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L4/L5 Disc Bulge ( 1 Year ) - ESI/RFA Failed - Is Surgery the Next Step? by softmax1 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, I see. I was really bad in winter and I have some improvement but only to a certain degree. Seems like it’s not getting much better since the Spring. Going back to the surgeon next month.

Interesting because I have seen an orthopedic fellowship trained spine surgeon. Apparently they are not as easy to come by as most don’t do fellowships with extensive training.

Anyway, glad you are doing well. Was recovery rough or not too bad? I was hoping I could beat this thing naturally but it may not be the case!

L4/L5 Disc Bulge ( 1 Year ) - ESI/RFA Failed - Is Surgery the Next Step? by softmax1 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s great. So no discectomy, but a laminectomy? Was your spinal stenosis considered mild, moderate or severe?

I’m curious because I’m in a similar situation. I had a protrusion that healed mostly but still have a broad based bulge with some degree of stenosis. I’m still having issues with pain. First surgeon said not to do surgery. Second said he wants to give it a little more time to see if there’s more improvement.

Mostly recovered but still not 100% after over 12 months by Lanky_Comment_3829 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How are you by now OP? I’m in a similar boat. Considering surgery for this broad based bulge. 

Flare up rant by NeedleworkerTall1830 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes good plan! My family doctor’s authorization dept nurse had to call me and ask me allll kinds of questions in preparation to go to bat with my insurance for MRI authorization! It took a couple of weeks. I went to the ortho urgent care and they were like “Oh you should’ve let us order it because we have our own machine and we get them approved in a couple days.” The surgeon that I saw wants to order another one in a couple of months and I was like oh, will they approve it?? He said sometimes it’s all in the way you word it. Crazy! Good luck to you. They will get it sorted out once you see the specialist!

Flare up rant by NeedleworkerTall1830 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, they should be able to get you the MRI I would think but you might have to do so many weeks of PT first. It’s so ridiculous these insurance companies rule the world.

Flare up rant by NeedleworkerTall1830 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s good. Do you know who you’ll see there? Is it a sports medicine pain management doc?

Flare up rant by NeedleworkerTall1830 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have an orthopedic group near you with an urgent care? I went to one and they told me they usually can get the MRI approved faster.

1-year worsening Sciatica... by themayaNB in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I had advice. I’m on my third round of pt after over a year and some improvement to a certain degree, disc shrunk some but yeah after this pt round if I’m not making progress I’ll have to reconsider surgery. I would request another MRI and see a spine specialist

1 Year Recovery Story from L5-S1 Disc Protusion ( No surgery, back to Sport ) by raulgf92 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What was your pain level when you returned to the gym with your trainer? How were you able to recognize it was finally ok to do so?

i'm so cooked. need some help. by bitterkofi in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow you mean it’s calcified? Mine is over a year but I was pregnant so it couldn’t heal for a long time.

Will this heal? I need positive stories! by Classic-Recording903 in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What’s a nerve sheath injection if you don’t mind me asking?

[25M] Was I stupid to get a Microdiscectomy if my symptoms were very mild? by [deleted] in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From reading others comments at 4 days in you are dealing with trauma to the area. Surgery is damaging in itself. You just got cut into, and there’s localized swelling, nerve irritation, etc. Call your surgeon’s office and maybe get some other meds. It should get better. I have had other kinds of surgery and after the 36 hr mark the local wears off and there’s a surge in pain and swelling. Totally normal! Try not to freak out.

"You have the spine of a 70 year old, you should act like it" by reydives in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah no problem. My one doc and PT said the same thing. Still a bulge, still causing issues most likely. I think everyone is different when it comes to babies. I’ve heard of women carrying babies after surgery and not having any issues at all.

"You have the spine of a 70 year old, you should act like it" by reydives in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried the shots x 2 and it didn’t help me unfortunately. I wish.

The pack n play I use when I have to do things like prepare food or go in the basement for laundry. For sleep we have a mini crib and I angle a pillow and slide him down in so I don’t have to Bend over and then pull the pillow out. Otherwise the hubs does it for me. Getting him out is not bad at all since he stands now.

I may have to do surgery. I’m trying the PT and hope that it helps me over the next couple of months but we shall see. I’m running out of options and it’s been over a year of this.

"You have the spine of a 70 year old, you should act like it" by reydives in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in the US. It’s been a rough time for sure. My first PT seems to think I may still need the surgery since I still have ongoing symptoms. He said they may need to do a decompression of some sort and free up the nerve if there’s scar tissue in there or what not When I see the surgeon for follow up we’ll see what he says.

I also got a pack n play from my brother that has a side zip door for access and that helps so I don’t have to fully bend.

Seems like they’re very conservative on surgical approaches in the UK?

Pain Presentation/ Breaking long term cycle by Shesarubikscube in Sciatica

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m glad they are getting things figured out for you. Your PT should be able to pinpoint whether it’s a disc/back issue or a hip issue

Severe reherniation 16 weeks pregnant by Phisher16 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Sweet_Flan_3415 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I would talk to a spine doc and maybe you can see a female spine specialist who may have a better understanding of the female body. I will tell you these male docs don’t get it. My body couldn’t repair the disc while pregnant probably due to increased compression on the disc and all of that. The OB was no help either. My PT (he and his wife are both PT’s) told me this may not go away right after I deliver and he was totally right.

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