L5 S 1 herniated disc how to stop pain is there life after?
Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at
3:11 pm
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Filed under: New York Herniated Disc Lawyer
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Low back injury’s are the toughest to overcome. The pain should subside in time with relaxation. Your best defense against recurring problems is to keep your abs strong. This will help take some load off your back thus reducing the pressure. If the disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve you could also get some relief from the symptoms by seeing a chiropractor for regular adjustments to correct any sublexations (misalignment’s) you have. Muscle relaxants can give some temporary relief, but in my opinion are not the solution. I personally would not recommend surgery as most I have talked to have had mixed results.
I had it happen to me. Exact same spot, in 1989. Keep yourself slim, weight makes the pain worse. Other then that, you can get the operation which has no guarantees. I live with it. Since then I have had two separate careers and remarried and am now doing very well. I am 60 this year and feel great. I do the yard, I walk the dog, I go shopping. Don’t just lay down and get fat. That is the worst thing you can do. When the weather gets bad it will hurt. But it will never stop hurting.
No drugs help. Don’ t go down that road to hell.
lay on your back on the floor
bend your knees
push your lower back to the floor
do this a few times per day about 20 times holding it 30 seconds or so each time
keep fit eat less
Life after well I have 8 bad discs I take morphine and vicodin daily
when it was 1 disc in lower lumbar I just had to be carful lifting twisting stuff like that
now I have 8 so life aint so great
I have three in same area. L5 is the disc that has the sciatic nerve involved. Do you suffer with that as well, most with L5 trouble do. A chiropractor can help you with the herniated discs tremendously. That is their job. I think you will be surprised if you go to the right one. Don’t go to the old fashioned type. If you get these put back where they belong and muscle built up around them to keep them in place you could very well end up pain free. I have other serious spine issues and there isn’t help for it but you should go while there is still a chance for you.
I have back pain also and it is complete hell.
Has your doctor referred you to a Physical Therapist or Chiropractor? Chiropractic did wonders for me.
Most doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory medications like Naproxen, which don’t help a lot. MDs are reluctant to prescribe anything stronger because they are afraid of getting in trouble with the DEA for prescribing narcotics. If you have a doctor who will prescribe them, muscle relaxers may help. Soma and Valium seem to work well, but doctors are reluctant to prescribe them.
Be wary of surgery. Surgery only helps about a third of the time. A third of the time it doesn’t help at all and a third of the time it actually makes the pain worse.
Yoga and stretching exercises can help. A chiropractor, massage therapist or physical therapist can provide you with specific stretches for your particular condition.
Try cold packs and heat packs. If one doesn’t help, try the other. Don’t apply cold or heat packs more than 20 minutes at a time. You can alternate them also–20 minutes of cold, 20 minutes of heat. There is a great product you can get at Bed, Bath and Beyond called a Bed Buddy. Heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes. It costs around $12.
Try to get some exercise to get your blood moving. If you have access to a hot tub or a steam room, the wet heat can help also.
If all else fails and you have to have surgery, go to a neurosurgeon and get the new operation that replaces the herniated disk. Try to stay away from the old surgeries that fuse the vertebrae.
Good luck!
I have this problem
DO NOT GET SURGERY.
Epidural Srteriod injections work for some people. I got total relief from it and it has lasted 6 months.
Loosing weight also helps a lot.
Pain medications can help a little but only in the short term.
A low dose of oral steriods can help bring down any inflammation making it feel better after a few days.
Yoga and Pilates to strengthen the muscles can help relieve pain.
Take it easy and care for your back. It will take time. And time is the only healer unfortunatly.
Only two options- surgery and acupuncture.
I have treated failed surgeries with acupuncture. Now you decide and act accordingly.
Many times Yog helps, but you will have to learn and practice meditation part mainly.
Oh, I am really sorry to hear this! My mom has the exact same thing; well, actually, her L5 is ruptured.
No, unfortunately there is no fixing this problem, and it affects her life daily. She isn’t crippled or anything, but she has to limit herself to what she can do. She cannot lift anything over 5lbs at a time, or she will be in excessive pain the follwing day.
she must be careful what position she sleeps in, or she will get TERRIBLE leg cramps.
she hasn’t been able to pick up my brother in yrs. she cannot bend down to lift things from shelves or off the ground in a long time, and kneeling down is quite painful for her.
physical therapy can help you build your core muscles, and I suggest pilates to strengthen your body as well, but for the most part, you will simply HAVE to be more aware of your injury and not jeopardize your lumbar discs.
Best of luck to you…. be careful and don’t get hurt!