To Get Cut or Not To Get Cut?

[BLatta12]

Don’t do it.

 

[AmericanViking]

Get a second opinion. I had a pretty badly herniated C4-C5 disc about 5 or 6 years ago. Had a very well respected ortho guy who specialized in backs check me out. He wanted to go in and "clean it up". Sounded good to me. He had fixed up my aunt and grandmother years earlier, and like I said, is very well respected.

Well my brother in law is an orthopedic surgeon, specializes in hands. He said if it was him, with the problem being in my neck, he wouldn't go to an orthopedist but to a neurosurgeon. He got me into a great neurosurgeon who put in an artificial disc. I had not even heard about that. At 42 years old, can't say I'm good as new, but pretty damn close. The procedure was outpatient, with instant relief and almost zero scarring.

Pre-surgery

Did they go in through your throat? I’ve read that’s what they do

 

[AmericanViking]

Hit a concrete culvert doing 60mph not wearing a seat belt, woke up in the MRI hearing the nurses celebrating midnight new years eve 2004/05.

Also before you ask I was omw to the see sloot I was dating at 4pm after work. So no alcohol was involved just an exhausted me fell asleep after working 60 hour weeks for 3 months after Hurricane Ivan. Spent 4 moths in one of these

Man, she looks really good considering the circumstances

 

[GarnetPild]

Did they go in through your throat? I’ve read that’s what they do

Yes sir. About a 2 inch incision running right along the bottom edge of my beard line. No stitches, just tape that fell off in a few days. Nearly zero scarring, you have to point it out to see it.

 

[laterallyshaking]

Just curious, is this a constant thing? Or can you get relief, depending on your position? The worst part of my pain was that it just never let up. Not even during sleep. Month after month of serious pain with no relief just wears you the fuck down...hope you are not that bad off.

No, thankfully I’m able to get relief when I lie flat. Typically the floor is best. Now, that’s an awkward way to get relief while in public, but I’ve realized that when I have seemingly unending pain, especially of a severe level, I’m more than willing to plop down in the floor at the most awkward of locations.

 

[GarnetPild]

No, thankfully I’m able to get relief when I lie flat. Typically the floor is best. Now, that’s an awkward way to get relief while in public, but I’ve realized that when I have seemingly unending pain, especially of a severe level, I’m more than willing to plop down in the floor at the most awkward of locations.

Good luck! Maybe some epidural injections and PT can get you fixed up. My biggest issue was straightening my neck, and especially straightening & turning my head was the worst. I usually end up on my stomach while I sleep, so I couldn't get more than a few hours of sleep before waking up almost in tears from the pain in my neck, shoulder and arm. Get something done about yours before it gets worse!

 

[AmericanViking]

Yes sir. About a 2 inch incision running right along the bottom edge of my beard line. No stitches, just tape that fell off in a few days. Nearly zero scarring, you have to point it out to see it.

Yikes!!! I can’t do that. I’ve got a lot of neck issues from an injury but through the front. Can’t do it

 

[GarnetPild]

Yikes!!! I can’t do that. I’ve got a lot of neck issues from an injury but through the front. Can’t do it

Why do you say that?

 

[AmericanViking]

Why do you say that?

It creeps me out. A lot.

 

[GarnetPild]

It creeps me out. A lot.

Fair enough. It was painless and instantly resolved my back pain though.

 

[laterallyshaking]

Good luck! Maybe some epidural injections and PT can get you fixed up. My biggest issue was straightening my neck, and especially straightening & turning my head was the worst. I usually end up on my stomach while I sleep, so I couldn't get more than a few hours of sleep before waking up almost in tears from the pain in my neck, shoulder and arm. Get something done about yours before it gets worse!

Dang that sounds awful. I definitely will.

 

[RHT 3]

Nerve involvement may be a medical term I'm unfamiliar with. If not, I may need some clarification. When the disc presses on the nerves, it causes what feels like a cramp in my right buttcheek and my thigh. Feels like the muscles tighten up and won't let go. Not so bad these days, but for those first two weeks it was pretty unbearable. At some point the calf joined the party, but stopped hurting soon after. Now my heel is what I notice more than anything. Hurts to put pressure on it. This has been an odd one.

The surgeon treated it like it would be the simplest thing. "Go in and cut the herniation out" and "you'll walk out of there." He didn't mention the exact location of the herniation. It's lower back... That's all I really know. I need to ask for copies of my MRI so I'll have that info.

This happened to me before it blew TF out for real. Feels like muscle pull or something.

How bad is the herniation ? That's the key. There is a difference between a disk that is loose but intact versus a disk with a huge bubble about to pop ( think of a tire with the bubble on the sidewall.)

Mine was about to pop and it did. I wished for death. Not joking.

And get a second opinion man. There is no such thing as minor surgery bro.

Edit- get the copies of the MRI report and read it. It will tell you how bad it is. The pictures can only be viewed on a special program, but the typed report by the guy who reads the MRI is easy to read, even if you gotta look up meanings.

Send me a copy of the GD thing I'll interpret it for you lol. I've only had about 15-20 MRI's in my life from the head down. I'm a GD expert at this point.

 

[laterallyshaking]

This happened to me before it blew TF out for real. Feels like muscle pull or something.

How bad is the herniation ? That's the key. There is a difference between a disk that is loose but intact versus a disk with a huge bubble about to pop ( think of a tire with the bubble on the sidewall.)

Mine was about to pop and it did. I wished for death. Not joking.

And get a second opinion man. There is no such thing as minor surgery bro.

Edit- get the copies of the MRI report and read it. It will tell you how bad it is. The pictures can only be viewed on a special program, but the typed report by the guy who reads the MRI is easy to read, even if you gotta look up meanings.

Send me a copy of the GD thing I'll interpret it for you lol. I've only had about 15-20 MRI's in my life from the head down. I'm a GD expert at this point.

Ahhh. See, I got the copies of the MRI images on a disc, but as you said, I can't read it. I didn't even think to ask for the writeup. (This was my first MRI)

I'll have to contact the imaging folks and ask for the writeup. If I can't translate it myself, I'll definitely PM it to you. Thanks for the offer!

Thankfully, PT seems to be working like a charm.

 

[Cre8ive]

I have a herniated disc. In medical terms, the doctor described it as "bad". He wants to cut me open and remove the herniation, but he is leaving it up to me. During the first two weeks of this injury, the pain was a 9 or 10 at its worst. It hurt to stand up, to walk, and to sit down. Lying flat on my back was the only thing that would relieve the pain. These days, the pain is about a 2 or 3 at its worst and is much more manageable. Lying flat is still the only comfortable position, but I am able to deal with it.

I told the doctor I would like to go for physical therapy and let this thing heal on its own, so long as the pain stays manageable. He said that could take months. If the pain stays this low, though, I think I'm okay with letting it go the natural way. I have heard of too many back surgeries that present issues later in life that I'd really rather avoid it if possible, especially with it being in my lower back. He has offered for me to call him back and schedule a surgery at any time if the pain gets worse.

Has anybody here had surgery on a herniated disc? How did it go? The doctor describes the procedure as an out-patient surgery. I asked him how long I would be down and he said I would walk out afterwards. If you have had a similar surgery, how correct is that? Has anybody had any lasting side-effects or issues with a surgery like this?

My older brother is in the same boat. Visited 3 surgeons and got 3 different opinions on the best course of action. Be careful and take our time. So many doctors jump at the chance to perform surgery because they get a big fat fucking check out of it.

The best advice my brother got was from a family friend who was a ER room nurse...she knew all the doctor's reputations. You'll never get the whole story simply by talking to a surgeon - get opinions from those that have worked with them for years. They know the truth.

 

[Cre8ive]

Just curious, is this a constant thing? Or can you get relief, depending on your position? The worst part of my pain was that it just never let up. Not even during sleep. Month after month of serious pain with no relief just wears you the fuck down...hope you are not that bad off.

I have two herniated disc and I relieved the pain and can manage the pain by doing certain yoga asanas. You might want to check that out. The human body is an amazing machine if given the chance to heal itself.

 

[laterallyshaking]

I have two herniated disc and I relieved the pain and can manage the pain by doing certain yoga asanas. You might want to check that out. The human body is an amazing machine if given the chance to heal itself.

I'm definitely intrigued! Any in particular that helped you out? I can look them up and study into how to perform them.

 

[Cre8ive]

I'm definitely intrigued! Any in particular that helped you out? I can look them up and study into how to perform them.

You must, must, enroll in a yoga class with a certified yogi. You will feel the difference in your back after one class. Learn the asanas properly and you will benefit for life.

 

[laterallyshaking]

You must, must, enroll in a yoga class with a certified yogi. You will feel the difference in your back after one class. Learn the asanas properly and you will benefit for life.

Sweet. Thank you!

 

[Rusty Student]

Don't do it. I ruptured discs in my back (l4/l5) and physical therapy healed it completely. It took months but was totally worth it. Stick to your program and you will get better.

Save surgery as a very last resort

 

[AgEngDawg]

You must, must, enroll in a yoga class with a certified yogi. You will feel the difference in your back after one class. Learn the asanas properly and you will benefit for life.

Yoga is hard as fuck bro. I couldn't even do the P90X version.

 

[Nayat]

I thought I had kidney stones recently but am X-ray and ct scan didn’t show anything. Would they have seen something like a messed up back on those?

 

[laterallyshaking]

Don't do it. I ruptured discs in my back (l4/l5) and physical therapy healed it completely. It took months but was totally worth it. Stick to your program and you will get better.

Save surgery as a very last resort

I have had just over a week of PT and it’s like healing magic. I haven’t been above a 2 on the pain scale in a week.

 

[AgEngDawg]

I have had just over a week of PT and it’s like healing magic. I haven’t been above a 2 on the pain scale in a week.

MAGA!!

 

[Cre8ive]

Good luck! Maybe some epidural injections and PT can get you fixed up. My biggest issue was straightening my neck, and especially straightening & turning my head was the worst. I usually end up on my stomach while I sleep, so I couldn't get more than a few hours of sleep before waking up almost in tears from the pain in my neck, shoulder and arm. Get something done about yours before it gets worse!

Good advice @Garnetpid. Speaking of pain problems, could you send me a photo of you smiling? Just curious. You always look pissed off and in pain?

 

[GarnetPild]

Good advice @Garnetpid. Speaking of pain problems, could you send me a photo of you smiling? Just curious. You always look pissed off and in pain?

You talking about the OP? @laterallyshaking? 'Cause don't think I have posted any pics of myself on here.

 

[GarnetPild]

I thought I had kidney stones recently but am X-ray and ct scan didn’t show anything. Would they have seen something like a messed up back on those?

Not likely, if it isn't a skeletal problem. Anything disc related is probably going to need an MRI...One of the reasons I didn't get mine diagnosed sooner was me putting off getting an MRI. Wish I hadn't done that.

 

[laterallyshaking]

You talking about the OP? @laterallyshaking? 'Cause don't think I have posted any pics of myself on here.

Here you go, @Cre8ive.