Fractured rib, herniated disc, sciatica. This is awful.

KatsMeow12

First, in November, I injured my back. I was diagnosed with a herniated disc (L5) and sciatica in my left leg. It was so bad it necessitated an epidural. This was a huge setback to my exercise routine, which had been going so well. I was so proud of myself.

So after that healed, I vowed to get back on the horse. I was doing pretty well until two weeks ago when I fractured my rib in a skiing accident. I pressed on, trying to at least walk one mile each day, no matter how slowly.

Well, now I seem to have re-aggravated my herniated disc and sciatica to such a degree that I can barely stand upright, let alone walk. I'm not sure if the re-injury is a delayed reaction to the skiing incident or something else. I'm seeing my orthopedist tomorrow.

But basically, I feel defeated. I hate not being able to be active. I can tell I've put back on the weight I did such a good job losing last summer. I feel sluggish and helpless and fat. And sciatica is AWFUL. I'd rather have the fractured rib (which feels pretty okay now).

I just need to *kitten*. Pity Party for one. It hurts and it sucks to be immobile.

Gogohobbs

Please add me as a friend. This month I've had sciatica for 7 months. I'm in awful pain. Just had my first nerve block..
Its miserable in my right leg and hip most of the time !

scolaris

Ugh. I am so sorry. Feel better soon...

flsunshine

I have AS with herniated disc along with damage to my hips, knees, and ankles. I feel you on the pain. I, too, lost motivation after i broke my metacarpals in my hand.

TheBeachgod

Decompression treatment by a PT was the only thing that took care of my sciatica. It took about 24 sessions but when it finally worked the relief was immediate.


http://www.backclinicsofcanada.ca/sciatica-understanding-the-underlying-cause-and-relief-through-spinal-decompression/

janjanyesucan

Hi , please add me as a friend .. I have ongoing chronic leg/back/arm/hand pain from osteoarthritis/spondylothesis/ lumbar stenosis/cervical stenosis and walking upright is pretty difficult lol big hugs and hang in there..I was medically retired from a job I loved and saw my fitness activity go down from 4 gym a week/ 7 miles a day walk to almost nothing..its been hard ,very hard ..but it is what it is and I'm learning
x

wendsg

Yikes. Sounds familiar. I've never ruptured a disc, but have herniated discs throughout my lumbar region and have been diagnosed with DDD in L3, L4, L5 and S1. Also tore my hip to shreds two years ago - stretched ligaments that have yet to heal. Carpal Tunnel in right wrist, knee that hasn't behaved since I twisted it in High School running Cross Country, two ankles that have been broken and sprained multiple times.

What's saved my athletic enthusiasm is swimming. Might want to give it a go. It's a great whole-body workout that can seriously kick your butt depending on how much effort you really give it.

KatsMeow12

Thank you, guys. It helps to know others are in the same boat and that I'm not imagining this pain and discomfort. It's like the internal feeling of nails on a chalkboard. So far, Vicodin is the only thing that works. But I miss being active so badly. Immobility sucks.

ldashburn

I've had a ruptured disc L5-S1 and sciatica for 12 years. I've been through pretty much all the treatments available. The first thing I have found that actually works is a type of epidural. Its called a trans-forametal injection. Its pretty painful when its happening, but the relief is practically instant. Within 5 minutes of the injection I can walk standing up and no burning in the leg either. I was getting regular injections at least once a year. Since 2012 I've had 2 series. The last one was almost 2 years ago. I highly recommend you talk to your talk to your pain management specialist about it. I also recommend doing all the stretching exercises you can find. Yes, they will hurt (especially with a broken rib) but they need to be done every day. Hope this helps

KatsMeow12

ldashburn wrote: »

I've had a ruptured disc L5-S1 and sciatica for 12 years. I've been through pretty much all the treatments available. The first thing I have found that actually works is a type of epidural. Its called a trans-forametal injection. Its pretty painful when its happening, but the relief is practically instant. Within 5 minutes of the injection I can walk standing up and no burning in the leg either. I was getting regular injections at least once a year. Since 2012 I've had 2 series. The last one was almost 2 years ago. I highly recommend you talk to your talk to your pain management specialist about it. I also recommend doing all the stretching exercises you can find. Yes, they will hurt (especially with a broken rib) but they need to be done every day. Hope this helps

Thank you. I have an epidural scheduled for this Wednesday. (Soonest I could get in.) I've had one before and you're right: it works wonders. I just cringe at becoming dependent on them if this is going to be a recurring thing. As soon as I'm better, I really want to focus on finding good lower back strengthening exercises.

ldashburn

Thank you. I have an epidural scheduled for this Wednesday. (Soonest I could get in.) I've had one before and you're right: it works wonders. I just cringe at becoming dependent on them if this is going to be a recurring thing. As soon as I'm better, I really want to focus on finding good lower back strengthening exercises. [/quote]

Rowing works both the strength and flexabilty. Another one I like is good mornings. Put the weight (preferably a barbell) behind your neck. bend forward at the waist until you are parallel to the floor, hold it for 10 seconds and then return to start. Also works the flexability. Again, I can't stress enough the importance of stretching on a daily basis.