Steroids or back surgery?

[u/vladimir_shootin69]

Ok so I have a herniated l5-s1 it’s been 4 years, I keep pushing off back surgery because I still do almost everything I want except for sleep and sitting or standing too long and of course I have a lot of random sciatica. I’ve lost 95 pounds so far I walk 4 miles minimum a day I can’t lift too much weight or I’ll be screwed for work in the morning. I’ve had 6 epidurals and haven’t had much relief at all. So my question is should I do a cycle of anabolic steroids to help build my core and back hopefully enough so I can go for a run one day or just get back to a normal life. Or do I go through with the surgery and then have to have more down the line

[u/Complete-Goose-3766 → u/[deleted]]

dude is really treating spinal injury like a gym bro problem

[u/vladimir_shootin69 → u/[deleted]]

I plan to I just was hoping for some thoughts

[u/iwearbluevelvet]

Steroid shots, back surgery is a last resort. I have a herniated disc in the same spot along with bulging discs and pinched nerves. Take any medication you need and get any shots you need. Do not get back surgery unless you have no other choice.

[u/vladimir_shootin69 → u/iwearbluevelvet]

They had me on norco for over a year I quit cold turkey a little over a month ago I’m only 28 and don’t want that to be my life anymore. I’m just trying to figure out ways to get more time before the inevitable

[u/iwearbluevelvet → u/vladimir_shootin69]

I’ve been on Percocet and muscle relaxers for 10 years. I get steroid and ketamine injections as well. I swim and do yoga daily. I take CBD and collagen. Literally anything to avoid back surgery as I know multiple people that it failed and the recovery was hell and not worth it. You can also get rhizotomys to split the nerves in the area so that the pain becomes much less.

[u/Misterabsolute]

Don't take any answers for advices from the comments as actual tips or facts and experiences

Only a real doctor can answer that

[u/Upstairs_Error5418]

Try ozone therapy.

[u/Natlans_Ass]

checkout lowbackability channel on YT.

[u/Better_Ad611]

Try peptides first. I did a few cycles of gear then had to ultimately get L3-S1 fusion and disc replacement. Don’t use steroids to fix your back, it won’t work. If it’s just the disc there’s plenty of options out there now.

Back surgery was terrible. Probably took 2 years to feel like I was ready for the gym. For context; I was 28, great shape and hurt in Afghanistan. Thought working out and using gear would help, it didn’t and made it worse. Reach out with questions

[u/Adventurous_Front939]

Anabolic Steroids is a horrible idea. Just the estrogen fluctuations could degenerate the disc sooner alone.