I have had a 4mm herniation of the L5 for over 3 years now, and I have not needed surgery and the pain is controlled. I got an epidural fm the specialist and then went to a pyhsical therapist that specializes in treating athletes. The put me on a core workout that I have to do every day forever. As long as I do my exercises, there is no problem. If I ever stop, the problem will come right back. Now, it took about 8-9 months before I noticed that progress, but since then I have not had any problems and I do my core every day.

Kerstin wrote: I went to the emergency room. I was forced to stand during triage. I had my blood pressure taken while screaming in pain from the back spasms. I was told my blood pressure was high.

This thread is suddenly relevant, as I got a lumbar injury 5 weeks ago, while twisting around to look up a couloir. The MRI summary describes it as "lordosis straightened by badly strained spine... some disc bulges...left neural frame considerably narrowed...mild osteoporosis."

So far the pain is quite manageable, and seems to get better VERY slowly. I have to be careful about the way I sit or stand, and the position that causes the pain varies from minute to minute. I'm able to do some cardio and weight-bearing exercises if I watch the manner in which I arch my back.

The tie-in to the quoted comment: I described the pain to the MRI tech, and showed him the location, plus described what motions made it worse. The doctor's note made the injury pretty clear. When I lay down on the table, the tech asked me to raise my legs. This was the very position that caused so much pain. When I hesitated, he told me it would just be a second till he got the pillow positioned. The pain was excruciating, and I felt like I had badly undone 18 days of recuperation.

EDIT-- UPDATE: the problem was actually the muscles off my hip to lower back. I tend to lead with my left foot, turned slightly in, and that stretches the muscle more than normal. I went to a neurologist, and he said that the disc bulges seen on the MRI were actually better than normal for someone my age. In PT now, but exercise seems to be the best therapy.

serenebean, I got your e mail message about disc herniations. I'm unable to reply as it seems you are no longer on summitpost (at least I can't find you by that name). The email reply address is a no-reply address here on summitpost. It bounced back to my e mail.

I too have a bulging L5, and I have been dealing with this for about 5 years. I went to an Ortho and got an epidural and rested it for 3 weeks. I then got a killer PT who gave me a regimen of back exercises (planks, crunches, etc.), and was told it would get better after "time." 6-8 months later, I couldn't tell much difference. 10-12 months later I had the problem controlled and am still relatively pain free. The doctor said I have to do these exercises every day forever and no problem with the back, and if I quit the problem will come right back and require surgery. I stick with the program and I maintain my active lifestyle, although standing still hurts it more than anything. I do Whitney in a day-no problem with my back. I stand still for 20 minutes at a meeting and I have pain (which exercises then alleviates). Also, I have not thrown my back out since.

Just found this thread tonight; I can relate to your pain! Different part of my spine (C4 - C5) which virtually out of nowhere herniated Christmas Day 2011. I have hiked on a broken ankle down a mountain and I have had excruciating migraines but this herniation was unbearable. I couldn't sit up, sit down, stand or sleep without massive painkillers. Eventually, doctors on vacation came back from holiday vacations and I was properly diagnosed and started PT. PT didn't cure but helped me postpone surgery until I was sure that I had to have it.

Long story short, I opted for a spinal disk replacement in May 2012 and it has helped my neck and back forever. Most people go for the traditional disk fusion but my surgeon is one of a small number who does the disk replacement which has been common in Europe for years.

Look into this surgery if necessary; no bone grafting, quick in/out hospital time and far fewer risks.

Hope you get some permanent relief!
Kathy

Thank you, Ulu and silversummit for posting your stories. I'm glad you are both doing well.

I realize that latest posts on this forum are from 2012 and earliest from 2006.

After reading some of the posts and replies, I want to tell everyone who contributed to this thread: There is a very important book by Stuart McGill called Back Mechanic .

Based on what I've seen written here, many of you will have multiple 'eye openers' from this book. I suffered from Back Pain in 2017 all summer. I studied everything I could find. After reading McGill's book it became clear that a lot of what I read and a lot of what the 6 different clinicians I visited told me or did or prescribed was not necessary. The therapies were not addressing the problem and one doctor was loading my spine under flexion as part of his 'diagnostic tests'. I kept wondering why I was in more pain when I left his office!

Now I know why. McGill's book is a game changer for me and I'm pretty sure it will help a lot of people who contributed to this thread. I hope it helps you all.

There is a lot of confusing and even incorrect information out there about these lumbar spine problems. I was surprised when I realized the lack of knowledge on the part of so many clinicians. I hope this post will help others.

I don't have much to say other than reading this has made me want to do more stretching, more yoga, etc. Herniated disks sound brutal! Lift with your legs everyone!