Overview of medical encounters:
("Relief Level" is ranked on a 5 star [*] scale.)
WEEK 1:
Chiropractor:
Diagnosis: Pelvis tilting forward causing muscle pain.
Treatment: Ultrasound on lower back to reduce inflammation followed by lots and lots of bending me in awkward positions to pop my back and hips.
Suggestions: Don't sit. Ever... No, no, really never sit down.
Relief Level: ** (I obviously needed my back popped but I was still in pain.)
WEEK 2:
Doctor:
Diagnosis: Muscle spasms due to unknown irritant.
Treatment: At home exercises to stretch and strengthen back. Take 2 aspirin 3 times a day.
Suggestions: Don't take Ibuprofen, wear only sturdy tennis shoes and wait it out. Should feel relief in 5-6 weeks.
Relief Level: * (Aspirin and exercises had no noticeable change on my condition.)
Massage Therapist:
This was an attempt to relieve some of the muscle tension.
Relief Level: ** (As I said above, it did help relive some tension but with no reduction in pain.)
WEEK 3:
Physical Therapist:
Diagnosis: Undetermined.
Treatment: None.
Suggestions: Get back X-ray before proceeding.
Relief Level: * (Strictly because this got the ball rolling with my X-rays and the MRI in turn. And by knowing steps were being made brought me mental relief.)
Doctor (X-rays):
Diagnosis: No visible problems with bones.
Treatment: None.
Suggestions: Schedule appointments for an MRI and Orthopedic Specialist.
Relief Level: * (For the same reasons as above.)
WEEK 4:
MRI (technician):
Diagnosis: Unknown. (Technicians are not at liberty to tell patients what they see during the scan.)
Treatment: None.
Suggestions: See doctor as soon as possible.
Relief Level: None ( If anything I was more worried by the technician repeatedly asking how soon I would be seeing my doctor.)
Special Note: The actual MRI process was quite an enjoyable experience (I am wondering how I can get my own tube-like structure to sleep in. Though I would much prefer something a bit darker... the MRI tube was far too bright to take a proper nap. But that's a whole other story.)
WEEK 5:
Doctor (phone call):
Diagnosis: Bulging disc between the L5 and S1 vertebrae.
Treatment: Not mentioned.
Suggestions: Wait for further detail from Orthopedic Specialist.
Relief Level: None (And by this point I am wishing evil things upon this doctor for telling me at my first appointment that I was probably over reacting to the pain.)
Orthopedic Specialist:
Diagnosis: Herniated disc between the L5 and S1 vertebrae. (Yes, that is worse than the "bulging" disc my doctor mentioned.)
Treatment: Start physical therapy 1-2 times a week. Prescribed muscle relaxers for pain. Steroids if pain continues. And surgery if numbness increases or weakness develops.
Suggestions: Continue with all activities unless pain arises. Sitting properly will not aggravate it. Flip flops will not aggravate it. Aspirin will not help and I should resume my Ibuprofen regimen. (Wow, my primary doctor is an idiot.)
Relief Level: *** ( Mostly mental, but the drugs help too. And I'm expecting more with the physical therapy.)
So now you may be wondering what a herniated disc really is. The following is my best attempt at an explanation.
Note: Most of the info is taken from on-line medical sites I have used while piecing this together:
Definiton:
A herniated disc happens when one of the discs in the spine bulges from its proper place. Discs are small circular cushions between the vertebrae (bones) in the spine; they have both a firm outer ring made up of cartilage, called the annulus, and a more pliable gelatin center, called the nucleus. The discs are compressible and act as cushions for the bones of the spine. In a herniated disc, abnormal expansion of the nucleus pushes the annulus into the spinal cord, interfering with local nerves, and can cause severe pain. This is most common in the lower spine.
Symptoms:
(I highlighted my symptoms.)
- Pain the severity and location of the pain depend upon which disk is herniated and how large the herniation is. (mine is a sharp stabbing sensation.)
- Pain may spread over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh and into the calf
- Pain may be in one or both legs
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
- Bowel or bladder changes (***If this happens surgery is a must***)
- In severe cases inability to find comfort even lying down
- Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms
Now here are pictures from my MRI that I have labeled:
You can see that my disc is a dark color instead of the luminescent "white" it is supposed to be. It has also become notably thinner. I was told this could be due to both regular wear and tear as well as the loss of the inner nucleic fluid. What is happening in my case is that the bulge and leaking fluid are now pressing against the nerves that run down my spinal column which is causing me my range of discomfort.
Here is an "over head" view:
The herniation has also caused a significant decrease in the size of my spinal column. Below is a picture of one of my vertebrae higher up in my back. In this image you can see how a healthy disc looks and the open spinal column below it (circular and white in color).
So that's about it folks. I just have to hope for the best with the physical therapy and live with the pain for now. Thanks again for the well wishes, and patience with my absence in many cases. I miss life outside of laying on the couch with a heating pad under me hopped up on muscle relaxers. I hope to be out and about more often in the near future.
cheerful
chipper
