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Hey, I had one at L5-S1, described as “huge” by my surgeon. Surgery was mid November and it has been a lot longer and rockier road than I’d expected, but I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Ive recently had some days here and there without ibuprofen or acetaminophen and I am slooooowly regaining stamina and doing more normal activities. I know if I want to return to the active lifestyle I enjoyed that I will need to commit to a focused exercise routine. The Back Mechanic by Dr. Stuart McGill is a great start.

Best of luck to your wife. Keep the faith! It’s hard and I have had some very deep doubt myself, but you have to believe that you’ll get there.

Edit: I try to get my wife to do some trigger point massage before bed each night. This is an awesome resource, and I’m sure your wife can guide you to the tender spots as well.

Great advice in this thread. Totally agree with everyone else here.

I don't think there's a question if you'll be able to exercise- I think you HAVE TO exercise. In a nutshell, avoid bending and twisting your spine. Focus on strengthening your core before anything else. I've posted this vid a few times, but I just really like it. He shows how challenging these exercises can be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UjXEdoSzIE&t=3s

And I didn't see it mentioned here already, but he's doing the McGill Big 3. There's a lot on McGill in this forum tho. You should get his Back Mechanic book. If you're into lifting, you might like this one he did with a powerlifter that he worked to heal. I haven't read it, dunno if it's informative or just inspirational. Not that that's a bad thing. There are a lot of youtube videos from McGill and Carroll as well, cool stuff. For sure, think of any exercise as perfecting the movement, not about going big. Take baby steps, make it perfect.

https://www.amazon.com/Injury-Stuart-McGill-Brian-Carroll/dp/0973501863/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1JCYLHZ22P6T0&keywords=stuart+mcgill&qid=1570677989&s=books&sprefix=stuart+mc%2Caps%2C204&sr=1-3

Mosh pit, oh man. Honestly... you might have to mourn that one and move on. I'd really avoid any twisting. Or random big guys crashing into you when you're not ready. And you're all pumped up on the music, and pushing yourself too far... sounds like a recipe for a re-herniation. Sorry. At the very least, give yourself more time and get your core totally ripped, haha.

On my phone, sorry for the spelling and grammar errors...
I've been dealing with the same pain down my right leg and I had an MRI and tried PT after being practically bedridden for 3 months but I just really didn't want to take the medications or try the procedures my doctor was recommending due to cost and side effects of meds, so I have found a few small things that allowed me to atleast get back to work and move around without feeling horrible.
This is just what worked for me and I'm obviously not a doctor, but this compression wrap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZ82MXZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_idd3Db9FGT24Q has been amazing, Salonpas menthol patches give alot of relief but are not super long lasting, full spectrum CBD oil taken daily and staying hydrated has reduced inflammation which in my case I felt helped tremendously more than my prescriptions (this was not doctor recommended so please do your own research and do what you think is best), massage therapy monthly and light exercise daily helped with the tightness of my muscles. Altogether the combination has given me atleast 85% relief which was enough for me to not feel completely debilitated. I still have flare ups, but it's been much better in general. Best of luck to you, hope this helps.

If I am you, I honestly would seriously consider surgery option given that it has been a while & the leg showing some neural deficit.

Though I think the important step is to find a competent & responsible surgeon. A disc surgery make a huge profit, and not many will treat patient with care instead of just an income source.

There is the handy list of about surgery & questions to ask spinal surgeon:
http://safespinesurgery.com/5thingsbeforesurgery/

http://safespinesurgery.com/questions/

If you can afford it, I would also recommend checking out Dr Nathaniel L. Tindel, MD. He authored this book about surgery and seems to be an honest & competent doc: https://www.amazon.com/Ive-Got-Your-Back-Straight-ebook/dp/B007BKQQD2/



*Whether or not you decide to go ahead with surgery, I would still suggest you have a 2-4 hours movement assessment section with a McGill method provider. They can assess your movement pattern & give you advices about the mechanical flaw that either stop your disc from healing, or may cause you future trouble.


The list is in www.backfitpro.com/backpain/provider/. If you can go to Canada, I think Edward Cambridge is the best option. He was McGill's graduate student & has won some award in spine research. Just to be warn that he has a long list of patients & appointment with him can take as long as 3 months.

After years of dealing with chronic pain I was introduced to something called CryoDerm and it's changed my life. I use this whenever I have a flare up (like right now) and it definitely helps take the edge off and provides relief long enough to fall asleep. They have a cold and a heat therapy and although I have not tried the heat, if it's anything like the cold I would say it's definitely worth a shot. I recommend the roll-on because I find it's less messy and way easier to apply to yourself. You can get it off of amazon for around 10 bucks.

Cold: https://www.amazon.com/CryoDerm-Analgesic-Cryotherapy-3-0-Roll/dp/B000FRIWUS/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2FU0DRHGACJBL&keywords=cryoderm+roll+on&qid=1550288077&s=gateway&sprefix=cryoderm+r%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-18

Hot: https://www.amazon.com/Cryoderm-Heat-Roll-On-3-oz/dp/B00GYRC9ZM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2FU0DRHGACJBL&keywords=cryoderm+roll+on&qid=1550289726&s=gateway&sprefix=cryoderm+r%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

If you're willing to invest in some back products.Here's a current list of what I have ordered and so far things are working for me.

Here's the list

This one is a miracle. Works wonders for me. I highly suggest this one.

SOLIDBACK | Lower Back Pain Relief Treatment Stretcher | Chronic Lumbar Support | Herniated Disc | Sciatica Nerve | Spinal Stenosis | Posture Corrector | Pillow Cushion And Brace Products Alternative https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A4WL5B6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Q54Vzb4W7DS4P

This one definitely helps as well

Lo-Bak TRAX Portable, Spinal Traction Easy, Comfortable & FDA Registered 510K Device https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009FEQACY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Fj5VzbTC69YW9

I just ordered these two should have them Tuesday. Can't wait for that back brace. Giving that leg one a try as well, why not at this point.

BraceUP® Stabilizing Lumbar Lower Back Brace and Support Belt with Dual Adjustable Straps and Breathable Mesh Panels (S/M) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZN0HZ5U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wn5Vzb1Y2GRSX

Bodymate Compression Wrap for Groin Hip Thigh Quad Hamstring Joints Sciatica Nerve Pain Relief Strap, Adjustable Support Brace for men/women providing recovery from leg muscle injury pull Belt/Sleeve https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5FVD4U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ap5VzbHKC4M64

I'm also going to pick up yoga as well. I believe these are great alternatives for avoiding surgery and medicine. I'm trying to stay away from the drugs as well.

Edit. Received the two last orders. The back brace also does wonders. Correcting your posture is definitely key to recovery. Not to sure about the compression wrap but going to give that a few more days before making a judgement.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FVOPBU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pick up one of those when you can. It's contoured for front-pocket use, shielded to protect any RFID tags from skimming, is super sturdy, and is pretty minimalist. Not only does it work for front-pocket, but it encourages you not to bring your whole house with you.

Hi,

If you're feeling discomfort, get more hydrocodone and order the huge ice packs they use at the physical therapy clinics.

In 2010 I had a L4-L5-S1 disc fusion... it comes with a cool 6.5 inch scar. I waited until it became hard to walk, which if I had to do it again, I would have had surgery about 3 years earlier. I used to have sciatica, but after surgery that went away... only to be replaced about six months later by the tingling and burning (bilateral neuropathy/neuritis) that usually accompanies diabetes (which I do not have). This pain is far worse than sciatica, because it happens all the time. I'm on Lyrica for this.

Best course of action would be to wait to find out what the MRI says. If it is a disc bulge, they will probably recommend trying an ESI (steroid injection) into the spine to reduce the inflammation. I've had 14 of these, my last was 5 weeks ago. Yes, I still need injections after surgery! I've also had radiofrequency neurotomy to see if it helped at all before my back fusion. It did not.

If the sciatica is going through your hip, then in the short term you can try doing the best stretch that my 2+ years of physical therapy taught me. It's called a piriformis stretch. This muscle wraps around your sciatic nerve, so stretching it may help.

If I can be of service, please let me know. I'm male, 35 years old, and I've had back pain since I was 19 years old. It runs (and has ruined) my life. I am having trouble sitting my desk chair as I type.

I'm really sorry -- you're not alone.

proof

I also bought this back brace in February. it would relieve the pain but my Dr. said to not rely on it because we wanted to get better without it so I didnt wear it too often. https://www.amazon.com/BraceUP-Stabilizing-Support-Adjustable-Breathable/dp/B00ZN0HZ78/ref=sxin_3_osp20-31bc0d15_cov?ascsubtag=31bc0d15-d9eb-42e8-aaf7-505671a81c43&creativeASIN=B00ZN0HZ78&crid=157MF3GNI89TG&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.31bc0d15-d9eb-42e8-aaf7-505671a81c43&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=back+brace&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B00ZN0HZ78&pd_rd_r=52c94f9c-8eac-4c78-bf47-f8899961ca89&pd_rd_w=rpZ28&pd_rd_wg=CiW7W&pf_rd_p=c501273b-119a-4fc9-ad78-eda5006b0be9&pf_rd_r=87BY9VAS9DTKQRRPDFD4&qid=1565141287&s=gateway&sprefix=back+b%2Caps%2C150&tag=bestcont06-20

Happy for you on your way to healing. This brace also helped me a lot

BODYMATE Compression Brace for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5FVD4U?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I didn't like the approach, but many, many people have been helped by this guy's book. It sounds like you might be open to it.

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection/dp/0446557684

This is the one I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003QCI4GG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1527170215&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=inversion+table&dpPl=1&dpID=41DtVhoN4%2BL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/OPTP-SI-LOC-Small-Medium-Sacroileac/dp/B000R3KN9S/ref=cm_lmf_tit_3/192-5545619-9909040

This is the one my PT gave me.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Mechanic-Stuart-McGill-2015-09-30/dp/B01FKSGJYC

I'm currently trying the exercises in Back Mechanic: https://www.amazon.com/Back-Mechanic-Stuart-McGill-2015-09-30/dp/B01FKSGJYC/

The author (Stuart McGill) is well-known for his scientific research into herniated discs. His approach, which is explained in the book, is essentially 2 phases:

1. Do not flex the lumbar spine at all for 6 weeks. Do not stretch or do exercises. Use his (somewhat odd) lunging/squatting patterns to tie your shoes and lie down without bending at the spine.
   
   
2. (AFTER pain is nearly gone) Strengthen with the McGill Big 3 exercises and then eventually some sciatic nerve flossing. You can find more info about these online.

I really like this one. I have had 3 back surgeries, all at L4/L5. I'm also a big guy with a butt that gets hot, and this cushion not only doesn't deform, it actually stays cool!


https://www.amazon.com/ComfiLife-Gel-Enhanced-Seat-Cushion/dp/B014F18ZGU/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=seat+cushion&qid=1559065950&s=gateway&sr=8-4


I actually can't stand the lumbar cushions as they make the pain worse for me. This seems to help with some of the shooting down the leg pains.