Has anyone else suffered from a herniated disk?

If you have, let me know what you do for the pain. I have one and it hurts so bad I have to sometimes get shots. I would like to try someting else. Other than surgery!

I have two herniated discs from a previous car accident....and let me tell ya..i soooooo feel your pain! There isnt a whole lot you can do besides cortizon shots and find some pill happy doctor to keep ya doped up all the time...but thats no way to live. What i do is try not to sit or stand for too long...tends to aggervate the back. Heating pads at night work wonders...even that icy hot stuff helped a little. I also do callenetics..if thats how ya spell it. There is an 80 yr old lady on the tape doing these exercises to help strenghten your body without straining your back or other joints. I figured if she could do it..then i better be able to do it at 23..lol. And it helps alot...keeps tention off the back and its painless excercising....hope this will help you as it does me....there's not much else you can do. Good luck to ya..any questions dont hesitate to ask!

Your so welcome...I definetely understand..and it sucks..but us chicks are strong...got more motivation...hope it all works out! Report It

I had two herniated disks and a couple of bulging disks. I had been in pain on and off for about 10 years. Anything could cause it to flare up, one time I sneezed while I was walking and it felt like someone had stabbed me.

When my right leg went numb I knew I could no longer handle it on my own. Yes, I had visited a doctor for pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids. They ran so many different tests on me. MRI, CT scan, Myleogram, you name it. I did the injections, thinking that they would be less invasive or dangerous than back surgery. I was wrong.

The injections, if they are the same kind I had, are actually MORE dangerous than back surgery. If a doctor has to rely on X-Ray equipment to administer the medicine in the shots to the right areas then he/she is actually tampering with your epidural space which is extremely dangerous. I had three shots in a row, one every Thursday for three weeks. They didn't help me at all.

I finally opted for surgery and had a lumbar laminectomy. While conducting the surgery, the surgeon is not near your spinal cord, so the possibility of paralysis is very minimal. While my surgeon went in expecting to work on one side only, he was able to check the other side and saw some narrowing there and was able to repair that as well.

No lifting, bending or twisting for three months. Those were my post-operative instructions. I walked and rode a recumbent bicycle. I had the surgery on November 29 of last year and I am extremely glad that I did. Back pain is horrible and very depressing.

Make sure you do research and talk with different doctors and surgeons. Stay open-minded and cautious.

Good Luck

Try this website for more information on what it is and how it can be treated.

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/herniate...

well, there are other options than surgery. You can try natural cures or you could see a chiropractor to help you. I've heard many wonderful stories on how chiropractor's have helped people.

NO heat! This is essential - no heat pads or packs becuase herniated disks swell, and heat causes swelling. Ice packs only. They are not nearly as comfortable, but it will keep the swelling down and help it slip back into place if it's not too badly herniated. A chiropracter is a backs best friend!

My dad has one and is having surgery in a few days. He has used a roll on called "Stop Pain" and said that worked pretty good, until it got to a certain point. He also takes prescrption pain meds. He has tried epidural shots and had no luck, so has opted for surgery. Good luck!

PHYSICAL THERAPY!! i was told to get surgery years ago, and i resorted to a physical therapist as a last chance 'just in case' they could tell me something else, and they said you don't need surgery, often surgeons are too cut-happy and rush patients into surgery when all you need is a good long, consistent physical therapy... i took them up on it and it's been about 6 years since and well, i'm writing you about it.. good luck [ps most insurance companies will cover physical therapy too so it's actually kinda free too]. good luck, hope you feel better! pps if a loved one comes by to watch your physical therapist work on you, they can perhaps help you out at home instead of having to run to therapy every time.