My son has been diagnosed with two ruptured disks. The orthopedic doctor told him he had 3 options:
(1) Live on meds.
(2) Have a procedure done with an injection in his lower spine (think it was cortisone).
He choose option number two with the injection. Three days ago he had this procedure done and was told he should see results in 2-3 days. It's day 3 and now he was told it may take up to a week. He has to return to work tomorrow night; working on his feet and doing some heavy lifting.
He gets very little sleep because of the pain and nothing over the counter works. The pain management doctor "will not" prescribe him pain meds; wait a week the nurse says. It seems these people don't understand or simply don't care that some people have to sleep and work and it's very difficult when you're in so much pain.
Now that he as been to this pain management doctor the orthopedic doctor won't be involved in his treatment. I'm very frustrated at the pain management doctor as pain management is her specialty. As a mother it kills me to see my grown son in so much pain.
My question is: Did you have a ruptured disk and what treatments did you find helpful? Did you see a chiropractor?
By Betty
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Talk to people who have had the surgery. I had it. They have marvelous procedures now. You will need to see a good neurosurgeon who has done the surgery many times. He should not fear it because he will be so much beter off afterwards.
Each case is different and there is no easy fix. No two cases are alike. See a top notch neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist and a physical therapist-best to go to a spine center at a top notch university where they work together. Do your research on line. do not take the advice of non medical people who do not know what they are talking about. Read Read. he should use ice and heat and yoga and stretching-go easy.
I am so sorry this has happened to your son. I have back problems also but at this time none as bad as he seems to have. When I got sent to the pain doctor he just wanted to medicate me to no end. I worked in a manufacturing plant and being drowsy was not recommended so I suffered until I called my insurance company and explained that I was not getting any better, just taking drugs, and I was told to get a second opinion and that worked. I ended up having surgery and was out of work for over a year.
My ex-husband was told by a chiropractor about 20 years ago that he should have surgery on his back, but he never has, goes to the chiropractor when it gets quite bad, and that is all he has ever done. He worked full time as a cop, and did carpentry work on the side. He is now 70 years old and worked full time up until a year ago and now works part time. He found that keeping busy helped take his mind off the pain. He wouldn't dream of taking pain medication. As a cop he had to be reasonably active and in good condition.
Easy procedure you will not hear of until you ask. Very precise, very studied, cement injected. Newer procedure. Not costly. Can be done without hospitalization. Reason you don't hear of it is it cuts profits to the medical community. No more than 2 vertebrae done at once.
Both my husband and my daughter were diagnosed with really bad back problems and both chose to go to a really good chiropractor and I am really glad they did. It may not be right for you but it was a Godsend for them.
I, too have had severe back pain. The surgeon told me I needed surgery. I just didn't want to have surgery. He just seemed to eager to jump into surgery. Anyway, I found a supplement that has totally eliminated my back pain. In fact, it has totally eliminated all my arthritis pains. It is hyaluronic acid. It is the cushioning in your joints. The supplement replaces what we've lost in our joints. It took about 3 weeks for me to see improvement. But, all pain has been gone ever since.
As a side note, it makes your skin look better, too!
I have five herniated discs. The pain meds didn't help me. The injections take about 10 days to work for me. They only help for about 3 months and then I need another one. My sister has the same problem and she has chosen surgery which she will have next week.
My husband ruptured two discs also after 2 months at home,he was sent to physio, they had him lay on floor ,legs on a exercise ball and slowly roll side to side,well he had to be taken to hosp because it caused him to have a dropped foot, now wears a ankle brace and has become incontinent. It may take up to 2 years for the pain to go, but he should never do heavy lifting again. After the swelling subsides, he needs to walk and sit tall, to strengthen his back muscles. Good luck. It can be depressing.
If you are religious, I know that faith and prayers can heal ruptured disks. I had a ruptured disk that healed and baffled my doctors. :-)
I was in constant pain from herniated disks and spinal stenosis from clusters of cysts on each side of my spine. I had a laminectomy and have been pain free every since. Praise God.
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