I have a herniated disk in my lower back and need help. Read on..?

I had a herniated disk in my neck at the C4/C5 level. I lived with it for 7 years. In those seven years, I went to acupuncturists, chiropractors, went through physical therapy, had medical massages, and many, many pain pills.

When the pain gets to the point where you can't sleep through the night and you are having a hard time walking, then it is time for surgery.

As with any surgery, do your research. With this surgery, the surgeon is dealing with your spinal cord. Find the top 5 neurosurgeons in your county or state (depending on how big your state is) and go to one of them. I was fortunate. My surgical team consisted of two of the top 5 in NY state. The whole team and hospital were wonderful.

Because I waited 7 years...I have permanent nerve damage that I wouldn't have if I had gone sooner. Do you have pinched nerves because of the herniation? You don't mention how long you have dealth with the pain, so just keep this in mind.

Also, I'm not sure if surgery on the lower back is the same as on the upper back/neck area, but I had to pretty much learn how to walk again after having my neck worked on. It was very slow at first, but when I went home from the hospital, I had to go up three flights of stairs to get to my apartment, not an easy hurdle.

They cut through the front of my neck to get to the back, pretty freaky thought, huh? Honestly though, the surgeon said that from a surgeon's point of view, it was easier and safer to do the surgery that way.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you at the very least consider having an MRI to see how close the herniation is to your spinal cord. You do not want to be paralyzed just because you were trying to prevent surgery.

I've had 3 back surgeries and the last one almost killed me(I had to have a blood transfusion because I lost so much blood). It took me 6 months to recover from the surgery. That was almost 15 years ago and I am in as much if not more pain than before the surgery. I am at the point of being in a wheelchair. If I had it all over again I would not have surgery. Of course that is just my experience. Some people go through it without any problems. BTW Tylenol destroys the Liver.

Pain killers are not going to cure you. Surgery is scary but it is the only real answer. It isn't as bad as you would think, not to mention the fact that the pain is only a week or so worth compared to how you feel now lasting the rest of your life.

Good luck in all you do but please watch out for addiction to these pills. Tylenol is not addictive but there have been deaths from overdoses and it can cause kidney damage.

I have the same problem but can't aford surgery, but i will probley go for it. I think you should go for the surgery, cause once you take care of it, and its fixed, you won't have trouble with it again.

Surgery isn't that bad, its scary , but shouldn't be, ive had it, to get my gallbladder out, took a hour. I was fine. I think you should take care of yourself, and be pain free. Love pamela

I take tylenol. Safest, but ibprofin works better, but its not safter. So let your doctor pick! ;)

Ever try some light yoga? I have back problems as well, and it always feels better after some gentle stretches and poses. It may not cure the problem, but at least it'll help with the pain relief. Good luck!

i can feel for you. i have the same condition, but waiting for surgery as a last option.........