05-06-2008, 07:40 PM
I must have been one of the lucky ones.
Had a herniated disc 8 years ago - the pain got progressively worse for a few months, to the point where I couldn't stand up in the morning until after ~45 minutes of sitting (I eventually took to sleeping in a sitting position). I was using a cane all day when I did get up.
The insurance company paid for x-rays and physical therapy, but was balking at having a MRI done. After two sessions with the Physical Therapist, he decided that my case was too severe for what he could offer and somehow made the MRI happen.
One look at the MRI by the doctor and I was oked to have surgery done. At that point, I was in so much pain, I figured I might as well.
After the surgery - no pain whatsoever. The recovery period pretty much consisted of being careful not to lift more than 5 lbs or so for two weeks, and slowly building up the muscles afterwards. Now, 8 years later, I'm still pain-free, and definitely in better shape than I was then (I had lapsed on the exercising - I have a feeling being out-of-shape led directly to getting the herniated disc).
But, as others have mentioned, every case is unique. If you aren't in debilitating pain, try to avoid surgery, but don't go see a quack - it is entirely possible to make things worse than they already are.
Had a herniated disc 8 years ago - the pain got progressively worse for a few months, to the point where I couldn't stand up in the morning until after ~45 minutes of sitting (I eventually took to sleeping in a sitting position). I was using a cane all day when I did get up.
The insurance company paid for x-rays and physical therapy, but was balking at having a MRI done. After two sessions with the Physical Therapist, he decided that my case was too severe for what he could offer and somehow made the MRI happen.
One look at the MRI by the doctor and I was oked to have surgery done. At that point, I was in so much pain, I figured I might as well.
After the surgery - no pain whatsoever. The recovery period pretty much consisted of being careful not to lift more than 5 lbs or so for two weeks, and slowly building up the muscles afterwards. Now, 8 years later, I'm still pain-free, and definitely in better shape than I was then (I had lapsed on the exercising - I have a feeling being out-of-shape led directly to getting the herniated disc).
But, as others have mentioned, every case is unique. If you aren't in debilitating pain, try to avoid surgery, but don't go see a quack - it is entirely possible to make things worse than they already are.