I'm out for a (long) while... and with summer right here! Damn.

Discussion in 'Rider Down' started by shudder, Jun 1, 2013.

  1. shudder

    shudder no big deal

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    Hi gang --

    I just wanted to let folks out there in internetland know I will be out for an extended period of time, so no RRs from me this summer, maybe longer. It's all quite the bummer for me as the bike has become my solace, and now I cannot do it.

    I've had BACK PAIN for a long time, and I recently pinched a nerve in my back after a long solo ride in the SanMos near my home (Thursday, Feb 7th at precisely 1:30pm -- yeah, I do remember exactly when it happened because it was like getting hit with voltage from live wires). I relaxed my back in the shower for a sec and whammo.

    I dealt with it thinking it would just go away after a day or two, but I was laid out bad for that entire weekend. Oddly, I had a terrible time walking and standing, but I felt 100% okay on the bike -- I mentioned this all the time to anyone who saw me stooped over at work, and wondering how if I looked like that, how could I possibly go out on the bike and keep making PRs, ride after ride? Sure, I would get really tired and sore from riding hard (who doesn't?), but it was really the only time I didn't have electric shock running down my left leg. Finally, after three months I finally went to a sports doc I've been seeing for a few years because it just didn't seem to be getting better. One thing led to another and last week I finally had an MRI. I got the MRI impression back on Thursday. Not good news as it turns out.

    I have "bilateral L5 spondylolysis with resultant 3-4 mm of anterolisthesis of L5 on S1." In Engrish, that means I broke the little 'wings' on my L5 at some point in my life, allowing L5 to float around back in there like an unmoored ship, moving 3-4 mm forward. That ain't good. There's a bunch of other medica-gibberish in the impression, but in short, the movement forward of my L5 has has combined with a number of other conditions, including dessication (drying) of the disk between L5 and S1, leading to bilateral bulging, which is causing nerve impingement. Thus the live wires running down my leg. Along with that, the foramen (little holes the nerves pass through) are constricted due to this degenerative disk disease or arthritis, so that's also squeezing the nerves. Oh joy. Getting it from all sides here. Oh, and I have a flat lower back. #-o

    Long story short folks, I am off the bike for three months, maybe longer. If I am lucky and the pain subsides as a result of time off the bike (I will be seeing a pain mgmt specialist next week), I might be able to get back in the saddle. Time, recoup, rest and PT will tell, hopefully.

    So, hasta luego for now, compadres. Maybe I'll get lucky and be back later.

    - shud

    Hdre's a link: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00053
     
  2. dcrfx

    dcrfx Member

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    Dang, sorry to hear. Always enjoy your RRs. Hoping you have a speedy-er recovery and the pain isn't too bad.
     
  3. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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    Sorry to hear about your pain. I also have issues that occasionally keep me off the bike for longer periods of time (including back pain related issues), but I will say that they can be a blessing in disguise, since you appreciate riding that much more when you're back on the bike. Enjoy the time off doing the other things you enjoy.
     
  4. Hanzo

    Hanzo .

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    Sorry to hear about this Mike. I also have been told I have grade 2 spondylolisthesis. Hopefully that 3 months was just a guess by the Dr and more like 2 months realistically. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
     
  5. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Sorry to hear this Shud. I've had issues with my back for quite some time and have been doing treatment for years now. Seems I have an C6(neck area) and L5 degenerated disc and need relief from time to time by decompression and adjustments. At times a heavy sneeze will cause my back to go into spasms. I'm hoping it doesn't get to the point where I'll need surgery. Hope you have a quick recovery.
     
  6. jasonmason

    jasonmason inebriate savant

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    Best of luck with a speedy recovery. I'm sure we'll all miss your RR's over the summer. Look forward to reading a 'Finally back on the dirt!" one this fall.

    :beer:
     
  7. bconneraz

    bconneraz Member

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    wishing you a speedy recovery; it's never fun to be away from anything you love doing.
     
  8. Deadweight

    Deadweight older, not much wiser.

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    Wishing you a speedy recovery Shud! I've always enjoyed your RR's and amazing pics!
     
  9. fos'l

    fos'l Member

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    What the hell; you couldn't just not tell us and make up stories with pictures during the summer; plus, your son is old enough to take over. All kidding aside, best of luck with your recovery, and have a great TWO months anyway.
     
  10. xhuskr

    xhuskr Powered by Guinness

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    thnx for sharing and really sorry to hear...with time off the bike perhaps you could make up some imaginary RRs for us mere mortals to try and complete? Regardless, good call...be healthy and the trials await your return
     
  11. fongster

    fongster Active Member

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    Heal quickly and come back even stronger!
     
  12. madridg

    madridg Ride Therapy Patient

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    Wow, sorry to hear about your back. As I get older, everything seems to hurt more and longer for the dumbest reasons, just sucks. I wish you well and hope you have a full and pain free recovery, hopefully feeling better than before!
     
  13. jeffj

    jeffj Bloated Mountain B'hiker

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    Supreme bummer. I hope you at least heal well in the long term. It sux to deal with this stuff as we get older. Hang in there.
     
  14. marshal

    marshal New Member

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    Sending my healing mojo to ya!!
     
  15. shudder

    shudder no big deal

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    Hey thanks everyone. I know you are all rooting for me.

    As to recovery, I'm not sure at this point if there is a 'recovery' per se from this. L5 is not going back into its place, not without fusion surgery and I just don't know if I want to do that as it will severely limit my range of motion if they fuse L5 to S1. I need to learn more about that, obviously.

    All I know is I am off the bike for several months, and that blows. I feel BEST when I go riding, but the degeneration seems interactively linked to the pounding that MTB puts down on my body. This did not happen overnight, but over many years. And now it has come to a head.

    Thanks for all the good thoughts.

    Here's what is feeling like a serendipitous shot from last week's foray into Sycamore, recently burned through by the Springs Fire...

    [​IMG]

    Maybe I'll come back like that bad boy. :wave:

    - shud
     
  16. shwinn8

    shwinn8 New Member

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    take it easy and get better soon!
     
  17. Pho'dUp

    Pho'dUp Spam Musubi MasherSS

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    Sorry Shud, heal up man.
     
  18. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    Shud,

    as someone who has some disc/nerve issues, I feel your pain. HEAL up, and get all the second/third opinions you need buddy! We'll be here waiting for ya, and holler if you need anything, or wanna go for a ride!
     
  19. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    So sorry my friend. I have a herniated disk at L5 and S1 and was able to deal with it using Decompression. Yours sounds much more serious. Defintiely do your homework and find out what options you have. I have several friends who have had fusion done and are happy they did so. It's all about quality of life and what you can/want to live with either way. Sending prayers your way my friend!
     
  20. Schecky

    Schecky SoCalMTBubbs

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    Sounds like many of us are dealing with spine issues. Hope you heal well and your downtime is short Shud!
     

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