What a bad month...one thing and now another

[Waldo]

Lee - I haven't had the pleasure of kidney stones, but I've been through more than my share of back issues. The short version: 2 compression fractures, 1 regular fracture, and a disc that was herniated then degraded and is now basically nonexistent.

With apologies to those who've heard/read this story before, but I think it bears repeating here:

Those injuries turned me into a couch potato for several years, which created a vicious circle: Inactivity, which weakened everything, which made the back more painful, which
led to more inactivity. I was consulting surgeons about 3 years ago, looking into disc replacement. Fortunately I asked the question: Is my back less stable, and am I at a greater risk of paralysis, then other people? The answer was no - it was just a matter of how much pain I could handle. So I started mountain biking!


Over a couple of years I've strengthened my legs and core, dropped about 15-20 lbs, and my back pain has been reduced dramatically. I had a hard time sleeping, standing, and doing many other basics, but now I can handle some pretty strenuous rides.

I'm not saying your problems are due to injury or being as out of shape as me. My point is that backs are funny things, and personally I don't believe anyone who tells you they know with certainty how to fix a back problem. Try stretching, heat, massage, ibuprofen, electro-stimulation, acupressure/acupuncture, and whatever else seems interesting to you. Back surgery should be an extreme last option, imho. Most importantly, give it some time to heal right.


Good luck, and best wishes for a better New Year.

[2wheel_lee]

Waldo, that was very inspirational!

I agree in not always listening to the doom and gloom by doctors. I've heard my fair share! The only previous story relating to the spine was when I was 16. I was practicing at a local practice track (Parks, along the Fully Loop). I crashed badly doing something kinda lame. The end result was a fractured wrist (2nd of 4) a torn off ear, a badly rashed up face, along with a fractured C5. The doctor said there was a chunk of bone wedged against the spinal cord, but he said it was too risky to go in there and do anything about it. He did say that if I healed without surgery that it would come back and haunt me when I was older - about 40 he said. Wholy crap, I'm now 39! Fortunately, it has never been a problem.

As I've mentioned in many threads, the first doctor who worked on my wrist a year and a half ago said that I'll never be able to ride the same (the second doctor was quite a bit more positive, fortunately). And many of you know that I've had some of the most fun in my life doing various kinds of riding in the last year.

I know the main cause of this back injury. Yes, the cold weather and a lack of a good warm-up contributed, but the real cause is my gut. From riding a singlespeed as well as all the other riding (dirt bikes, jet skis, etc.) I've been doing for many years, I have fairly strong legs, arms, shoulders, and even back muscles. Unfortunately, none of my activities really helped my gut area. And I've never gone to the gym. I believe that my strong back muscles along with my weak stomach muscles contributed to an out-of-balance core area.

I've long suspected that this could eventually be a problem. I didn't really want to prove myself right on this one. My goal for 2008 is to improve my overall core muscles. And if I lose some of my gut in the processs, all the better!

[Rob]

Hope you heal fast Lee! Sorry to hear about this.

[denmother]

Lee,

I know men in general hate doctors. Roger is no different. The last time he had back issues he waited until he couldn't get out of bed before he went to the Chiropractor. He ended up having to sleep on the floor for several months.

I have had my own set of back issues which were related to what you mentioned: overweight, limited flexibility and weak core muscles. I ended up going to physical therapy followed by regular Chiropractor visits, sports massage0 therapy and a new coach who focuses on strength training which includes mobility training, stretching and weights.

I have a great Chiropractor who is ART certified. He is also helping me by working on breaking up the massive scar tissue in my wrist and shoulders. I will be happy to share him with you!!

You are not alone in this. Please don't let fear dictate your lack of treatment. You will only prolong the healing process.

Heed the words of The Denmother........

Healing vibes coming your way!!!

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by denmother

Lee,

I know men in general hate doctors. Roger is no different. The last time he had back issues he waited until he couldn't get out of bed before he went to the Chiropractor. He ended up having to sleep on the floor for several months.

I have had my own set of back issues which were related to what you mentioned: overweight, limited flexibility and weak core muscles. I ended up going to physical therapy followed by regular Chiropractor visits, sports massage0 therapy and a new coach who focuses on strength training which includes mobility training, stretching and weights.

I have a great Chiropractor who is ART certified. He is also helping me by working on breaking up the massive scar tissue in my wrist and shoulders. I will be happy to share him with you!!

You are not alone in this. Please don't let fear dictate your lack of treatment. You will only prolong the healing process.

Heed the words of The Denmother........

Healing vibes coming your way!!!

Share him with me too! And please let him be in OC...

[Winston]

Lee,

Hope things get better for you soon.

Winston

[denmother]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Share him with me too! And please let him be in OC...

He is Riverside, but he would be well worth the drive. If it's too far, here are the protocols he uses (you can do a search on ART providers in your city.

Performance Chiropractic
Dr. Peter Cichonski
6876 Magnolia Ave
Suite C
Riverside, CA 92506
951-788-0163

There are 5 protocols that he uses that keep me in running order:

1. Serrapeptase - Silkworm Enzyme (1 tablet daily) Serrapeptase is an enzyme originally derived from the silkworm that digests non-living tissue, including blood clots, cysts, scar tissue, arterial plaque and reduces inflammation.
   
   Serrapeptase offers a viable alternative to salicylates (such as aspirin), ibuprofen, and NSAIDS as well as steroids—a boon for those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and a wide array of other autoimmune diseases that affect the inflammatory response, including ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, uveitis, allergies.
2. Turbosonic - Sonic Vibration Therapy (10 minute session before adjustments)
3. The procedure he uses for scar tissue is called SASTM - Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization.
4. The Chiropractic technique is ART - Active Release Technicque.
5. Foot Levelers - Custom orthotics (I wear them in all my shoes)

As a side note, the SASTM treatment on my previously shattered wrist has increased my range of movement and strength, considerably. He is also treating the shoulder that I had repaired (rotator cuff/torn bicep) and my range of movement and strength are slowly returning!!!!

I consider him a miracle worker.

[lmnop]

First, best wishes on a speedy recovery, on both counts.

All fear and loathing of doctors aside, I suggest seeing to an orthopedist (or two) before you begin to "treat yourself" or head over to a chiropractor. At the very least you can pass this information on to the chiropractor when you seen him or her for the first time.

In the end, you will dictate the course of action. Why not have as much info in hand before making a big decision?

[Lor]

Hope your back up and running soon. Back injuries + stones what a double whammy. Rest and get well.

[KBL]

Lee,

Best wishes for a better back in the future and for passing that kidney stone in the near future!

I've heard several tales of kidney stone passings...none of them pleasant.

Fortunately, as a cyclist, you take an active approach to life and to solving life's problems.

Again, best wishes, along with some healing vibes...

[denmother]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Lee- With regard to the kidney stones, did your DR. mention anything about using sound waves to break them up? How 'bout pills that "help" to dissolve the stone? Worth a shot.

Is this what you are referring to?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most frequently used procedure for the treatment of kidney stones. In ESWL, shock waves that are created outside the body travel through the skin and body tissues until they hit the denser stones. The stones break down into small particles and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.

Several types of ESWL devices exist. Most devices use either x rays or ultrasound to help the surgeon pinpoint the stone during treatment. For most types of ESWL procedures, anesthesia is needed.

In many cases, ESWL may be done on an outpatient basis. Recovery time is relatively short, and most people can resume normal activities in a few days.

Complications may occur with ESWL. Some patients have blood in their urine for a few days after treatment. Bruising and minor discomfort in the back or abdomen from the shock waves can occur. To reduce the risk of complications, doctors usually tell patients to avoid taking aspirin and other medicines that affect blood clotting for several weeks before treatment.

Sometimes, the shattered stone particles cause minor blockage as they pass through the urinary tract and cause discomfort. In some cases, the doctor will insert a small tube called a stent through the bladder into the ureter to help the fragments pass. Sometimes the stone is not completely shattered with one treatment, and additional treatments may be needed.

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

My body is surely showing signs of age (only 39), but I'll be damned if my mine will catch up! (except for memory, which I've been losing over the past few years)

.

Waitl ya git to be my age.....

Heal fast bro.

-kev.

[J_Sims]

So sorry to hear you are off the bike for a bit... I remember wondering what you did to your back at the SwapMeet. Hope you are feeling better in a flash...

to your quick and complete recovery

[Fired Yo Momma]

That sucks about your stone man, Hey we are all just getting old I guess. I once heard passing a kidney stone is the closest a man will know the pain of a women during child birth.

Hey you should try to keep your stones, it would be a cool to see.