Recommend Back Surgery or Shots

[reelmacoy]

Just got my results from Dr. this morning on my MRI. Herniated disk.
This scares the hell out of me. Never had surgery, but it's been a month now and no work and no fishing, this sucks.

Anyone been thru this. I need a second opinion(from a Dr.) Recommend a Dr. or a idea of what you would do.

I live W. of Katy, but will drive anywhere to avoid surgery. Thanks

[nokatchin]

bummer.wish i could recommed some one but i cant.good luck and i hope everything works out

[bountyhunter]

I have two Herniated disk that when aggravated pinch my sciatic nerve giving me great pain in my leg. I had the shots back in 2007 and have not yet had to go back, knock on wood! I have also been smarter in my approach to doing things such as lifting and bending. Altogether it seems to be working but I do have some days not better than others. Hope this helps and good luck, I know where you are at, as I've been there.

[sublimesurf74]

Go to a chiro, get massages, ice it every day at least 2 times a day, stretch and strengthen by doing some sort of yogaisk exercises. I would go to a sports rehab place like Koala Wellness in downtown houston.

in each visit you get:
electronic muscle stem
massage
ultra sound
stretching
exercise
adjustment

I have arthritis and herniated discs in my neck and back and they really helped me. Of course now I haven't been doing what I am supposed to so my symptoms are coming back. It is definitly a life time commitment to keep your spine healthy.

Good luck man I feel your pain

[WestEndAngler]

My Dad went through something similar... He opted not to have surgery.

He started going to the Neuromuscular Center off Augusta. I even go there. It's deep tissue neuromuscular massages. They help relax the back etc.

During that same time probably 15 years ago my good friends Dad had the same thing happen. He went surgical route and fixed it. My Dad still has issues but he's learned to deal with it. He can still lift and pull but he can easily have it go out on him where he's hurting for a day.

If you need suggestions on doctors I can probably get a few

[reelmacoy]

These massage places sound alot better than shots, surgery. I would like to try this first, Doc says surgery now or later. Hope not.

This is all new to me so, does medical insurance cover these places?

[WestEndAngler]

My insurance doesn't but you may have a company / policy that will

[FP10]

Contact Chip he has major back issues.

[sublimesurf74]

Mine covers it but you have to go to rehab type place not just a massage place. They will have tphysical therapists chiros and what not

[WestEndAngler]

For my back...

I go & see (in Houston)

Chiropractor - Dana Harper (Harper Chiropractic & Associates) - 713-622-3456

4544 Post Oak Place Drive
Houston, TX 77027

They are the best Chiropractic group I've found they provide me with immediate relief and have state of the art traction machines, tests to improve poster and correct your issues. They are the only group that has ever taken X-Rays and placed electronic diodes on my back to measure how my back reacted to different stimulations. They use all this information and put together a treatment plan for you. They have a rehab treatment facility on location and therapist to strengthen your muscles properly.

For tight Muscles, Sharp Pains and Cricks in neck, back spasms etc...

Wellness Neuromuscular Clinic (Deep Tissue Massage Therapy)
Patty Garcia or Ben Johnson are my two favorite therapists
(713) 532-7246
1800 Augusta Drive
Houston, TX 77057

I've been seeing Patty for 10 years now and Ben when I can't get in to see Patty.

[reelmacoy]

Not sure how to do multi-quotes on my repy, but

Bounty, what type of shots were they, how many, and did you cry? No really, are they painful!


WEA, 10yrs, man is that the way to go to avoid surgery/shots. Thats some helpful info. brother, I will contact them in my search to this challange. Thanks

[WestEndAngler]

Not sure how to do multi-quotes on my repy, but

Bounty, what type of shots were they, how many, and did you cry? No really, are they painful!


WEA, 10yrs, man is that the way to go to avoid surgery/shots. Thats some helpful info. brother, I will contact them in my search to this challange. Thanks

My Dad has never been under the knife for his back and I go to them to prevent tightening up of my back, everything is related you can have a sore shoulder and wake up with it going down to your lower back, then into your leg I'm sure everyone knows what I'm talking about here... STRETCHING is key!

[Steve_A]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/herniated-disk/DS00893 .........I had a herniated/ruptured disk in my lower back about 15 years which I ended up having surgury. My doctor said he was finding pieces of my disk in there. For the most part I'm fine, still workout, play tennis, fish, etc. Every once in a while it will bother me. A bone cracker, (chiroprator), will help. Also if you have one, lose your belly. The doctor I used is Dr. Parrish on Fannin.

[Robalo]

Some folks do good with the cortisteroid shots. My brother did for his neck, but they did nada for my lumbar and mixed results for my GF (which she just had 3rd neck surgery today and my kindhearted jerk of a boss got PO'd when I kept my cell on in today's Monday Mgmt Mtg-she was in surgery jerkola and what if sumthin happened-dang azzholey).
My brother's was not painful. My GF was in a lot of pain afterwards and I had some-I never felt any difference/improvement after the shot. I believe mine were near $2-4K each time-I've had 3-they said sometimes 2 needed to see any results/change. I was put under and so was she sort of. Brother wasn't and I think his was shot straight into neck. Hers were from midback up along spinal cord into neck and x-ray or CT was used and they wanted her half awake so they didn't paralyze her or miss was my understanding. Back pain sux. The somas, flexeril, xanaflex, etc. get real old after a few weeks and also make beer drinking tougher since mixing aint advised.

[Beandaddy]

I had the injections first. 3 sets 1 every two weeks. Worked for about 3-4 months. Next I had a discetamy surgery between L5/S1. It lasted about 4 months. The last surgery I had a fusion L5/S1 and that was 3 1/2 years ago now, doing fine. It gets stiff every now and then and hurts sometime when I stay in bed too long but I am very happy with mine. I am not limitted on what I can do except I'm Old and fat and that is My limit!!!
Beandaddy

Dr. Walter Randall Sassard
Bone and Joint Clinic of Houston