Back issues really blow. Sounds like you are in the weeds with that, so here's a thread to help your recovery. I'm sure you have good care, so I'll spare all my tales of past woe. But I have to say "ice is nice." Good luck getting through without undue mental anguish.
I don't know the origin of his current issues, CL. Just that he's had ongoing issues that have intermittently kept him off the bike. A busted wing is one thing, but a bad back just really sucks. I stopped riding for years because of it. Be thankful if you have no issues, and take care of your back. Be well, strobeman...
Awwwwww shucks.... thnx. Oddly enough, my issues aren't horrible when i ride a bike. Somehow, that position almost takes the pressure off of my back. This is what got me into SSing. Standing and sitting was perfect exercise while not hurting my back. I've had back issues for over 5 years on and off. 2yrs ago, it became constant that kept me sleeping on the couch and no longer being able to pick up my, at the time, 3yr old or even my 1yr old. As many ppl who suffer from back pain have experienced, sometimes the pain just drops you to the ground in tears. That was my breaking point and decided to get it checked out. 3 shots later and i was mostly pain and tingle free. This was followed up with 18 months of riding and camaraderie, only my conditioning and lack of skill held me back on the trails. Yet still, all smiles. One day, i decide to be "cool" and show my kids i can jump high (anything is high to a 5yr old). Upon landing, i felt the "pull". Instantly thought, no prayed, that it was just a back strain and would go away in a few days to a week. No such luck. I got a ride in with Jaime and did a solo at SART while thinking it would work itself out. It has now gotten progressively worse. No amount of pain killers, nerve meds, or anti-inflamatories were even touching the pain. I have spent days on end rolling on the floor in pain. Finally, a course of Predinisone reduced the pain. Enough to get new MRI's. Its official, the L4-L5 (counting from the top because i actually have 6 instead of 5) bulge from before has gotten worse. I have no "cushion" between L4-L5-L6-S1 left. But its the bulge thats the issue. Now, just waiting on surgery approval and scheduling. I hope less than 6 weeks, because longer than that is going to be tough with this much pain. They say its a pretty easy cut and remove procedure and recovery isn't bad compared to most back procedures. I built a new (to me) bike on a budget. I finally have squish. An '08 Scalpel running 1x9 (no lefty, i used a Manitou Marvel). I was so excited to ride it that i rode to the store for a shake down. It felt very natural to ride even coming from my rigid-short travel SS. Thank goodness for clipless since i have almost no feeling in my left foot. I don't even have the strength to lift me up on my left toes. This made my left leg mostly a lever. Regardless, i am very motivated to rehab and get on this bike for rides in the Spring. Hope to see you all on the trails soon.
Healing vibes Chris......I too have suffered from back pain to the point where nobody wanted to be around me because the pain just made me into a bigger a***le that I already am. So I know exactly what your talking about. But it will get better, it sounds like you are on the right path. Fortunately for me all it took was doing some daily stretching and yoga and also getting rid of an old crappy bed and investing it in a super-firm one with 2-inch memory foam and wouldn't you know it I've been pain free for 6 months....plus I really believe riding my mountain bike is helping keep my core muscles strong. Take it easy and don't rush it before you know it you'll be back on the bike. In the meantime you can keep with the latest happenings at Sycamore over here: www.facebook.com/groups/SycamoreRiversideMTB/
just some feedback, i know it sounds like a disc issue and maybe it is. But at least try foam rolling and doing sciatic nerve stretches. I have had back pain since I was 18! Got MRI and doc said my discs were irregular but then he also said you were most likely born that way and that surgery is a last resort. 2 years ago i got a terrible sciatic nerve attack, could not move. went to a PT and he showed me sciatic stretches and foam rolling to loosen up the leg muscles that can pull on the back - problem solved. Again it sounds like your case is different but still this might be something for you to look into.
We did the bed upgrade. iComfort with adjustable base has been a big help over our last bed (which was actually pretty good in its own right). If i hadn't been biking, i think i would be in worse shape than i am now. I'll keep on eye on the facebook (even though i rarely use it) page. Might even be easier to get some riding partners on my weekday rides. I've done the stretching, rollers, PT, and epidural injections. MRI shows a "pretty significant" rupture at my L4-L5. It wasn't even a, "hey, it looks like there might be a problem here". It was a, "Well, there is the source of the sever pain you have". Injections would only be a bandaid at this point. The bulge will not go away without physically removing it. This cannot happen soon enough. Thanks for the well wishes. Hope to see you all on the trails soon.
Hope you get well soo strobe !!! I suffer from back pain too, but in no way compared to yours.Anytime you want to ride sycamore let me know, any tuesday i'll go or any other sunday .
Try hanging upside down 0n one of those Teeter Hang Up deals. Did wonders for me. First tied it years ago in rehab an it did wonders, still use it too. Get well soon.
Got one. Believe me, i've tried nearly everything. Here is the dark area that is causing all my pain. Got my surgery date. Can't wait to start recuperation rides.
At this point, i don't really know how writing an essay about my feelings is going to remove that large of a rupture. I've tried just about everything i could to work out my back issues, but, it's time treat the source. Granted, i haven't fully tested or read Dr. Sarno's theories, but my pain is not a mind issue. i will research more if my treatment fails. thnx for the additional resource.
Thanks everyone. 3 weeks and counting then i will be on the road to recovery. I wonder if i can get in a ride or two before then even though my left leg is nearly dead from the knee to toes. Thats what clipless pedals are for, right?
They said about 4 weeks. I'm hoping i can start getting in trainer time at that point if all goes well. I'm being (unusually) optimistic that I'll be on the trails in 8. Crossing fingers.
Sorry Chris, sounds like nasty stuff ! Maybe i can dedicate a ride for ya' (maybe this weekend). Hope it works out for you
