Herniated disk

[Ihurt2420]

I have a partial herniated disk or bulging disk at L5-S1 and told that I do not need surgery.  I am in constant pain that never goes away.  I have tingling in both feet and was told to see a foot surgeon he tooked one look at my MRI and laughed he said you have a L-5 disk injury no wonder your feet tingle.  At the time the MRI was taken there was no tingling in my feet it only developed 2 months later.  The only thing that I keep getting prescribed in physical thereapy, that does not do anything for me but make it worse.  I tell the Dr.  I am in 24 hour pain and discomfort.  I am a 34yr male and should not be in this much pain all the time.  I had a EMG and told that I passed.  I was told that it would heal itself they said give a 2 months it did not I been in pain now for 6 months.    Any suggestions.


This discussion is related to Foot Numbness � tingling?.

[HerniationAcrossTheNation]

i feel your pain. i am 39 yrs old and i have three disc herniations, L3-L4-L5 with the nerve root L5-S1currently being pinched causing what feels like electricity spikes in the lower back which then shoot down my right leg. Of late, the electricity spikes have decayed having being replaced by a heavy and painful numbness mainly down my right shin and foot i would say.  It feels like a hugely amplified version of the pain you would feel in your shins after running on a hard surface.  The doctors here are more or less unanimous in their vote for surgery, "microdiscectomy" its called.  Till that happens, I have found a way to bring immediate but very short-lived relief that works for ME, it may not work for anyone else, then again it may help. Anyway, the end result is taking the load off the numb leg and also stretching the area of the lower back by standing with your good leg on something like a brick, i currently use the edge of my lowered shower tray and support yourself by placing one arm on the wall infornt of you and the other arm on the wall on the side of your numb leg, very gradually allow your leg to drop and hang loose whilst you support yourself. Thats it, like i said it works for me but is short lived but if you are in constant pain then something is better than nothing.  I forgot to mention that I have recently become the proud owner of a pair of silver coloured under-the-arm walking sticks.  I achieve the same results using them the same way, just allow your lower body to lower itself till you feel it hanging, you need to find a position that doesnt hurt.

thanks and the best of luck to you all.

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,
You should discuss about drugs like pregabalin,neurontoin,methylcobalamin, carbamezapine, which help in soothing the nerves and may relieve some pain.Vitamin B supplementation can also be taken which prevents demyleination of nerves.
Continue with physiotherapy,back extension exercises and yoga.Althogh slow these are effective.
Best