Thanks, and you know, you'd be surprised.
My issues didn't all occur in one shot. And I actually had other areas that were helped by that aforementioned physical therapy where both broad based bulge/protrusion and narrow ones subsided, but none were ruptures (although there were tears in the annual disc which eventually healed, but, the repaired tissie will always be weaker. It also took a couple therapists to find the "right" one, different practitioners perform the same manual manipulations with different intensities, and, different bodies respond better than others when the treatment is rougher or gentler.) My insurance covered 40 appt per year at zero cost to a physical therapy program, outside deductible/coinsurance, and independent of chiro and other doctors so I am/was fortunate. Doesn't hurt to ask what yours treats things as.
Chiros do somethings one way, PTs do them another. Might not hurt to try different approaches if insurance leaves the attempt affordable. Same with a pain mgmt practice vs the neruo/ortho doctor. (I visited an ortho practice where all the ortho doctor treated was spine/neck issues, in addition to the neuro about the chronic issues) They can only cut once, but if that's what it takes to get relief it's well worth it. Also ask about the life of the device they choose to use if you do opt for the knife. Some devices only last 20 years or so, and, are difficult to replace because of how they modify the bones upon insertion - another reason among many we opted to forego surgical means on some earlier stages before everything had so many issues and it was no longer an option in some areas.
Meanwhile, on the one hand, honestly, other than the knowledge it was that way once, I don't remember what it felt like to wake up pain free anymore, can't picture it. BUT, it's kind of like that old joke - oh, xyz hurts? I'll punch you in the arm. That arm now hurts, but, xyz doesn't feel so bad now right? I've found usually its the one or two worst places that you feel the most. The others you're aware of, and, maybe they rotate.
take away - I'll bet what you feel right now is in its own way every bit as bad as what I (or others) go through, so, never feel when talking with your providers as if you need to downplay an impact or feeling. Don't worry about how they'd interpret it, or think other people you see in the office that may 'appear' worse make you feel you must be overreacting in any way or degree. Pain sucks, and different bodies have different tolerances and thresholds. All that matters is how your brain receives its particular signals and reacts. (There's people who have disc issues and feel no pain at all, lucky sons of...)
Now, you wouldn't be getting one with your issues, but, for 3 years after the lumbar and sciatica issues I refused to turn in my state disability placard because I felt like other people were worse off than I was. So I just walked real slow, and stopped every 100 feet or so for a bit because spasms would trigger and pain everywhere would be flaring. Eventually I gave in and admitted that part, got the tag, so, on bad days when I go out, things get a little easier. I was stupid and stubborn. Don't be an idiot like me when there's an alternative.
As an aside, in my case I've also been taking nerve pain medications, pain medications, and muscle relaxants for the last 5 years. Again, some things got rotated in and out, there were prescription antiinflammatories involved as well that were outside the purview of my primary care but the pain management doctor used and was more familiar with.. There are downsides, and upsides, and each area someone specializes in gives them different tools. Kind of like how you don't ask a Chevy rebuilder to do your Oldsmobile engine, they wouldn't know the specific tricks to get the best out of it and make thing work right.
And
Supercharged111 was correct - things like the epidural have frequency limits, because in addition to the numbing agents there are steroids going in. Side effect of those shots is calcium depletion along with vitamin d and other issues. So, you need a good provider who educates you about those side effects going in and puts you on an appropriate vitamin regimen to compliment the medicines going into your body. Typically the older you are, and other health issues you have, influence what treatments are more recommended as far as frequency. I'm at 6 epidurals/yr and they hop between areas based on pain intensity for example.
And if you ever have questions about experiences with some of those treatment options (at least that I've done), feel free to ask in forum or pm.
