*PREVIOUS POST*
teach
Jul 21, 2009 - 6:23PM
Quote Reply
4 months in w/HUGE disc "extrusion", what next? Microdisectomy? LTBP Therapy? Egoesque? HELP!
Hi all,
I am a 42 y.o. teacher. About four months ago I entered the wonderful world of herniated disc/sciatic pain. At first It was mainly sciatica numbness, burning down right leg.
Tried 2 1/2 months of chiro, symptoms slowly improved (not sure it was from the chiro- always needed 2-3 days to recover from adjustments, so i stopped going.
About 5 weeks ago, HUGE setback, I coughed and was "floored"-unable to work, walk, sit, stand for more than a few minutes. Symptoms changed- 50% low back/50% leg pain. Severe spasms, calf/ankle/foot weakness and numbness and some other symptoms (saccroilliac pain, occasional "twinges" in good leg)
Since then, saw a GP, got on pain meds, requested an MRI- It shows HUGE hernaition at L5-S1 (2.7 x 1.4 x 1.0 cm) right paracentral disc extrusion, and a slight bulge at L4-5 with central annular fissure.
I have also seen 2 neuros, both have recommended a microdisectomy to remove all the stuff in there, have been told "it will likely not resolve with concervative therapy"
Am STILL delaying the surgery.. my gut tells me not to mess with it since
I have had chronic LBP over many years, and am afraid instability caused by surgery will lead to a lifetime of pain/more surgery. Plus, over the last 2 weeks I have been improving! I can sit/walk even drive short distances so this makes the descision even harder.
I was advised by one doc not to do ANY therapy other than walking, since the extrusion is so large and any change could lead to more serious conditions. But I feel my body/core getting weaker- still not able to make it around the block and I feel it is from core weakness and not just disc/sciatic pain.
So far I have tried mostly passive therapies (mckenzie streches made it worse)
I oordered the LTBP system months back, but at the time I was doing chiro and didn't want to overdo it. I found I have some postural/muscle imbalances from the chiro (shorter leg, tilted pelvis, straight low back) that will need atten in the long haul. But right now I am afraid to do anything that might aggravate the disc, increase herniation. Anyhow, sorry for the long rant! I am feeling so trapped today, and don't know what to try next. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.
1) Can a disc extrusion this large be absorbed by the body or shrunken over time? thing is, I cannot wait 1-2 YEARS to go back to work!
2) Any stories out there of people who had huge disc extrusions and were helped by LTBP therapy? would LTBP in my condition be dangerous?
3) I have been looking into Escoque posture therapy lately- anyone have success w/that? it is svery expensive.
4) Any GOOD outcomes from a microdisectomy, long-term?
Thanks for any suggestions!
______________________________________________________________________________________
Lak
Jul 22, 2009 - 5:54AM
Quote Reply
Re: 4 months in w/HUGE disc "extrusion", what next? Microdisectomy? LTBP Therapy? Egoesque? HELP!
Hi,
Sorry to hear about your problems. Many people have seen and been successfully treated by Al Meilus. Search for him on this forum and also Dave Hutchieson (both are very very helpful).
Best wishes,
Lak
______________________________________________________________________________________
Rich
Jul 22, 2009 - 9:51AM
Quote Reply
Re: 4 months in w/HUGE disc "extrusion", what next? Microdisectomy? LTBP Therapy? Egoesque? HELP!
The LTBP system will definitely work if you are consistent with it. I was diagnosed with a 7mm L5/S1 disc herniation in April in 2008. It was miserable, Anti-inflm pills, PT, etc. Nothing worked.
I found the LTBP system and i was out of pain in 7 days. I had some major postural dysfunctions and tight muscles that needed to be streched and strengthed. After years of weight training, not properly stretching, golf, softball...I was out of whack and caused the herniation.
The system was exactly what I needed and it makes great sense. I am now stronger than i was before. I do lots of core work for abs and lower back. Been pain free over a year.
Stay away from surgery. There is a way out of this pain. Try LTBP system and also look into going to see Al Meilus. He does some pretty amazing things. I believe between that combination, you will be much better and get back to being pain free. Good luck.
Rich