i have a herniated disk, and numbness in my feet, how long will it persist?
920091
i too have a herniated disc. the dr told me that if I had the surgery there is no gaurentee, that the problem will not return. so I opted not to have the surgery. yes I have numbness, not in my feet but my legs. I was told that if you can bend at the waist, arms reaching for the floor in front of your toes, legs must remain straight as possible in order for the back to pop, that your back will pop and it will help relieve the pressure and discomfort. often it works, but there are times i have done too much and this treatment doesnt work it is a hit and miss type treatment
679947
i had one on each foot for years. finally got so bad i could hardly drive. Surgery fixed them both and i'm so glad i did it. couldn't walk much for a few days. couldn't drive for a couple of weeks but it was so worth it. good luck.
727980
OH MY GOD\n\nthose bring back possibly the worst short term pain memories of my life. I had the same problem. Two severe herniated discs. I went through a year of physical therapy, swimming, strong back muscles, no activity, lots of activity, braces, pills, basically anything you can think of. \n\nI went to the doctor at one point and said that I have two options. Surgery or epidural steroid injections. I took the ESI like anybody would and it was done in a rush after they got the doctor who performed this right before he left to go home. I dont know if this was normal but they only put 3 numbing needles. Then I easily went through the worst pain of my life. The needles into the epidural space are just immensly, undescribably painful. I was put in a wheelchair afterwards and then they said it will get better worse before it gets better. After 2 or 3 days it did get better to some extent, I could walk longer, stand longer, etc. In the end, the ESI did not work for me. They only served as an immense surge of pain. \n\n\nSince your husband already has 4 discs herniated, I would go for surgery. It is painless, quick, just so much better. I would much rather live a full life rather than a half life filled with steroid injections
254433
herniated disc 10-12-01. GET A LAWYER! the fact the injury happened on the job is the real issue, not weather or not you are working there now. If wc paid once they will continue until your doctor releases you. If you need surgery find as much about the surgeon as possible. Alot of times ins companies give you to the lowest bidder so be careful. Keep in touch if you need anything, I'm on messenger. Its good to know that you did report it, and start treatment. Chris 26 m GA
999879
You don't want to settle anything until you are sure there will be no long term effects. This happenend to me and I ended up with degenerative disc disease on my vertabraes. Get it check out.Better safe than sorry....Good Luck
400511
Surgery should be your last option. \n\nI suggest seeing a physical therapist if necessary but avoiding poor posture. Positioning for comfort and daily abdominal crunches should help. \n\nIf it hurts don't do it. And get a comfortable bed. \n\nIf you get back spasms due to the herniation, see your doctor, you may need an antispasmotic. \n\nLow back pain is a chronic condition. There is no easy fix. Therefore, think long term solutions. You know your body and your pain better than anyone...gauge the effectiveness of your interventions by how you feel. \n\nDon't overly rely on pain meds. They can build tolerance and don't cure you. Use them only for the really bad days. By the way, alternative pain interventions really work. Don't think they don't. Research yoga or meditation. Avoid chiropractors for herniated discs. They won't help in the long run. \n\nHope that helps.
767469
Hey Honey: Your not to young for a herniated disc and it sounds like you have one. You may be lucky enough to have a bulging disc.\n   Of course it's getting worse, it's suppose to, your not paying attention to it, it wants you to give it care through a doctor. He'll probably have you take a series of CAT's or MRI's to determine what exactly is the problem. I wouldn't wait to long, it won't get any better and, why suffer?
548844
Have you contacted a doctor yet? How long has this been going on? There are many non-invasive treatments now available. \nTry using ice packs and heat pad alternately, 20 minutes each. The ice will numb the pain and the heat will relax the muscles. Also, Arnica massage oil used on the location will help ease the pain. Keep moving! Bed rest is good but not all day. However do not try lifting or reaching. Gentle stretches would be best. Also listen to soothing music while stretching, and visualize your back being in perfect condition, the disc slipping back into place smoothly and gently.\n\nHope this helps! with blessings
1040029
Yes it is after all the body needs time to heal it self and everyone heals better than others but if its still numb after 10 days go back to the dr.
245335
Nobody suspects Sciatic Nerve?  Do some research online for that and see if that doesnt match your symptoms.  What you desribe sounds exactly like it to me.  I have trouble with mine from time to time, and the only relief I get is from a minimum of 800 milligrams of Ibuprofen.  Last time took me 3 weeks to be completely pain and numbness free.
113398
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.\n\nWhen 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.\n\nAs 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.\n\nBecause 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.\n\nAlso, 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. \n\nThey 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.\n\nI 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.
711729
yes my husband worked as a route salesman for yrs and he had 1 ruptured herniated disks he went thru with the surgery and was up and walking shortly after the operation i couldnt believe it only u need to take it ez for several wks after the operation so far so good dont suffer with that terrible pain no more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
962754
YES!!!!\nWhoever told you that you "probably" have a bulging disc is "probably" correct.  You dont state if you went to your GP or someone else or how you injured youself, but you are going to need an MRI and you are going to need to see a neurologist/ neurosurgeon. \nThe reason you feel like this is because the nerves in your lower back  not only give you sensation in your back, but the control your internal organs in that area- your bowels & bladder-- so if you injured a disc, the nerves in the area are being irritated or pinched so to speak & the bladder may not be getting the messages from the brain that it needs to function properly.\n\nPLEASE go call your doctor- and tell them you have lost bladder function due to your disc problem- they will get you in ASAP.\n\nIt is still possible that you have a kidney or bladder problem or a prostate problem, depending on your age, but it's best to have them do a MRI & that can tell a lot anyway.\n\nPlease dont let it get worse so you dont have any permanent damage.
833595
So sorry to hear about your pain.  It seems to be in the acute stage.  Herniated disc must be in lumbar spine, since that's where the 3 sciatic nerve roots emerge (one pair at each of 3 levels).\n\nYes, I've been there.  MRI showed 5 herniated discs, with 2 described as "very large and severe causing severe spinal stenosis," and there were complications as well.  Couldn't stand more than 30 minutes.  Sitting down was an agony as firm chair seat compresses the lumbar spine.  Even morphine did not help.\n\nFlash forward one year.  No surgery, no painkillers these days at all, do own gardening & housework, can easily walk 2 miles.  Only residue is a back that starts to complain fairly easily, so must cease whatever activity is stressing it (too-strenuous gardening, etc).\n\nIt wasn't luck.  It was a lot of very hard work plus a determination to get better plus the ability and the resourcefulness to find extremely effective if somewhat unusual treatment modalities.\n\nThese are:\n\n1) For the acute pain stage, a diet that will lower inflammation throughout the body.  This is quite complicated.  In a nutshell it means mostly vegetables and fruits for a short period of time (about 2-4 weeks) and elimination of all foodstuffs known to trigger inflammation.  I've studied nutrition, my professor helped me individually in his private practice.\n\nImprovement was dramatic.  This approach helped much more than morphine.  Within 2 weeks I began to be able to walk, farther & farther each week.\n\n2) supplements to reduce inflammation.  These are mostly omega-3 essential fatty acids.  Surely you've read about these, there's amazing research coming out about their role in healing/stabilizing inflammatory diseases, everything from cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer's.  The typical US diet at present contains too high a proportion of omega-6.  What's missing are the omega-3 and, for anti-inflammation, the EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) component of the omega-3 EFA.  The high EPA will suppress the inflammatory prostaglandins and encourage the body's production of the good or healing prostaglandin.  Where does one get high-EPA omega-3 essential fatty acids?  Best source is molecularly-distilled fish oils.  Read label for EPA and DHA proportions, you'll need a high EPA count and these products are hard to find.  You should try for 1 gram of EPA a day at first, for about a month.  Can take less later.  Yes, molecularly-distilled high-quality fish oil capsules are expensive, but it's still a lot cheaper than powerful prescription painkillers or surgery.\n\nThere are 4 other supplements I took, all available at health food stores.  Two involved collagen (spinal discs are made of collagen) in interesting new formulations that render the large previouslyi-indigestible collagen molecule into a form that can be assimilated by oral ingestion.  The other two were anti-inflammatories.  It was said that one of these, based on turmeric and other herbs,  is as effective as the controversial prescription cox-2 inhibitors (Celebrex and the banned Vioxx).\n\n3) the 3rd treatment modality is perhaps the most important since it involves permanent rehabilitation of the lumbar spine.  This is physiotherapy.  I live in a country where a new approach to lumbar spine injuries is being taught by leading physiotherapists who work with our national Olympic sports teams. Many sports involve repeated battering or smashing of the spine, as in horse jumping, hurdle racing, downhill ski slalom racing, etc, and many athletes wind up with herniated discs.\n\nThe physiotherapy involves identification by the patient of the transverse abdominus muscle and a long program of exercises to strengthen this muscle.  The trans ab is the deepest abdominal muscle.  It sweeps around the lower abdomen and attaches to the spine at rear.  Picture a basket at the bottom of your abdomen that holds upright all your organs - bladder, uterus, lar
749712
I had a herniated disc between c-5 and c-6 . I went to bed fine and woke up the next day as it had ruptured overnight. I suspect the area was weakened from a lot of heavy lifting the prior day . I had it operated on they cut a slit in my throat and went in from the front and replaced the disc with a piece of bone from a cadaver. The operation took an hour perhaps slightly less . The scar completely disappeared in no time. I do still have no feeling in my right  thumb from nerve damage but the pain is gone except for a bit of arthritic type pain on cold rainy days.
634808
It could be anything really. Your posture. A trapped nerve. A damaged disc. \n\nHave you tried sleeping with lots of cushions to support your legs?  eg making sure you are totally relaxed and supporting any areas that feel not so comfortable? A small cushion in the base of your neck? A couple under your knees to make sure your knees dont lock in the night putting prerssure on your spine?\n\nExperiment with it and see what works.  My friend props herself on her side in the recovery position and places a cushion behind her back so she doesnt roll over, and one inbetween her knees as she doesnt like the feeling of bone on bone. Her back pain has been tons better jsut lately due to this.
610302
Have you been tested for Diabetes?  Numbness in your feet is a huge indication. I have recently been diagnosed with it and I have the same problem with my feet.  I know you don't want to hear this (I didn't either), but you really need to cut back on the drinking, QUIT SMOKING, and get some exercise.  I started exercising more and my feet feel alot better.  It's hard to change all bad health babits at once, but at least do these 3 things and you will be surprised at how much better you feel.  Take care!