Help with Herniated disk, please!?

I was just diagnosed with a herniated disk in my lower back and am on gabapentin twice daily and hydrocodone as needed for pain. My doctor is recommending surgery or epidural shots, neither of which I want. I see a specialist next month to see what he thinks. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of a non-evasive way I can get rid of the pain. I'm only 29 and a single mom, so I can't afford to be down from the pain. Thanks so much!

I would recommend seeing a physical therapist...especially one with training in the MDT method...in the very least, they will give you a good indication after the first or second visit as to what your prognosis is. Not everyone can be helped with physical therapy, but therapists with training in MDT can quickly tell you who is a good candidate and who is not.

The focus of treatment will be showing you what you can do to fix the problem and prevent it from returning.

You can find a PT with MDT certification at: http://www.mckenziemdt.org

Good luck

Im 27 and have been in pain for what I think is the same reason since 1999. If i pick up something heavy it starts up again and can last for days. It never really goes away I just don't think about it and never had it checked out because I don't want what you were told. I say deal with it for as long as possible i guess.

even get the pains in the leg sometimes... sux but what you gonna do, and who can you trust.

I never bother with any drugs no matter how bad it hurts... you have to get use to the pain.... don't get use to the drugs or when you do the pain I am shur will feel much worse becasue your gonna want stronger and stronger drugs. If it gets that bad I buy some heat pads to stick above your bum to help a bit.

How long have you been hurting? Can someone help you with your child? What helped me was a lot of rest, lying down. Do not sit or stand unless you have to. Walking and lying down are the best things for it.

Ouch thats a tough one. I have been there and done that Epidural shots are only temporary. VERY Temporary. There is a drug called Flexeril that helped me the most but I still resorted to having a Laminectomy. (surgery) My suggestion, is get on Flexeril and do exactly what your specialist tells you to.

i had a herniated disk once and suffered with the pain for a long time. i had gone to numerous neurologists without any relief. then i found this very good neurologist that did what they call a FACET BLOCK. they give an injection in he back into the disk. i think the medicine they injected was cortisone .had to have three of them done at different times but the last one took. it was painful but well worth it. that was in 1990 and it took the pain away. the doctor said it may not last forever and that i may have to have it done again, but so far i do not need it. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

try chiropractic....it does alot for these issues. It is not invasive at all, and you wouldn't have to have surgery. Try it first. Injections mask the pain and may make it worse in the long run. Back surgery--they say 80% are unnecessary and of the other 20%--80%of those fail. chiropractors deal with them every day and can really help. i've seen it work many times