Herniated disc

CJLH · Jul 31, 2013

Herniated Disk C6

Herniated Disk C6

Sooner21 said:
I had a herniated disc in between C6/C7 and had to have a spinal fusion in May of this year. I haven't been able to play golf since March, but I only have less than a month left hopefully! I should get clearance from my last set of X-rays on January 4th and I can't wait. I've never gone more than a few months without playing and it's been almost 10 months.

I have been diagnosed with herniated disk at C6 could you let me know how you did with your treatment. Haven't played golf in four months.

Bags · Jul 31, 2013

CJLH said:
I have been diagnosed with herniated disk at C6 could you let me know how you did with your treatment. Haven't played golf in four months.

A few years ago I had 2 herniated discs (L4/L5, L5/S1). I tried many different things (PT, massage therapy, Accupuncture...) with no luck. My last resort before surgery was the Corticosteroid injections. This is a series of 3 injections over a few months.

After the first injection I was only slightly better and only for a short time. After #2, same thing! I almost stopped and considered surgery when a friend said shot #3 is the magic shot so I finished the series and got #3. Yes, #3 was the magic shot!!! I haven't had issues since the third shot and that was close to four years ago.

Speedliner · Jul 31, 2013

I have 7 bulging discs from C7 through something. Therapy got me past the pain and pinched nerve problems and regular stretching keeps it in check. Occasionally causes spasms. Not too bad really, but the daily stretches are vital.

Tedfroop · Jul 31, 2013

samson smith said:
Chiropractic Care, Spinal Decompression, and Surgery are one of the best treatments of herniated disc. Herniated disc exercises and herniated disc treatment are also helpful.

Yup - non surgical, no pills fixed my Sciatic problem that kept me from golf for a few years. The problem will never be fixed but I live and golf pill and pain free.

HjHay22 · Aug 1, 2013

I think there is a lot of great info in this thread. I really agree with the core strengthening and stretching suggestions. I would also recommend water therapy and/or swimming depending on how much pain you're in (you can always use a float for support). I think the pool is great for stress relief and the cool water helps alleviate some swelling.

John Mc · Aug 1, 2013

L5/ S1 here also. Happened at the end of May this year. Got out of bed to excruciating pain down my right leg. Plenty of drugs and rest, then excersize. I've still got some numbness in my right foot and my left leg feels hot every now and then but I managed to play 9 holes yesterday for the first time since it happened. Felt good to get out and play again.

KellyBo · Aug 1, 2013

I have two herniated discs and recently had an epidural steroid injection in my lower spine area. I am feeling so much relief that it's amazing. It took about a week to know if it was going to work. I am sleeping and playing golf so much better now that I don't have sciatic pain.

TMAdidas · Aug 1, 2013

My dad had one and after surgery was perfectly fine very quickly. Herniated discs run in the family. I got a while though before I get one.

NBCgolfer · Aug 1, 2013

I've had two friends have this issue. BOTH had surgery and are back stronger than ever. They had a lot of time on the putting green, but now they are back to swinging the big sticks... on the positive, now they putt better than I do :call-me:

Sanzabar · Sep 3, 2013

Hate bringing back an old thread, but didnt want to start something new.

Went to the doctor yesterday and ughhh.

I have been having pretty bad lower back pain, but I am not one to go to the doctor. Over the weekend it got worse than I could ever imagine. I literally had to think about how to breath. The pain is a pain that I cant even put an adjective to. Makes my lower body feel numb/tingle. The doctor said it looks like sciatic nerve issue, but could be a herniated disc.

He said I have symptoms of both, but he gave me a pain medicine and anti-inflammatory.

KellyBo · Sep 3, 2013

Sorry to hear that Sanzabar. Hope you get better soon. If you can take walks, it's great therapy for your back.

I'm off to see my pain doctor today for a check up following two epidurals. I've been up at 3am and 2am for the last two nights because of sciatic pain. I'm getting really tired of the hurting. He's already mentioned that the next step is surgery. Argghhh, I've been fighting it for a long time.

Ole Gray · Sep 3, 2013

KellyBo said:
Sorry to hear that Sanzabar. Hope you get better soon. If you can take walks, it's great therapy for your back.

I'm off to see my pain doctor today for a check up following two epidurals. I've been up at 3am and 2am for the last two nights because of sciatic pain. I'm getting really tired of the hurting. He's already mentioned that the next step is surgery. Argghhh, I've been fighting it for a long time.

If I have to tie ya down and throw you in the back of my pickup truck you are going to get this done. KB is a real trooper however she really needs to get this problem fixed.

RoundersRob · Sep 3, 2013

The doctor said it looks like sciatic nerve issue, but could be a herniated disc.

Usually it's a herniated disc causing the sciatic nerve issue as the bulging disc pushes against the nerve, causing the pain. My problem was that I had a disc which had a piece literally break off and lodge itself against the nerve, which was quite painful. Ended up getting surgery 3 and a half years ago, which worked very well for me. If it persists for a few weeks then perhaps consider an epidural injection. While that didn't help me personally, a lot of people get long term relief from it.

KellyBo · Sep 3, 2013

I'm having a transforaminal epidural (last two were general epidurals) on Monday and starting PT after that. If this doesn't work, will start considering the surgery route but I really want to do all I can to avoid it.

RoundersRob · Sep 3, 2013

KellyBo said:
I'm having a transforaminal epidural (last two were general epidurals) on Monday and starting PT after that. If this doesn't work, will start considering the surgery route but I really want to do all I can to avoid it.

If you need any advice / etc about surgery, please feel free to ask. Reading horror stories on the internet is the worst thing you can do.

MudFlap · Sep 3, 2013

I'm another positive surgery story. I had a L4/L5 laminectomy at the end of 2011, been great for 2 years now. It's really not a hard surgery, the pain from the surgery was no where near as bad as the back pain presurgery.

I tried to avoid it at all cost too but in the end had no choice. A good neuro surgeon and his knife saved me a ton of pain.

If you guys have any questions, I'll do what I can to help. Good luck!

Sanzabar · Sep 4, 2013

RoundersRob said:
Usually it's a herniated disc causing the sciatic nerve issue as the bulging disc pushes against the nerve, causing the pain. My problem was that I had a disc which had a piece literally break off and lodge itself against the nerve, which was quite painful. Ended up getting surgery 3 and a half years ago, which worked very well for me. If it persists for a few weeks then perhaps consider an epidural injection. While that didn't help me personally, a lot of people get long term relief from it.

The bad thing is, I have been having this awful lower back pain for about 4-6 months. I just kept putting it off and taking loads of tylenol. It is finally to a point as to where I literally have to think about how to breath when I swing a golf club.

KellyBo · Sep 4, 2013

Sanzabar said:
The bad thing is, I have been having this awful lower back pain for about 4-6 months. I just kept putting it off and taking loads of tylenol. It is finally to a point as to where I literally have to think about how to breath when I swing a golf club.

Are you seeing a specialist? Sounds like you might need an MRI if it's been going on that long.

Sanzabar · Sep 4, 2013

KellyBo said:
Are you seeing a specialist? Sounds like you might need an MRI if it's been going on that long.

I actually have an appointment today with my PCP. Hoping he sends me to a specialist.

Is the MRI the only way to go? I am high claustrophobic and MRI's are a no-go for me. Scared to death of them. Do they put you all the way in for a lower back MRI?

KellyBo · Sep 4, 2013

Sanzabar said:
I actually have an appointment today with my PCP. Hoping he sends me to a specialist.

Is the MRI the only way to go? I am high claustrophobic and MRI's are a no-go for me. Scared to death of them. Do they put you all the way in for a lower back MRI?

They have open MRI 's.

Sanzabar · Sep 4, 2013

KellyBo said:
They have open MRI's.

Perfect... I have read about these, but didnt know if they were offered everywhere. If an MRI is needed, my fingers and toes are crossed that they have an open booth nearby.

KellyBo · Sep 4, 2013

Sanzabar said:
Perfect... I have read about these, but didnt know if they were offered everywhere. If an MRI is needed, my fingers and toes are crossed that they have an open booth nearby.

If I had it to do over again, I would ask for an open MRI. It's tough to lay in a closed one for 30+ minutes, especially tough with a bad back.

KellyBo · Sep 19, 2013

I've done one week of physical therapy. My flexibility is almost non-existent in some places. We are concentrating mostly on stretching right now with core strengthening gradually being brought in. Hip alignment, side lying bow and arrow, knee to chest stretch, hamstring stretch, ankle pumps, piriformis pump stretch, prayer poses, bridges, posture exercise, tens unit/ice and more. I am exercising every single day. I want to get this back problem behind me so bad. The sciatic pain is still there but much more tolerable. Hoping the 3rd epidural holds on long enough to allow me to get my flexibility and strength back.

T0AD · Sep 19, 2013

KellyBo said:
I've done one week of physical therapy. My flexibility is almost non-existent in some places. We are concentrating mostly on stretching right now with core strengthening gradually being brought in. Hip alignment, side lying bow and arrow, knee to chest stretch, hamstring stretch, ankle pumps, piriformis pump stretch, prayer poses, bridges, posture exercise, tens unit/ice and more. I am exercising every single day. I want to get this back problem behind me so bad. The sciatic pain is still there but much more tolerable. Hoping the 3rd epidural holds on long enough to allow me to get my flexibility and strength back.

Work it, girl. You'll be an even badder mama when all is said and done.