I have bulging discs L 4&5 and pain down my right leg for 3 years now. When I first went to the emergency room they told me 99 percent of people this happens to it will go away after a few weeks rest. I have tried everything but it won't go away and my doc won't give me a straight answer. I get answers like " be patient with the sciatica" or 5 or 10 years the discs may become herniated and then we can do surgery" and " just continue with medication." I am frustrated. Should I assume I will be in pain for the rest of my life? I am 35
Will bulging discs ever go away?
Question posted by lucyb78 on 13 Aug 2013
Last updated on 7 August 2018
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5 Answers
Billerhcs
16 Dec 2016
I too have herniated discs, have had it for years, my question is that my MRI shows mild herniation yet I am in SEVERE pain, so how can that be, even on strong pain meds. I also have another back issue but the pain for that causes more of the pain radiating down my legs. I feel that my pain management doctors thinking I am faking the severity but I am definitely not!!!
michaelcouck
15 Sep 2015
Background, I am 44, pretty good shape in general, 12% fat, go to fitness and play squash, hiking, walking, riding the bike with the kid on it etc. So in the top 20% health/fit wise. But, I smoke, drink and honestly eat what I like, chocolates, lots of BBQ, McDonalds, 1 litre of ice cream, did I mention drinking, above European average, I like beer is what I am trying to say ;)
So while scrubbing the deck, very big wooden deck, bearing in mind I am quite extreme, I did some damage to my back, L5S1. Couldn't sit(I have a sitting job), couldn't put my socks on without quite a bit of pain, so pretty crappy. Went to physio for six months, and it was I guess 80% recovered, just from the 'little' exercises that he gave me to do.
Then, 6 months ago I must have done something to it again. However this time I am more prepared, and if someone says I can't do something then I will, just to spite them. Remember that I am a little extreme, so I:
* Quit smoking
* Quit drinking
* No red meat
* 80% raw food, mostly vegtable
* Don't sit, stand at work
* Kettlebell swings for the back muscles every day, and general fitness 4 times a week for 1.5 hours
* Floor exercises for pelvis movement
* Suppliments - C(1000), chondroitin, glucosamine, D, omega 3, zink, magnesium, bromelase
I felt a 5-10% improvement per week. I can move, no pain, stand, sit(not for long, we are not designed to sit for 8 hours a day)
So there you are, answered, disks do heal. My MRI shows almost no more bulging after 6 months. Job done.
I still eat the same, do the exercises, and take the suppliments and more now. So a complete life style change. Feel fantastic and loving life ;)
Alamuir
22 March 2015
I currently have L5 bulging disc issues and am working with physical therapists to help it. Apparently lumbar traction is one way to try to get it to go back into place on its own as well as other sustaining exercises. The process of stretching the area and taking the weight off of it to get it to slide into place. If there's inflammation, anti-inflammatory sometimes take the edge off. I also use an inversion table which helps with the pain immensely. My suggestion is to find a good physical therapist, have an mri done so they know which direction it is out of place, and follow their regimen precisely. Good luck to you. I wish you well.
shadowme
21 Aug 2013
If your doctor stated this, I would seek a better specialist. L4-5 are common but usually underlying cause such as discs. There are proper exercises to ease the pain. It is a time issue on relief and flare ups will occur most likely. Do not accept this vague diagnosis. There as many non invasive procedures to try that can be effective. Also, if you need to lose weight, it will help. Exercises, specifically for your condition are key. They will help. Continued pain can be treated with anti inflammatory meds if you can take them. Pain meds do not help this. Ice/heat and tailored exercises. Find a specialist who offers exercises and proper meds. If it continues, there are procedures such as medial branch blocks, epidurals etc. Good luck. Relief is just around the corner with the proper doctor.
DzooBaby
13 Aug 2013
For some people, they get better and for some, it doesnt go away. I'm with you as one of the lucky ones who get to keep pain long term. I have bulges/herniations at L4-L5 and L5-S1 (which is nearly bone on bone). In my experience, if you are not better after a year, it is likely not going to get better. Surgery for herniations isnt always the answer either. I have been offered fusion surgery by two different surgeons for which I declined. They told me I had a 70% chance of getting better and a 30% chance of staying the same or being worse. Well, I know how my luck tends to run so I am declining at this point. Maybe at some time I may decide differently. I have had epidural injections, nerve blocks, facet joint injections, radio frequency ablations etc with no appreciable relief.
I take medications, try to exercise when I can, I work (I cant lift at all anymore so I now have a desk job working from home which is a blessing) and I have come to grips with the fact that I will most likely have this pain the rest of my life. I am 47 now and I first hurt my back in 2004 so I was what? 38 when I hurt it? So not much older than you. My kids dont really remember when I didnt hurt which makes me sad. They dont remember the mom who loved to be outside and hiking and being active. They remember mom on the couch or bed saying "not right now honey, mommy's back hurts" They are 18 and 22 now. I went through anger and depression because I felt like I was too young to feel so old! I live near a retirement community and I see women twice my age who move better than I do but I have come to grips with it. I can only do what I can do. It is not an easy thing but you learn to live with it the best you can. You learn to not let it consume you. I take my medications, do what all I can on the good days and rest a little more on the bad ones. I dont have much family support so if I need a friend who understands I talk to someone in the pain group on here. I would be more than happy to talk to you whenever you need someone who understands and has been there as a mother and wife living with this crappy condition.
lucyb78
13 Aug 2013
That's me " not right now, my back hurts and I feel so bad about it . He wants to play and I say lets watch tv so I can ice my back. I guess I need to just accept it and deal with it. I have also been trying to have another kid but now I am thinking I can't handle it. I am wondering if I should give up on that too. There are more meds I could take that might help if I wasn't trying to get pregnant. Any advice on that would mean a lot
DzooBaby
13 Aug 2013
I had already had mine by the time my low back went out. Remember that pregnancy will put even more strain on those discs and you are limited as to what medications you can take. You risk full herniation during pregnancy. I'm not sure I could stand to go through a pregnancy with this but everyone is different. I'm pretty much a weenie when it comes to pain. I had pre-eclampsia really bad with both of mine so I was pretty much advised not to have anymore because of that. It is a definite thing to consider when thinking about doing pregnancy again but if you really really wanna have another baby, it is only 40 weeks but it will put a lot more strain on the area and it may keep you in bed during your later months. Have you talked to the doc about it?
lucyb78
13 Aug 2013
Well my ob/ g says there is no reason I can't have another but my pain doc says it will be difficult and painful as I gain weight. Norcos are ok but I would have to taper off at the end and go without so the baby won't have withdrawals. I do want another kid but I just don't know. Some days I think I can and other days its like no way. I am gas I joined this site so I can make an informed decision.
DzooBaby
14 Aug 2013
this is a great site for support! I agree with your docs. From an OB-GYN standpoint, you probably are plenty healthy for a baby but I agree with your pain doc, it will be difficult. On your worst pain day, go without meds because that is what it will be like during your last trimester. All that baby weight will be pulling on the part of your back that is most painful. If you think you can go for months like that with no pain medication then you might be able to do it. If you are 35, it is best that you do it soon or dont. As you get older, there are more pregnancy related complications in women older than 35-36. It is a good deal to consider for sure! Taking medications any time during pregnancy can be a risk.
lucyb78
14 Aug 2013
Thank you so much for your advice and info too. I know there are many out there that have it worse than me but it still gets depressing sometimes dealing with pain everyday. It's good to talk to someone who understands. My husband is very supportive but I think he gets tired of hearing about it. Thanks again
Djstutur
11 July 2014
Wish I would have found out about this blog earlier, I injured myself at work in 2011. Workmans comp was a joke, never offered me anything. I had to get my own mri and found out my T12-L1 in my back has a bulging disc. My neck has C3-C4 C4-C5 C6-C7 has another bulging disc, nerve damage at T2. 3 years later, many doctors, psychiatrist, and a lot of medication still in pain. My children son 12, daughter 8, look at me praying that I will get better. I'm trying to find out what is your worst season? Mine is summer, heat is my weakness right now. The pain is more intense, I use a cane all year. Another question, does this back injury, the pain, Does it affect you sex life?
JennyJacobsen
26 July 2014
Wow! I thought I was the only one going through this at such a young age. I am also 38 having Spinal stenosis of the cervical and lumbar area's C4,5,6,7 and L4,5, S1. This has been going on for at least 3 years when they diagnosis it. But I suffered from severe migraine headaches since 16 yrs old. I am going to be seen by a Neurosurgeon in Sept. to find out if this can be fixed or be forever seen at the pain specialist. I barely remember the times I would play outside with my boy without pain. Life is harder now, but can be manageable with God on my side! Thanks for sharing your story, give me hope that maybe I can be fixed someday.
KCAmother30
15 Sep 2015
I have two protruding disc (Not sure if that's the same as a herniated disk) at L5-S1. I have been to 2 different hospitals only to be told it's a pulled muscle. Well I just didn't believe that so I kept pushing and complaining to my doctor until she referred me to a Orthopedic doctor, who sent me to have a MRI since i had already had x-rays,ct scans and nothing was found! I just turned 30 in May and feel like I am 70. The only thing I have been offered is a steroid shot in that area or pain meds. I am so sick of being in pain everyday all day. I just want a fix and it look's like there isn't one. That I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life. Nobody in my family understands they think I am playing it up. I want to have more children: but I am worried about it causing more problems. Anybody got pregnant while have a protruding disc (Did it affect it)?
SpineInjuries
7 Aug 2018
Best answer here so far. Surgery is not 70/30 but 33/33/33 get better/stay the same/get worse after. If you can manage the pain by avoiding certain activities while staying active or with mild medication there is no reason to increase the wealth of a surgeon. You have to think LIFE LONG solution for spinal injuries. Most back surgeries have to be repeated or create a condition with time that requires further surgeries. Lose weight, stay active (within your limits), dont abuse pain killers, avoid what your body can no longer do for overall wellness.
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