Hello Everyone,

It has been awhile since I've posted - mostly because things seemed to workout for me via the non-surgical route.

In 2009 I herniated my L5 (estimation is that I lost about 60% of the disk) - MRI also revealed a grade 1 Spondylolesthesis (Doctors called it Stable). Anyway lots of pain (both leg and back). I had surgery scheduled twice, but got really nervous so cancelled twice and began a major core strenthening and stretching program as well as routine (daily) use of an inversion table. My surgeon was great, very understanding, and said if I could get to the two year mark I would know where I stood WRT this getting better without surgical intervention. After two years of hard work things felt better and while I had to restrict myself from doing certain things I was in a happy place.

The problem NOW - while talking to a co-worker yesterday I felt a sneeze coming on - twisted my torso and head so I didn't sneeze at him and felt a major jolt of sharp stabbing pain down my right leg and my back kind of seized up. I was able to drive myself home and hit the heating pad up, after a couple hours used the inversion table and almost forgot took a 100mg of Tramadol (always have that on-hand for the not so good days). I have pain (calling it a 5/6 out of 10) and am getting cramps/spasms in the buttocks area when going from a sitting position to standing position (I hate these things) also have minor tingling/numbness in my right leg. Going to my GP doctor this morning with the hope of getting referred for an MRI.

1) Has anyone ever had this happen to them before?
2) Is it possible to have herniated more of the disc from a sneeze?
3) Could the L5 Vert have shifted?

Thank you in advance for sharing any perspective.

All the best, Mike