[treesgirl]

Hi,
I have been searching the internet for months trying to find information on how others have dealt with lumbar disc problems and i hope that i have come to the right place.
I am completely new to this "forum" thing and could use some assistance on where i should look for others like me... I would totally appreciate if you can send me in the right direction!

I was involved in a head on MVA almost two years ago, tried 4 rounds of PT, a Mackenzie specialist, a chiro/spinal manipulation, orthopaedic dr's, tried steriod injections, oral steriods, traction, TENS, hot and cold packs, bed rest, every pain medication possible, muscle relaxers, etc...

briefly:
MRI's from 2006 and 2007- L4-5 disc fragment of 11mm x 30mm extruded into spinal canal w/spinal canal reduction of 50% normal AP dimensions, severe loss of disc space height... (L4-5 disc is down over the body of the L-5 vertebrae) and at L5 -S1 small disc herniation
EMG 2007 - positive for radiculopathy, nerve damage...

I am hesitant of surgery, and believe in natural healing, and refuse to take pain medications (tried them and they made me sick and didn't really help anyway, just made me want to sleep)

So i am hoping someone can head me in hte right direction as to a Forum that i could find others who have similar injuries as i would like to learn more about how others have dealt with their pain and choices whether or not to have surgery.

I am 34 years young and a self employed photographer...

Thanks,
and I am glad to have found this place!
Thanks,
Treesgirl.
(Theresa)

[Pamster]

Hi Theresa, nice to meet you, I would check in the Chronic Pain forum and maybe the Spinal Disorders forum. Glad you joined us.

[treesgirl]

Thanks for the assistance!
-Cheers,
Theresa

[Pamster]

My pleasure Theresa.

[Justice]

I was also in an MVA in 1997,and had broken my back,the other injuries are irrelevent,but I went through the same things,except for the MRI's,I can't have MRI's(surgical stainless steel clips in my chest)! But I have avoided surgery at every cost as well.The traction was too painful,all of it was too painful,so now I have Degenerative Disk Desease of the Lumber Spine,and Sciatica,and I chose the pain management with Pain medication for probably the rest of my life.But I think you made the right choice of not taking the pain medicine for yourself,some people can function just fine on it,some can't.But after the accident,I didn't wait long enough before I went back to weight lifting and ruptured 4 disks in the lower lumbar region,that was my stubborness,and stupidity.I am almost 34 myself,so I understand what you're going through.When I don't take my pain meds,it's excrutiating!So I really feel for you,and wish you the best of luck.I heard from a Doctor in Californis that acupuncture works wonders,I've never tried it myself,but you never know! But there are topics here for the health problems and conditions,and you can find something in there,or just message DocJohn,and he can steer you to the right topic,cause I'm fairly hew here as well!Good luck,and I really wish you well with your spinal injury,I know how it feels!