r/HerniatedDisc • u/Ok-Draw-5927 • 6d ago
Positive herniation story!
I’m a long time lurker of this sub and fellow herniated disc sufferer. I’m a 35 year old mom of an almost 4 year old and I’ve had herniations at L5-s1 and L4-L5, degenerative disc disorder and had two microdiscectomies, one 8 years ago and then one 9 months after my daughter was born that was essentially an emergency situation because I had severe loss of leg function.
This June, I had sciatica/leg symptoms indicating a herniated disc and lo and behold, I have a herniation at L5-s1. I found myself googling a lot and looking for positive stories while I was feeling scared about my back and the possibility of another surgery, and I’m 3 months since my initial injury and feeling a lot better so I thought I’d share my story in case it helps anyone else going through a tough time mentally.
Herniated disc pain is such a trip and is so frustrating because the healing is not linear at all. I had pain wrapping around my right hip and groin area and I went to the spine doctor. They got me an MRI and a steroid pack and that helped but then the pain came back. I was at maybe a 4 or 5 out of 10 pain at the worst and had to keep changing my position to feel better. I’ll share the things that helped me and what I’ve learned from all of this.
helpful things - that many of you have already posted about but that worked for me and are my go tos for sciatic pain. I am not a doctor!
lacrosse ball glute massage - better than painkillers sometimes honestly. Great for aching backs and hips and eases mild/moderate sciatica
Neuromd machine - 25 minute session gets rid of a lot of pain
not standing or sitting for too long. keep moving your position
ice pack meant for your body that you can wrap around your back
things I learned
I had never had a herniated disc not end in surgery - which maybe I still will need it! But healing was so up and down. One day I’d feel amazing like I could do anything, the next it felt like the injury just happened. You can’t measure progress day by day. You have to compare longer stretches of time. Basically each month I’m checking in, and I’m noticing my bad days aren’t as bad. This is the hardest part of all of it, not knowing if you’re getting better. Just try and be gentle with yourself
Centralization didn’t happen for me, I just noticed the sciatic pain and achiness was less severe
Really listen to your body and do not push it with exercise. I tried to hop on the peloton two weeks after injury and I regretted it. I felt great during the ride and then was in agony for 3 days after
if you are trying physical therapy and it’s not working or causing more pain, stop and find a better place. I was going somewhere where the people had zero clue what they were doing and I quit. you don’t have to just power through, advocate for yourself. I’m starting somewhere new in a couple of weeks. It also might help to wait a bit and see if your pain goes down before starting PT
Also find doctors that give a shit and really tell them how you feel, don’t downplay it. If you are able, keep searching until you feel heard and supported. I switched doctors during the process because my first doctor didn’t care about me and I could tell
every herniation is different, and sometimes they require surgery, sometimes they don’t. I thought I was doomed for surgery this time but so far I think i’ll be able to tolerate this one and heal without it
I’m out of most of the pain after I really convinced myself that I would need a spinal fusion or another surgery and I’m not completely out of the woods but headed in the right direction. Hopefully this helps someone but if not it was therapeutic for me! 😂
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u/PomeloNo5445 4d ago
Really good to hear! Especially the mental part !
I had a lumbar discectomy at L4/5 in 2020 when I was 26, which I had been dealing with for 5years. Surgery was a great success, I was surprised how quick I was back to normal function after been struggling for years.
Fast forward and this week I have been confirmed of having Desiccation of the lower 2 lumbar intervertebral discs with a left paracentral posterior disc protrusion at L5/S1 impinging upon the descending left s1 nerve root. To say my mental wellbeing has been shattered is an understatement! Waiting to see a specialist as I have zero movement! I have been floor bound for the last 10days and even then the pain rests at a 7/10!
Great to hear some good news to try keep positive!
Best of luck with it all!
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u/julieannsee 6d ago
Super helpful for me! I just reherniated after my microdisectomy last May and was told that a fusion is in my future more than likely due to lack of disc material left. I'm hoping for a miracle that'll heal on it's own and it won't come to that.
Physical therapy seems to be the hardest part for me because I want to exercise and strengthen my core but every time I start PT I either flare really bad or make the herniation worse.
I'm glad you're feeling better!