bulging disc

[mykul]

last mri says circumfrential disc bulge @ L-4 L-5 with a right annular tear.  L-5 S-1 has posterior disc bulge.  Also have scar tissue from 2 previous microdiscectomies. Now leg goes numb/tingly and painful after standing or walking for short periods. Sitting down or bending forwards helps some.
Is surgery needed to correct this? Physical therapy and corticosteroid injection did nothing . Surgeon said " oh it's just scar tissue" and more or less said live with it.  Should I see someone else? Had to quit job.

[karen7934]

Hello -
I am so glad things worked out for you. I would LOVE the name of your doctor.
I just found out that a young cousin of mine, who lives in Indiana,
is facing something very similar to your situation. I would like to help them
out somehow before any more 'doctor damage' is done. Thank you so much....Karen S.

[carbmaster]

almost a year ago i had surgury on l-4&l-5 six months after surgury the dr. tells me i have another bulgong disc on 6&6 I have to live on pain meds sometimes i wonder why i even had surgury.

[kell387]

i have small central disc protrusions at c4-c5,c5-c6 ,and c7-t1  bulging annulus at c5-c6 and c6-c7 mild left foraminal encroachment at c5-c6 and c6-c7 can anyone help me

[ladybug3542]

I live in ky. and would like to know of your doctor.     my daughter lives in In.    I am having bad back pain, in the buttock, down right leg. I have sever buldging disc and am being sent to a therapist   today. would appreciate the name......... Thank you, ladybug of ky.

[Gumb_ee]

been in pain for three months got bulgeing disc does anyone no if a inversion table will help me

[Micliaphi]

I was just told today that I have two bulging discs L-4, L-5. I won't see the doc until February, for a person that is new to spinal problems (first MRI, had the pain at 17 yrs old though, 28 now) what can I avoid or do to NOT make the situation worse? I sit almost the entire day at work and the most exercise I get is a 25 min walk with the dog.  

[geri72]

I would like to know your doc name in INDY.  my 25  year old daughter has an appt with a n'ologist in Dec 07.  perhaps we would consider going to INDY.
thanks
g

[TracyLC]

My dad had the same problem it turned out it was bone spurs.  They kept saying he needed to have a fusion, but when they went in it turned out they just needed to take off the spurs.  Good Luck.

[trigger129]

I would like to know you're neurologist's name please let people know when you find a
great doc


                                                                                          Thxs
                                                                                           Trigger

[MKappelmann]

Too funny !!!! I guess we can't used the c--p word!

[MKappelmann]

What made you get facet injections? Were you dx with facet syndrome? Just trying to figure out my own ****.

[Bubitz]

I have the same pain in my left leg when standing.  Sitting helps stop this pain.  I have had two facet injections.  first one did nothing, it just got worse.  Second has seemed to help some, but leg still gets tingly when I stand, it just takes a little longer

[takernhbk]

I am having the same problem, When standing on my left leg it goes numb and tingly and after a while I get the pain so bad it feels like I could pass out, but when I sit or lift my leg it gets better. Just like all my Doctors say they can't find anything wrong. I have tooken all types of tests. Just hoping I can find some help soon. Have had this for 10 years and it seems to ony get worse.

[wyldwoman]

Where do you live?

[suellis]

Hello everyone, it's me again. I'm sorry to hear that none of you are in Indiana. If you can travel here my neurosurgeon is one of the midwest best. He's done almost 10 family members and friends of mine ranging in ages of 20's to 80's. Every one of them had a successful operations and life changing improvements. He's compassionate, knowledgable and "solo" practice. After meeting him in 2001 I elected to take my MRI films to another neurosurgical group in the city (approximately 20 doc's in that practice) just for a 2nd opinion. They concurred on the need for surgery and told me I was already in the best medical hands in the city and to return to my doctor for the surgery. Second opinions are a must in the spinal cord/nerve damage/bulging disc world. I was very emotional and upset during the 6 months prior as I debated this surgery in my mid 20's. I never required anti-depressants or any other med's except for pain prior and after surgery. I trusted this same doctor to fuse my neck two years after my lumbar fusion. I just can't say enough about the confidence and trust necessary to achieve optimum outcomes for both patient and doctor. Keep searching until you find the "neuro" who you feel comfortable with. You all sound like I did and you're past PT or other outpatient therapies (accupunture, chiropractice,etc.) Let me know if any of you are interested in making the trip. Tip for all, always keep copies of ALL your films. With today's technology they can print multiple films, save them to CD's, etc. It's no different than keeping a list of your current medications on you or in your purse in the event of an emergency!

[Mangee]

Mykul, did you report him to the medical board. If not you should do so.

[idesofmarch]

You have a legal right to your actual MRI pictures(they may even be on disc)also would include written report from the person who examined the MRI. You may have to sign for them, and in some cases be charged a small fee. You would be able to bring these things with you to another doctor and not have to worry about redoing the xray again.  That doctor that said he wouldn't make any money on you should be turned in to whereever you turn in complaints on doctors!  Not all doctors are that greedy and you should still ask for a second opinion in the same group of doctors.  If they are true to their oath then you shouldn't worry about being turned away in the same manner. When ever you get the report, see if a MD on this website can help decifer it. Good luck with all that, I know what you are going through all too well.

[mykul]

doc who said live with it...told me to my face that he wouldnt get paid much for doing anything about it...cause I had to quit job and now on Medicaid. The Physical Therapist had me do exercises and pelvic traction which did nothing. Anti inflammatories did nothing.ant find out if scar tissue or the bulging disc is pressing on nerve. No one will tell me anything. In my town there is only 4 neurosurgeons and they all work together.  Am trying for a referral to University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

[tiredofpain29]

Could you help me find one around the houston area. cause I am having the same problem and the Dr. I went to in Beamont Tx was a qwack. Told me there isn't anything to do but to take. pain meds and muscle relaxers for the rest of my life. Know I am addicted to them I think been on them for about 6 months. And tired of it. Please help me if you can.

Thnak you
kelli from texas

[suellis]

I had no disc material left at L5:S1 and very little at L4. Extreme pain, could not sit, sleep or relax at all. Had leg tremors after standing or walking for extended period of time. All of this and only 120 lbs, mid 20's. I finally had an MRI to which my Internal Med doc told me to live with it and seek a pain counsler? I ditched them, found a miraculous neurosurgeon in Indianapolis, IN who sent me for discography and injections. After little relief from the injections I endured the fusion late fall 2001. My doc used the excess bone from my tailbone vs. bonegraft from the hip so I only had one incision and a 2.5 day hospital stay. The surgery was about 5 hours and I have a couple inch scare from the tailbone to slightly above my fusion. I've had no problems since. I was advised to avoid pregnancy for first year after fusion while it healed but it was a miracle! I was back to my 3 miles a day on the treadmill 4 weeks post op. Would do it all over again with the same doctor, actually did in 2003 with a Cervial fusion at C5:6 and carpal tunnel release of L. Arm. Let me know if you'd like a referral.

[idesofmarch]

If something is pressing on the nerve(which it is) you probably need surgery.  Why did the doctor brush you off?  What kind of doctor is he? Are you taking any anti-inflamitory medicines?  What did the physical therapist do for you and what was his opinion? My son is in the same boat, bulging disc pressing on the sciatic nerve almost 100% now.  Shot was done to see if it would help,it didn't. The orthopedic doctor said that surgery was next.  Let me ask you this, is it the bulge or the scar tissue that is pressing the nerve.  Something is or you wouldn't have the numbness and pain. Does it go down the back of your leg, to the knee or foot? You should see a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon for a consult.