My mother has been diagnosed with a bulging disc in the lower back which gives her immense pain - so bad she can barely walk, sit or lay in bed. She has been unable to do most exercises, stretches etc as she is overweight and other medical conditions make this more difficult. Her doctor recommended an epidural injection. How effective is this? She has also been prescribed Lyrica. The doctor also recommends surgery as a last resort. She cannot bare this anymore, it has effected her entire lifestyle, caused depression and basically confined to the house.

Another doctor she had seen previously told her not to 'over do it' and rest. Not to bend, walk up and down stairs etc. Although, we have heard different from the doctor who has recommended the epidural, saying that movement is a good way to heal and she should keep 'up and about' but not too over do it. If the shot doesn't work, we don't know where to turn...

About a year ago I had an MRI done and was diagnosed with two bulging discs and a large schmorals node. I am being treated with pain killers and they seem to be working for now.

I am 42, and never had a physical ailment in my life. I feel like I'm 20. Today, I was diagnosed with multiple bulging discs in the lower back and I'm afraid! My friend had back surgery 12 years ago and the doc messed up. He now has permanent nerve damage from the waist down and his life is ruined.

I have been setup with the best back surgeon in my area. He does back surgeries on most of the docs that need it, but I'm still scared.

It's nice to have this site to come to.

I will keep you updated on what I have to do. So far, I have to wait 4 wks to see the surgeon.

I still can't see how PT will help me. My main pain is in my upper right calf. It's like a biting pain.

oh well..Thx for letting me share.

I was diagnosed with this today, after an initial diagnosis of "lumbosacral strain" twice. Muscle spasms have been bad for the past week. Cortisone shot today, and a steroid regimen for a week. Cortisone has eliminated the pain. I work in a warehouse, lots of heavy lifting, any chance I can keep doing that kind of work?

reply to anon24423

Can you still participate in cheerleading?

I have had an MRI scan after back pain for 2 years, diagnosed with a small bulge next to a joint and degenerating other discs, I have had 2 facet joint injections which gave me some relief for about a month each time. I have a neighbour who had the same problem and an epidural worked for her. I am currently waiting for a denervation, I am in agony and it is also making my right knee extremely painful either side 24 hours a day, pain killers do not work, I have to wait around 3 months more for this treatment, have already waited 2 months.

If the animal welfare found someone keeping an animal which was in so much pain they would be fined, and the animal taken away and treated, why do humans have to wait so long??

I have just had an MRI scan and been diagnosed as having a bulging disc and have an appointment with a specialist soon to discuss my options. I am in my 20's and been suffering with a very painful lower back for 7 months, and been off work for this long too!! My back seizes up and is always very achy and painful. I was pleased when I was told what it was, but after reading all your posts am not that happy with what I read- am I really going to be stuck with this for the rest of my life without any cure?? My job is very active and involves lots of bending and crawling around and it worries me that I may not be able to do my job any more!! any advice or experience you have would be welcome.

In response to 24423 or anyone w/L3-L4 bulging disc

problems, please share your exercises. The PT I went to had me doing the yoga "bridge" (laying down, feet flat, push up against shoulders to strengthen lower back.) I'm usually handling my back with care but two days ago my left hip started hurting to the point I have to start slowly whenever I move. Any ideas?

Bulging discs hurt bad, but pain killers, physical therapy and not doing any heavy lifting has worked 4 me.

is there anybody out there with broken hardware ...such as screws from surgery? i do.

I have a bulging disc in C1 and i've had it 4 years, pain for 6 months and pain free for 6 months. I tried everything, physio, acupuncture, laser treatment, chiropractor, walking and back exercise. Finally I tried Amatsu - it is a form of Japanese physiotherapy, involving very slow movements done by a qualified practitioner and it is the only thing that has ever worked for me. I would advise *anyone* who is suffering with any ailment to try Amatsu. It was my life saver and I'm still having it done to keep healthy. Seriously, my pain was so depressing and painful I would have given one of my arms to feel better and Amatsu really does work. It takes about 4 treatments to work, but well worth it and very relaxing alos.

I have been diagnosed with moderate diffuse disc osteophytic spurring at C4-C7.(Bulging discs in the lower neck)I have undergone physical therapy with no relief, three nerve block injections with only 12 days each of relief, and now am going through chiropractic measures to get relief. It was suggested that I take Vitamin B6 to help with the healing of the inflicted area.

Between the chiropractor, some exercises and the B6, something is finally giving me relief.

I work in retail and do everything from stocking to sweeping the floors. My activity at work has been less than normal since the neck pain began. I'm also an avid gardener and this is really going to cramp my gardening activities.

I don't know of any miracle drug or procedure, but give it some thought to try to get some relief from a chiropractor.

I have been diagnosed with a bulging disk and I am feeling pins and needles, numbness, in my left leg, hip and tailbone. Also my back is very sore. This all happened from a fall off a chair.

I was just wondering if the numbness and pins and needles are directly related to the bulging disk? I was also wondering if there is a good chance of this getting better?

Kudos to anon24651 for the exercises that strengthen the core abdominal muscles.

I'm a 60 yr old female with a bulging disc in my L4. I suffered with it for about 5 years before finally getting into PT -- 2 months worth -- and following PT did the recommended exercises every day for almost a year before I had one morning without pain. It happened to be the same day that I went to a specialist who ordered an MRI (that's how I finally found out about the bulging disc and what to do to avoid aggravating it).

When the Dr. says "no lifting, bending at the waist, and no carrying" -- believe it! Get in touch with your "inner diva" and ask people to help you carry, lift, and tote. That's been the hardest thing for me to do. I've not been able to mop the floor or run the vacuum for over 5 yrs without pain being the end result. (Is a clean floor worth all that pain?)

I do feel sorry for those of you who are young and battling the same condition. At least I have the excuse of advanced age! (trying to inject a little humor here... hope it helps) My thoughts and prayers are over all of you with the same condition. God bless!

these are very simple exercises that you can do, but if it hurts your back then stop doing them! i'll try my best to explain :)

so the most important thing is doing a thing called an "abdominal set".. basically lay on your back with your knees bent and your arms at your side.. then you have to kind of push your stomach down and pull up so that your back is flat on the ground.. never ever arch your back while doing an exercise.

then hold both arms straight up as if you were trying to touch the ceiling.. lower one down above your head (so that your arm would be almost flat on the ground beside your ear!) and then back to where it was before.. then do the other arm, then you can do each leg.. hands at your side and then bring your knee up so its 90 degrees to the floor, then back down.. and the other one.. do them all very slowly and always do you abdominal set before move your limbs.. how many times you do these differs depending how severe your injury is i'm sure one other one is in the same position, do your abdominal set, lift one arm up 45 degrees instead of straight up to the ceiling, then raise the leg on the same side so that your hand and knee are touching, and lightly press on your knee.. you'll feel it in your back a little bit.. do it with the other leg as well.. always make sure your back is flat on the ground and NOT arched.. you can also do it with both at the same time but raise one leg at a time.. you hold your hand to your knee for about 5 seconds each time i hope those help, they're very simple and physiotherapists can surely show you a lot more!

To: anon 24423 - you mentioned that if anyone wanted to hear about the exercises that you are doing to help strengthen your core, to let you know. I am very interested in learning these. Can you explain them?

Hi anon24423!

Looks like we are in the same boat. It is hard having these bulging disks because it has almost been four months. But the worst part is that I am now being homeschooled because I can't sleep because of the pain, and I am also missing cheerleading. If you have any exercises to help ease the pain please let me know!

I'm 18 and I cheerlead for my university team. I had severe pain 3 months ago, went to a couple different doctors, had x-rays and no one could tell me what was wrong. Then i finally went to physio back home and they told me i had a bulging disc between L3 and L4. I was advised not to bend over so that the disc wouldn't bulge more as well as sitting up very straight in chairs using a lumbar support (i use a towel in the small of my back). this alleviates some pain while I have to be in class or doing work. Laying on the ground with your feet up on a couch also works very well to alleviate pain. My physiotherapist said that physio won't do much to cure the problem because its not something they can snap their fingers and fix. I was given numerous but simple exercises to strengthen my core and so far they have been working. If anyone wants to hear about them let me know!

I am 17 and I have a few bulging disks in my lower back. Most of the time the pain isn't too intense, but every once in a while the pain is almost too much to handle. It takes me about 5 minutes after I lie down in bed for my back to relax and get comfortable. I found out I had them a few months ago. I was sitting at my sister's house and all of a sudden my back just started aching. It hurt to move. I didn't bother with it because I figured it would go away. About a week after that it hadn't stopped yet, so I went to my doctor...she did x-rays....sent me to an orthopedic specialist....he sent me to the hospital to get an MRI....it went on and on and on. It felt like I was at different doctor's offices more than I was home. I wish I could reverse it and make the pain go away, but all I can do is take pain reliever, exercise and hope it doesn't rupture or herniate.

Hello im 18 i have two painful bulging disks in my back. (l4 l5) i was 16 at the time of the injury and they get worse. Sometime the pain goes to my leg and if i crack my back the pain goes away. i was wondering if u had any suggestions that i could do to help my back. Thank you.

heya, I'm 15 and female!

I've got a herniated disc between L4 and L5. My L5 and S1 are completely fused together (sacralised)! I have something called bertolottis syndrome which is basically just problems from the fusion at L5 and S1.

I've been having lower back pain and shooting pains down my legs and around my hips for about 8 months now! I visited the GP after about 5 months and he referred me to a spinal orthopedic surgeon. I had an MRI and CT which diagnosed what was wrong. I started off with some physio which has no effect on the pain even though the physio said we had made good progress. I am now having a spinal injection in the disc which'll reduce the pressure on the surrounding nerves and should stop the pain. however there is only a 60% chance of this working!

I'm usually very active. I do gymnastics recreationally and a lot of dancing in my spare time and dancing shows. I also like to take part in new sports and just generally be active. So of course when i starting getting back pain and got told to rest i was very frustrated. The worst part is when your friends are all taking part in the activities and talking about them while you either sit and watch your friends enjoy themselves while you can't or you're not involved at all! I hope my back problems are sorted soon i'm starting to feel very sorry for myself! Fingers crossed! Susie x

I have had severe hip pain for just about three months. At first, we just thought it was growing pains, but there is no way those are this severe. I have had five x-rays on my pelvis/hip and two MRI of the pelvis and the spine. After returning to my orthopedic a few weeks after the second MRI I found out I have two bulging disks in my lower back. Now, my parents are wondering if there can be a pinched nerve, because lately I have had some new symptoms: extremely cold feet, tingling in hands and feet, migraine headaches, and nausea. I am now going to see a neurologist. I have missed so many days of school, and now I am going to become homeschooled because the pain has not gotten any better. Do you think this pain in my hip can result in hip pain?

I just received results from my MRI. Disc bulging (L4, L5 and S1) and Athropathy.

I am in constant pain in my lower back and at times down my right leg. I bought a treadmill for exercise. My concern is how extensive and

what types of exercise should I do? I don't want to do anything damaging. Stretching seems to help sometimes. Please advise. Also when I got my results I had a choice of a neurologist or

orthopedics. I don't know which to choose. Help!

I have bulging disc's in my NECK. From gardening last summer.....it started with a pinched nerve in my shoulder/back, then I found out it was 3 bulging disc's in my neck. They are the "C" disc's. I'm so depressed....It is now winter here in Chicago and I'm not able to help my husband shovel the sidewalk....and that brings me to you.....I'm looking for answer's and hope from someone that surgery for bulging disc's works!!

I am 56, love to work out and be outside. Any neck movement aggravates it. Even something as simple as driving and looking both directions for traffic (pretty soon, I'll have to turn right only) or shopping aggravates it to, (to much neck movement).....I'm hoping to find answers for help so I can get my life back to normal. It's embarrassing and I feel like I'm handicapped. I'm ready to undergo the knife to get my life back.

Anyone had neck surgery for bulging disc's?

I am a 28 yr old female. I was just a month ago diagnosed with a bulging disc in my very lower spine. Could this cause my tailbone, hip, and all the way down my leg? I got a cortisone shot in October and can't get another until January...has to be 90 days. Somebody please tell my if this pain is come from my bulging disc b/c I don't know what to do?

hiiiii

m 20 suffering 4rm disc bulging in L4 L5...diagnosed in mri scan very recently.. dunno hw i got it!! am not involved in active exercises like most of u... am a doc in the making and hate to be a patient when i have just started wit such a beautiful career.. i had just played cricket in the beginning of this yr!! am on pain killers and its too painful... ny advice by ny1 how to reduce dis pain coz i hate taking pain killers

I have a bulging disc in my lower back with started to cause pain suddenly down my right leg to nearly my ankle. I've had two steroid injections that have helped quite a bit. I also take Diclofenac (that might be the generic name), which according to the doctor, is an anti-inflammatory good for arthritis. It really seems to help. Ibuprofen does nothing for my pain.

hi, i heard about a machine called DRX9000 that they say can do miracles to your LBP.

For credibility purposes you should go inside the website and correct your spelling of disk which correctly spelled is disc

DustyM

Bradford pa... I'm a 26 year old male (certified welder) i've had 3 herniated disks for about 5 years now.. the last 3 months i've had back pain like you couldn't imagine. I can't stand, sit, lay, walk, run, anything without being very very very uncomfortable. It's bad real bad. I got laid off from my job which helped me a lot. I couldn't quit obviously due to financial reasons, but am getting unemployment. This is great , gives me a chance to go to the docs and testing to see what's up. I had an mri done a week ago and I've got 1 herniated disks and 2 bulging. my sciatic nerve in both legs is affected, both of my legs hurt BAD my left foot is numb and tingly i'm seeing a neurosurgeon in a few weeks. Oh the funny thing. When I originally went to my doc I told him how much pain I was in and how bad it was and exactly how i felt. He told me to take ibuprofen.. I bitched and bitched so he gave me prescription strength ib profin wow.. woohoo...

well after my test results the other day, he had no problem apologizing and wanting to feed me all this crap.. muscle relaxers, oxycontin 40mg with 5mg vicodin in between..

Well I thought I was indestructible. Guess I was as dumb as my wife said I was. I recently have been diagnosed with 3 bulging discs. More pain than anything I can remember. The only thing I found to alleviate the pain in my legs was a medicine called tramadol. Other than that my therapist has me doing some pretty cool stretches combined with some heat and something electrical that vibrates my lower spine. Good Luck, Rich

I am 14. When I was 13 I was diagnosed with two bulging disk in my lower back. If you have a son or daughter or you personally have a bulging disk do what ever it takes to help it! trust me! I have missed a lot of school, my parents have spent a lot of money on me and I feel horrible! So if someone you know, love, or care about or even you, please do what you can to help them or yourself!

I am 50 years old and have 2 bulging discs at the lowest lumbar and the first saccral disc. I have been fighting the pain for 2 years now. The doctors think my problem is a result of weakened vertebra from chemotherapy I rec'd in 2005/2006 and I believe it because there was no pain before that. I have tried Lortab and Percocet and now I do have a regimen of Lortab with a small dose patch called fentanyl (25mcg i think). This is working wonders along with my heat and ice application and PT exercises that were given to me. I am able to work. Yes, the pain can breakthrough but somehow I get through it. You can find what will work for you.

For the person with ankle problems, my son in law had ankle replacement done in bologna italy at the rizzoli institute. He is doing well ,,long recovery but better than fusion surgery. Check into rizzoli institute italy.

i want to know why doctors refuse to treat certain people and lie to them about their conditions

i am a 32 yr old female with a history of several injuries to my back and neck over the years (car accidents, horse accidents, etc). also have a family history of back trouble arthritis fybromyalgia among other pain causing conditions. i myself have been diagnosed with arthritis fybro carpul tunnel chronic migraines and chronic back pain due to the injuries. i recently had a new mri done and was told i have 2 bulging discs in my neck. i was also told that it couldnt be causing me pain or my migraines. well if that is so then how come im in pain daily and have migraines more than not???? and also why wont these doctors i see treat me? i was given cymbalta (a antidepressant) for pain and was told to take it at bedtime well i have. and im havin nightmares from it but yet they want me to continue the med. i didnt sleep much before because of the pain no im not only not sleeping because of pain but nightmares from the meds too.

I have had back pain for eight years. I just had an MRI done stating I had a bulging disc at L5-S1 and a nerve pinched at that location. I've got pain radiating down both legs and can't even stand up straight. I'm starting college a little late (I'm 29 years old) as I will be a freshman this year. Hydrocodone, Ultram and the common NSAID's don't even touch the pain. Anyone have any idea if there's a better approach to this? My doctor suggested something along the lines of Oxycodone or Oxymorphone...though, I want to be able to study at the same time.

I am a 20 year old female. I have had 2 ankle reconstructions; 1 @ 15 & the other @ 18. I was diagnoised with a slight bulging disk as well as Sciatica & degeneration of the spine in March 2008, My local GP feels its due to the ankle reconstuctions... its now August 2008 and I have unbearable pain in my lower back and down my right leg. I am in pain all the time... No pain killers help @ all.. In all this time it has been getting worse. My local GP has referred me to a rheumatologist but i'm not sure if this is going to help... Does anyone have any suggestions?

I was diagnosed with a bulging disc in my lower back last week. I have had 2 physical therapy sessions where they used traction as part of the therapy and I am already doing so much better - I could not even stand up straight 4 days ago! I am almost to a full upright position. I definitely would recommend checking out PT and asking about traction method. I am still taking ibuprofen but that mixed with PT is allowing me to do more.

I am a physical therapist assistant and where I work, we have a machine that's called "Traction." It pulls the vertabraes and it creates a vacuum in a way to pull the disk back. It relieves pressure and I have heard it works wonderfully. Just a suggestion.

pitiform syndrome can cause sciatica too. YouTube has some videos about it.

I went thru an Indian Ayurvedic treatment called Kati Basti after the MRI report showed that I had a bulging/herniated disk. The result has been phenomenal. My pain is gone, I am back to my normal self.

I am a 29 year old female nurse. I have a protruding disc at L5-S1 and I have had 3 epidural injections. I had pain that radiated into my right leg and down to my ankle. I have had some improvement with the injections. Before the injections I could not sleep or do normal daily living activities without assistance from my husband. The pain from the disc is now where it is bearable and goes no further then my knee. The thing to remember is not to over work your back, but to also not to completely rest it. It is better to keep moving then to have complete bed rest.

I am a 40 year old woman with bulging disk in my neck. I was told that this is something they would find in a 60 year old woman. I had an MRI and went to a doctor he said I could do cortisone shots or maybe surgery. My question is will I need to do surgery any way if so why should I do cortisone shots if it's just for a short time. I'm already having numbness in my right hand, leg, and foot. I'm taking anti-inflammatory medicine and it's not helping. Trying to find another doctor for a second opinion. What should I do. Surgery or shots?

Regarding Donavin's question.

Call tricare or your MTF and tell them you want a second opinion by a civilian specialist.

My 24 yo wife has had back issues for at least 3 years and was just diagnosed with bulging disc in the L5 area. She's going in tomorrow for 2 epidural shots. From the other comments I've seen posted, it doesn't seem like it's going to work. My wife's concerned about the shots. My mother (nurse) said she's heard of new procedure that's being conducted where they blow air into the disc which pushes it back in to place. Has anybody ever heard of this? and has anybody had resolution through the epidural shots?

I am in the military and I have had severe lower back pain(I can barely walk upright) for 2 and a half years. I have tried chiropractor, physical therapy, and have been on limited duty. My mri says i have minor bulging in l3, l4, and l5. My Doc doesnt seem to think i need surgery because there wasnt any nerve protrusions so their just going to kick me out. What do you think I should do.

Regarding ANON8598's question.

Did you get any advice on your question about exercises you could do. What you should and should not do. I was very active and now I am afraid to do anything that might mess it up again. I have to be active. Is running bad, would riding a bike be better etc. Thanks.

G

I am 16 years old and my spine is fractured on both sides of the L5S1 region (isthmic spondylolysis), and i also have a bulging disk there as well because of it. I have been inactive for six months, and that is a long time in high school athletics. I am still almost always in pain, but i still continue to play soccer, run track, and do competitive cheerleading. Does anyone know of a treatment that has a quick recovery?

hey im 21 years of age and i went to go have a MRI because i was having back pains in my lower back and i was told i have a bulge disc in T11-T12,L1,L2,L3,L4,L5-S1 i've been try to find out just how bad is this for me if u have any info. for me please post it my name is Big B. Thanks for any help, May God Bless us all.

I'm 15 year old female. I have 4 bulging disks, i want to say L5 L6 L7 L8, its something of that sort. i have not yet seen a a doctor other then my pediatrician, but i dont know if anyone knows the risk of playing on this. i have important games coming up. Does anyone know the possible risks?

I got into a car wreck on 2-9-08 and have been seeing a chiropractic and a D.O.(bone Dr.) and I had been having pains (sciatic and lower back)... my x-rays found nothing after a month I went to have a MRI and they found a mild bulging disc between L5 and S1. My D.O. said that there is no way that it could be causing me any pain. If that is so, how did I know where the bulging disc was located before my MRI??

I am a 17 year old female and have 2 moderate bulging discs in my lower back, (L4 and L5). I have had an MRI and been to a specialist and have been told to stop all physical activity for 2-5 years. I am very involved and passionate about athletics and running so I am wondering if there is any alternative... exercises or treatments? I can try rather than giving up my future career..? I have tried to start running again and it does get sore, so i am concerned that I may be doing more damage any info would be appreciated, thanks.

I have been told I have a bulging disk by my chiropractor. Bikram yoga is the only thing that I can tolerate as a form of exercise and it is supposed to help strengthen your body (back specifically) through continuous practice. It is done in a hot room so your muscles are more flexible and you can ease into the movements without any pressure. My injury is still very recent but I can say that I would do this a million times over doing any regular exercise. Good luck to you all. I hope this helps.

Hello to all with spinal pain. Here's some educational info I hope helps all of you out:)

My disc L5 S1 (4-6mm bulge) ruptured to the point I was almost paralyzed. Pain like you can't believe! No medication, cortisone shots, etc. were taking ANY pain away. I too, was really active.

Elected to have surgery. GO TO A NEUROsurgeon. No amount of physical therapy "gets rid of it". Went to Dr. Sylvain Palmer who teaches all over the world, how to do "painless" back surgery - I was scared to death, but scheduled the surgery. 45 minutes later (after having been in severe pain for over 4 months) after the surgery (yes, that's about all it takes) I WAS NOT IN ANYMORE PAIN! MIRACLE surgery at it's best. He's an experienced Neuro doc with years of education. Teaches alot of other docs about current pain management surgery. He's very interested in patient well-being and pain free surgery. I NEVER needed any pain meds AT ALL! Unbelievable. My back is great and I'm still active!

Here are educational sites to do your research on - Hope this helps all out there who are looking! Neck and Back pain. palmer

My son is 21 yrs and is a college basketball player. he had to sit out this year due to a bulging disc. He went to a chiropractor which did not help. Now he's seeing a doctor for the back pain. He had an MRI taken and one epidural shot. He's still in pain. The doc told him just to stay out of exercising to see if the inflammation will go down. Need help and assistance.

Thanks

I was recently diagnosed with bulging disk in the L5 region of my back. My doctor has me doing PT and advised me to take up swimming. I am a high level figure skater and skating is something that he told me I couldn't do because it causes pain. I have been following everything he told me and I am still in pain five months later. Is there anything I can do that would ever let me skate again?

my husband has been diagnosed with a slipped or herniated disk, as well as a bulging disk. the doctor is waiting to see how things go before he does surgery. what kind of exercise or physical therapy is good for a herniated disk? he's had one or two bouts of severe pain and sciatica due to it, and refuses to go get the epidural the doctor recommended. having had 3 of them myself in childbirth, it seems that one little epidural instead of days of debilitating pain is a better trade! from what i've heard, the epidural works wonders, but only temporarily.

I have very severe canal stenosis in my neck. Dr. say nothing can be done about this. I will be paralyzed one day from the neck down, which will result in my death. I am asking is there any help out there for this?

Robin - Try a pain management specialist. They have different procedures than Orthopedic doctors.

My daughter has been diagnosed with a bulging disc at L5S1. It has caused some pain. She is a gymnast who was staring at a full ride until the disc issue. She has been to several doctors including a pain specialist who has done the series of 3 epidural injections. The next step could be discography or surgery. I am not sure we will agree to those. Has anybody had this situation? 16 Seems too young for a kid to retire from sports. Thanks

My 15 year old son has been diagnosed with 2 bulging disks in his neck. He has always had 2 HUGE bones at the bend of his neck where it meets his upper back,any comments/help would be appreciated. I am under the assumption that this is kinda young for this to be happening, is this correct?! What does the future hold for him?

Thanks, Robin