Mri

[Lee]

My follow-up appt. was today (with the N. P.) She said that I had an old herniated disc (which I didn't know about), but also a bulging disc & a pinched nerve. She tried to give me a presciption for more muscle relaxers & an anti-inflamatory drug, but I told her that I didn't need them. The muscle relaxer puts me out & I'm not in that major pain enough for the anti-inflamatory drug. She said that it wasn't for pain but for inflamation. I told her that I'd just take aspirin or something. So I have to have physical therapy to which I said OK, but I'm thinking that I'll just go & see what I need to do & then I'll do it at home. I just don't have the time (to miss work) or the money for physical therapy. I had to ask her to show me the x-ray. I thought she'd just show it to me, but she seemed surprised that I wanted to see it. I mean I had to lay in a coffin-like device for what seemed like forever, of course I want to see the x-rays. So if anybody here had physical therapy for a pinched nerve, maybe you could let me know what to expect. I asked the N.P. if there was anything that I could do now, & of course, I have to ask them at physical therapy.

Lee

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Lee

My follow-up appt. was today (with the N. P.) She said that I had an old herniated disc (which I didn't know about), but also a bulging disc & a pinched nerve. She tried to give me a presciption for more muscle relaxers & an anti-inflamatory drug, but I told her that I didn't need them. The muscle relaxer puts me out & I'm not in that major pain enough for the anti-inflamatory drug. She said that it wasn't for pain but for inflamation. I told her that I'd just take aspirin or something. So I have to have physical therapy to which I said OK, but I'm thinking that I'll just go & see what I need to do & then I'll do it at home. I just don't have the time (to miss work) or the money for physical therapy. I had to ask her to show me the x-ray. I thought she'd just show it to me, but she seemed surprised that I wanted to see it. I mean I had to lay in a coffin-like device for what seemed like forever, of course I want to see the x-rays. So if anybody here had physical therapy for a pinched nerve, maybe you could let me know what to expect. I asked the N.P. if there was anything that I could do now, & of course, I have to ask them at physical therapy.

Lee

Oh that sucks. Take Ibuprofen, it is an anti-inflammatory as well as pain reliever. PT helped me so much I would say go to at least one session so you can get what you need. They assigned me some gentle stretching and strength training for my abs and legs using a band. Also, what about a cortisone shot, can you get one? That could take care of the pain in one fell swoop and then you can do PT without pain. I found the PT to be excellent because they are really trained to be in tune with you and have MUCH better bedside manner than surgeons!

[Livia]

Ibuprofen!!

I ended up buying a Total Gym after using one at PT post-surgery. It is a great piece of equipment for stretching. I agree w/ Suze, go to one PT session to learn what to do. They also had me use those giant rubberband things that you hook onto a doorknob. Those are probably inexpensive and can be purchased at any sporting goods store.