15th January 2005
Hi tne212, I have the same problems as you. I have a ruptured disc at L5-S1 that is pinching my nerve root and a bulging disc at L4-L5. Sitting for me really s*cks!! It hurts bad if I try to sit in a chair up-right. I either have to sit and lean forward with my elbows on my knees or I have to like sit on the couch with both of my legs folded and up on the couch while my upper body leans on the edge of the couch. Or laying in bed on either side helps but then when I try to turn over it hurts!! I have most of my pain on my left butt cheek and down the back of my left leg. I get tingling in the back of my leg and sometimes my foot. I wish walking helped me!! Walking makes it worse then it makes my back start hurting when I walk.
I am on Propoxyphene (pain meds) but to be honest, I don't think they help me at all. They just make me sleepy but it doesn't take the pain away. So, I don't take them that often ....usually just at bedtime to help me sleep. I haven't tried ice yet on my back. I use my heating pad and it helps as I am using it but as soon as I turn it off i feel the pain again. I might have to try the ice.
I went to see a Neurosurgeon the first week of January and I WISH he would have said that I could try PT first. But he said that was not an option for me :confused: He said that I needed surgery so that the disc rupture does not adhere/attach to my nerve root. I was actually supposed to call back this past Monday to schedule my surgery .... but I still have not called back yet. I am too scared!! I have been hoping that this will go away, although it started about a month and a half ago and I have not had 1 totally pain free day since then. I keep thinking to myself ... if I go a little longer maybe the pain will go away. I just tried Pilates for the first time today since this last bout of back pain. I used to do Pilates 3 times a week then had to stop when this started again with my back. I couldn't do a lot of things but I just did the best I could without over-doing it. I guess I will have to see how I am later in the day after doing that :eek:
I hope that your problems will get better with PT! Definitely let us know after the next 2 weeks of PT how you are doing. I am definitely eager to know since you have the same problems as me :)
I am on Propoxyphene (pain meds) but to be honest, I don't think they help me at all. They just make me sleepy but it doesn't take the pain away. So, I don't take them that often ....usually just at bedtime to help me sleep. I haven't tried ice yet on my back. I use my heating pad and it helps as I am using it but as soon as I turn it off i feel the pain again. I might have to try the ice.
I went to see a Neurosurgeon the first week of January and I WISH he would have said that I could try PT first. But he said that was not an option for me :confused: He said that I needed surgery so that the disc rupture does not adhere/attach to my nerve root. I was actually supposed to call back this past Monday to schedule my surgery .... but I still have not called back yet. I am too scared!! I have been hoping that this will go away, although it started about a month and a half ago and I have not had 1 totally pain free day since then. I keep thinking to myself ... if I go a little longer maybe the pain will go away. I just tried Pilates for the first time today since this last bout of back pain. I used to do Pilates 3 times a week then had to stop when this started again with my back. I couldn't do a lot of things but I just did the best I could without over-doing it. I guess I will have to see how I am later in the day after doing that :eek:
I hope that your problems will get better with PT! Definitely let us know after the next 2 weeks of PT how you are doing. I am definitely eager to know since you have the same problems as me :)