I believe you need to give it time. I will let others who have had these type of surgeries add their own comments but based upon reading others comments, surgery is not a walk off the table experience. It will take time.

But no matter what keep that attitude...stay strong and free...

-js

I'm sorry you're going through all this frustration. Believe me, I know where you're coming from. I suffered disc herniations a few years ago and tried everything like meds, PT, multiple epidural injections, and even a microdiscectomy. I had severe lower back pain and sciatica that was resistant to all sorts of treatment. Unfortunately after surgery the same disc reherniated a month later and I had more nerve compression along with new instability. I had a fusion after that but the pain always persisted.

Anyway, whatever happens don't give up. It may take some time but something is bound to work for you. You might have to see doctor after doctor and try a variety of treatments before something will help. Get well soon and take care

Well another update was due...it seems I am stuck in the one step forward to steps back syndrome.

I was really doing well with the correct PT and 2 epidurals. I thought I was on my way of beating it. Anyway Friday several hours after accupuncture and on my way home mt left leg came back.

It made no sense to me just suddenly it started to do the tingling into my thigh. My left leg was really doing well and only was having some issues with the right one. Well anyway all the cobras and stretching just would not turn it off. And I could tell as each day passed my left leg would just start to get deeper into pain. I went back to my meds of diclofenic sodium which is helping and some soma.

I am really not sure how it was brought on. My accunpuncturist tried some different points but doubt that could bring it on. And than my doc told me to get back on lyrica as you are feeling better and may really help you more. Maybe that could have done it? So I stopped....

In anycase it just will not stop now and trying to turn it off with the mckenzie but right now seems to be making it a bit worse...

Not sure what to do at this point...

Ironically I also had a follow up with my spine/ortho who says come back by end of Novemeber and while you should be able to beat this with no surgery, we schedule surgery which will be a microdiscotemy/fusion l4-l5 if you can not get a turn around.

Really lost, confused, in some pain right now...just called PM to see if maybe should have epi #3.

-js

I called my PM about two weeks about the check and maybe the 3rd epi and she pretty much told me, "no". I was a bit disappointed but now glad she did.

The diclofenic which was no help in the first month has really got me over this hump combined with PT. I understand now why the doc insists on the meds and the PT to make it all easier. I am now up to 6 days a week of PT with 30 minutes of walking and now putting in strength exercises and finally yesterday added some stretching.

I can tell too tight and the stretching of pirforims and hamstrings were great but the hip as I leaned into the corner was a bit tender. Also notice that the flector patch when placed on the hip closer to the groin and not glute works well. I will do more stretching for sure and see if something in the hips.

Also had an accupuncture as usual and this treatment Monday was great. We went back to the back and he did something where I felt the nerve literally clear itself out. Interesting stuff going on and I feel pretty much all positive.

-js

I have to post sooner cause things are going well actually a bit too well and it worries me.

The PT is going well and I am advancing in the amount of time I can walk as I am getting close to an hour and 3 miles, able to finally increase my weight ever so lightly and I am feeling better throughout the day. I have cut the diclofenic to 2 tabs a day at 50mg.

But the funny thing of all this is that sometimes I feel some pain in the knees and feet which is new but overall some much better. Now the accupuncture is really working well also.

The ortho told me he believes that I can see a big turn by January and maybe be back on the bike by spring. He knows I love to ride. I try not to listen to it as I just want to focus on getting better and not rushing it.

I asked him about torn disk and he told me even if we found it that they have no procedure to sew it anyway so the remedy would still be the same and we know your pain is coming form your L5.

Another thing I notice that now I actually feel better if I do not do as much prone type exercises and give my lower back a break. I wonder if that is a good or bad sign and should I slow down on the mini-cobras and get to just 2 prone exercises a day.

Has anyone out there started to cut back on certain exercises once they reached a certain point?

-js