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Sciatica, Leg Pain, Radiculopathy
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5 replies [Last post]
November 1, 2008 - 9:07am
Anonymous
Are Central Herniated Discs the worse?

Hey Guys,

I have been dealing with my central herniated disc at L4/L5 now for 6 months and I just cant seem to get any relief. Tried Chiropractic which made it worse and gave me neck problems, Tried the epidurals which solved the problem for like 2-3 days then everything came back, been taking NSaids which did help a bit at first but now the effect seems to be wearing off, and now im trying to diet take vitamins and lots of walking. I am 40 lbs overweight so my doctor told me thats like putting 120 lbs of extra pressure on that disc. Im just getting fed up with everything. Everyday my symptoms are changing but my most constant symptoms are lower back pain and swelling and the worse is the stiffness/pain behind my knees and my calves. The leg stiffness bothers me the most cuz I cant do anything and sometimes it gets sooooo tiring just to walk. Im only 24 years old and I feel like I am 64, just want to get on with my life WITHOUT having to go thru surgery. Anyone else have any additional tips for relief. Tried ice treatment and even that biofreeze stuff which seems to help a little bit but only temporarily. If I lose the weight will that help alot with the healing process? Thanks for any input, you guys have been great with my other points im just getting to the point where im getting sick of this.

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November 1, 2008 - 11:21am
#1
charry
charry's picture
User offline. Last seen 1 week 1 day ago. Offline
Joined: 09/05/2008
Posts: 5601
Points: 11602
Hi Massurfer

I bought a recumbent stationary bicycle and a week later the stiffness went down in my legs. I'm also taking a water pill also though. Heat on back and legs help too. I too am overweight and just losing 10 lbs helped. I'm twice your age and I feel older. My Mom looks younger than me and she's 19 years older than me. Back pain seems to get anybody at any age. Take care. Charry

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Any answers I have is not medical advice only a Doctor can help you with that. Just sharing my personal experience as a fellow Spine Health member only. Mild DDD of complete lumbar area with recent healing of L5-S1 HD and annular tear.Leg &foot weakness nerve compression L4-L5.Mod. disc changes C5-C7 nerve impingement sore elbow and numb hand. Sept. 2011 MRI L4-L5 disc bulge and L5 facet joint and narrowing. Meds-Oxycontin 80mg,Cymbalta,Lyrica, Flexeril,Naproxen,Serax. Platinum Infrared heating pad. ER and Oncology trained and Cardiology RN on Disability. Keep the faith.

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November 1, 2008 - 12:46pm
#2
lulusheart
User offline. Last seen 2 days 17 hours ago. Offline
Joined: 06/19/2008
Posts: 4221
Points: 9140
Weight loss to avoid surgery!

Smile hi! Wave i think you know some of the answers to these questions all ready. if you lose weight it will be much easier on your joints and knees. it will be less strain on your back and neck. any surgery is better accepted the more "average" your weight. these are only a few of the reasons to start to take off some pounds. Timeout perhaps the biggest and the best reason besides weight loss is being able to avoid surgery. Thinking the more you exercise and get your knee in shape, the less chance for surgery. being able to get back to exercising can work wonders for your self esteem as well. they really go hand in hand. weigh loss=the ability to exercise more=no surgery=more exercise=more self esteem and over and over. we have a weight loss group here on the forum. pm me if you are interested. good luck in all you endeavor to do! be sure and check with your pt and doctor about all diet and exercise issues! Jenny Smile

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be impeccable with your word..

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November 1, 2008 - 1:12pm
#3
itsalongwalk (not verified)
Check out

www.chirogeek.com

really useful website - a little heavy going but explains all about disc problems etc.

My own surgeon said they didn't heal. Confused

Take it easy and listen to your body - a rather over keen doctor told me to push through my pain (LARGE assumption it was muscular) which I did (thinking I was jsut a moanie old whimp) and it nearly crippled me - literally. I had a central disc herniation on an unstable spondy spine.
Pain? OH YES!
That was the end of my physical abilities, to this day I am trying to claw back my mobility. lol!

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November 1, 2008 - 3:10pm
#4
massurfer1 (not verified)
thanks for the input

Thanks for all that input. Hopefully the more weight I lose the better Ill feel, I needed to lose the weight anyways and this gives me extra motivation. Thank you also for that chirogeek link, it seems there is a wealth of information on that site. Please keep the tips coming i need as much help as i can get to avoid surgery and im sure there are some others in my situation that could use this post for tips as well.

Andy

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November 2, 2008 - 6:11pm
#5
Cali-Sue (not verified)
Hi Andy, lower back problems

Hi Andy, lower back problems seem to give us very tight hamstrings which then affects the knees and calves too. Have you been to PT? I think this would be a good next step if you haven't tried it already. Also water PT is great too, very comfortable, easy and yet it helps. Good-luck, Cali-Sue

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