Stubborn with severe bulging disk

[Missy1975]

I am very stubborn.  I am married with 2 kids, age 8 and 20 months.  On mothers day in May 2008, my back went completly out.  I went and had MRI done and have to buldging disks at L4 & L5 and L5 & S1 with compression on nerve canal.  I was in a car wreck in 1994 and suffered from whip lash, so I suffered migraines every since, well most of my migraines are triggered by stress, which causes major muscle spasms in my neck.  My  migraines were becoming stronger last few months, just figured it was because of my pain in my back, where I was stressed, so my neuro decided to do MRI, I have a buldging disc in my neck along with an annular tear.  My ortho suggested I slow down and quit doing my job. I feel like I am falling apart.  I work as a merchandising manager in a major pet store, and I do alot of lifting and bending.  I have not took any time off work since my pain has started, except for vacation and injections, this is why I class myself as stubborn.  I take meds just to get through work, sometimes 12 to 13 hour shifts.  But it is getting to the point that I am in pain contstant pain, nothing seems to help me, I can't sit no longer than 20 minutes at a time or I am on my feet for hours before I can sit down, and it's to that point that I can't stand longer than 20 minutes before I feel shooting pain in my back.  I am so depressed, because I am not as strong physically as I once was and I can't take the pain any longer.  They won't do surgery because I am too young (33).  Injections are not working, PT didn't work, I did chiropractic for a while it helped with compression on nerves, but after awhile it didn't work, meds only help for a few hours.  Any suggestions on what to do.  I am very tempted to file for disability.  I would draw the same as if I were working, so I can prolong surgery until I gues I am old enoguh and rest as needed.  Let me know some feed back.  I need someone in my situation to give guidance.  Signed Stubborn!!

[fairylady77]

she did state that pt was tried, as well as injections...and neither helped.

"Injections are not working, PT didn't work, I did chiropractic for a while it helped with compression on nerves, but after awhile it didn't work"

just thought that i would let you know lol

[m_mas]

It sadness to hear that you are torturing from back pain problem. I have read your message but I could not see anything mentioned about physical therapy treatment. I would recommend you having an intensive rehibilation course for at least three months. This might improve your medical condition and subside the back pain but it will never eliminate the pain. However, it is worth trying before heading to a surgery considering the risk and the long term implications. I would also recommed you visiting the following site regarding back pain:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_profiles/home

I wish you a speedy recovery.

Kind Regards,
***@****

[fairylady77]

oh yeah...and im now 36...so i was 34 when i first got hurt....

drs usually arent willing to try surgery until ALL methods have been tried and failed....they usually start talking surgery within 6 months of your first visit of finding out that you have ruptured/bulging discs

[fairylady77]

LOL find you another dr. no dr is going to tell you that they wont fix your back because you are "too young".....thats all the more reason why they should WANT to fix your back.....because you are "too young" to have back problems.

my guess on this..they are not going to accept a disability claim from you because all methods have not been done on you....AND for a FACT....it will take approx. 2 years+ to get disability. you have to file....then it will take them 4-5 months to reject you....you then have 60 days to appeal it.....they take another 4-5 months to reject you...you hire an attorney, it will then take months and months....maybe up to 2 years for them to get you in for a hearing to get you approved. (i know this because my sister applied after having MAJOR surgery and dr telling her that she will not be able to work for at least a year....and she just hired her an attorney last month, and they have told her (as well as other attorneys)...that it will be a VERY LONG process..that the disability hearings are backed logged for 2 years.

you DO NEED to STOP bending and lifting..thats keeping things aggravated. the rules for the L5-S1 is no bending, no lifting over certain weight limit (mine is 10 pounds), no pulling, twisting, pushing, kneeling, climbing, and alternate standing/sitting.

and with surgery.....you need to realize that surgery WILL NOT help with back pain....it will ONLY potentially alleviate the LEG pain...thats ALL that back surgery is for. you will ALWAYS suffer with back pain now. Some days worse than others. do you recall ever hearing the saying "once a bad back, always a bad back"?????  thats exactly what it means. and with surgery...you risk having scar tissue....so theres potential there for you to later on have surgery due to the scar tissue....or because the initial surgery didnt help.

theres ALOT of pros/cons to having back surgery....you will never get a definite answer from anyone as to whether or not you should have it...because in the end...it boils down to personal preference. its not as simple as having surgery to remove tonsils thas been a problem.....that kind of surgery is a guarantee to fix your ailments....but with back surgery...there are no guarantees...and as i stated, you will always have back pain.

sorry to depress you even more..i just want you to know the whole picture. i ruptured L5-S1    2 years ago  ...ive not had surgery...and if i can escape it, im not going to have surgery. i do well as long as i dont overdo it, or do things that i have no business doing. it makes life complicated and frustrating...but...it is what it is.