Well, I have had enough of this back pain. Today I made an appointment with a Dr. to figure out what options I may have. I have been dealing with this for a long time, missing work etc. walking hurts, but seems to help it loosen up after a while. A co worker went to this doctor, and got lucky. Two injections later, and he is feeling great. I hope I can get that lucky, as I do not want to have surgery.
I know a lot of you folks have been through this, and modern medicine has come a long way, but I get kind of sick , thinking about getting spinal surgery.
I have heard of some terrible outcomes from back surgeries. I know most go as planned, but I still worry, and most likely over nothing. So, I will just go and see the doc, and see what he says.

Prayers sent.




Charlie

Best wishes Gary and good luck.
Was thinking about you this afternoon.

Sounds like you have a lot to gain. I have had a bad experience with a knee replacement because of an infection. Odds were in my favor however.

What are you worried about? Somebody tanking a knife to you back? I really don't know why they still do this, back in 82 I had back surgery (3 discs) with a laser. Cut on Thursday, back to work on light duty on Monday. Insist on what's best for your. Ask questions.

Thanks guys. I took this week off to try getting healed up some. I need to get some yard work done, but I cannot bend over to do anything. I feel like a broody hen, sitting on ice for 20 mitutes of every hour.

My brother is an orthopedic surgeon.

Don't go to him.

Lol

Hey there! I am sitting at home this week chilling, on ice. Can't get out to do much, and I may go crazy soon. Now the dogs look at me like I'm a lazy bum! Lol

I'm all for seeing a doctor. I fell on my back a few years ago and put up with the pain for a couple months before going to a Doctor.
He gave me the injection and sent me to Physical Therapy. That was 6 years ago and I haven't had any real problems since. I learned a lot from the therapist.

Good luck to you. Have had multiple surgeries and numerous injections, haven't had the best outcome. Every person is a different situation. Seems like the surgeon is the one benefiting the most from your pain. Have spent over half a million dollars on my back and its still a piece of crap. Thank goodness for insurance. On the positive side it could be much worse, I'm still walking around and able to trap.

Praying for you. Also, look into acupuncture, it has helped my knee in a single treatment, helped my upset stomach and nausea after several treatments.

My back is jacked and have about 17 discs out of whack. I refused surgery. One thing that has helped is not sitting on my wallet. If I do my back gets messed up real bad real quick.

Sent with prayer

I had a disk repaired in the mid 80s. I do anything I want but do it carefully as I don't want to mess up my back again. Also had open heart in 2005 and my heart sounds better now than when younger. Many people have bad experiences with automobiles but you still drive. There are possibilities of bad outcomes with everything we do in life. I know when my back was out, I was in a lot of pain but I couldn't do most of the things I enjoyed in life. I have gone into both surgeries with a positive attitude and have been blessed with wonderful outcomes on both. I wish you the best with whatever decision you make for treatment.

A friend of mine fell off a roof and hurt his back bad. Went to the surgeon ,who he knew, and this was the advice he gave....1/3 of the time I'll make you feel great, 1/3 of the time there will be no difference, and 1/3 of the time I'll mess you up.
But maybe they're better now? lol, good luck

I had a ruptured disc, and surgery was the only way to fix it. So glad that I had it done. I'll never be back to 100%, but I'm a heck of a lot better than I was. I could barely get out of bed, and getting up out of any seat took my breath away. I had no life. Like said, everybody has a different experience, but I was pleased with how everything turned out for me.

I may get more than one opinion , but that depends on the first one. At work, I am the boss, so I really don't have to get into the physical labor part, but I choose to help. I am not a good watcher, but most of my guys will run me off, if I try to do much. I do have some good people.
I want to work for at least 4 more years, so I need to get to feeling better. I have had people tell me to get disability, but that will not happen. And As part owner of the company, I could go into the office, which is definately not for me.
I belong in the dirt, installing foundations, and thats where I want to be. This is making me feel old, and I'm only 55! Thanks for the info guys!

Back in 2001 I herniated two discs in my lumbar. Pain was in the back of my legs, from thigh to calf. When I went for an injection in my spine, the dr. at the hospital that the only way I’d get better was to lose weight. I went from 300 lbs to 190 over the next year. The pain gradually subsided and now is totally gone.

I had to have both hips replaced, one 10 years ago, the other in 2012. Both surgeries were a piece of cake. I was trout fishing 13 days after the second replacement. If surgery is the only option...go for it.

Surgery not generally for pain relief which why many say it doesn't help. Now some conditions require it, but the majority don't. If you are having neuro symptoms like numbness and weakness it's sometimes unavoidable. The best thing for back pain is exercise. Someone mentioned strong abs and that is absolutely correct. Ask for a referral to therapy

Really need to know what is wrong first.

Tiger Woods just had his back fused last year and is back to swinging a club as fast or nearly there as he did in his prime.