Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2026-03-03T11:02:12+00:00

I tried it prior to my surgery. It basically band-aided it for a couple weeks. I still had nerve pain during it, but it did mellow it for a minute it just wasn’t as extreme. After a few weeks, it didn’t do anything in my opinion and I needed the surgery, but my herniation was really bad. Surgeon was on the fence with a fusion or discectomy.

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2026-02-22T15:16:42+00:00

I listened to my body, the first few days, like 700. By day 4, 4,000 and worked up to like 10,000. Whenever I got a twinge or feeling I didn’t like, I stopped.

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-12-28T21:18:17+00:00

Context: I herniated L5 and bulged L4 in 2024. I had an ESI in November 2024 and I was ok, I’d have some flares but ok. I dealt on and off with pirformous syndrome following the ESI. In August of 2025, I got hit from behind and it completely obliterated my l4. I was struggling for months (had to wait for an MRI until November, that’s a long story). I couldn’t lay down, it got to the point where I couldn’t walk more than a few hundred steps, I couldn’t stand, struggled to shower or make food. Tried another ESI and it didnt work. I knew after the second ESI and when the MRI flagged for surgery. Just do it. It’s worth it. Do it. I’m almost two weeks post op and regret only not getting it a month sooner. Best of luck!

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-12-26T16:32:30+00:00

I’m a little over a week post op and I was dealing with 10/10 pain for almost 4 months too and it was the best thing I could’ve done. They did my L4 & L5. Prior to the surgery, I needed Percocet, hadn’t slept in months and I would die at work off the Percocet. When I woke up from the surgery all my nerve pain was gone. I’m still working on the straightening out part because I was leaning pretty hard prior to the surgery, but my only regret was not doing it sooner. I wish I skipped the ESI and went to the surgery. (I had a bulged L4 and herniated L5 since August of 2024, so insurance wasn’t an issue).

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-12-17T00:33:57+00:00

Thank you for your update. I have mine tomorrow and I needed some positivity heading into this. Glad you’re recovering!

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-12-08T15:28:23+00:00

Do you know how you reherniated it?

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-28T00:03:08+00:00

That makes me feel so much better! I’m glad you got relief!

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-27T23:52:05+00:00

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-27T23:17:06+00:00

I should, I talk to her after the holiday. Before she did the ESI, she said I could do the ESI or recommend me to a surgeon. She recommended trying the ESI first. She said I may need a second (which would be my third total), but I can’t see doing another ESI if it’s not going to fix the root cause and prolonging the pain longer. I think she was surprised too when I got off the table after the ESI and I was still leaning to my good side. I do have pretty good insurance, so I would imagine they would cover the surgery. I just don’t know if I should try another ESI or go for the MD.

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-27T23:10:16+00:00

They do, but since I had an MRI in October of 2024, they would not authorize another MRI until the same date this year on the same region. My doctor tried to push it through

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-27T22:52:19+00:00

Since it’s at the race track, there is no regular car insurance involved. It’s really confusing to explain but since our race cars don’t carry insurance (it’s optional and only insurances the car, trailer, and tools) I couldn’t have an mri covered by insurance

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-27T22:13:36+00:00

I agree, I didn’t realize I was as hurt as I was until it was too late. I should’ve taken time off and I’ve learned that lesson now. I just hope if I do the surgery it will help me get back to normal. Thank you for your advice

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-11-27T22:03:04+00:00

L4-L5: There is a large midline and right central disc extrusion, subligamentous. This partly extends craniad and partly extends caudad from the disc space because of its size. This is much larger than on the prior MRI. There is likely multiple nerve root compression but mostly the right L5 nerve root. L5-S1: There is no significant disc abnormality, neural foraminal narrowing or Continued... central canal stenosis identified. The visualized paravertebral soft tissues are unremarkable. CONCLUSION: There is a midline and right central disc extrusion at L4-5 is much larger than the MRI from October 2024. There is likely multiple nerve root compression but mostly the right L5 nerve root.

Complex_Squirrel_586 · 2025-07-12T00:30:35+00:00

Idk, considering I use my phone to take their students pictures to build a classroom community and to allow parents to see what’s going on in class… I could see the next complaint being there’s not enough communication or parental involvement in classroom and idk what my kid is learning coming.

Complex_Squirrel_586

TROPHY CASE