Update on my back....

[Vet4jdc]

Many of you have offered up advice and personal life experiences when I posted about my sciatic nerve issues back in July. I fell victim to a herniated disc at L4 and L5 on June 28. After several different doctors and several different diagnosis and 5 weeks of PT with no good results, I finally was referred to a new doc for pain management. He gave me the first of a series of epidural shots to the spine and for the first time in 2 1/2 months, I can actually walk relatively pain free. I have lost muscle mass in my legs after all this time on the couch and will be easing into a different kind of PT. Hoping for good results now and getting back to a more normal life! :seasix:

[lspencer534]

You're on the right track. Only after you're able to manage the pain can you strengthen what needs strengthening. I hope your good luck continues. :hurray:

[Kerrmudgeon]

:hurray: :thumbs:

[Sea Six]

Staying well hydrated helps me more than anything.

[Barn Babe]

Be careful with the pain clinic thing. I came to the realization that mine was just stringing me along and keeping me on meds. If they actually fixed my problem, my money would go away. It does sound like you've had some success with the injections though. :thumbs:

I found a surgeon and, last month, I had the disks at 4-5 and 5-6 removed and anterior fusion. I'm still recovering, but am feeling so much better.

I hope the injections continue to work for you, but if they don't, surgery is a good alternative.

[island14]

Times are different now, but when my Father had back surgery's starting in the late 70's all they did was hurt him more, and with each surgery after.. they just made it worse.

He lived his whole life in pain, and his later years became addicted to the morphine that they kept giving him to help him make it through the days.

My vote is to avoid surgery at all cost if you can..

Good to hear you are feeling better for now!

:cert: