Just out of curiosity.........

[Beachy]

Anyone out there gone through either cortisone injections or surgery (or both) for lumbar discs? Care to let me know what your thoughts are? Those are my two options right now.........

[Former Member]

I've never been through back surgery (thank god!) but have known several who have. I have yet to find anybody that has gone through back surgery that didn't regret it afterward. Either the surgery didn't work or the pain was even worse after the surgery. My advice (for what it's worth) is try to exhaust all other non-surgery treatments first.

Best of luck to you and hope everything works out!

John

[mustangdriver]

Hey beachgirl, my uncle had the injections done a few years ago. he owns his own construction company, so his back really takes a punding at work all day. So far so good. I will ask him what he thinks for you.

[Beachy]

Thanks, Guys. I'm going Friday morning for the cortisone, but he says he doesn't think it'll have the desired (ie: long-term) affect that I am hoping for, as he belives the 2 discs in question are too far gone........See what I get for ignoring the issue and telling myself it would go away on its own?

[cg51]

I have a friend that gets the shots every month for her back, It helps for a short time and that is about it, I had 2 discs taken out when I blew out my L5 vertebrae, A year later and I still have pain on a daily basis. Do Surgery only if you have to I hope everything goes ok!

[Jesse C.]

A friend of mine, ok, ex girlfriend, is currently getting pain management through Kaiser and they are doing the shots and acupuncture! The shots last a bit but do wear off and its back to the pain. Acupuncture works a bit, but not much.

She is also trying to avoid surgery at this point, but, she also ignored it for a long time and now this is the what she must deal with.

In the end your pain tolerance may be what dictates what you finally end up doing. I hope the treatment helps out in the long run.

Good luck!

[Forgotten Field]

If it were me, and I needed remedy, I'd go to Germany and get artificial disks. They are having good success there with them, but they haven't come here yet. Cortisone injections are only temporary relief and in my opinion can do more harm than good. Surgery should be a last resort. Have you considered taking supplements? I haven't heard anything about their success in chronic back pain, but they are fast becoming a first line effort in other joint problems. Are you doing any abdominal exercises to assist your back? Good abs are the key to good back health.

[Broken-Wrench]

I'm up tonight due to neck surgery.... It hurts alllll the time..

[FlyingFortB17]

Playing football every year from age 7 to age 22 did a number on my back - and I'm young. Dr. prescribed Celebrex, my new best friend:)

[Beachy]

Thank you all for your input! A week after the first cortisone injection, I'm feeling like a different person! I'm not pain-free, but it has been reduced to a level that is extremely beareable (I haven't actually felt this good in 6 or 7 months!) -- The first couple of days after the shot were rough, but by Monday, everything was pretty well sorted and I've been on the go ever since -- The Doc did tell me that I should avoid running, jogging, and piano-moving -- Dang, what a shame! Broke my heart! NOT!

I go for the 2nd shot in another week, so hopefully, the improvement will continue! For a while, at any rate...........

Thank you all again for your "2 cents" -- I appreciate it, and am glad at this point to have put surgery on the back burner!

Kirsten

[Beachy]

Well, the cortisone just hasn't worked out for me, so I'm going this morning for surgery..........I didn't want it to get to this point, but I really don't want to spend the rest of my life like this!!! The doc won't be removing the discs, only the herniated portions, shouldn't be that major!!! Just an overnight stay..........

I'll let you know how I make out!

[King]

Good Luck!!

Let us know how it works out.

[Former Member]

Best of luck and hope you have a speedy recovery!!!

John

[Jack Cook]

Let us know that your OK has soon has you can!!!

[Eric Friedebach]

Best wishes, Kirsten!