OT Bulging Disc

[NTDawg]

I was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc in my upper back shoulder blade area. My gp put me on a round of steroids which helped some. I’m not in a lot of pain. It’s mainly noticeable when I’m standing for a while or sitting straight up particularly when driving. However standing or driving for prolonged periods of time is pretty painful. I mainly get a tingling sensation in my shoulder, forearm and in thumb and pointer finger. My dr said if it continues he would refer me to a spine surgeon. I’m reluctant to see a surgeon at this point. Question what other alternative options do y’all know of that could help?

 

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc in my upper back shoulder blade area. My gp put me on a round of steroids which helped some. I’m not in a lot of pain. It’s mainly noticeable when I’m standing for a while or sitting straight up particularly when driving. However standing or driving for prolonged periods of time is pretty painful. I mainly get a tingling sensation in my shoulder, forearm and in thumb and pointer finger. My dr said if it continues he would refer me to a spine surgeon. I’m reluctant to see a surgeon at this point. Question what other alternative options do y’all know of that could help?

Maybe a nerve block?

 

[ababyatemydingo]

I was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc in my upper back shoulder blade area. My gp put me on a round of steroids which helped some. I’m not in a lot of pain. It’s mainly noticeable when I’m standing for a while or sitting straight up particularly when driving. However standing or driving for prolonged periods of time is pretty painful. I mainly get a tingling sensation in my shoulder, forearm and in thumb and pointer finger. My dr said if it continues he would refer me to a spine surgeon. I’m reluctant to see a surgeon at this point. Question what other alternative options do y’all know of that could help?

if you DO end up going the surgery route, go see Graham Calvert at MS Sports Medicine. Not only a superb spine surgeon, but a great bulldog, too

 

[LimaoCabeca]

Only let someone cut on you as a last resort. Spine surgery for pain follows the rule of thirds in my experience—a third get better, a third don’t change, and a third get worse.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Medical MJ

 

[Ranchdawg]

Only let someone cut on you as a last resort. Spine surgery for pain follows the rule of thirds in my experience—a third get better, a third don’t change, and a third get worse.

Most people I know that had surgery on their back ended up going back again and most 2 times more. Pain just moves. If it ain't unbearable keep on keeping on.

 

[SyonaraStanz]

Your doctor will try physical therapy first, and if that doesn’t work, next are steroid injections at the site of the bulge. Lastly comes surgery. Everyone I know who has had surgery, their doctors were very reluctant to cut on them, but when they finally did, they were better off. My friend just had a minimally invasive laser surgery to remove a bulge, and he’s doing really well.

 

[Rupert Jenkins]

Mine use to bulge all the damn time but not so much anymore. Its....wait a minute....you said disc. My bad

 

[KnoxvilleDawg]

I had a bulging S1-L5 disc. All the PT in the world didn't cure mine, but my neurosurgeon said the last thing he wanted was to cut on me. However, I've not had any major problems since the surgery 15 years ago. The key is figure out how to "unbulge" it by getting more space between the two offending vertebrae via whatever method. An anti-gravity table gave me temporary relief for a time, but surgery was the only real fix. Good luck with it.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

I was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc in my upper back shoulder blade area. My gp put me on a round of steroids which helped some. I’m not in a lot of pain. It’s mainly noticeable when I’m standing for a while or sitting straight up particularly when driving. However standing or driving for prolonged periods of time is pretty painful. I mainly get a tingling sensation in my shoulder, forearm and in thumb and pointer finger. My dr said if it continues he would refer me to a spine surgeon. I’m reluctant to see a surgeon at this point. Question what other alternative options do y’all know of that could help?

I have had two of these things in my low back. I went through the whole routine, then ultimately had surgery. First one L5/S1 15 years ago, L4/L5 last year. Both due to acute injuries (playing softball and lifting heavy shlt) which is why the injury was worse and ultimately made me have surgery.

I'll need some backstory on you in order to help you, but I can give you the whole low down. How old are you? Did an injury cause this bulge, or did it happen over time (degenerative type deal)? How did you diagnose it? MRI?

To me, I'd guess it's just bulging and you might could do a lot for yourself with steroid shots, and stretching/exercise (if it's not too painful). I personally would not waste time with physical therapy unless you just have zero knowledge of exercise. Yoga is your best friend, especially for discs in that area, especially if bulging and not herniated (like mine were). Herniations will have you on the ground crying.

As far as surgeons, if you are in Jackson, go to John Davis at Newsouth Neurospine, period. He's the best there is. You have orthopedic surgeons like Graham Calvert (also a good guy) and you have neurosurgeons like John. He's also a great bulldog.

 

[GloryDawg]

I have had one in my lower back since I was 24. I have not worried about. I go to gym 6 days a week and I lift really heavy. I am 59 and have not missed a lick.

 

[PBRME]

I was recently diagnosed with a bulging disc in my upper back shoulder blade area. My gp put me on a round of steroids which helped some. I’m not in a lot of pain. It’s mainly noticeable when I’m standing for a while or sitting straight up particularly when driving. However standing or driving for prolonged periods of time is pretty painful. I mainly get a tingling sensation in my shoulder, forearm and in thumb and pointer finger. My dr said if it continues he would refer me to a spine surgeon. I’m reluctant to see a surgeon at this point. Question what other alternative options do y’all know of that could help?

My dr sent me to physical therapy. They found more issues with my back than just the bulging disc. They worked with me for a few weeks and gave me exercises to do at home. Did wonders for my back.

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

My mom has had 7 back surgeries for herniated discs. I told her next time tell the doctor to put a zipper in to save time. She just turned 80 so hoping won't be a next time.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I had a laminectomy from C3-T2 with full instrumentation and fusion. All those vertebrae discs are now titanium with the disc having to be replaced. I had extreme stenosis where three spots that an MRI showed the spinal column had bone growth and it was cutting off the spun cord. My discs were falling apart because I had disintegrating disc disease. It was in 2015, and I'm still having spinal cord issues, but the surgery was very successful. They were really surprised I was able to walk after it was done. Have a good therapy routine post-surgery and stick with it. I was unable to because of completely different issues, and I'm just now trying to get back in shape.

 

[NTDawg]

I have had two of these things in my low back. I went through the whole routine, then ultimately had surgery. First one L5/S1 15 years ago, L4/L5 last year. Both due to acute injuries (playing softball and lifting heavy shlt) which is why the injury was worse and ultimately made me have surgery.

I'll need some backstory on you in order to help you, but I can give you the whole low down. How old are you? Did an injury cause this bulge, or did it happen over time (degenerative type deal)? How did you diagnose it? MRI?

To me, I'd guess it's just bulging and you might could do a lot for yourself with steroid shots, and stretching/exercise (if it's not too painful). I personally would not waste time with physical therapy unless you just have zero knowledge of exercise. Yoga is your best friend, especially for discs in that area, especially if bulging and not herniated (like mine were). Herniations will have you on the ground crying.

As far as surgeons, if you are in Jackson, go to John Davis at Newsouth Neurospine, period. He's the best there is. You have orthopedic surgeons like Graham Calvert (also a good guy) and you have neurosurgeons like John. He's also a great bulldog.

54 no injury but it was acute onset. Movement and exercise don’t bother me only standing/sitting up straight or leaning forward. Recline position gives me relief. Diagnosed by GP examination.

 

[WilCoDawg]

I had one in my upper back/lower neck area that had the exact same effects on me. I went to a chiropractor though and he tried everything from adjustments to dry needling, and even cupping. It wasn’t until he loaned me his traction device that we figured it out. I ended up borrowing a friends over-the-door traction device that did the trick. I could feel it popping back into place and kept doing that for about two weeks and it hasn’t bothered me since (knocks on wood).

 

[msdawg90]

Does anyone have experience with a chiropractor for a bulging disc? Oddly enough, I went to a chiropractor and from x-rays it was suspected it is a C5-C6 bulge. They did decompression and a minor adjustment. No relief. Mine is degenerative (I'm 56) so I am wondering if going to a chiropractor is the route to go or am I inevitably going to need more invasive treatment from an MD.

 

[Dawgbite]

You need to go see Dr Barlow in Tupelo. He can fix anything.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

54 no injury but it was acute onset. Movement and exercise don’t bother me only standing/sitting up straight or leaning forward. Recline position gives me relief. Diagnosed by GP examination.

Sounds like you need to go the conservative approach for now. You might get an MRI but you’ll have to let a surgeon look at it to show you what it was. It won’t hurt to go see one, as they can get you set up for a steroid injection too. Again, Newsouth is excellent and has both.

You can try chiropractic, some decompression therapy, and stretching first. And do an anti-inflammatory regularly twice a day to keep pain and swelling under control. If it’s not better in a few weeks, go see the surgeon and get the MRI. Maybe do an injection. If that doesn’t work, just do the surgery, it’s not that big of a deal honestly. They have you walking that same day. John does 3-4 of these a couple times a week.

Life isn’t worth living with disc pain. Get it taken care of, or take action on your own to heal it. Don’t ignore it like I did for a year and a half in 2007/2008.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Sounds like you need to go the conservative approach for now. You might get an MRI but you’ll have to let a surgeon look at it to show you what it was. It won’t hurt to go see one, as they can get you set up for a steroid injection too. Again, Newsouth is excellent and has both.

You can try chiropractic, some decompression therapy, and stretching first. And do an anti-inflammatory regularly twice a day to keep pain and swelling under control. If it’s not better in a few weeks, go see the surgeon and get the MRI. Maybe do an injection. If that doesn’t work, just do the surgery, it’s not that big of a deal honestly. They have you walking that same day. John does 3-4 of these a couple times a week.

Life isn’t worth living with disc pain. Get it taken care of, or take action on your own to heal it. Don’t ignore it like I did for a year and a half in 2007/2008.

Good advice. I would try pain injection therapy before you get on pills and try to avoid surgery. If you really need surgery, be sure you have a good surgeon.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Good advice. I would try pain injection therapy before you get on pills and try to avoid surgery. If you really need surgery, be sure you have a good surgeon.

Oh yes that’s the most important part of this…..pain pills. Don’t let them fool you. DO NOT get on them unless you’re in agonizing pain. I had to do them pre-operation for this last surgery because I hurt so bad, and they were much more addicting than they were after the first surgery.

Post op? Yes. But be very careful not to over do it.

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

if you DO end up going the surgery route, go see Graham Calvert at MS Sports Medicine. Not only a superb spine surgeon, but a great bulldog, too

Calvert operated on me a few years back and he is fantastic. Highly recommend.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

I had a laminectomy from C3-T2 with full instrumentation and fusion. All those vertebrae discs are now titanium with the disc having to be replaced. I had extreme stenosis where three spots that an MRI showed the spinal column had bone growth and it was cutting off the spun cord. My discs were falling apart because I had disintegrating disc disease. It was in 2015, and I'm still having spinal cord issues, but the surgery was very successful. They were really surprised I was able to walk after it was done. Have a good therapy routine post-surgery and stick with it. I was unable to because of completely different issues, and I'm just now trying to get back in shape.

Eek man. That’s what I’m trying like crazy to avoid. I’ve had two microdiscectomies (which come with small laminectomies) on two successive discs, so I’m headed that way if I don’t strengthen my abs and low back. That’s a big part of prevention for low back discs.

Mid back and neck, got to correct that posture.

 

[aTotal360]

 

[jdbulldog]

I have had one in my lower back since I was 24. I have not worried about. I go to gym 6 days a week and I lift really heavy. I am 59 and have not missed a lick.

Count your blessings.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Eek man. That’s what I’m trying like crazy to avoid. I’ve had two microdiscectomies (which come with small laminectomies) on two successive discs, so I’m headed that way if I don’t strengthen my abs and low back. That’s a big part of prevention for low back discs.

Mid back and neck, got to correct that posture.

I went back and reread my post. My vertebrae were not replaced, but because the discs themselves pretty much disintegrated, I had to put titanium screws in what I had left of the vertebrae after the spinal column was open I don't know how much of the vertebrae is left on each spot, but it's all being held together by really long screws. The problem is I've had complications with my nervous system disintegrating since the surgery I don't have much feeling in my feet, legs, and hands. We think the lumbar region may have a similar problem and are trying to get a MRI on it now because I've started having a problem with my balance


Getting old sucks. If I knew my body was gonna have this much trouble. I would've taken better care of it when I was younger.

 

[Herbert Nenninger]

You need to go see Dr Barlow in Tupelo. He can fix anything.

There seems to be a lot of useful chiropractors around. But I’d be weary of Barlow. He oozes snake oil salesman.
He used to cure diabetes and thyroid disorders, but I guess he doesn’t do that anymore.
He’s got some $7,000 laser treatment to treat knee arthritis.
I watched one of his infomercials, and both of his “satisfied customers” were younger, good looking, and from Texas. Seemed fishy, so I looked them up, and they were a husband and wife based in Oxford that did marketing for his business.
His old sidekick Mackey now apparently has the “secret” to fast and safe weight loss.

 

[GloryDawg]

Count your blessings.

I do! I have been extremely blessed with my back. I lift heavy. I don't do dead lifts and have not since I learned about the disk.

 

[Spotdawg]

Oh yes that’s the most important part of this…..pain pills. Don’t let them fool you. DO NOT get on them unless you’re in agonizing pain. I had to do them pre-operation for this last surgery because I hurt so bad, and they were much more addicting than they were after the first surgery.

Post op? Yes. But be very careful not to over do it.

Goat has given very good advice, in my opinion. I have 2 bulging discs and 2 herniated in my lower back. My neck? Disc degeneration from top to bottom. I'm currently on pain reduction therapy (meds), but I really only take them when my back and L arm start to bark (usually around 2am.) When it comes to doctors, an orthopedic surgeon may be very good but a spinal surgeon is a specialist. And they usually take two different approaches to surgery, pain relief and recovery.

Goat also mentioned yoga. Do it. I was shocked at the initial pain and then relief. I feel alive and mobile for the first time in years. Do all the exercise that you can stand and I promise you will feel better physically and mentally! I've yet to have the major surgery but its coming - I hope that you find relief and full recovery.

 

[skipperDawg]

17
Sounds like you guys/ girls should drink more

 

[Anon1664516582]

John Davis hands down… did my neck and when i woke up felt like a new man.

If you have DDD and spinal stenosis… that’s inherited and nothing you can do but get ready for lifetime issues… some worse than others.

It’s amazing watching John read an MRI. Smartest man I know and a very good person…

 

[WilCoDawg]

Does anyone have experience with a chiropractor for a bulging disc? Oddly enough, I went to a chiropractor and from x-rays it was suspected it is a C5-C6 bulge. They did decompression and a minor adjustment. No relief. Mine is degenerative (I'm 56) so I am wondering if going to a chiropractor is the route to go or am I inevitably going to need more invasive treatment from an MD.

I did and he figured it out without all the costly procedures/surgeries.

 

[WilCoDawg]

Oh yes that’s the most important part of this…..pain pills. Don’t let them fool you. DO NOT get on them unless you’re in agonizing pain. I had to do them pre-operation for this last surgery because I hurt so bad, and they were much more addicting than they were after the first surgery.

Post op? Yes. But be very careful not to over do it.

After having my bulging disc, I fully understood why people would take drugs for back issues. It made my life miserable when everything was painful to do mentally irritating when I couldn’t figure out any rhyme or reason when the pain would hit.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Does anyone have experience with a chiropractor for a bulging disc? Oddly enough, I went to a chiropractor and from x-rays it was suspected it is a C5-C6 bulge. They did decompression and a minor adjustment. No relief. Mine is degenerative (I'm 56) so I am wondering if going to a chiropractor is the route to go or am I inevitably going to need more invasive treatment from an MD.

My general opinion is that a chiropractor can do a lot of good for you BEFORE a disc injury has occurred. Once that injury happens, hard for them to help too much. So, for degenerative disc problems that occur slowly and are bulging and not herniated, that would obviously be in the gray area. Hard to know without trying.

The main thing is, don't just continue to go get adjusted if it's not doing anything. If you don't get relief in a week or so, it's not happening, when it comes to an acute disc injury. But that chiropractor will most definitely allow you to keep coming in and charging you money. Same for physical therapists and pain relief specialists. It's up to YOU to decide if it's helping the pain.

 

[stateu1]

Physical therapy.

 

[KentuckyDawg13]

Avoid back surgery if possible. Other mechanisms can heal your back, mostly through hard work...Bikram yoga, Pilates, chiropractor, massage therapy, PT, etc...I had a slipped disc in my neck (c6/7) and doctors were talking very intense neck surgery (they actually have to go through the front of the neck, around to the back!) and I freaked out! I was in my 30s at the time (2004) and refused to do the surgery despite the burning nerve pain and the loss of movement with my right arm. I did EVERYTHING possible besides getting cut, took me two years of intense pain/frustration/etc and started rebuilding my body. The Bikram Yoga (105 degree yoga) was the key for me. Your body can heal itself. Diet, exercise, posture, mindset, everything matters.
Good luck!

 

[PBDog]

I have had one in my lower back since I was 24. I have not worried about. I go to gym 6 days a week and I lift really heavy. I am 59 and have not missed a lick.

this is the way

 

[Awwhellnaw]

John Davis hands down… did my neck and when i woke up felt like a new man.

If you have DDD and spinal stenosis… that’s inherited and nothing you can do but get ready for lifetime issues… some worse than others.

It’s amazing watching John read an MRI. Smartest man I know and a very good person…

This. Fought off pain (or tried to) for close to 2 years. Injections, chiropractor, etc. Nothing worked. Got referred to Dr. Davis and my only regret was not going to him much sooner. A piece of the disc had actually broken off and was rubbing against the nerve.

If I remember correctly, he was Mr. MSU during his time at State.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Got referred to Dr. Davis and my only regret was not going to him much sooner. A piece of the disc had actually broken off and was rubbing against the nerve.

Same. I met with him in March 2022 and he recommended surgery after looking at the MRI. I thought I was slick and opted for an injection, which lasted until about October, when I ended up living through the worst 2.5 months of my life and the pain got continually worse. When I was nearing freaking suicide I finally went back in and begged him for the surgery and told him I should have listened to him the first time.