Serious thread bitches, I am at my wits end

[Strongbow]

I can either have back surgery or become a pain pill addict. The shit has become almost unbearable, I am in constant pain and I totally stopped fucking with the pain meds cause Hydros are the fucking bomb, but I have started using them to get through shopping trips and family shit like Christmas and Thanksgiving. I'm sure I will have to use them to get around Disney this weekend. Do any of you guys know anything about this new type back surgery, where they put in the artificial disc? I do not trust doctors, because they are mostly shit eating low lifes, but they tell me if I have this miracle surgery, I can be back on my feet in a week. Plunkey I know you are connected to the field bro, what info can you give me, and anybody else who knows anything about this shit.

 

[mrplunkey]

I'd be glad to help you.

Where is your pain? Lower or upper back? Do you know specifically which vertebra are involved (i.e. L1-L2)?

Do you have any loss of function, or is it purely pain? Does it hurt at specific times (i.e. going from sitting to standing) or does it hurt continuously? Does warming up help with the pain? If you lay-off your back for 2-3 days, does it get any better?

Are you taking any anti-inflammatories? Do they help at all? I'm sure the painkillers work on the pain, but I'm sure they wear off quickly -- correct?

Do you have an MRI or CT you can send me? I'm guessing you've got a bulging or blown disc. I can have a number of experts in the field read your images if you'll send them my way.

 

[Strongbow]

Yea bro it's L4 and L5, they wanted to do surgery when they read the MRI. The pain is pretty constant these days. I have had 3 diffrent sets of injections into or around the disc and they worked okay, enough to get me to this point. I do have the MRI CD @ home, I can send it to you next week. I am starting to go numb in my legs, and the pain has spread from my left hip and knee into my ankle with the pain radiating down the front of my shin.

 

[mrplunkey]

Yea bro it's L4 and L5, they wanted to do surgery when they read the MRI. The pain is pretty constant these days. I have had 3 diffrent sets of injections into or around the disc and they worked okay, enough to get me to this point. I do have the MRI CD @ home, I can send it to you next week. I am starting to go numb in my legs, and the pain has spread from my left hip and knee into my ankle with the pain radiating down the front of my shin.

You have a bulging/blown disc most likely. I'd really like to see the MRI.

The first recommendation I'd make is work hardening (i.e. specific exercises). But you're in good shape already, so that probably won't help.

My next recommendation would be to get a pain block. The first one or two almost never takes. If you're not getting 2-3 months of relief from your third block, it's time to look at more drastic measures.

If your pain has turned into numbness or loss of function, it's time to consider surgery. I hate spine surgery. I make metal & plastic implants that go into the spine and I still hate spine surgery.

Again, let's look at the MRI and I'll have some really good docs look at it. My guess is that you should get the disc removed, but do not get all the fancy hardware (i.e. interbody spacers, pedicle screws, lumbar plates) unless it's absolutely necessary. Lots of people simply get the disc removed and have positive results. As a matter of fact, some of the newer literature suggests you don't even need it all cleaned-up. You can just get the disc sucked-out in a minimally invasive way and have a positive outcome.

 

[Mr. dB]

Sounds to me like you don't have any choice, get the surgery.

 

[miplank]

I bet Plunky can make you a badass back brace on his 5 axis thingy

 

[mrplunkey]

I bet Plunky can make you a badass back brace on his 5 axis thingy

We sell lots of back braces but unfortunately, he's way past a back brace.

We make the heavy-duty hardware too, but I really hope he doesn't get that.

 

[miplank]

just walk around with a weight belt over the top of your tap out tshirts. Shit will look good with your skull cap

 

[nydj66]

My mother was taking oxycontin for lower back pain to the point where she was a zombie. She went through several doctors until one recommended epidural blocks. She gets one every 6 weeks now and it has changed her life.

 

[1500]

I had about 12 sympathetic nerve blocks for my ankle (crps) and it gave me relief for a few weeks at a time. It got to be more of a pain in the ass than beneficial for me. Pain meds for life. I take just enough to ease some of the pain and at least makes things bearable.