Herniated disk

Got one at L4-5. Injured it in early January of this year and, after two steroid injections, managed to avoid surgery. I'm no longer seeing my neurosurgeon as he said I don't need to come back unless I have further problems. He said to go back to whatever I was doing, but gradually, so I took him at his word. Feel free to look at my training log to see what I was doing and what I'm doing now. I found that cycling was the most comfortable, so I just did that for several months. Running on a treadmill set at no less than 6% incline was also okay - the incline took some of the pressure of the back, I found. I've also tried running on a dirt trail (also to minimize some of the impact) and it's so-so. I've even started back into strength training - also not bad but not great.

The key is patience, as these things take forever to heal. But you will be back.

Like Mike - I had an L4-5 bulging disk... but mine was pressing right on the sciatic nerve and was causing terrible alternating numbness and then stabbing pain in my left glut.  Lots of toe numbness too when sitting too long.

For 2 years, I did everything other than surgery - epidural steroid injections, pain managment (drugs), PT 3x/week, electrical stimulation, chiropractor, accupuncture, massage.  I reached a point where I was struggling to walk from the metro to work (2 blocks) without having to stop and stretch to alleviate the agony.

Had a diskectomy after much debate, and it was the best decision I ever made.  I wanted to exhaust my non-surgical options first (and I'd do that again, though probably not for two years)... but that surgery is a miracle.  I specifically remember several incidents in the months following where I felt the nerve move back into place a bit.  Very strange... but it supposedly doesn't snap back like a rubberband.

I ran a 3:47 marathon half a year later, which was a big personal victory for me after not being able to walk two blocks.  My marathon PR prior to the injury had been 4:24.  Recovering from back problems is very motivating - reminds you how wonderful it is to be pain free.

I herniated L5-S1 and had complete drop foot in my left leg.  Parts of my left foot and my left shin were totally numb.

It took about two years of PT, steroids, and epidurals but I was able to resume normal activities without surgery.  Now I am generally OK unless I do something stupid, which I do every now and then to remind myself how much I love pain...

At any rate, I am pretty close to pain free and when I do mess it up a short round of steroids and Estim/massage usually sets things right.

I had back surgery back 10 years ago L3-L4...I was unable to lift my foot so it was considered that surgery needed to be done quickly. The two situations you can't wait on surgery are loss of bladder/bowel control which needs surgery immediately and then when you lose the ability to lift your foot...I had my surgery in a 10 day window of first developing foot drop. If hadn't had surgery I most likely would not be able to do tri training as it is hard to run/bike without being able to lift your forefoot.

When I started tri training I was unsure how my back would do with the training...surprising that my back post surgery hurt 365 days a year for about 6 years...lost weight, got in shape and now my back hurts maybe 10 days a year.  I can ride/run without any issues most of the time.

My left toes and front half of my foot has lost some feeling but I can move it just fine...I'm really lucky. 

Yep, there's alot of us out there...

I had herniated L5 and lived with it for 15 yrs or so, but I was in misery most of the time...could barely walk.  When I was consistent with ab strenght training, my back was ok.  Then I started cycling.  My back couldn't take that hunched over positions for hrs on end, day in day out.  One day I woke up and couldn't walk.

Finally gave in and had a lamenectomy.  The dr made a small hole in my back, and described it as going in and plucking out a piece of crab meat (a portion of the disk).  Sewed me up and I was fine 6 wks later.  Riding, skiing, skating...

Then I fell skating about a year later, and herniated the L5.  Had the same surgery, and again, was fine soon after.  It's been 14 yrs since that surgery, and I've been a-ok ever since.  I'm riding, running, swimming...  all is fine.

Best of luck to you!