Herniated Discs

[FireFighterCanididate1]

Hey guys,

Anyone have em and get on the job? I have 2 that bother from time to time, but had no true physical deficits. Ps; EMS sucks all I have to say about that...

[davehagg]

EMS sucks?? Everyone knows that 80% of all fire dept calls are ems related plus the majority of departments require all personel to be cross trained (FF/PM). Take your herniated discs and look for a different type job.

[CFD11]

Dave,
Get real, everyone on the job knows that EMS is no fun. I think what he is saying is working for a sole EMS provider sucks. OP, I don't think that your back will hold up to pounding that takes place when you are wearing an airpack. Then again that is on you and I have taken multiple physicals and they have never looked at my back. So there you have it from lowly old me and thats it

[CFD11]

And, before I get blasted for saying EMS is no fun, it is a vital service that we as an industry provide. There is no better feeling than having a person that was in full arrest when you arrive on scene walking into your house with his or her kids/grandkids and saying thank you a week or two after the event happened.

[FWDbuff]

I have had two herniated discs since 1995, was young and dumb then. In 2005 I was a Federal Firefighter and I really started to have problems with them popping out of alignment, especially after wearing SCBA at a fire. You cannot appreciate the pain unless if you have herniated discs yourself- the pain is just absolutely unimaginable- to the point where you might be laying on the floor of your bedroom for hours out of fear of moving and having that gunshot/lightning like suddeness of pain shooting down your abdomen and legs. Of course my obesity didnt help either. Started seeing Doctors including a Neurosurgeon- said he didnt want to touch me because he couldnt guarantee a fix and also couldnt guarantee damage would not be done.

In any case, it got to the point where I started to barter with the guys to trade positions so that I would drive all the time. But then that didnt work anymore- what happened if the assigned driver didnt want to trade? Or what if I had to throw a ground ladder, or open a roof? My back, combined with some other (unrelated) matters of Federal employment finally got to me, and I started looking for other avenues of employment- but mostly fear of risking my brothers lives because of my back, or not being able to be there for them, because of my back. I found another opportunity within public safety and also underwent gastric bypass. I have not had any major problems with my back, just some minor aches and pains after mowing the lawn and things like that.

Moral of the story: They can and will get worse if you allow them to. When that happens, if you have HALF of the pain that I had, you will be screaming. Make sure you take care of yourself, dont get fat, and try not to do anything to aggrivate the condition. Get it treated if possible.

[FireFighterCanididate1]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am a medic first of all buddy, on one of the busiest units in the country. Thanks for those that have helped!