Hi, I have a herniated disk (lower back and buttock pain) from lifting heavy weights without proper technique/form. I've tried PT, chiropractor, surgery, becoming an alcoholic, before finally just saying, "What the @$##" and throwing myself back in the gym.

I take Tramadol 200 mg every night after lifting, but it's more for the mental pain than the physical pain (it does nothing to help the physical pain) ... sssshhh, don't tell my doctor !

These days, of course, I pay complete attention to my posture even when not in the gym ... I squat to brush my teeth, or to pick up a gallon from the fridge, instead of bending my back, and I engage my abdominals, my lats, and my glutes, to offload the stress.

It still hurts like hell when I sneeze or cough, when I get in n out of my car, when I put socks on, perform squats or any action resembling a deadlift (bending down to pick up a piece of paper).

Can anyone relate ? If so, how do you keep it under control ? What meds do you take, if any ? Extra points if you do deadlifts despite your disk ... tell me how ... I want to !!!

[Jolisse]

Herniated discs will heal on their own, in time. I herniated L4 and L5 also and there's no way I was going for surgery. It took 9 months to heal and I've been fine ever since.

Originally Posted by Jolisse

Herniated discs will heal on their own, in time. I herniated L4 and L5 also and there's no way I was going for surgery. It took 9 months to heal and I've been fine ever since.

Thanks, I tried that (waited a year to let it heal), but it didn't work for me. I was lifting the whole time, though. Maybe I didn't really let it heal.

Did you exercise while letting it heal ?

[lizardlady]

I herniated L4/L5 over 30 years ago. Like Jolisse there was no way I was going to have the surgery. You asked if anyone modified what they did. I was training and showing horses when I hurt my back. Getting dumped off of one is probably what caused the hernia. I did modify somethings that I did. example - I let someone else lift bags of feed (50 pounds) and bales of hay (60+ pounds). I hired someone to clean the stalls. I slept on the floor for almost a year.

An ortho doc I saw about the problem told me I needed to "learn to live with it." At the time I thought he meant the pain. Ticked me off royally. Eventually I realized he meant to learn to live with the problem. I've done that. I've changed the way I clean stalls. I use a dolly to move things around the barn. I wear a back brace at times. It keeps my back straight and offers support. I experimented until I found a mattress that offers the right kind of support.

For the most part I have little/no pain now, but there are days it hurts like bloody blue blazes and I can't identify a reason why.

You mentioned anything "resembling a deadlift" sets if off. That kind of bending is guaranteed to have me cursing from the pain. The simple solution is to not do that. If I need to get something off the floor I squat to get it.

[thickntired]

I don't believe herniated discs heal over time. It depends on if you catch it in time to stop the destruction with physical therapy. I was in a car wreck 15 yrs ago and my back & sciatica are getting worse. I take zanaflex 4 mg, biofreeze med lotion, heating pads and never lift over 20 lbs. I took a year off percocet, but I can't handle the pain with just aleeve anymore. I'm having a 2nd MRI this year. I'm carrying too much weight from seroquel, but I no longer sit at a desk all day which helps. When I walk to lose weight my left side and foot go completely numb and I limp. House cleaning is next to impossible especially if it involves sweeping, mopping or raking leaves. I do stretching exercises and pilates or yoga.

I also do not believe all herniated discs heal over time. My back injury was initially caused by domestic violence. Then car accidents, then I fell on the ice. Within a week my disc completely ruptured. I could not move or walk at all. The pain was excruciating, child birth had nothing on that amount of pain. I eventually got an mri and the surgeon said I always go the conservative route, but mine was too bad. He hadn't seen one that bad in over 10 yrs. The surgery didn't completely fix it, and I've gained weight from meds and the injury but I only take ibuprofen and baclofen for the pain now. I think I have a high tolerance for pain though. I am going to look into tramadol though.

I would recommend no more hardcore weight lifting. I really, really don't think that's helping at all. I hope I helped some and good luck.

[Dan208]

I've had back pain from significant bulges at L4/L5 and L5/S1 for about 15 years now. I ended up having surgery two years ago because the nerve damage in my right leg got so bad that it felt like there was a giant vise or anaconda squeezing my leg. I have permanent nerve damage and can't do things like crawl on the floor (which sucks because I'm a volunteer firefighter and can't pull hose while crawling anymore). I also avoid squats and deadlifts in the gym (and that sucks because I love deadlifts).

No amount of pain meds have ever helped, so I just deal with the constant stiffness and occasional "flare-up".

[thickntired]

My Dr told me at my last visit that back surgery patients have a 50/50 chance of improvement??!! It scares the hell out of me for paralysis. He gave the 2nd option of steroid shots in between the discs. That can affect bone density. I asked for the gel to pump in between herniated discs. He said that's only used for compound fractures and more invasive. It also costs about $1k and has to be done every 1 or 2x a year. My xray last week is now showing bone spurs. All of this damage is irreversible.

[MsGardenias]

I am shocked you were told your disks will heal in time.... they are protruding- that's what a herniated disk is... mine was herniated- I didn't know it and while I was building my deck it snapped off and was cutting through the nerve in my legs- I was misdiagnosed by 3 docs until ONE doc caught it and told me I was fortunate that I listened to my body... one small, wrong move in PT and I would be "peeing in a bag" for the rest of my life..... I had to have the broken portion removed- made a beautiful, exceptional recovery- 10x better than ever predicted- but 1 week after GLOWING post op and prognosis that I would be 100% within a year or so- I was rear ended by some moron not paying attention- herniated two discs in my neck and disrupted ALL the scar tissue that had build up where the disk was removed- leaving me in this condition and living on Disability for the rest of my life..... Make sure you get 2, 3, even 4 opinions...... do NOT rely on just one doctor..... you have to get in front of your body before doc's start poking around... or ignoring your condition.... after my MRI even I could see the broken disk.... but three docs missed it...... there was even a HUGE white arrow pointing to it from the radiologist!!!!!!!

[Chrain]

Herniated discs can get better with time, that being said there are times when surgery is indicated particularly when it is causing nueorgenic weakness of the lower extreme or bowel/bladder muscles. There is a risk of permanent nerve damage and that is why it is important to monitor your symptoms. As long as your symptoms (particularly nerve symptoms) are improving usually you are safe to try to ride it out. If the symptoms are getting worse or stay bad then you may not want to try to wait it out. Better body mechanics, improving posture and doing the right exercises instead of the wrong ones can help your chances of not needing other interventions (epidural injections, surgery, etc.). Hope that helps

I herniated a disc in my early 20's. Had shots which didn't help and had to continue to work in which I stood for 10 hr. shifts with a lot of bending and lifting. Eventually obtained lighter duty work through the years. Fast forward, I'm 45 now with degenerative arthritis in my lower back and pelvis. The disc that was herniated has completely eroded, and doesn't show up on an mri. I hate sciatica and numbness at times.

This morning with the humidity I awoke in bad, bad pain. I want to saw myself off around the waist to alleviate the pain. It doesn't help my bipolar either.

I feel for anyone who goes through this.

I have herniated discs at L4 ad L5, and arthritis there. I am in extreme pain all of the time. Its been like this for four years and continues to get worse. I have spend the past three months going from doctor to doctor trying to get help, had MRIs and x rays, etc.
All i want is for the pain to stop.
No pain relievers have helped so far.
How do i get a doctor or specialist to give me a shot for the pain?

I've had neck surgery (C5) and lower back surgery (L4) - total disc replacement. I still have some problems but manage to keep on without painkillers other than ibuprofen. I also have degenerative disc disease.

I wish we could all make this go away for everyone here. xo