikey! Most of us have back issues of some kind [I have a couple of discs that are disintegrating] and can, to some degree, feel your pain.

Stay as positive as possible, and take some consolation from all the good wishes that come your way here at RfM! Here is a gentle hug [watch that back!] from the old apikoros!

Keep us updated, you hear?

Mine has, enough that I don't need surgery anymore. Everyone is different.

I told my doctor I think I'm a good candidate for the FEAR FACTOR and a PLACEBO! (hehe). ..scare the bejesus out of me and my body goes into overdrive fixing stuff! :-)

I received similar bad news last summer. 4 bad disc in neck(car wreck), 2 in lower spine. I feel sorry for anyone with back pain. Until it took over my life I never understood others talking about it. Have done 2 steroid injections in low back. They really helped but are not a permanent solution.

My neck is FUBAR, surgeon won't touch it.

I am hearing that back surgery has come along way.

Hoping you can find some relief from your pain.