I have a herniated disk in my lower back and need help. Read on..?

I have had this for over 2 years, and I don't want to have surgery. It flaired up again, (I've been babying it so it wouldn't hurt since it was found, and haven't had any problems with it until 2 days ago), and my doctor called in a prescription for Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. My problem is, the pain has gotten worse, and I'd like to know what your opinion is for an over the counter pain reliever. I've also been taking Extra Strength Tylenol PM along with the Flexeril, and I might as well throw them in the trash!

I've had several surgeries on other things, the worst being torn tendons on my left shoulder, and rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. I have problems healing due to diabetes. That's one of the main reasons I don't want to have another surgery...

I had a herniated disk in my neck at the C4/C5 level. I lived with it for 7 years. In those seven years, I went to acupuncturists, chiropractors, went through physical therapy, had medical massages, and many, many pain pills.

When the pain gets to the point where you can't sleep through the night and you are having a hard time walking, then it is time for surgery.

As with any surgery, do your research. With this surgery, the surgeon is dealing with your spinal cord. Find the top 5 neurosurgeons in your county or state (depending on how big your state is) and go to one of them. I was fortunate. My surgical team consisted of two of the top 5 in NY state. The whole team and hospital were wonderful.

Because I waited 7 years...I have permanent nerve damage that I wouldn't have if I had gone sooner. Do you have pinched nerves because of the herniation? You don't mention how long you have dealth with the pain, so just keep this in mind.

Also, I'm not sure if surgery on the lower back is the same as on the upper back/neck area, but I had to pretty much learn how to walk again after having my neck worked on. It was very slow at first, but when I went home from the hospital, I had to go up three flights of stairs to get to my apartment, not an easy hurdle.

They cut through the front of my neck to get to the back, pretty freaky thought, huh? Honestly though, the surgeon said that from a surgeon's point of view, it was easier and safer to do the surgery that way.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you at the very least consider having an MRI to see how close the herniation is to your spinal cord. You do not want to be paralyzed just because you were trying to prevent surgery.

The things is though that you could be paralyzed for not having the surgery, too. If that herniation gets bad enough, it will start touching your spinal cord...and that is when it will start causing paralysis. A top surgeon will NOT do the surgery until it is urgent. Report It

This herniation has caused a pinched sciatica. I've had problems with my sciatica for several years, but it only acts up when my back gets irritated. It's not constant, however, this episode has lasted longer than any I've had so far. Report It

Pain killers are not going to cure you. Surgery is scary but it is the only real answer. It isn't as bad as you would think, not to mention the fact that the pain is only a week or so worth compared to how you feel now lasting the rest of your life.

Good luck in all you do but please watch out for addiction to these pills. Tylenol is not addictive but there have been deaths from overdoses and it can cause kidney damage.

I have the same problem but can't aford surgery, but i will probley go for it. I think you should go for the surgery, cause once you take care of it, and its fixed, you won't have trouble with it again.

Surgery isn't that bad, its scary , but shouldn't be, ive had it, to get my gallbladder out, took a hour. I was fine. I think you should take care of yourself, and be pain free. Love pamela

I take tylenol. Safest, but ibprofin works better, but its not safter. So let your doctor pick! ;)

I've had 3 back surgeries and the last one almost killed me(I had to have a blood transfusion because I lost so much blood). It took me 6 months to recover from the surgery. That was almost 15 years ago and I am in as much if not more pain than before the surgery. I am at the point of being in a wheelchair. If I had it all over again I would not have surgery. Of course that is just my experience. Some people go through it without any problems. BTW Tylenol destroys the Liver.

Pain pills wont do much,but surgery can make you worse sometimes.That happened to my dad,he is worse than before he had the surgery.

Ever try some light yoga? I have back problems as well, and it always feels better after some gentle stretches and poses. It may not cure the problem, but at least it'll help with the pain relief. Good luck!

i can feel for you. i have the same condition, but waiting for surgery as a last option.........