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L5-S1 bulge and symptoms

Posted: Oct 30, 2012

Does anyone suffer from L5-S1 problems/bulge? I have no insurance so not sure if my problem is still only L5-S1 or other disks. The strange thing is it is really bad at night, or when I am in a reclining position. I thought it was my hip, but I can take walks, dance, etc. Now my thigh hurts as does my knee and down into my foot. Anyone have any suggestions? I am at a loss as to why it is worse when I am in bed.

;

could be more than just that. - msmt

[ In Reply To ..]
could be many different things. The bulge can cause problems down your hip and legs or it could be also sciatic problems. I know how expensive things are. I had to wait until this year when the insurance changed back to copays to go back to the doctor and take care of things. hope things get better soon for you. There are exercises and other types of things on the internet. Some on spinehealth.com and at mayoclinic.com. Just look around and try them for a little while and see if they help.

Sounds like sciatica or pyriformis syndrome. - I have that and I have SM

[ In Reply To ..]
to sit/work with a heating pad at all times. Relentless pain. However, I am better when I lay down for sleep. There are stretches for this, check it out on the internet. I have insurance but I have a very high deductible to afford the premium, so basically just catastrophic so I cannot even afford another MRI or any treatment. So sorry you are suffering, it makes for a very hard day every day. People wonder why I want to sleep so much. HA!

You could try using full length body pillows on - either side of your body

[ In Reply To ..]
When on your back, sleep with your arms and legs propped up on the pillows. Extending your arms over your head with your elbows bent at 90 degree angles is an alternate position for your upper extremities. When on your side, place the body pillow between your legs with one arm on top of the pillow and the other underneath it. The idea is to keep as much weight-bearing and stress off your spine as possible. The pillow for you head should not raise your head in ways it takes your neck out of it natural alignment with your spine. Try to fall asleep with your ears in alignment with your shoulders, hip and ankle bones, with your knees bent at 90 degree angles. Your chin should be aimed forward, not toward your chest. With back problems you have to play around with positions and postures. Sometimes just a small half-inch adjustment in skeletal alignment can make a world of difference. Also, your mattress could be contributing to the problem. Otherwise, 15-20 minutes of stretching and back strengthening exercises at least every other day will help a lot. I rely on 800 mg of ibuprofen once every morning. Without it, I'm crippled for half the day!

Sciatica - Mgc

[ In Reply To ..]
If it's sciatica, I know just how painful that is! I ended up in the ER because I couldn't take that pain. They gave me a high dose quick taper of prednisone, some Flexeril, and tramadol. That was last year around this time, and that prednisone did the trick! I can feel it a little bit sometimes just depending on my position, trying to turn over in bed,, etc., so I know it'll be back. Anyway, that's what I did. I didn't have insurance, either and still don't, but sometimes you just have to have relief.

Hope you get better. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy!

Spinal Stenosis (sm) - Angie

[ In Reply To ..]
I have spinal stenosis which causes the sciatica. It is uncomfortable for me to lie down flat. I have to keep my knees bent. Maybe this will help you.

I wonder if the bulge is a herniation?

Good luck.

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