Herniated discs

[Irongrip400]

Any of you ever deal with this?  I have two and my back has literally shifted to the side.  Been in PT for a week trying to shift it back but after the last session I think it has gotten worse.  Pain like I have never felt.  Rolling out of bed on my side and all of a sudden excruciating pain.  Once I stand up, its killer.  I hope I don't have to have surgery, but it is unbearable.  Figured some of you would have dealt with it in the past or possibly now.  I am also trying to manage it without the pain killers which makes it even worse.

[kcb5150]

I have had that a few times in my life where I had to think about every movement and then almost slither out of the bed in slow motion and tip toe walk. It sucks and is exhausting. Back surgery should be the nuclear option. They are real fuck ups about fixing spines. Nobody I know who has had a surgery major or minor truly got relief while the people I know myself included who live with a bad disk or three and just deal with it going out a coiple of times a year are mostly ok. I think discs sort of sort themselves out to a degree unless they are really destroyed.

[kcb5150]

Should add I almost think pain is a good sign... If your extremities were numb or hot and stabby I would be more concerned. My uncle has calcifications on his spine and big numb spots on his legs.

[galain]

Yep - for the pst 5 years or so. I work on it, it gets either a little or a lot better, then I'll do something minor and throw myself out again. Pisses me off. I don't squat anymore, and my latest therapist has been telling me to forget ab training altogether as well (I'd been seeing some really good results from straight legged hanging leg raises - toes slowly up to the ceiling and back again) but they were messing my lower back up...

I try and balance my training with as much core work and lower back work as I can, I stretch every day, but I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. Just had 20 hours of plane travel and I can't even stand up at the moment without making a noise.

[usmcdevildoc]

Any of you ever deal with this?  I have two and my back has literally shifted to the side.  Been in PT for a week trying to shift it back but after the last session I think it has gotten worse.  Pain like I have never felt.  Rolling out of bed on my side and all of a sudden excruciating pain.  Once I stand up, its killer.  I hope I don't have to have surgery, but it is unbearable.  Figured some of you would have dealt with it in the past or possibly now.  I am also trying to manage it without the pain killers which makes it even worse.
[/quote)


Stay away from dangerous doctors.

[johnny1]

Any of you ever deal with this?  I have two and my back has literally shifted to the side.  Been in PT for a week trying to shift it back but after the last session I think it has gotten worse.  Pain like I have never felt.  Rolling out of bed on my side and all of a sudden excruciating pain.  Once I stand up, its killer.  I hope I don't have to have surgery, but it is unbearable.  Figured some of you would have dealt with it in the past or possibly now.  I am also trying to manage it without the pain killers which makes it even worse.

10 years ago herniated S1...L5 as you’re said it’s the worse pain you will ever deal with, there are high risks with surgery and remember there no certainty it will help in fact many have become WORSE I took the neurosurgeons advice witch was

I choose not too have surgery and took myself off the pain killers after 1 week because they are highly addictive and they block you up...the worst constipation and sleeping was 1-2 hours a night  couldn’t walk more than 5-10 metres without have too lie down on the floor could stand for approx 15-20 seconds then down on the floor too release the pain...that went on for approx 4 months straight.

Like anything...time passes you take everything step bye step...forget any type of training...your flat out trying too stand let alone train...it’s slow process but after approx 6-7 months I returned too work and started training again gradually after about 8 months.

Your back will NEVER heal again once a herniated disc has ruptured especially if it’s your LOWER BACK near the tailbone what you have too do in time is consistent maintenance...stretching your back out day after day year after year...for the rest of your life, if you have herniated your disc...you will have PERMANENT numbness in ether of your feet that numbness signals permanent nerve damage that’s directly associated with your spinal cord.

The good news is if you revaluate your way of thinking...stop the stupid crazy heavy weight with crap form...you will train again and with care and maintenance of your spine pretty much do most of what you could do before but things like squats-deadlifts-bentover rows heavy barbell dumbbell curls etc are a thing of the past.

Good luck.

[Marty Champions]

i thought u were on roids , now is there a problem?

[Ropo]

Any of you ever deal with this?  I have two and my back has literally shifted to the side.  Been in PT for a week trying to shift it back but after the last session I think it has gotten worse.  Pain like I have never felt.  Rolling out of bed on my side and all of a sudden excruciating pain.  Once I stand up, its killer.  I hope I don't have to have surgery, but it is unbearable.  Figured some of you would have dealt with it in the past or possibly now.  I am also trying to manage it without the pain killers which makes it even worse.

I got one long time a go. Didin't realize it untill few weeks later, when pain didn't go away and wife told that I have strange angle at the middle of my spine. Show it to my doctor, his response was "Oh sweet Jesus, I can't do anything to that, how you are still walking,  oh my god.."..And while there were famous chiropractic in that same building, he take me there. This guy look my problem like "Yet another herniated disk at this morning" and kind of push it back and that's it. No pain at all after that, just 20 years of heavy lifting..

[Ted SuperSet]

10 years ago herniated S1...L5 as you’re said it’s the worse pain you will ever deal with, there are high risks with surgery and remember there no certainty it will help in fact many have become WORSE I took the neurosurgeons advice witch was

I choose not too have surgery and took myself off the pain killers after 1 week because they are highly addictive and they block you up...the worst constipation and sleeping was 1-2 hours a night  couldn’t walk more than 5-10 metres without have too lie down on the floor could stand for approx 15-20 seconds then down on the floor too release the pain...that went on for approx 4 months straight.

Like anything...time passes you take everything step bye step...forget any type of training...your flat out trying too stand let alone train...it’s slow process but after approx 6-7 months I returned too work and started training again gradually after about 8 months.

Your back will NEVER heal again once a herniated disc has ruptured especially if it’s your LOWER BACK near the tailbone what you have too do in time is consistent maintenance...stretching your back out day after day year after year...for the rest of your life, if you have herniated your disc...you will have PERMANENT numbness in ether of your feet that numbness signals permanent nerve damage that’s directly associated with your spinal cord.

The good news is if you revaluate your way of thinking...stop the stupid crazy heavy weight with crap form...you will train again and with care and maintenance of your spine pretty much do most of what you could do before but things like squats-deadlifts-bentover rows heavy barbell dumbbell curls etc are a thing of the past.

Good luck.

Sounds horrid bro.4
What you think about Colemans carelessness?

[IRON CROSS]

I got one long time a go. Didin't realize it untill few weeks later, when pain didn't go away and wife told that I have strange angle at the middle of my spine. Show it to my doctor, his response was "Oh sweet Jesus, I can't do anything to that, how you are still walking,  oh my god.."..And while there were famous chiropractic in that same building, he take me there. This guy look my problem like "Yet another herniated disk at this morning" and kind of push it back and that's it. No pain at all after that, just 20 years of heavy lifting..

Hey Mentula do U still plan to be Mr. O finalist 

[johnny1]

Sounds horrid bro.4
What you think about Colemans carelessness?

it is but Like anything time passes...you just got too get on with it because if you let it it will mentally F.ck you it’s a process you try too fight it or push it it will slam you down harder the pain is something you would of never encountered before for most.

Coleman? I don’t know exactly how many discs he’s herniated but from what I’ve heard on here with all the screws, nuts etc he’s obviously had some type of actual spine fusion, how he’s not permanently not currently in a wheelchair on a full time basis is ether incredible luck...or it’s in the works.

And if all these crazy videos of him swinging and jerking those weights with his back with all those nuts and bolts holding his spine together is anything too go bye, well it’s almost a certainty that will be the result sooner or later.

[SF1900]

Dude, you sound beta talking like this.

[Hypo]

10 years ago herniated S1...L5 as you’re said it’s the worse pain you will ever deal with, there are high risks with surgery and remember there no certainty it will help in fact many have become WORSE I took the neurosurgeons advice witch was

I choose not too have surgery and took myself off the pain killers after 1 week because they are highly addictive and they block you up...the worst constipation and sleeping was 1-2 hours a night  couldn’t walk more than 5-10 metres without have too lie down on the floor could stand for approx 15-20 seconds then down on the floor too release the pain...that went on for approx 4 months straight.

Like anything...time passes you take everything step bye step...forget any type of training...your flat out trying too stand let alone train...it’s slow process but after approx 6-7 months I returned too work and started training again gradually after about 8 months.

Your back will NEVER heal again once a herniated disc has ruptured especially if it’s your LOWER BACK near the tailbone what you have too do in time is consistent maintenance...stretching your back out day after day year after year...for the rest of your life, if you have herniated your disc...you will have PERMANENT numbness in ether of your feet that numbness signals permanent nerve damage that’s directly associated with your spinal cord.

The good news is if you revaluate your way of thinking...stop the stupid crazy heavy weight with crap form...you will train again and with care and maintenance of your spine pretty much do most of what you could do before but things like squats-deadlifts-bentover rows heavy barbell dumbbell curls etc are a thing of the past.

Good luck.

Agree with a lot of this. Slipped discs. Was lucky to see a back guru who was also a medical physician of a major football club. He said the most painful things in life are: (1) pregnancy and (2) nerve pain.

Mine collapsed playing soccer. Some guy bumped me and it went. Managed to drive myself home and have a shower before going to a medical clinic, LOL. I was on valium (stop spasms), anti-inflams (reduce swelling), penadeine forte when it happened. Valium gave me a terrible hangover. Had bad sciatica leading up to it, which I believe was a precursor to it all. Tip of my right big toe is permanently numb.

If I was you, get off meds ASAP if you can. Do not have surgery. You will need to work on your core, stretch your back and do this for the rest of your life, but you should be able to get back to lifting, just don't do shit like heavy deads. Make sure you have good chairs to sit on, like at work, otherwise you are going to feel disconfort easily.

I am considering getting an inversion table. Heard they were great. Also wish the gym had a reverse hyper machine.

[Powerlift66]

Yes, I have 2, for 30 years now. They herniate each time I squat or dead heavy, so at least once a month where I limp around like Quasi J. MoDo.
Last MRI was right when it happened, could see the jelly dripping from it. Takes a few weeks, heals/closes, then happen again. Will need some surgery one day, when I feel like getting it.
Fun stuff one inherits from familia...

[Irongrip400]

A little background on the situation. I had a stem cell injection in two of my bulging discs five weeks ago which were supposed to “rebuild” the discs. The second disc he overfilled. It literally felt like a tire was inflated in my back and I could barely get off the table. A few days later I developed a fever and then massive muscle spasms like nothing I’ve ever felt. The doctor told my wife to take me to the ER. Turns out I had a spinal infection and then contracted pneumonia some how. Spent four days medically sedated and 12 total in the hospital. They said I’ve got massive inflammation which is causing some of the issue. Whatever protein test they do to measure inflammation was at 25 and you’re supposed to be at .05. The doctor told me it could be six weeks before that goes down, but he has no idea how long it will take for the body to absorb the extra material and I may have to do some sort of microdiscectomy. I had an MRI a few days before the procedure, two while in the hospital and one yesterday so we’ll see where I’m at next week. I assume him overfilling the disc, and my excorcist like contortions when having the spasms are what caused the disc shift. Currently on Robaxin, Gabapentin and Nabumatone. Ditched the narcotics the week out of the hospital, but sometimes I wish I didn’t, like the first 30-45 minutes of every morning. The PT said we have to try and pull me back in a straight alignment. Went three days last week and actually feel like I am worse after the last session.

SF1900. I lost almost 20 pounds while in the hospital, total twink status but would gladly work a shift at the check out line of Trader Joe’s if you can get me on board and would be accepting of a twink.

[_bruce_]

Go to a person who knows what they're doing - maybe there are able bodied practitioners in your area.

I used to be practically immoblized for some time but with the help of a sort of reverse hyper I could undo many  of the symptons and even regain sensitivity and function.

On good days I feel as good as new.

First you have to take into account that you'll be chronically tight in certain areas and this is not stretchable. If you feel a certain tightness do not strain or lift heavy.

If you do not have a reverse hyper then you can do head-reverse hypers(nore neck, mid back) which have you lie on a a bed and use your head as a moving weight.

-place yourself on the bed(wife has to leave... no shmoe time allowed)
-position yourself so that your head, neck and parts of your upper torso are in the air and the rest of your body on the bed - use anchorage if needed
-roll your chin in along your head and a portion of your upper body... kinda like a millipede
-uncoil yourself via extension(only mildly - no forced contraction)
-do this until you get the feel for it... it's like a circular, hydraulic pump motion which feels unique in your back(from the top to your sacro-iliac joint)

For the lower part of the back use a reverse-hyper machine or a table.
You have to do something every day, every few hours or the thing will get worse. After 1 or 2 months the time stretch you feel good will increase.

"Active recovery" seems to be a fruitful option here.

[OneMoreRep]

Just some random advice here.

Exhaust all nonsurgical options first.. Rest, Over-The-Counter anti-inflammatory meds, ice compression, better body mechanics, less heavy lifting, better bed and physical therapy.

If these fall short, consider an epidural steroid injection.

If all fails and you have yet to experience resorption of the disc, still think long and hard before you decide for spinal surgery. In theory, you get one level of your spine worked on and it strengthens that one spot, but over time, you will have degeneration of discs above and below that spot, which will then lead to other issues which might get you back in that surgical room. It's a revolving door when you start spine surgeries.

"1"

[chrisbro]

Just some random advice here.

Exhaust all nonsurgical options first.. Rest, Over-The-Counter anti-inflammatory meds, ice compression, better body mechanics, less heavy lifting, better bed and physical therapy.

If these fall short, consider an epidural steroid injection.

If all fails and you have yet to experience resorption of the disc, still think long and hard before you decide for spinal surgery. In theory, you get one level of your spine worked on and it strengthens that one spot, but over time, you will have degeneration of discs above and below that spot, which will then lead to other issues which might get you back in that surgical room. It's a revolving door when you start spine surgeries.

"1"

Good advice. surgery is a last Option.

[OneMoreRep]

Good advice. surgery is a last Option.

Surgery should always be a last option when it comes to spinal issues involving herniated or bulging discs.

I know people that have close to half of their spine fused due to numerous surgeries over the years. It's a very sad thing to witness (see: Ronnie Coleman).

"1"

[chrisbro]

Injections do help & it will be a series of injections. The Disc will go back. you will never be 100% again but will recover enough. you have to be Patient.

[chrisbro]

Surgery should always be a last option when it comes to spinal issues involving herniated or bulging discs.

I know people that have close to half of their spine fused due to numerous surgeries over the years. It's a very sad thing to witness (see: Ronnie Coleman).

"1"

I was told by 2 surgeons i should be operated on. I said no, injections & physio. After a year a new Computer scan & was refered to a well known surgeon who said no Need now. He said Train hard now.

[SF1900]

A little background on the situation. I had a stem cell injection in two of my bulging discs five weeks ago which were supposed to “rebuild” the discs. The second disc he overfilled. It literally felt like a tire was inflated in my back and I could barely get off the table. A few days later I developed a fever and then massive muscle spasms like nothing I’ve ever felt. The doctor told my wife to take me to the ER. Turns out I had a spinal infection and then contracted pneumonia some how. Spent four days medically sedated and 12 total in the hospital. They said I’ve got massive inflammation which is causing some of the issue. Whatever protein test they do to measure inflammation was at 25 and you’re supposed to be at .05. The doctor told me it could be six weeks before that goes down, but he has no idea how long it will take for the body to absorb the extra material and I may have to do some sort of microdiscectomy. I had an MRI a few days before the procedure, two while in the hospital and one yesterday so we’ll see where I’m at next week. I assume him overfilling the disc, and my excorcist like contortions when having the spasms are what caused the disc shift. Currently on Robaxin, Gabapentin and Nabumatone. Ditched the narcotics the week out of the hospital, but sometimes I wish I didn’t, like the first 30-45 minutes of every morning. The PT said we have to try and pull me back in a straight alignment. Went three days last week and actually feel like I am worse after the last session.

SF1900. I lost almost 20 pounds while in the hospital, total twink status but would gladly work a shift at the check out line of Trader Joe’s if you can get me on board and would be accepting of a twink.

I never worked for Trader Joes.

I work for Auto Zone.

[Irongrip400]

Just some random advice here.

Exhaust all nonsurgical options first.. Rest, Over-The-Counter anti-inflammatory meds, ice compression, better body mechanics, less heavy lifting, better bed and physical therapy.

If these fall short, consider an epidural steroid injection.

If all fails and you have yet to experience resorption of the disc, still think long and hard before you decide for spinal surgery. In theory, you get one level of your spine worked on and it strengthens that one spot, but over time, you will have degeneration of discs above and below that spot, which will then lead to other issues which might get you back in that surgical room. It's a revolving door when you start spine surgeries.

"1"

Pretty much what the plan is as far as surgery is concerned. I’ve had the epidural before with some relief and since then have not lifted heavy, just maintained. I was scheduled to have another epidural/cortisone injection and then was offered a chance at the study. They’re two years into it and have had good results, mine being the anomaly. They “unblinded” me so I know I got the actual stem cell/graft treatment which I hope works once I get the disc back in place. I went back on my anti inflammatory medicine last week which I hope helps get it under control, otherwise the doctor said we may have to do the epidural just to control the inflammation so they can get the disc back in place. It’s brutal shit that’s for sure. Thanks for the heads up and advice from all with experience and knowledge on the subject.

[gmflex]

As discussed already above.. I can't squat anymore or do any type of ab workout..
I have 2 herniated discs and spondalitis..
My doc recommended either surgery or lose as much weight as possible which includes muscle mass.. Being trimming down for the last year.. Has made a bit of a difference but any sudden moment or waking up in the morning is automatic pain for me. I also can't sit down for prolonged periods of time..  

[funk51]

i had them several times L-3 L-4 what have you... i started doing rehab type exercise and been relatively pain free for years...stopped doing squats and deads subbed other safer exercises..