New appreciation for

[keithaba]

Well, after the S.O. decided we need more plants in the backyard, I proceeded to dig away. Now of coarse the dirt in my yard isn't like your typical soil. It's a wonderful combination of clay, rocks, and roots. As I'm digging away I hose down the dirt to try and loosen it up. I am dumping the dirt into a bucket. Once full, I went to pick it up...... OHHHHHHHHHH, that's not a good feeling in my back.

Today my back is killing me, I've never had an issue with my back before. Now that I have experienced this, I have so much sympathy for those who have recurrent back pain. I can't even walk today, I'm hobbling around with crutches for extra support. This **** sucks.... I handle pain well, but this is immobilizing...

Hope this crap heals up quickly. I'm supposed to leave for EOM and then ride to Florida. An 1800 mile trip will not be fun if my back is not cooperative.

 

[Bustanut joker]

That sucks big time! I never had any real back pain issues till this spring, now it's a daily thing. Hope it's nothing more than strain that time and over the counter meds will cure.

I started a post awhile back about medical advice for my back pain, there was a lot of good advice given. Ya might wanna check it out.

:jester:

 

[wfooshee]

That's about how a back problem starts. you don't really know it until it's too late. Mine started about 5 years ago. The morning after a softball game I couldn't get up from bed. Had no idea during the game, or while in bed waiting for sleep, that I'd hurt myself. Couldn't walk unassisted for 4 days. When I got to the doctor, he said he couldn't even examine me properly because I was spasmed so bad he couldn't have me move to test anything. Think about a charlie horse you might get in your calf, you know when it tightens up and won't let go? Now think of that in the small of your back, up to your shoulder blades.

After a couple of months of relaxants, pain meds, and anti-inflammatories, I was up and about again, but very weak. Just tripping on a sidewalk would put me down for a couple of days.

Nowadays I'm pretty much normal, I can even move the servers around at work like I need to do, but any extra action, like a hard day of yard work, and I'll be sore for a couple of days, maybe not quite able to stand straight. Right now I'm assembling one of those steel storage buildings in the back yard. No real weight to anything, just climbing a ladder and reaching for things, and I was pretty sore last night. Basically I've gotten VERY conscious of correct treatment of my back, from lifting, climbing steps, getting in and out of a car, using furniture, everything.

It also REALLY dicks around with your fun times with the Mrs., as the affected muscles are EXACTLY the ones you really need at those times. Nothing says "I love you" like a spinal cramp and immobility!

My actual diagnosis: early arthritic formations between L4 and L5, which is the very bottom of the spine.

Prognosis: Gonna hurt forever if you do anything more than walk across the room.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Ouch! I feel for you (and me).

Until recently, I'd never experienced more than a transient back ache. That all changed in June when a nagging pain the neck turned into a major surgical deal. It was bad enough, that I gave serious consideration as to whether I'd ride again. The good news is that four and a half weeks post op, I did about 150 miles, first time out on a bike. The bad news is that I did about 150 miles and paid for it dearly, for almost a week, so far.

The point is, as everyone else so kindly warned me, take it easy and don't try to do too much, too fast. If (and when) you do, an ice-cold Corona with a shot of Tequila seems to help.

Take care and get well soon.

Jill

 

[Scab]

Hope this crap heals up quickly. I'm supposed to leave for EOM and then ride to Florida. An 1800 mile trip will not be fun if my back is not cooperative.

This will sound weird, but try taking a ride on the bike. Nothing aggressive, just ride. When my back goes nuts, something about the riding position really helps it feel better. Now, some scientific and medical types may call that a placebo effect. I could care less. I'm looking for results at that point, and the bike does that for me.

 

[black mamba]

Ever since L4 back surgery at the young age of 24, I've walked a real tightrope, trying to avoid those things that can cause a reoccurance of the pain and misery that lurks. The last bad episode I had required the use of that therapy that stretches the spine ( think of the " Rack " they used in the middle ages ). People who have never experienced the debilitating pain associated with spinal issues....and often, the sciatic nerve to the *** and legs as well.....can never really relate to how terrible the pain can be.

 

[Silver Penguin]

This will sound weird, but try taking a ride on the bike. Nothing aggressive, just ride. When my back goes nuts, something about the riding position really helps it feel better. Now, some scientific and medical types may call that a placebo effect. I could care less. I'm looking for results at that point, and the bike does that for me.

Hey Scab - I took your advice without even knowing it!! My neck was feeling a bit better, and I was officially released from the c-collar so I went for an afternoon ride. It felt FANTASTIC. I took four different bikes around the block, and picked the best one to take out for a little ride. Nothing aggressive, no twisties, just the sheer pleasure of riding an FJR. :yahoo: :yahoo:

I must compliment DH on not using the phrase 'I told you so' during the whole week that I've been recuperating from the ride. Having said that, I'd do it again.

Jill

 

[FJRMGM]

sorry to hear about your back pain. It will make an old and cranky person out of you in short order.

 

[spklbuk]

Keith find an osteopathic M.D. that does manipulation. Dem folks has got the magic hands Stevie Nicks sings about. The doc will be in a full body sweat when they are done with you and you will get up off the exam table and walk away pain free.....at least that's how it worked for me. Good luck.

 

[RTSR1/FJR]

Keith find an osteopathic M.D. that does manipulation. Dem folks has got the magic hands Stevie Nicks sings about. The doc will be in a full body sweat when they are done with you and you will get up off the exam table and walk away pain free.....at least that's how it worked for me. Good luck.

You sure it was Nicks and not maybe Heart? Just askin! lol

 

[Bob Hughes]

I feel your pain, or at least I used to.

10 years ago I bent over to pick up a piece of paper on the floor and felt a little snap. Each hour I felt more "discomfort" than the last. I stayed at work even though it hurt until I fell to my knees with pain upon turning a certain way. I could not get over this for about 2 years.

I used a treadmill every day but I could no longer get on it due to back pain so I sold it. After a couple of years of almost daily pulling muscles in my back and swollen nerves that were biting between my vertabrae and causing intense pain I happened to buy a Nordic Trac eliptical trainer. 10 days later my back was great except I would throw it out several times each year costing me a week to 10 days of serious pain and recovery.

Over time I developed a morning work out regimen with components of karate, yoga, pilates and the Nordic Trac and I now go years between lower back events. If I get one I find that job 1 is to keep things from swelling with ice and ibuprofen. On top of that even if I can't walk I can do my excersise program including the Nordic trac so I stay with that. And I am really carefull not to reinjure it for 2 weeks with good behavior and more ibuprofen. I never mis a morning work out even if I am on a road trip and I take ibuprofen at any sign of injury or pain.

Hope any of this helps you out, back pain sucks.

 

[brazos parker]

A couple of weeks ago, I was lifting a sack of mulch...thought I was doing everything right...bend your knees, not your back and keep the load close to your body. As I straightened up, I felt a "boing" in my lower back. Headed for the ice pack and, then, kept the ThermaCare heat wraps on my lower back for a few days. Couldn't put on socks or tie shoelaces for several days. Made me wonder if I was going to cancel on EOM.

This has happened to me twice before...I'm just not bulletproof anymore.

My back is mostly better but can still feel the pain. And, I'm leaving for EOM on Fri am.

Aaaahhh! The therapy of an FJR ride...

 

[FJR_pig]

I recommend a Charite disc replacement if the location is right. I'm ten days post-op and lovin' life. This, after almost six years of on/off hell.

Click here for the shizzle

 

[Grumpy]

Ice......magic stuff!

Apply immediately after the injury for 20 minutes, rest and let the back warm a bit then another 20 minutes of ice, etc.

 

[IndianaTom]

12 years ago I was working in a factory and was using a dolly with a 500 lb load. I gave it a yank and thought I pulled my ham string. It hurt in my but a little, and behind my knee. It eventually got diagnosed as L5-S1 ruptured disk. Looking at the MRI, it looked like someone stepped on a tube of tooth paste. That sucked for a long time, and still kinda sucks on occasion if I forget about it and think I'm still 20 years old.

 

[ceddec]

Hope this crap heals up quickly. I'm supposed to leave for EOM and then ride to Florida. An 1800 mile trip will not be fun if my back is not cooperative.

This will sound weird, but try taking a ride on the bike. Nothing aggressive, just ride. When my back goes nuts, something about the riding position really helps it feel better. Now, some scientific and medical types may call that a placebo effect. I could care less. I'm looking for results at that point, and the bike does that for me.

Works for me as well. I have L4-L5 disk issues & occasional cyadic (sp) nerve tingles. Since I started riding again about a year ago, I'm off the prescription stuff and naprosin does the job just fine. I do those exercises the Drs suggest and after not riding for more than a few days, do ease back in to not over do it.

 

[black mamba]

Hey ceddec...

Since you suffer from this, like myself, the correct medical term for the nerve situation is sciatica. Most people, when talking about it, simply call it the sciatic nerve. There's no joy in Mudville when it flares up, is there?

 

[Scab]

Since you suffer from this, like myself, the correct medical term for the nerve situation is sciatica.

I thought it was Sciaticass. :huh:

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

My upper body was feeling like it was perched on a Barbeque Fork. The more I sat or stood I just felt worse. I went for some Acupuncture treatment & it really helped. Less pain & can strech it again. Lower area still doesn't like much pressure on the back. Hope yours improves soon. TJ