I have a bulging disc and an annular tear that just have not gotten better with all the PT, medication,  and steroid injections. My doctors say we should start talking surgery. All I ever  hear are these horror stories about back  surgery and how I am so young(27). All I know is this, I cannot lift more than 20lbs at work or anywhere for that matter cause It will catch up with me later, I can't go for a motorcycle ride for more than 20 minutes, when it is "that time of the month", I want to die, and I can't do my job like I used to the way that I am because of all the bending/lifting,/holding(Im a Vet. Tech). Are there any other options? What else can I do? I am so stressed that if I get surgery I will be worse off than I am now or in ten years need more surgery. If I never worked again and didn't want to do the things I love I would be fine I guess. Im not losing bowel and bladder but I feel the pain in my right leg often. Any words of advise or experience would be much appreciated!

I can really relate to your situation. I am now 21 and for 2.5 years I have had severe pain in my back and leg. Initially they assumed it was a herniated disk or something and so I did the physical therapy and epidural steroid injections but it didn't help. I have seen dozens of doctors, had every test they could think of and they can't find a physical cause for the pain so its likely either a symptom of a disease or CRPS/RSD. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I have a pretty good idea what you are going through and I'm pretty informed on this subject.



If you have really worked with good physical therapists and tried steroid injections then it really comes down to if you want to try to manage the pain for the rest of your life. Currently that is the boat I am in; in the past 2 years I have been constantly trying to find the right medication regimen with anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, opioids and medical marijuana. I also have to do daily PT, walk with a cane (at 21!) and constantly consider the condition in every aspect of my life... that is potentially what you have to look forward to if it gets that bad. So the question for you is whether you want to take the risks associated with surgery or try to manage it with medications and other treatments. I'm not trying to scare you at all and I apologize if I am, I just want to be real with you.



There are horror stories of surgery but as another answerer mentioned, the technology is constantly improving and the odds of positive results rising. Because you are so young, active and (I'm guessing) otherwise healthy, surgery doesn't carry a lot of the same risks for someone who is older, in poor health and who has had these problems for years. If you do get surgery, the longer you wait the more chances are that it won't help or won't help as much. The earlier the surgical intervention takes place, the better the odds.



If I were in your situation, I would probably get surgery but that position is informed by my experience of managing this for the past couple years. I don't know how bad your pain is, the emotional toll its taking on you and how it is affecting your life; I wish I did so I could give you better advice.



There are other treatments such as biofeedback, relaxation techniques, meditation, spinal decompression, t.e.n.s devices and of course medications that you may want to look into and possibly try before deciding on surgery.



I really respect the deliberation you are putting into this decision and don't envy that you have to make it. I truly wish you the best of luck, I hope some of this helped and if there is anything else someone whose been there can do for you, please feel free to email me. take care

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well you need to talk to your doc about anny treatment you can have besides surgery because that dangeours if there is none however then it sounds like you might want to concider it. to have back problems is a dangeours thing and you want to keep it under control.

Hi Amazon.  It may be wise to have a consultation with your family Chiropractor.



Best wishes and good luck.

well if your only 27 get it done your still a young and if you wait till you get much older it may be more difficult

get it done i say enjoy your life dont go through pain or torment

you should probably ask a doctor...

yes you should have thay check out

Weigh all your options before having the surgery.  Be sure and get a second opinion and make it the opinion of the BEST neurosurgeon you can find.  There is a great epidural out that is supposed to last for an extended period of time.  Ask the neurosurgeon about disc replacement surgery; it's a relatively new procedure and I've heard it is works really well.  The pain in your leg is probably from an inflamed sciatic nerve.



The greatest piece of advice is don't listen to all those horror stories from people who had back surgery years ago.  There have been great advances within the past 2-3 years.

Hi there I totally understand your concern I have a herniated disc as well in my L4 L5 and seen a doctor today who I just met that wants to do surgery. I want the pain to Go away so i can live a normal life. Like you I am young (20) and married with a 14mo. old. Everyday is a struggle and Im beating myself up over should i do it?? should i deal with it?? The only other methods of treatment I've heard are; Injections to bring down the inflamation to prevent irritation and Theropy... Or be like me and pop 2-3 IB 800's a Day, occasional Norco's and if its really bad some Vicaden... But thats just gonna catch up to me later down the line. Another thing that has helped is hot and cold compresses. I usually grab a handfull of otter pops throw em' in a double plastic bag and lay on it. it helps!! good luck

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