The herniation is in my lumbar spine. However, I have had terrible pain since a previous MVA left me with, among other things, a hip twist injury, from the seat belt, and an unstable neck. At the time, the neurosurgeon told me it would be too dangerous to insert stabilization rods. Basically, I'm a mess.

I am so sorry about your MVA and the resulting injuries that have left you "a mess". I don't know if this will apply to your situation or not but you may find some "hope" in it. Many times, herniations will repair themselves in time. The lumbar herniation that you currently have could heal itself, especially if it is not related to your other MVA injuries. How long ago did your lumbar herniation appear on your MRI? For some reason, in my mind, I was thinking that it has appeared later and is not a part of your MVA injuries. But then sometimes, I just "think" things without any basis for them.

Wishing you less painful days and self repair of your lumbar herniation.

I've had lower back pain since my initial MVA, but that was from the twist injury, not herniation. The hernitation came about 15 months ago, as a result of violent braking and evasive maneuvers to avoid an elderly driver who blew through a stop sign, leading onto a rural highway.

Conservative treatment (rest, PT) haven't worked. The PT never thought it would, as, due to extensive MVA nerve damage, I can't develop the core strength that would help stabilize the region.

While the herniation wasn't fun, I could deal with it, pretty well, until the reflected pain in the foot started a couple weeks ago. Still, in time, I'm sure I can become accustomed to that, too - and stop crying out. :icon_redface:

I hate it
 

I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! I trust doctors, i take gabapentin 300mg tramadol 50mg naproxin 600 mg im barely getting an mri i look like im leaning to one side and i feel that if i keep walking w/ comfort i'll develop a hunchback! I wore a backbrace for months! And only meds make the pain go away! My life,future looks ruined by a farshot :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:( im only 22!

I've learned NOT to trust doctors.:mad:

Oh my god. I have the foot pain and terrible cramping, too. I feel like I could handle everything else, but that is debilitating. I have not been able to stand or walk for more than a few minutes at a time for almost a month. Sitting is very short intervals.

Does it feel like someone is drilling into your heel, with a hot poker?

I can only rest, for short intervals, when I'm overcome with exhaustion and, hubby says, I'm groaning and crying in my sleep. :(

I went through the whole Lyrica nightmare, after my MVA, and I don't want to take drugs, again. However, added to my other pain, this is really pushing me to the end of my endurance.

Maybe walking with a cane would help?

Don't give up
 

Dear Rabbit and also Hockey, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I am now 53 and I first broke my spine when I was 16 after coming off my horse. I had my 1st spine fusion then and despite my regular falls and various accidents that fusion got me through to my 30's. The 2nd & 3rd fusion gave me another 15 years and my 4th fusion last year once I get these winkles with a 5th this year soon sorted I'm positive will give me another 15 years.

I experienced not being believed or listened to by doctors long before I fell off my horse, including being put in hospital for pneumonia instead of a spine fracture. Even then, it took a week to realise my spine was fractured and that only after I collapsed to the floor when the nurse insisted I get up and walk.

I too had a back brace after the 1st spine surgery and I wore it for what seemed a long time. It became a comfort, but I realised I could do better without it and I forced myself to walk with better posture. Sadly I have a degenerative spine and my active lifestyle of sport and fitness has not helped. No regrets though.

I have had some terrible experiences with the medical field and I have learned the hard way not to put my faith in them. They do not have all the answers, they are infallible and they do make mistakes.

My head on MVA in 2004 ruined my life (not my fault) and the subsequent court case took 6 years. I was diagnosed with PTSD and still suffer with extreme anxiety attacks.

It is our responsibility to search and find someone who will explain to you your condition and what outcomes are best for you. Don't be brushed off with meds or platitudes. When making your appointments tell the receptionist you want a long appointment, even if it means you have to pay for 2 visits in the one. You can go onto my page and read my earlier posts if you are interested.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it looked very grim for me at 16, I also had partial paralysis for a while with it. But I soldiered on and forged a life for myself, being so ill gave me time to look where my life was going and what I could do to change things. Changing from the quietly rebellious teenager to an accepting wallflower and finally to someone who could stand on her own 2 feet and live a good life.

There are some truly brilliant doctors out there and now with the help of the internet and social media you are in a good place to research and find a quality doctor who is willing to spend the time and invest in your future.

Pain is something I have lived with now for most of my life, I have been on an d off strong medication for the last 18 years and at times deliberately stopped only to be told I have to take it again if I want to function and get out there and live. I was fortunate for years to have a job I truly loved which kept my mind occupied enough to not dwell on pain. Following a seizure and sustaining spine fractures to my thoracic region I had to resign and I now have nothing going on to take my mind off the pain. In January I agreed to an increase in pain meds (up to 120mg) when in hospital but I quickly dropped back to minimal amounts and on avg take 20mg slow release daily. I know if I take more I could probably do better but more drugs causes different problems elsewhere. They are not the only answer, I do believe better posture and carriage will help me and now I'm on a mission to find exercises and a quality physio to help me through this next fusion to get me to my 70's with less hospital visits.

In 2012 I endured the Xanax nightmare. Trust me, the withdrawal from these sent from heaven drugs is painful and extreme. If a drug provides you with sudden pain free or pain less lifestyle benefits be sure you know what the downsides of it are going to be when you or your doctor decide to not take it. Just that knowledge alone may make you decide to not take the drug. I stopped Xanax cold and I am sure it caused me to have a grand mal seizure in which I fractured 4 vertebrae and 2 ribs. Not long after that I was prescribed Lyrica and by January 2013 I painstakingly held my ground through titrating down on it. Strangely, I have taken DF118 or oxy for 20 years and never suffered withdrawal from it?

I began using a cane in 2010, no black or brown number, it's eye catching and hard to miss so I don't get pushed around by mindless people in crowds so much anymore, there is the occasional idiot but on the whole, the cane has helped me with stabilising my gait and making me take the time to walk better.

Pamela, that is quite a story, I asked in another thread how you came to have your first fusion, etc., but I think I got it now! Wanted to ask about your experience with Lyrica. I am still working on getting my diagnosis and plan sorted out, but in the meantime taking Neurontin, which I started at a low dose but up to about 500 mg 3 times a day, and I dont think its helping. Was considering asking to try Lyrica since its supposed to be better, more refined version of the similar gabapentin, but the side effects scare me a little. So far I don't think ive had any on the neurontin. I have a ton of nerve pain and living mostly in bed the past month. I could handle all of it but its the resulting foot cramping that puts me over the top. Should I avoid the Lyrica?

My experience with Lyrica was HORRENDOUS. If you search on the word, you will find a number of threads/posts about that drug. Few are complimentary.