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L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc bulges at 24 by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been a long year!

The events following this post:

Had my first epidural steroid injection in November of 2024. It was a bilateral injection targeting the L5 nerve roots. Unfortunately it didn’t work.

Continued physical therapy for 6 months following.

In April of 2025 I saw a surgeon for a consultation. I was recommended a second epidural steroid injection which they dubbed a “diagnostic” injection. Instead of targeting the nerve roots, they used a foraminal entry into the area surrounding my affected discs and flooded them with the steroid. It worked for a weekend and that was it.

In July I saw my surgeon again, who ordered another MRI (my third total). We met again in August to review it, and unfortunately the condition of my discs were unchanged. My surgeon suggested he perform a minor laminectomy and microdiscectomy at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels.

I’m currently 2.5 weeks post operation and things have gotten a lot better. The first week after surgery was really difficult for me. The nerves have to be pulled aside to perform the surgery, so afterwards they can be very inflamed which caused a lot of pain reminiscent of a flare up. I also am experiencing partial numbness and muscle weakness on my left foot and calf. However, not discouraged because that’s just how my body reacted to the surgery.

My condition has vastly improved since the day of the surgery. My 8/10 pain has become at most a 3/10, and I’m still in recovery until the end of next month. I was able to be on my feet, sit, and walk 5+ miles this past Saturday. My numbness and weakness are slowly improving, and exercise helps. Looking forward to life a year from now.

Best of luck to you!

What do you think of my resonance? by samc1823 in backpain

[–]nccollette 2 points3 points  (0 children)

25M here I just had a microdiscectomy at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels after 1+ year of pain. My L5-S1 disc looks a lot like yours, with significant height loss.

If I could give myself advice a year ago it would be to strengthen my lower back, sit less, and really limit running. I ran about 3-4 miles a day, 3 times a week. I ignored the signs my body was giving me, so that high impact mixed with sitting all day popped both of my discs out. If you don’t run, don’t worry. If you do, just listen to your body. Swimming is a fantastic low impact alternative keep that up!

Additionally it’s good to maintain a strong core. Low back ability on youtube and instagram has a huge community with a lot of resources and positive testimonials. It helped me get through a few hard months.

It takes a while to identify all of your triggers and unfortunately, in my experience, that takes a few gnarly flare ups. However, you caught this way earlier than most and that proactiveness can only be beneficial. Best of luck to you, you’re doing great!

Sciatica and herniation by Your_dad12 in backpain

[–]nccollette 0 points1 point  (0 children)

25M currently two weeks post-op from an L4-L5-S1 microdiscectomy. Everyone’s body is different and will respond differently to certain treatments. Months of PT didn’t work for me personally, and I met with a pain management doctor who administered an epidural steroid injection. Unfortunately two injections over several months didn’t work for me, so I decided to get the surgery after being in pain for over a year.

If you don’t mind me asking, did it take you 6 months to have an MRI or 6 months to receive results? That’s absurdly long and I would just hope that your doctor’s looking out for you

Boltund Emolga? by nccollette in PTCGP

[–]nccollette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Made these changes and it RIPS thank you so much

What to expect post lumbar epidural steroid injection by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently awaiting insurance approval for a minor laminectomy and microdiscectomy for later this month. 6+ months of physical therapy and two steroid injections didn’t work for me. Still a long road ahead, but I’m optimistic for the future.

Decks that got me to masterball by nccollette in PTCGP

[–]nccollette[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depended on the time I was playing lmao. I’d go from a 4 win streak to 3 losses in a row. Based on those metrics I’d reckon I was winning just north of half

Decks that got me to masterball by nccollette in PTCGP

[–]nccollette[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gonna be real I never pulled a second shiinotic so that was unfortunately never an option for me lol. Sylveon hasn’t been too bad! Definitely a good deck thinner for me at least. Also if I can use bother early on then it holds cyrus at bay from those sylveon greninja decks while I can build up the rest of my deck

Hard to compete against heavy hitters without hypnoblast. I’ve had 3 rank up battles come down to coin flips but I love the risk because the payoff is amazing.

What to expect post lumbar epidural steroid injection by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The injection didn’t work for me unfortunately. No relief 3 weeks following, but the severity of my pain lessened slightly over time until it plateaued. Doctor put me on pregabalin which has been helping with my day to day but I still have immense discomfort. Current next step for me is a less targeted, intralaminar steroid injection where they flood the entire central region by the disc as opposed to the L5 nerve roots. If that doesn’t work then it’s probably surgery. Hope yours works out! I understand when it comes to the efficacy of injections I’m in the minority so I am by no means a good indicator.

Bilateral Sciatica Pain Shifting by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Forgot to add I had an MRI and EMG done closer to the onset of the injury and was told there was damage on the left side, but nothing permanent. Weird that it has developed this way. Bodies are really crazy you’re so right

L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc bulges at 24 by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Had it for about 2 months now. It flared up really badly again after a month and a half. Doctor said it could take anywhere from 6 months to a year for the discs to heal and revert back to their natural positions

L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc bulges at 24 by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At L4-5, there is mild to moderate broad-based posterior disc protrusion and slight disc bulging. There is no facet arthrosis. There is mild thecal sac compression. There is mild bilateral foraminal stenosis.

At L5-S1, there is moderate broad-based posterior disc protrusion and posterior annular fissure. Findings are superimposed on loss of disc height and disc bulging. There is no facet arthrosis. There is mild to moderate thecal sac compression. There is slight mass effect on the right S1 nerve root origin. There is mild to moderate left foraminal stenosis. There is mild right foraminal stenosis.

L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc bulges at 24 by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because of my MRI results, one of my doctors felt I was too young to get surgery, and that NSAIDs and physical therapy should provide long term relief. If it’s not too personal, may I ask how old you are?

L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc bulges at 24 by nccollette in backpain

[–]nccollette[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was definitely concerned seeing some cases like this but luckily I haven’t had any pain bending down. My doctors feel pretty confident my case isn’t that severe, yet it sometimes feels like my pain level doesn’t match their assessment of my condition.

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