Discouraged, injured, went back to work, now the pain.

My disk did herniate, and to a very bad degree. My neurosurgeon used that term, but maybe you know more than him. The fiberius outside of the disk had blown out, and parts were sticking into my sciatic nerve. Only surgery could remove that problem. Don't assume because you have a problem that it's just like someone else's problem. Unless you are a doctor you should refrain from giving medical advice to others.

 

I cant believe a doctor doesn't know what is wrong. What kind are you seeing?

 

I contracted disseminated Valley Fever in 2006 and told I might not survive past ten years. This has slowly, literally eaten away at all of my joints and soft tissue in various areas and caused numerous other problems that aren't relevant to this discussion.

My hip, one knee, all fingers and toes, one shoulder and two vertebrae are significantly damaged now. I do not take prescription pain medication because I need to function mentally. Over the years I have learned that walking through the pain and yoga definitely help. The yoga keeps the flexibility and encourages correct breathing and mental focus. Walking keeps everything moving and warm.

Sitting can be a sheer misery so try to do stretching exercises as you sit and definitely walk as much as possible. But yoga... Well it's been a lifesaver on some respects for me.

 

Back surgery is a total crapshoot. Change the lives of some for the better and makes it worse for others.

If truck driving aggravates it, I’d guess a manual labor gig wouldn’t be any better or something where you’re constantly on your feet.

Can you qualify for disability? That may be the best option if you can afford it

 

Since his pain is caused by something in his leg, I dont see how sitting is an issue. There are some very good lumbar seats out there. My Volvo has a massage seat that cycles the lumbar. I can drive all day.

 

Your surgeon gave you an answer. Yet here you are asking a bunch of truck drivers on the internet for a second opinion.

 

And yet you feel that since you've spoken to a doctor and had surgery, you're qualified to give medical advice? I don't know, maybe you know better than the tens of thousands of people out there who are living completely disabled from botched back surgeries.

Look Tennessee, everybody has different issues with spine related conditions and no two are the same. If somebody has convinced themselves that surgery is their only option, they are doing themselves a disservice by not getting several surgical opinions. There is a well documented condition called FBSS or "failed back surgery syndrome" that is easily looked up with a Google search, and hundreds of clinical studies on the number of people who return to work after surgery versus those who didn't have surgery. The results are always in favor of those who opted out of surgery. As with trucking, there are lawyers who specialize in back surgery cases because of the high failure rate and the high number of people who are permanently disabled from surgery. I'm happy that it's worked for you and others, but for me somebody cutting on my spine is an absolute last resort. It's just my opinion, and you can take it or leave it.

 

The difference is, I dont claim to have answers. You portray yourself as some authority. I told him to get medical advice. I cited my example as to how confusing things can be. Nothing done prior to my surgery showed anything but a slight bulge, but my Neuro was a smart guy. He said I'm going in and will fix what I'm sure I will find. For every bad surgery there are probably 100 good ones you don't hear about. We amaze over a trucking accident but forget the 100,000 that didn't have one that day.

 

I've had two back surgeries one for a ruptured disc on l4 and a herniated disk on l5. The injury two both happened at the same time. The ruptured disk was repaired first. I was left with nerve damage in my left leg. The second surgery was after the herniated disk got worse after a fall nine years later.

Weight loss and core training are important. Daily stretches also.

I see the chiropractor monthly. She is aware of my surgeries and does not manually minipulate that area. I think chiropractic care is only one thing that I do to keep my self healthy.

Now, if I start having symptoms of a bulging disk again I will go straight to my doctor.

Again being fit is the most important way to combat back and hip issues.