Severe back problems, questions

[Mudslinger]

I have starting having severe back problems recently, but my back problems started years back when I was diagnosed with a herniated disc with a bulging disc above and below the herniated disc. Steriod shots worked at the beginning, 4 years on the first shot, but not much after that. Have not had any in a LONG time which is actually to far back in years for me to remember. After we retired in 2020 and moved from Lubbock to Rogers doing everything ourselves, the back has starting acting up and getting worse by the week. I cannot walk very far without it starting to hurt and anything I do that incurs me bending over or kneeling down and getting back up cuases serious pain across the entirety of my back right above my hip line. I have tried stretching and exercising, but some of the stretching recommended by the Docs at Scott and White in Temple have started to hurt. One Doc has said we can do a spinal fusion but he also said if we do one , we will do others on top of the original fusion. I am 70 so not sure if I can stand the fusion and possibly more on my back. Not sure about surgery. It has been so long since I have had an MRI that the hospital is finding out if Medicare will pay for another MRI.

Anyone had this problem and how did you handle it? I have seen a lot of places offering minimal surgery and what not for a cure, but not sure if this is a hyped up chiropractor and possibly doing worse than I am now.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appeciated. This is affecting my everyday live and is working on my mind not being able to do anything unless I take pills or do a long rest!

Thanks.

[glen]

Well I also have had a horrible lower back- Had surgery on herniated disk early 20s. Had another late 20s. Had a fusion 2020 and been great since. The big change was I walked at least 4 times a day for 3 months before surgery. Just slow walks totaling 3-5 miles if I could stand it. I also tried to stretch as much as my body would let me- since the fusion I walk 2-5 miles every day and stretch and do light core exercises. I think the walking and constantly making sure I keep my core and lower back strong and limber has been the game changer. I still wear a back brace if lifting anything- I have 3 of them and always keep one in truck.

[ThisLadyHunts]

It sounds like you’re in some serious pain, sir. First, I would recommend ceasing the stretch s/exercises that are causing you pain. Secondly, if you haven’t already done so, I would recommend seeing a neurosurgeon. I’d be afraid that your bulging or herniated disks, if they get any worse, might start pressing on nerves causing referred pain somewhere else in your body (you already mentioned hip pain).

As for your age, my father had similar back surgery when he was near your age. He handled it well, got immediately relief, and said he was glad he did it.

[Hogmauler]

A seizure broke my back in 2017. It took literally a year to “recover” from. The mri discovered that I had two bulging disc. One of which was close to a nerve.
It doesn’t take anything to set my back off. Using a weed eater, sleeping wrong, etc etc; however, I have a few thing the physical therapist gave me to do that work when I do them. The exercises help with the sciatica.
First and foremost go and drop the change for the mri. That will give you and the doctors a baseline that you can start from. And yes, I understand not wanting to spend the money, but somehow, miraculously I find the money to spend on deer corn, hunting, out to eat etc.
Another thing that really helps me is exercise and hanging from a bar as long as I can. Without this I would be stoved up within a week from arthritis.

[ThisLadyHunts]

A seizure broke my back in 2017. It took literally a year to “recover” from. The mri discovered that I had two bulging disc. One of which was close to a nerve.
It doesn’t take anything to set my back off. Using a weed eater, sleeping wrong, etc etc; however, I have a few thing the physical therapist gave me to do that work when I do them. The exercises help with the sciatica.
First and foremost go and drop the change for the mri. That will give you and the doctors a baseline that you can start from. And yes, I understand not wanting to spend the money, but somehow, miraculously I find the money to spend on deer corn, hunting, out to eat etc.
Another thing that really helps me is exercise and hanging from a bar as long as I can. Without this I would be stoved up within a week from arthritis.

Solid advice.

[BowhunterB]

I would offer similar advice as the others. I have had "back problems" for years. Knew I had a ruptured disc for the past 10 or 12 years but was ok. had sciatic pain in left leg off an on but nothing major. Last year (2022) about April I started having sciatic pain in my right leg all of a sudden. MRI showed 2 ruptured discs, 2 bulging discs and stenosis. Spent most of the year walking hunched over. Tried physical therapy but could not get to where I could straighten up. Was walking several miles a week (and doing exercises from PT) and finally got a little better right before Christmas, but then doing things to get ready for hosting Christmas set it off again. Saw a neurosurgeon who recommended surgery. Was trying to decide on the surgery when I developed an autoimmune issue while at the deer lease, which affected my spine strangely enough. although they tell me it is unrelated to the structural back issues. Spent a week in the hospital, a few days on steroids, and when I came out of the hospital I was upright (although I was in a walker for a couple months), which I attribute to the steroids. Since then I have started PT and really worked on strengthening my legs and core, but slowly.
I would try to get an MRI, possibly see a neurosurgeon but also try to walk if possible like Glen said. I think moving and trying to strengthen the core are crucial, but you have to have the proper guidance and do the proper exercises with a good physical therapist. The back is an amazing piece of equipment.

[dosrobles]

I have had a L something S something fusion. It has been great for 18 years. I believe every situation is different. Just make sure you get comfortable with the Dr. doing the cutting. Granted I wasn’t 70 at that time I had my surgery. My dad had knee replacement at 80 and did fine.

[BowhunterB]

Sorry, didn't realize I was getting quite so long winded above. I also have to thank a ton of prayers form family and friends and especially God's Grace for me being upright and able to walk these days.

[Pushbutton2]

Watching

The disk in my neck and lower back show signs of degeneration.
For ME if I sit a lot my back hurts, if If I walk my back feels better. I'm overweight too. I've contemplated going to a Dr. The last 2 years has left me with 0% confidence in any Dr. Much less going under the knife and needing blood.contaminated by Poison.

OP I hope and pray for you health and the alleviation of.your back pain.

[Dmck]

I have had two back surgeries and am now on LTD through my company. After my last surgery in 4/20 I went back to work and over the course of a year my back started hurting again. Doctor sent me to the hospital and injected dye so he could see better. What he suspected had come to pass, my back had basically fused itself and nothing more could be done. Went on LTD and I stay active as I can and just take the bad days with the good. My buddy who id my PC convinced me to do the THC gummies that would help me sleep. They are legal and come in the mail. Hello Mood is where I order from. Two months taking them and I sleep most of the night, very little pain and I quit snoring and started dreaming again.

[Geezy Rider]

I have a protruding compressed disk in my lower back. I used to work out pretty religiously working hard on my core, until I developed spinal stenosis. The stenosis got so bad that it ended my workouts and I started losing the use of my legs. I couldn’t walk fifty feet without going clubfooted and stumbling.
Doctors performed a discectomy and laminectomy. It gave me my legs back but created a new problem in that I couldn’t stand or sit for long periods of time and walking long distances was out. My whole lower back would spasm and ache so bad that most physical labor was excruciating. Doctors said there was nothing more they could do for me.
I went to an Airrosti Therapy Center and they helped me learn how to massage out the knots that would form in the back from the spasms. It helps but it’s no cure.
It has totally changed how I do everything from chores to hunting. It was also one of the reasons I retired when I did.
I had a physical therapist tell me that if I’d walk every day that I would fix my back problems and I tried but I just couldn’t go a half mile without using a walking staff and it still hurt like hell. Glen even tried to help me with some advice about walking and I appreciate him for that.
Finally, on the advice from my son, regarding a different issue, I approached it from a nutritional standpoint. I eliminated all sugar, seeds, seed oils, highly processed foods, alcohol and vegetables from my diet. I went zero carb.
Within one month all inflammation in my body was gone. Along with many other ailments. The back pain was gone. Joint pain was gone. No more arthritis. In that month’s time I was able to walk a mile without any support and now, after three months I’m walking two and a half miles unsupported and briskly. I’m back to working out also.
The protruding compressed disc is still there and every once in awhile it lets me know but it’s absolutely nothing like the debilitating pain I was going through.
I hope you find the answers to you pain. I know I found mine.

[Bucknaked]

Medicare should cover your MRI’s No problems at all ! Stay away from chino’s , they are only practitioners ! I wouldn’t allow them to put anymore of those very harmful steroid injections in you at All! Do your research and search out the best neurosurgeon you can find . If you haven’t had a nerve test then you’ve been going to the wrong dr’s! I would not hesitate to have more proper fusions done but once again they must be done by a very reputable surgeon even if you have to travel for the right one . MOst importantly Pray, Pray , Pray! I have found two surgeons from posting a thread in here and they were awesome!

[BowhunterB]

I have a protruding compressed disk in my lower back. I used to work out pretty religiously working hard on my core, until I developed spinal stenosis. The stenosis got so bad that it ended my workouts and I started losing the use of my legs. I couldn’t walk fifty feet without going clubfooted and stumbling.
Doctors performed a discectomy and laminectomy. It gave me my legs back but created a new problem in that I couldn’t stand or sit for long periods of time and walking long distances was out. My whole lower back would spasm and ache so bad that most physical labor was excruciating. Doctors said there was nothing more they could do for me.
I went to an Airrosti Therapy Center and they helped me learn how to massage out the knots that would form in the back from the spasms. It helps but it’s no cure.
It has totally changed how I do everything from chores to hunting. It was also one of the reasons I retired when I did.
I had a physical therapist tell me that if I’d walk every day that I would fix my back problems and I tried but I just couldn’t go a half mile without using a walking staff and it still hurt like hell. Glen even tried to help me with some advice about walking and I appreciate him for that.
Finally, on the advice from my son, regarding a different issue, I approached it from a nutritional standpoint. I eliminated all sugar, seeds, seed oils, highly processed foods, alcohol and vegetables from my diet. I went zero carb.
Within one month all inflammation in my body was gone. Along with many other ailments. The back pain was gone. Joint pain was gone. No more arthritis. In that month’s time I was able to walk a mile without any support and now, after three months I’m walking two and a half miles unsupported and briskly. I’m back to working out also.
The protruding compressed disc is still there and every once in awhile it lets me know but it’s absolutely nothing like the debilitating pain I was going through.
I hope you find the answers to you pain. I know I found mine.

I'm curious - I understand all the other things, but you eliminated all vegetables from your diet? What was the reason for that?

[Geezy Rider]

I'm curious - I understand all the other things, but you eliminated all vegetables from your diet? What was the reason for that?

First off, plants contain many anti-nutrients. What nutrients there are may not be bio available or absorbable and they have no essential nutrients that can’t be found in meat alone. They also contain mild toxins such as Phytic acid, Lectins, Goitrogens, Oxalates and Saponins. These can cause inflammation and a host of other problems in people who are sensitive to them.

Second, I’ve had IBS for over thirty years along with diverticulosis and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease four months ago. Removing vegetation from my diet cured me of those ailments.
Lastly, I came to the realization that I don’t really like them. I came to this conclusion when I realized that in order to make vegetables palatable, I had to cover them with something, usually a meat product, (cheese, bacon, butter) before I could eat them. If I have to cover something up in order to eat it then maybe I should just eat the covering and toss out what doesn’t taste good to me.

Thats just me and my metabolism. If you like veggies and they don’t affect you then enjoy them. If you’re going to eat carbs then natural fresh vegetables are the best ones to eat.

[BowhunterB]

First off, plants contain many anti-nutrients. What nutrients there are may not be bio available or absorbable and they have no essential nutrients that can’t be found in meat alone. They also contain mild toxins such as Phytic acid, Lectins, Goitrogens, Oxalates and Saponins. These can cause inflammation and a host of other problems in people who are sensitive to them.

Second, I’ve had IBS for over thirty years along with diverticulosis and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease four months ago. Removing vegetation from my diet cured me of those ailments.
Lastly, I came to the realization that I don’t really like them. I came to this conclusion when I realized that in order to make vegetables palatable, I had to cover them with something, usually a meat product, (cheese, bacon, butter) before I could eat them. If I have to cover something up in order to eat it then maybe I should just eat the covering and toss out what doesn’t taste good to me.

Thats just me and my metabolism. If you like veggies and they don’t affect you then enjoy them. If you’re going to eat carbs then natural fresh vegetables are the best ones to eat.

Interesting. I'm familiar with Phytic Acid and Oxalates, but not so much with the others. I know I have a lot more learning to do but it's interesting. If I read 5 different doctors / nutritional experts I get 5 different ideas and don;t know which way to turn.
Just curious, are the antioxidants found in fruits / vegetables also found in meat?