Sorry to hear this.
You sound like how I was two months ago. But after 24 hours of intense pain I went to the ER and was given pain meds (opioids), steroids and NSAIDS. I was back to 70% after about 4-5 days, but to this day have pain. It sounds like you waited a lot longer before seeking help? And your symptoms came on gradually? Mine came on very suddenly.
If you've read through all the stuff written here you will discover that most bulges do not cause any symptoms. In my case three different MDs said not to get imaging (MRIs) done. Do you have tingling or pain radiating to other areas of your body? If not your prognosis is probably very optimistic. I would suggest you watch the videos Havoc posted. I'll link them here again (who'd have thought this thread would go on for 18 pages?).
It's a long journey that I just started. I thank everyone here who has given advice. It's all appreciated and leads me to investigate further.
The good news is there is nothing unique or extraordinary about your MRI results. I don't know how old you are but there are a lot of adults walking around with similar issues as you that are 100% pain free and unaware there is anything wrong with their back.
I will see if I can find my MRI report and copy paste it here, but from L-3 through S1 I had significant disc bulges with extruded fragments impinging nerve roots. Like you I was unable to walk for more than a few feet for several months and a pain free position was very temporary. I read the MRI's, listened to my docs and PT's and agreed that I was broken and needed to adjust my lifestyle and pain was something I was going to live with forever.....Until I wasn't. 12 months to the day after I started rehabbing I deadlifted 405 pounds and squatted 365.
The medical evidence is clear that cortisone injections are very rarely are successful long term for lower back pain. Many people feel worse after. I think they are the only treatment with a worse success rate than surgery for LBP.
I would recommend you find a good pain specialist that is an MD. There is relief and if it's a real doctor your insurance should cover it. I'm happy to point you to people that I think can help you get well but I think there's another hurdle you need to clear first that a pain specialist can work through with you.
Yeah, common story I know. I turned 36 last week.
I've had similar issues off and on since my early 20's(laid up for a few moths before easing back into things) , and had some minor "oh sh!t" moments more recently that calmed down in a few weeks that sound like llilibil's experience. This instance came on by a pretty subtle movement (rolling out a yoga mat) but I'd describe it as a gradual slide toward my current experience that now escalated.
With L2-L3, it makes sense why I'm getting muscle spasms in my hips, groin, and core. I get pain from my low back, but in the last week it has shifted to the other side of my body, primarily spasming in my glutes, hips, and groin with pain radiating down my leg to my calf. The spasms are typically triggered when I stand up or when walking and turning my head. Lifting my hips, titling my pelvis, lifting my legs, all of these movements cause extreme pain. Other times, I'm able to do them, albeit slowly and cautiously.
Nsaids and a round of roids did not do it for me. Rest hasn't done it for me. Ice hasn't done it. Heat hasn't done it. The PT didn't have much for me.
I wouldn't waste my time getting an MRI if I was sore for a few days.
I know my core needs to be stronger. I know I need to lift weights. I like to stretch and do yoga even though I know that it might not help this issue, but it feels good. I know that imaging is the boogeyman for some. I know that people have bulging discs with no symptoms. I understand the concept of confirmation bias in terms of pain + imaging results = diagnosis. I've read the "I overcame it, don't get cut, doctors are shills for the corporate medical industrial complex" stories.
Nobody has told me I won't be able to do things. Nobody has said this will be forever.
I've got an appointment with a spine specialist tomorrow morning. Hopefully he has a plan. I'm open to injections, I won't consider surgery at this point, despite the current misery.
