2 herniated disks severe leg pain/weakness/numbness getting worse

[heather_holly1]

I was diagnosised with having a ruptured disk (last lumbar disk don't remember the number) last year after severe onset of left hip pain. After seeing many Dr.'s was determined that I had a tear and fluid was leaking. About 2 months later I ruptured the disk located 2 vertebre up. I have had a long history of DDD with problems in the past but nothing like this before. Went through many different types of tx including pain med., PT and, the epidural ejection. The ejection seemed to work for quite a few months I was still having pain some days better than others but at least I could move again but just in the past 4-5 days I have had a tremendous increase of pain in the lower back and left leg has become very weak and numb (with a shooting pain that runs down my whole leg) I have fallen once and almost fallen another half a dozen times. The pain is so intense that even laying down is excruciating and I have been waking up in the middle of the night sobbing and any movement is very difficult. Also am having trouble with bladder but not bowels. I know my Dr. would want me to come in but I just can't afford it. Is there anything else I could do? I'm only 31 what is it going to be like when I get older.  

[pofdog]

..Sorry to hear all that. I know EXACTLY how it feels. I've been going through it since my first surgery in 94. The disks you talk about are L5S1 and L4l5. It seems you are trying to escape the inevitable.  You can't win with DDD at your age. My problems started at 24 and I am 37 now.
  I know the $ situation also. Here in this state (michigan)...you sometimes have to see a doctor to get state insurance, and have to have insurance to see a doctor. Catch 22. I went through it in 2001. One time with a leak in my heart aortic valve also. Said it wasn't an emergancy anymore (after 6 days in ICU) and to see a cardiologiast ASAP. I said how with no insurance? Catch 22. Can't see a doc with no insurance to say you need insurance and disability. Same thing with my back.
  I got another herniated disk pressing on nerves in 2001. I had good insurance from work, but was on works disability insurance. Than they pulled an insurance shuffle where I was dealing with 3 insurance companys that all said the other was supposed to pay.  My surgeon went from saying I needed surgery to there was nothing more he could do for me cause his bill wasn't getting paid. The state said I could work "sedentry" work..so I could work. I have spent the last 6 years going from job to job because of my back. I am lucky if I can last 6 weeks. Sometimes only 5-6 days. My state last year started a new insurance program and I was lucky to get it before they decided to stop it. So trying to work again...got hurt AGAIN. Had surgery, got another herniated disk 2 weeks post-op doing nothing...and then hurt again 2 days after my last MRI just riding in a car.
  I guess I wrote all that as a look at you could be worse, and more importantly, you need to get help ASAP because with the DDD (as the stem of my injurys and constant pain), it sounds inevitable. Yes, some people go through life with it severe. Constant pain. But if its as severe as mine on those same 2 disks, you might get by if you are very careful and DO NOTHING the rest of your life.  My last 2 injurys since surgery Feb. 20 2007, came about from the first one doing nothing but walking, and next one just riding in a car that slowed down and turned. All because of DDD. The only way to stop future injurys for me is to give up and have a 2 level fusion. But after my last injury 2 days after the MRI that feels like the next 2 disks up herniated, it might be more. Again, because it all stems from DDD.
  If your worried about you can't afford it, as I was...it came down that 2x I lost allmost everything I had because of it. They don't make programs to help us get medical help unless we are well off enough to afford it ourselves, or totaly in poverty. For those making just enough to live and pay bills....injurys and DDD as we have can be disasterous!
    Good luck. I would definately make sure you exersize even a little to try and keep your abdomen, legs, and back strong. When they get weak they only add to the problem. But I know its too much pain alot of times...but if your doc. gives you something for pain...take advantage of the few hours you can to keep those muscles strong. Make sure you check with your local state office and see what programs you might qualify for. I have talked to a few people from here and other sites going through the same things that never thought they would qualify for any help at all...and did. Good luck and keep us posted.

[heather_holly1]

Thanks so much for your input. I was tyring to get a job again (to pay for the medical bills) before this happened again but don't think I can used to have a desk job but it got to hard with all the pain I was having. My husband makes very good money but even with that and his med. insurance the medical bills have racked up and I can't qualify for state insurance I live in alaska but and orig. from michigan. I'm just worried that I might have herniated another disk and or I have a very serious problem going on right now and that I might need some emergency assistance ASAP. I don't have the money to go through another procedure (still paying on the 1000.00 I have left after my insurance) but don't want to wait and end up not being able to walk at all. I have been trying to keep up with the excersise the PT showed me but it is hard and have even rec. lost 30+ pounds but even that does not seem to help. Last night I had the most awful pain in left leg along with extreme pins and needles feeling in the entire leg and also groin area this has never happened before. Right now I am not in as much pain but it is still there and my leg/groin area is almost totally numb. As far as pain meds. I have liver dis. so I am very limited at what I can take. Anyways hope things get better for you. Thanks.

[heather_holly1]

Do you think this is somthing that needs to addressed ASAP or that I could work through it?

[midnitemoon]

Any involvement with bladder or bowels is an emergency that requires emergency surgery.  Also, unable to stand on your left leg, hence the falling, is also an emergency.  You are risking permanent damage to control of your bodily functions as well as to the feeling and function of your leg.  All you have to do is google your symptoms on the internet and they will tell you to run strait to the ER.

[NEEDHELPPLEASE07]

hi, i am having blood in stool but unable to produce a bowel and the pain in my lower back and leg is unbelievable, it is impossible to stand for more than 15 minutes, after that i feel like my legs are numb and pain from my lower back to my calves. i have seen a chirop.- no help there and the doctor i saw gave me a shot of chordizone(spelling), but did not ask any other questions other than the back pain questions. any help would be appreciated.
thank you

[chadry]

I have a problem with muL4-5 disc and i get problems with my right leg and not being able to put weight on it. I get tingling too. But I have the problem with the tingling in the groin area. I can not stand when this happens. It can last for days. As far as the severe pain I just got over an episode with my left arm. I have several herniated discs in my neck. The pain was so bad I could not move. Any movement caused unbearable shooting pain in my whole arm That has finally eased up but I have alot of muscle weakness in that arm that has gotten worse after that episode. Dr. said first tendinotis but another doctor said nerve pain. I had an xray of my shoulder and it was fine. I am agreeing with the nerve pain because it feels like the pain I get in my leg and hip but only it was in my arm. I know how bad that can feel.I hope you have gone to see someone about your bladder. That is very important.
Chadry

[lizzydrippin]

i had a fall in feb and have been paraplegic since my mri shows erosion of the lumbar spine my spinal cord has a thinning in the lower region and i have bulging discs on l5 and a slipped disc pinching my nerve between s1 and 2 i`m getting really worried it will be permanant they told me it would take a year to walk again as i have severe muscle spasms which they think are affecting my nerves i had an epidural 13yrs ago which went terribly wrong and have had chronic pain ever since i`m now 35 have you any self help tecniques i can try i feel very alone and very disheartened as i still have no movement but i have some reflexes in my knees

[jr_dmp]

Dear all, it is such a trial and test after back surgery.  I am in my third week now -- post-op from a microdiscectomy (I had it on two levels l4/l5 on my left side and l5/s1 on the right) and I have been walking, if you can call it that, with a cane.  I can't go more than twenty, thirty steps hunched over without stopping.  The pain is unbearable sometimes in my right buttock that radiates down to my lower calf.  It is like a nerve is exposed or something and all the muscles are weak.  My left side is just fine now -- no more sciatica that I went under the knife to cure in the first place -- but I am scared about the right.  I too sob and feel depressed.   I am on muscles relaxers (skelaxin) and hydrocodone and ibuprofen now (I'm off Mobic).  I am just hoping time will heal all wounds.  I think it will happen to everyone on this site.  Just be patient and be mindful that we are healing.  Best of luck to all.

[layingbybeach]

what happens if you take something to control your bowel movment for 9 hrs like imodium (immodium) and then put off the surgey because you still want your job....what i am saying what kind of damage can you do to your back??i also have that tingling but i lay on ice and then heat when it starts to hurt...can you help...i take the naproxen and pain pills on weekend...