Jimmy's Down!

[Supermoon]

My Doc just called with the results of the MRI, herniated disk. Am I fucked?

Probably not. Most of the time rest, PT and maintenance will keep you feeling ok most of the time. It will flare up and suck occasionally. At least that's how it is for me. YMMV.

[splat]

Well, once again someone will think I'm insane for my recommendation, but I healed a herniated disk by applying super pure St. John's Wort oil on it every single day for a year. I really don't give a shit if people think they need surgeries, but the alternative/holistic methodologies have been very good to me and for me, so I mention what has worked for me.

[spook]

One thing for certain, the less I move, the more it hurts.

i too find this to be true

[Tuckerman]

A good manual physical therapist who works with athletes. Can't remember where you are in NH, but Dr. Pallof works out of MBSC in Andover, Ma.

This place looks great, and my dr said she would refer me if I wanted. I live in Meredith nh, Andover is about 1.5 hrs away.

[Tuckerman]

Would HGH help?

[splat]

Only in combination with stem cells and prp (from what I know) - if you could find/fund someone qualified to do back injections.
They need to have the imaging equipment to place the needle exactly where it needs to go.
Get the St.John's Wort oil now.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

Studies have shown that something like %80 of people have herniated disks with no ill affect. so don't dwell on it too much, just rest and get going with therapies that work for you.

Also agree with splat (and Spook, which would be a first) that once you get the swelling down it is important to stay active, just no lifting or rotational
movements.

Edit:...and by "active" I don't mean running a 50 mile ultra either. Just walk, non-strenous hiking etc. Biking around the hood was good for me....every back injury/herniation can have very different symptoms so it's important to find what works for you, and avoid activities that strain that area.

good luck!

[spook]

i was thinking more long term, not so much in relation to a specific injury. my issues are decades long so trying to keep moving is trying to keep the other foot out of the grave and keep pain manageable.

[splat]

Yeah, as the Goat says, moving doesn't mean to get up and go exercise right now. Let it heal and ease into it. Took me a lot of injuries to learn to slow down. And even then I re-tore my meniscus by overdoing it on the mtn bike five months after a repair. Approach everything wisely and judiciously, consciously considering how it might affect your injury. Time really does heal. Somewhat...but that's what our bodies are designed to do.

One last time - get the oil.

[Hugh Conway]

If you've bad/worn shoes - throw them out, now. Get good supportive footwear.
Bad crappy chair - same.
Watch your posture.

[splat]

Yeah, what Hugh says.
The fucking lazy boy recliner was made just for you!

[My Pet Powder Goat]

If you've bad/worn shoes - throw them out, now. Get good supportive footwear.
Bad crappy chair - same.
Watch your posture.

....and a great bed; in the med-firm to firm category. Sleeping on a shitty non-supportive bed is no longer an option.

to add about footwear: my back hated a shoe with too much heel lift, such as a work boot or hiking boots.

[systemoverblow'd]

So I just got off the phone with my bro. He says after the prednisone, your next best bet on top of PT is a cortisone injection. He has had 2 surgeries and will be going in for a third to fuse the problem. He recommends doing everything in your power, including prednisone prior to surgery. It should be a last resort. Most people don't need surgery but if you continue to be stupid about you will and he has been through it. Losing muscle from prednisone should be the last of your worries as you will lose plenty of muscle being laid up the way he has been over the years.

His $.02

[JayPowHound]

I know nothing about back pain or the various available cures, but I'm a big Howard Stern fan and I know he would tell you to read Dr. Sarno.

http://www.healingbackpain.com/books.html

Sounds like some crazy hippy shit to me, but who knows... maybe worth a shot?

If you like him it looks like he's based out of MGH which says to me that not only is he a legit md, but for you it wouldn't be a crazy trip to come down and chat with him in person if you could swing a referral.

[Tuckerman]

Meet with the back dr yesterday. He showed me how I have lost some motor function in my left foot. He says microscopic discectomy I said I'd like to try cortisone injection first so he sending me to a pain clinic. He said deadlifts were the worse movement in the gym which leads me to believe he's not really for me. He said I will never be able to do deadlifts, squats, burpees, box jumps again. He suggested sit ups for core strength, sit ups are for abs which is only a small part of the core as far as I know.

[neufox47]

Meet with the back dr yesterday. He showed me how I have lost some motor function in my left foot. He says microscopic discectomy I said I'd like to try cortisone injection first so he sending me to a pain clinic. He said deadlifts were the worse movement in the gym which leads me to believe he's not really for me. He said I will never be able to do deadlifts, squats, burpees, box jumps again. He suggested sit ups for core strength, sit ups are for abs which is only a small part of the core as far as I know.

Was working out with a college kid whose hip surgeon told him he'd never row competitively again. He's doing better today than he was pre-surgury. Another woman who I see regularly had this surgery to cut a wedge of her femor out to straighten her knee (among other issues). Doc told her the best case scenario is that shed be able to walk a 1/4 mile pain free. She's back to playing rec league hockey at 45.

Sounds like your back dock doesn't work with athletes and is trying to get you back to walking up stairs and sitting in front of the tv. Id find someone else.

I would agree with him that you should avoid traditional deadlifts and back squats for a long long time if not indefinitely. I think you'll find that a mix of single leg deadlifts, trap bar deadlifts, rear foot elevated split squats etc will make you functionally stronger than the traditional lifts anyways. I'll ask the guys at mbsc if they know of any good trainers or pts in your area.

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[Tuckerman]

I'll ask the guys at mbsc if they know of any good trainers or pts in your area.

I'll probably be going down to N. Andover for PT. Know any good back Drs?

[neufox47]

Sorry, no help there.

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[My Pet Powder Goat]

where is the herniation, sounds like a L5-S1?

Good call not going right to the surgery. Surgeons always want to operate, it's what they do....the fact he was saying that so soon after an injury, before you had tried cortisone shot and rest, should be a red flag. I've never had a DR tell me to consider surgery first, they always explain it's a last resort.

Cortisone has about a 50% success rate. It worked for me (twice) It's not a cure-all, but can help get you out of pain and moving around sooner

it's going to just take time to see how the negative neuropathy improves. My first back injury (L4-L5-S1) a few years ago I had my whole R Glut shut down for about 4 months before it started coming back online, I also had "foot drop" and weakness in my calf muscle. I understand how scary it is to be faced with this situation, and alot of time the Drs aren't very helpful about explaining what is happening to you or what to expect in the coming months. (cuz they just don't know) just keep your head up and take care of yourself as these things will usually improve on their own.

Ps. you're going to want to give up those deadlifts and start doing this:

[Vinman]

Know any good back Drs?

Dr. Abdu at Dartmouth is probably one of the best spine surgeons in the NE at least in NH anyway.

I agree though, Try rehab and cortisone first. spinal extension exercises, traction, core strength.

[neufox47]

Would HGH help?

Missed this. Definitely would during PT . GOod luck convincing your doc though.

[Tuckerman]

After reading this I'm going to get the diskectomy. It seems like the fastest way back.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...PmM/story.html

[My Pet Powder Goat]

After reading this I'm going to get the diskectomy. It seems like the fastest way back.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...PmM/story.html

IDK, get a bunch more info if you're considering it....

Make sure you're not getting the older, and generally out-date diskectomy. the modern procedure is done using endoscopic Diskectomy (Laprscopic surgery) which is minimally invasive with only a tiny incision involved. Scar tissue can be a big culprit in causing continued problems. It really should be a last resort if you continued to have nerve issues, (negative, positive neuropathy, Radiculopathy etc ) after appropriate time off.

Furthermore, Rushing back to do fuckin' cross-fit shouldn't be your number one priority. You're not a pro football player... your quality of life moving forward should be your most pressing concern. If I was your PT or DR I would completely forbid you from doing cross-fit for the rest of your life. That shit is terrible for your back and I have tons of friends that have hurt their lower back doing it.

[Moeghoul]

I herniated L5 -S1 and it took me 9 months to get back to a pain free life thru PT, manipulation, mild exercise and a lot of pool time. In fact, every injury (collar bone, shoulders, rotator cuff, lower back) seem to respond well to swimming and pool exercises over a period of time. I wouldn't rush into the surgery since it sounds like this happened in the past week or so, way too soon to jump onto an operating table. over time that herniation should shrink and take the pressure off the nerves. I had success with the cortizone shot a year later after I healed up and reaggravated it.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

I wouldn't rush into the surgery since it sounds like this happened in the past week or so, way too soon to jump onto an operating table.

...and his symptoms don't sound that severe.

seconded on the pool time. I've had great relief and success pulling traction in the pool using 10lbs weights on each ankle and a life jacket to keep me afloat. as well as just walking around in the water