***Log L5/S1 - Slipped disc - Injury, Operation and Recovery Log

[M.I.D]

Hi guys, I need to see my doctor soon, but just wanted opinions in here. I have some likely damage to my upper and lower T-spine - upper damage is where the T-spine meets the neck, and lower damage is where the T-spine meets the lumbar (and also suspected damage by my doc IN my lumbar spine), three areas that have been bothering me, and I can even pinpoint the discs with my fingers and find the source of pain.

If I require surgery at some point, is it possible (or best) for them to fix both during the same op, by making separate incisions? Is this a standard op to fix multiple areas? Or would they schedule separate ops?

Also, in the meantime, will GH/TB-500/BPC-157/IGF help at all? Right now I've been taking flexoril and doing PT. But I can tell it's slowly getting worse over time.

I believe the would possibly do them a the same time, don't quote me tho. I am unfamiliar with healing peptides and especially for discs, I don't think they will help from what I had read tho tbh

 

[M.I.D]

hi MID just read over the thread, i have just been put on the waiting list for microdiscectomy surgery on my l4/l5 disc thats herniated causing impingement on the l5 nerve root, this is after months of pain during which I had an epidural steriod injection in Feb 2016 which was very good for pain relief but only lasted a month so have now been offered either another injection or surgery so I decided its gonna be surgery to get free from this pain but having read about yours and Jriddick's problems post surgery i am seriously considering just having the injections every few months, I think you can have 3 per year, any thoughts from either of you guys would be much appreciated. I am currently in constant pain and taking codeine, paracetomol, gabapentin and have amitriptlyn at night.

How old are you? Have you done pt? Is it just bulging or ruptured? What is your pain like? Does it get better when doing or not doing certain things?

I am finally starting o make good progress, i may never do somethings I once did and will have to take good care but I getting to the point now where I am pain free and can move very well, sure I have to stretch and exercise but I feel better now than before the op that's for sure. I have had 2 injections, first pre op isn't work, second post op did, I am waiting on another to try settle it down further and aid in breaking scar tissue.....

 

[Gutterpump]

I believe the would possibly do them a the same time, don't quote me tho. I am unfamiliar with healing peptides and especially for discs, I don't think they will help from what I had read tho tbh

I just found some great research in regards to IGF-1 and GH/peptides for degenerative disc disease. I'll post them up in here if interested. Looks like they can greatly help disc repair, as well as other structures of the spine. I'm pretty impressed.

 

[mjc1]

I have been following/commenting on your thread on uk muscle, same username, I am 41, tried PT but no help, i have herniated L4/L5 (not sure if its ruptured) and have bulging discs on L4/L3 & L3/L2, but the only problem is the herniated disc, i've had seriously painful sciatica since last summer and less frequent lower back pain over last few years, when i had the epidural steroid injection this Feb i had brilliant pain relief from it but only lasted a month, anyway after deliberating for a few months whether i would/should have surgery i decided to ask for the surgery and have been put on the nhs waitlist, just love the thought of waking up without any pain and being able to have my life back to normal and was hoping the surgery could do this but ive had so many conflicting opinions and then after reading about how you and Jriddick had very rough times post surgery its making my reconsider, basically my question is are you glad you had the surgery?

 

[M.I.D]

I have been following/commenting on your thread on uk muscle, same username, I am 41, tried PT but no help, i have herniated L4/L5 (not sure if its ruptured) and have bulging discs on L4/L3 & L3/L2, but the only problem is the herniated disc, i've had seriously painful sciatica since last summer and less frequent lower back pain over last few years, when i had the epidural steroid injection this Feb i had brilliant pain relief from it but only lasted a month, anyway after deliberating for a few months whether i would/should have surgery i decided to ask for the surgery and have been put on the nhs waitlist, just love the thought of waking up without any pain and being able to have my life back to normal and was hoping the surgery could do this but ive had so many conflicting opinions and then after reading about how you and Jriddick had very rough times post surgery its making my reconsider, basically my question is are you glad you had the surgery?

With those problems, if you are not careful they could eventually end up fusing those sections. It's sounds like you prob won't get at relief unless surgery is done. I am glad I had it done for pain reasons yes. I am nearly off all meds now which is also a massive reason to have it

 

[M.I.D]

I just found some great research in regards to IGF-1 and GH/peptides for degenerative disc disease. I'll post them up in here if interested. Looks like they can greatly help disc repair, as well as other structures of the spine. I'm pretty impressed.

I dunno if they would help ince you've had a hole in your disc tho? I have taken mk677 which increases igf-1 and gh. Didn't see a great deal, i sort of blame that for all the scar tissue I built up

 

[Gutterpump]

I dunno if they would help ince you've had a hole in your disc tho? I have taken mk677 which increases igf-1 and gh. Didn't see a great deal, i sort of blame that for all the scar tissue I built up

I also have degenerative disc disease from mild scoliosis though. I don't fully trust orals for this kind of stuff too. From what I've read, IGF-1 and GH can stop degeneration in it's tracks.

 

[Jriddik]

To be honest, my issue was terrible but I feel like a million bucks now. Squatting and deadlifting again. Granted, the post surgery infection was one of the worst things I have ever gone through....
I would say if it is bad enough that you can't do normal things for a prolonged period of time to just get the surgery. As to if they can do both at the same time, I'm not sure.

 

[M.I.D]

I also have degenerative disc disease from mild scoliosis though. I don't fully trust orals for this kind of stuff too. From what I've read, IGF-1 and GH can stop degeneration in it's tracks.

I suppose it depends on the dosage doesn't it, MK677 prob doesn't give you enough boost of each..... I am not up on my GH and IGF knowledge tho

 

[M.I.D]

To be honest, my issue was terrible but I feel like a million bucks now. Squatting and deadlifting again. Granted, the post surgery infection was one of the worst things I have ever gone through....
I would say if it is bad enough that you can't do normal things for a prolonged period of time to just get the surgery. As to if they can do both at the same time, I'm not sure.

What level was yours at again bud??

I would love to know the percentage of pressure each level in the spine takes when loaded with weight.....
I seem to think that L5/S1 takes the most so I might struggle to lift heavy......... not sure

 

[Jriddik]

It was L5 /S1, I have been SUPER slow in progressing the weight up, and I do abs and core 4 times a week now, just to make sure I'm thicker than I was in my back and core. Honestly squatting really deep and high bar (instead of low) has helped with my back too. Granted you want to feel better first..... also turmeric has helped. I take like 2 grams a day.

 

[M.I.D]

It was L5 /S1, I have been SUPER slow in progressing the weight up, and I do abs and core 4 times a week now, just to make sure I'm thicker than I was in my back and core. Honestly squatting really deep and high bar (instead of low) has helped with my back too. Granted you want to feel better first..... also turmeric has helped. I take like 2 grams a day.

Do you take turmeric by itself or as a multi supplement?

 

[Jriddik]

Both, I take Nutrabios super joint stuff (awesome) and then several standalone pills with bioperine too. I should clarify, I take curcumin, the chemical in turmeric that helps as an antinflammatory. I do sometimes eat turmeric though too

 

[Gutterpump]

Has anyone here tried Pentosan?

 

[chemjr]

Hi guys, I need to see my doctor soon, but just wanted opinions in here. I have some likely damage to my upper and lower T-spine - upper damage is where the T-spine meets the neck, and lower damage is where the T-spine meets the lumbar (and also suspected damage by my doc IN my lumbar spine), three areas that have been bothering me, and I can even pinpoint the discs with my fingers and find the source of pain.

If I require surgery at some point, is it possible (or best) for them to fix both during the same op, by making separate incisions? Is this a standard op to fix multiple areas? Or would they schedule separate ops?

Also, in the meantime, will GH/TB-500/BPC-157/IGF help at all? Right now I've been taking flexoril and doing PT. But I can tell it's slowly getting worse over time.

Flexeril is garbage imo. It's merely a sedative that works on the premise that by relaxing the brain you can relax the muscles, soley. Other work on same principle but slightly different pathways and such. I'd ask for Zanaflex aka tizanidine or good old soma will help, but probably make you tired unless you have the tolerance of a rhinoceros like me. Hope this helps a little.
And to answer your question, usually they do one level at a time and get to heal up and do pt to see if the weakest link being fixed may help settle the other levels, which can happen. All depends on level of degredation.

 

[chemjr]

I also have degenerative disc disease from mild scoliosis though. I don't fully trust orals for this kind of stuff too. From what I've read, IGF-1 and GH can stop degeneration in it's tracks.

It can definitely help reduce it and depending on the dosage and how your body responds, it can halt it. I feel that mk677 is actually better, at least it was for me. Cheaper and able to dose at 20mg to start with a few sides and then down to 15 and I was rocking n rolling man. Maybe look into that. Raises IGF and gh, and helps w bone mineral density and other things. Great compound and doesn't stop your body from producing it's own nearly as easily as gh can. Great stuff.
Ps- not to mention it's a hell of a lot cheaper and as effective as me doing 4iu a day in split inj!

 

[KimChee75]

I haven't read much of the above in great detail, but I hope you are doing well. In time, I would check into what your doctor thinks about ASTYM therapy for scar tissue mobilization. I see back/neck patients all the time, and it's a difficult problem to solve for both PT and the surgeons, sometimes with multiple surgeries, infections, hardware coming loose, loss of sensation, pins and needles down an arm or leg, etc. That's why they put you through so much conservative treatment options (and that is the path for the insurances as well)..good luck

 

[dirtysanchez]

I just found this thread and even though it's a little old I thought I would comment since i was diagnosed with a ruptured disk at L5/S1 in 2010. Fortunately I only needed fluoroscopic injections and a month of physical therapy. But in early June I somehow reinjure it. Most likely lifting or training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The pain progressed up until two weeks ago. It
The pain was really bad, but not as bad as it was when I actually ruptured it. It progressively got worse. I was on Tramadol and meloxicam. But fortunately over the last few days it's gotten a lot better. Haven't taken a Tramadol since Sunday. At one point the pain was bad enough that I thought I would need surgery. But after reading this thread I realize my situation is nothing compared to other people. Being in serious pain for 6 months is terrible. I feel like a ***** for sitting around feeling sorry myself. Good luck on everyone's recovery!

 

[chemjr]

Dirty Sanchez, that's exactly how I felt. And the same reason follow this thread. They were telling me I needed surgery, but then I found a great doctor Who does methyl prednisone injections and now I'm able to function for the most part like I used to. No deadlifting but I feel this small price to pay a very small price to pay for relief. If any of you are out there getting cortisone injections, stop! And find a doctor that will use methyl prednisone. Gives the exact same effect but it doesn't weaken bones which is the last thing you want to do in your spine.
M.I.D.- hope you're doing much better, come give us an update and let us know how you're doing!

 

[M.I.D]

Sorry guys haven't updated in a long while.

So I am now 14 months on and doing great. Not pain free all the time, but most of the time!
I started squatting a few months ago, only the bar and now up to 70kg 5x12 reps and it feels good, helping me a lot.
I gym 4 x a week and have no real issues, i get cramps and occasional sciatica for 10 mins if something is too heavy or i have not had good form.
I still physio every 6 weeks or so and that keeps me lose and pain free. I have also started cricket nets again this month and I feel ok for that!
As it stands I do not regret my decision to have the op

I do not deadlift currently

 

[chemjr]

Hell yeah! Awesome news! Finally, one person I know of who does not Regret their surgery! (3 close family members have fusions.)

 

[AdelV]

Good thread!

Any break downs of what's helped people?

Supplements
Excerises
Rehab

Like others, I have issues. L1/S5 bulged disc, facet of the joint and narrowing of the chanel. Plus some other stuff in my L3.

I dont deadlift, or do anything bending forward. I can squat fine, but not heavy.

I actually get alot of referred pain through my hips and glues!

Thanks for everyone's feedback, will try read through most of it.

 

[M.I.D]

Good thread!

Any break downs of what's helped people?

Supplements
Excerises
Rehab

Like others, I have issues. L1/S5 bulged disc, facet of the joint and narrowing of the chanel. Plus some other stuff in my L3.

I dont deadlift, or do anything bending forward. I can squat fine, but not heavy.

I actually get alot of referred pain through my hips and glues!

Thanks for everyone's feedback, will try read through most of it.

Supplements - there is not much - DMSO helped and curcumin as well
Exercises - anything core and glute related, i still do them religiously now. Also back extensions helped "squash" the disc back in to a certain extent. Walking, lots of walking if you can.

 

[chemjr]

Hey bro, thought of you when I found this guy on youtube- smashwerx. The guy is giving out real pt info (learned some of what he shows in his hip vids at pt) on YouTube! Check him out bro. Glad to hear stuff is going well for ya! Props for sticking with it man.