Slip disc or disc degeneration

[Nancy786]

Hi am in early 30's female,I started having lower back pain early last year after lifting some furniture,went to doctors was told to go for physiotherapy, i did that for months yet my back and leg pain did not improve, only settled slightly.Early this year i just bent to pick up something and than could not move at all. had an MRI done that showed disc protrusion at L4 n L5/S1.was told that it takes 6 weeks to get better, had a cotosone injection and started a gradual return to work,starting from two hours, could only try upto 3 hours for a month but was in severe pain.had another MRI done in august which showed that the bulged at L5 has increased slightly and specialist say that it will be a long time before i heal 2-3 years.one specialist says that there is no major disc degeneration another says that the two accidents just serve to unmask the disc degeneration.i cannot sit,stand, walk for long periods,its so depressing esp as i just got married an year ago, this condition is so painful in all aspects of life,physical,emotional,financial,family.does slip disc take such a long time to heal?is my pain due to slip disc or disc degeneration?what can i do to heal faster as doctors have said not to do surgery and let it heal naturally.

[Nancy786]

Thanks Neeva147. I went to two back surgeons here in New Zealand, they both said that its not safe for me to have surgery as i have two damaged discs and as i just got married last year and planning to have family in future that will be a problem.i just got a letter from my job today as they want me to take medical retirement in my early 30's!!!. The govt here normally compensates for injury but as they saw that i did not get better within weeks from my slip disc they found an excuse to cut my compensation based on an excuse that i have disc degenerative disease. If only the doctors had done an MRI when i started to complain of my back pain but they just try to save money at the expense of our suffering.am so frustrated,so so so much............. if only i could tell the whole world to please look after yourself and your backs. May ALMIGHTY give health to everyone.ameen

[neeva147]

i was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease L4/L5.  I had waited 5 yrs to do something about it.  I had physical therapy, pain pills,epidural steroid shots, and finally surgery.  My disc was totally gone.  If there is anyway you can save the disc.. then do that.  If its torn... talk to a surgeon to have it repaired.   if not.. then try the epidural steroid shots.I had surgery in july.  I can honestly state that i feel 90% better.  I still have some bad days with pain but not nearly as bad as before and not constant.
Good luck.

geneva