severe back pain

[NemIsis]

Thanks Techdruid, I remember you had some serious issues as well. Hugs to you as well, and I'm very happy to hear you're on the mend xo

Who is your 'breaker' friend that I may know? I'm trying to recall breaker friends.. lol (And drawing a blank, but that comes with age )

Pratik, I hope you're feeling better!
My worst was 20 minutes of sleep at a time.. from December to April last year. It was only after the snow was gone, and I could start walking every day that the progress began. Friend's suggested I go to the mall to walk, but then I had to clean off my car. It was a nightmare. My first walk was 7 minutes, and by the end of June, I was up to 40.

After walking, my sleep patterns changed. It moved to a couple of hours, and then 4, and then 5. I still get up numerous times through the night, but now I can usually get a minimum amount of 5 hours without waking, and I can fall back asleep. I still need 9 hours lying down to get 7 hours of sleep.

As for how it is at work. I'm lucky that I love what I do. I can ignore it, or more correctly acknowledge it, and make corrections in how I stand/sit.. or what I do. I completely understand your fear in changing jobs. Going back to work was more a physical fear - What if it gets worse? What if I'm an invalid again? But I was so happy to be back doing what I loved.. It works itself out. I also had a huge amount of support from my staff and students. The kids don't want any more supply teachers. So, I have a number of helpers (the kids) who make sure I don't do too much .

I have no answer for you, hun. We accept the 'new normal'. It is what it is. Do you enjoy what you do? Does it fulfill you? I think that is the most important question.

 

[JamesM]

I'm pretty happy I solved my Sciatica. Man crawling around on the ground to take a leak is the worst shit I've ever encountered.

 

[IgStar]

bizarre.
I haven't logged on in ages here and low and behold, I find this lil diddy.
I'm struggling BIGtime right now with chronic ongoing low back pain.
I've exhausted chiro. Short term help.
I get a massage once a month and am going for my 4th physio treatment tonight. Nothing is helping
this back pain thing sucks balls man. I just turned 38 last Monday and feel 83.

 

[IgStar]

Anyway, my point being is that this takes time. If you have these issues and feel depressed, I've been there. If you are feeling depressed, please feel free to message me. The greatest support is your friends. Tell them you need help. Don't try and be noble. You'll be amazed by the support you get

Pain can be managed. You"ll get used to it, and you start listening to your body. I know it seems strange, but you can work through the pain. Eventually you acknowledge it, but are also able to ignore it (while understanding what the signals are).

If you are reading this, and have chronic pain (of any sort),.. Big hugs, and you can get through this.. It's been a year for me, but with the help of family and friends (and my physio who pushes me ), I'm through the worst of it.

I really needed to hear/read this right NOW.
I've never struggled with a constant pain like I have the last year or so with this.
And nobody get's "IT" - oh just walk it off, get over it. When all I want to do somedays is crawl into a fetal position and cry like a big ole baby.
so weird I haven't logged on Tribe in forever and this was the first thread I saw. Thank you Universe.

 

[JamesM]

If anyone wants my advice, for what it's worth.

Less about Physio, and Yoga those are managing strategies.

More about letting the initial episode heal, then gradual excercise, the Gym. Then Diet, and Body weight.

I also Karate chop upper buttocks to loosen it up. But I've had Sciatica for 2 years, and it was a cycle. I had to remember that after the pain goes away it's certianly not healed, and treatment must go unabated for another year.

It's different for everyone. I've been a year without any real issues. But keeping an eye on the little tiny things, that's imperative or else anything like a simple cough can send it back into cycle. Then yes, you become in a fetal position, and crippled. Unable to sit at a chair.

 

[JamesM]

Just wanted to add the Gym, the elliptical (the old school ones that are more level to the ground), on a decent weight setting (10-14) work the muscles in the mid section like wonders to shore up that low back area while the healing keeps moving forward, and isn't directly intrusive on the injury itself.

 

[JamesM]

Fucked up by back literally a week after I posted that. I'm fed up with this bullshit.

Gettin all confident, and shit.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

On my way to Yoga.

Highly recommended.

 

[ravinjunkie]

Yeah James, do private yoga with Westside Wax, if you're shy about your gut spilling out. I flashed my stamp tramp so many times, it was just boring after a while.

Do something, MONKEY.

 

[Bernnie Federko]

Eat a bacon and egg with cheese sammich...

 

[praktik]

I'm climbing out of the hole. Hot baths are my new fave.

Strengthening starting to hold me up better, i've turned away from the precipice...

 

[JamesM]

Yeah James, do private yoga with Westside Wax, if you're shy about your gut spilling out. I flashed my stamp tramp so many times, it was just boring after a while.

Me at Yoga, that'll be the day!

 

[Bernnie Federko]

Bush league.

 

[derek]

i fucked up my back bad in the summer. took me three months to start to get back to exercising (i couldn't walk for two weeks, my wife slept on the couch for one week as i couldn't remain in one position for more than a few minutes with T3s, my leg felt like it was on fire most the time). after about 15 chiro visits and some light conditioning, i was able to to start power lifting again a month later. now i'm back up to my preinjury strength.

i go yoga twice a week for flexibility and i have physio routines (piriformis and sartorius; shoulders too, from dislocations years ago and a separation of the right about two years ago).

you don't have to lift heavy but don't underestimate a good strength condition regime as part of your recovery and maintenance. with proper form and some coaching, it's very effective.

 

[NemIsis]

If anyone wants my advice, for what it's worth.

Less about Physio, and Yoga those are managing strategies.

More about letting the initial episode heal, then gradual excercise, the Gym. Then Diet, and Body weight.

I also Karate chop upper buttocks to loosen it up. But I've had Sciatica for 2 years, and it was a cycle. I had to remember that after the pain goes away it's certianly not healed, and treatment must go unabated for another year.

It's different for everyone. I've been a year without any real issues. But keeping an eye on the little tiny things, that's imperative or else anything like a simple cough can send it back into cycle. Then yes, you become in a fetal position, and crippled. Unable to sit at a chair.

James: It is different for everyone. Your advice about physio and yoga being managing strategies is just that.. advice.. which clearly has not worked for you. I do hope you get better though. Trust me, it's been over a year. But don't negate something when it has helped so many others. The elliptical was brutal for me. The worst thing. I had signs doing the elliptical that I didn't even acknowledge before my crisis.

However, I feel I'm finally truly on the mend. Last October I was sick with bronchitis. The flare up was excruciating. My right leg would go numb and my back was a mess (I had major spasm in the upper back as it was doing most of the work and fire-like pain in my back and down my legs if I moved to the right or left to pick something up). I was still half-time then.

Now full-time. Continuing my exercises for an hour every other day, and stretches every day. I gave up Vimovo at the beginning of January because I felt I didn't need it any more (and using it long-term it can induce major heart complications).

The exercises my physio has given me are related to yoga and pilates. I used to only be able to plank against a wall. Now I'm planking on my knees and holding for 20 secs in 3 sets. The goal is 30 secs before I move forward. And I can do bridges! They used to cause flare-ups, but I'm now strong enough. That is a huge improvement. However, there are 'bad' exercises in yoga for your back, so going to someone who has knowledge of herniated discs like westsidewax or a physio, is a good idea before undertaking exercises on your own. However, what exercises you do depends on how severe your injury is.

Just had the flu and a bacterial infection from hell. The coughing was terrible, but my back is ok. No flare-up. This is how I know I'm on the mend. I didn't exercise much during this period, but I kept up with all my stretches and could feel the stiffness dissipate. It's always there. I can always feel it, and I always have to be careful.

However, I can happily say there are longer periods of time where I don't feel any pain. I know it's there. I can feel it. It's more a feeling of being uncomfortable, but it's not sharp pain. I acknowledge it and I'm careful, but it doesn't constantly intrude on my everyday life like it used to.. when it was 'always' there. Strengthening the core is the most important

Also, make sure to work on your core pelvic muscles people. It's the undercarriage. Work them.

James: Well, you can avoid yoga all you want but, done right, it increases your strength without impacting your discs. You can't 'lift' or 'run' your way out of this. Running is not good for the back, even if it is elliptical. Walking, however, is great.

Pratik: I'm so glad you are better.

Igstar: I hope you are better! How goes it? xo

 

[NemIsis]

After a hard day, this is my favourite pose. I do stretches everyday and this one just helps and puts everything back in sync. It's always my last stretch. Once done the forward stretch, do it side to side. Twist to your right. holding your right arm out in front, but taking your left arm, pulling it to your right and under your right arm. When doing this exercise, breathe deeply through your abdomen 5 times. Do the same for your left side. You'll feel the pull

If you are new, it will hurt, but more of a dull muscle stretch hurt which feels immediately better after you are done. If you ever feel sharp pain down your leg or back.. stop. This isn't the exercise for you. There is a difference between the two.

How to Do the Child's Pose in Yoga - For Dummies

 

[JamesM]

Hey Nem, yeah I get it, It hasn't worked for me. I don't know what to say. I've had a major groin injury the past 6 months. That kept me from being active, and then I got fat, and my back went out again.

It's complete nonsense. It feels good now, My groin injury is still shit. I need to take 6 months off and not do anything.

I still can't picture myself Yoga. [yadda yadda]

I'm a footballer. Ok. I'd be the circus freak my GF brought to yoga one day..

 

[Bernnie Federko]

Yoga helps football.

 

[JamesM]

Like the Zohan!

 

[praktik]

Actually I bring on a bit of groin tightness through stretching/exercise sometimes - find planking will bring it out.

Had to ease off on planking last weekend cause sat-sun needed to focus on groin stretches..

 

[WestsideWax]

[YOUTUBE]vg9ruee3Vos[/YOUTUBE]

 

[IgStar]

well I've got an appt. March 4th with my Dr. - I refuse to leave that appt. without a requisition for imaging. I have done everything. EVERYTHING and I am still dealing with this. Chiro, massage, physio, yoga, YIN yoga, walking, NO crazy working out...I'm finished. She needs to send me to make sure something isn't out of place.
I'm so frustrated
this week has been a very bad week. It actually started going into shooting spasms last night up my right hip. That's new. It's usually just a bad, dull, constant ache. But last night it changed.
I did make another chiro appt. for Tuesday, I haven't been to her in months b/c my physio guy said no chiro while he treated me. Well, after 5 "sessions" with him, I stopped b/c all he was doing was showing me stretches. That was getting a bit too $$$. All this treatment is costing me a bloody fortune.
ugh. I hate this.

 

[praktik]

It's frustrating isn't it!!

Bad few weeks for me but had to travel to MTL and it just took a few days off my regimen to bring on some disc discomfort. Had delayed the trip from December and that was a smart decision, was in way better shape before the trip in early Feb had I done it in December I would risked a relapse!

But it's frustrating to be limited again for sure..

Igstar - maybe u didn't have the right rapport with ur physio, feel free to change it up! Took me a long time to find the right ones. Will say though that stretching and exercise is your only way out and your only way to maintain your good shape once you're better.

This means following the regimen every morning when you wake up and when you go to bed and periodically through the day. You may end up needing 2 hours or so dedicated to stretching, that's a normal amount for me even when I am fine!

 

[praktik]

Also I think you are right to be concerned about new shooting pains through your hip. Getting an image may be helpful to categorize your back pain and help to tailor the best approach.

I had a ct scan and it was helpful to have that snapshot in time.

But certainly a more accurate diagnosis is something I'd look for too. And be vigilant now with this pain through your hip! A day without progress in stretching and/or treatment is a potential day of regression. Don't forget hot and cold and moderate walking!

 

[praktik]

Check in igstar! How goes the battle?

Another small victory in my long war: disc issue subsiding a bit last few days after a steady few weeks of intense work... Starting to think I've been staying on the good side of a relapse for the last few months - the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.