Starting again, working around sciatica

sparkle_313
sparkle_313 Posts: 18 Member
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
:p Here we go! Time to get serious again in our home. I go on long cycles of doing really well and then not. I got my husband really motivated then he fell off when I had to. I have a bulged disc that's causing a lot of problems. I'm young-ish (28, almost 29) and have had it progressively getting worse for 5 years mainly because I continued to live a really active lifestyle! Riding my bike to work, 2 workouts a day, tons of squats and then I started trying to lift heavy and was coming home every night from the gym in tears from the pain and frustration. Something I want so bad but my body physically can't do it..long story short I've finally tried everything I could and we're talking surgery. I'm thrilled, not so much for the surgery but for the possibility of getting my life back. Meanwhile I'll take all the support I can get!

Replies

  • hugheseva
    hugheseva Posts: 227 Member
    First of all wish you lots of luck. I have the same condition but it is under control. I am super cautious of my lower back because of it and work around it. Never do certain things like jackknife situps or dead-lifts. There are tons of exercises that can be substituted for our condition. I also found this really nifty back stretcher on Amazon. It's just a curved hardwood rectangle but it does wonders when I need a little fixing. And I'm icing and moist heating too when needed. Again, lots of luck; I will follow you and see how you are doing.
  • sparkle_313
    sparkle_313 Posts: 18 Member
    Thank you! I've tried it all: heat, ice, motrin, regular massages, PT, trying to build a strong core, muscle specialist, chiropractor, accupuncture, most recently a pain management for injections. I did 2 and he said there's no point in continuing. I was okay in managing it until I starting losing feeling in my foot and ankle lol then I knew I was out for a while. Sadly lost the muscle I had worked so hard for but I'm optomistic. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant so finally doing a surgery will allow for a fit pregancy.
    I am so glad to hear youre cautious but still active! I'm a medical office manager and see so many people who just give up at the slightest pain.
  • hugheseva
    hugheseva Posts: 227 Member
    I am really sorry about your symptoms. It sounds bad. The muscle loss is fixable There is muscle memory and will return as soon as you re-start working out. Just be cautious as to not gain too much weight during pregnancy. And if nothing else, keep walking at least. When is your surgery?
  • Tami_H
    Tami_H Posts: 67 Member
    Sorry about your back pain. I hope you don't need surgery. I can relate to the bulging disk problem. It really takes time and you have to listen to your PT and your MD while you are healing. For me, it was 30 minutes twice a day stretching and getting up from my desk atleast once every hour. I also had to get a new mattress. I started exercising again in April and I can do most exercises now but I highly recommend starting with yoga or pilates to build those core muscles again. Feel free to add me if you need support.
  • ImNancyLynn
    ImNancyLynn Posts: 36 Member
    I had back surgery lower spine fusion (l5s1) and was still in horrible pain, so they took out my hardware a few years later as my back had fused well. I did steroid shots, cauterizing the nerves, acupuncture,chiro care, massage you name it! My pain level is at least 50% better. I gained a bunch of weight over the years since the surgeries. Of course that makes the pain worse. I have learned I cannot use the elliptical machine as it rotates my lower back too much. Doing more reps with less weight on my weight training has helped and cardio is the very best to get the blood flowing in those sore areas. One other big lesson I learned is that sugar causes inflammation and that causes sooo much pain. I hope you feel better soon and can have a wonderful healthy pregnancy! Please add me if you want some additional support. I'm much older than you and my children are grown, but health and fitness is something we all have in common! I have been on MFP for just under 60 days and have been loving it! I hope you do too! Wishing you all the best! Nancy
  • michellesz
    michellesz Posts: 429 Member
    sparkle_313 wrote: »
    Thank you! I've tried it all: heat, ice, motrin, regular massages, PT, trying to build a strong core, muscle specialist, chiropractor, accupuncture, most recently a pain management for injections. I did 2 and he said there's no point in continuing. I was okay in managing it until I starting losing feeling in my foot and ankle lol then I knew I was out for a while. Sadly lost the muscle I had worked so hard for but I'm optomistic. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant so finally doing a surgery will allow for a fit pregancy.
    I am so glad to hear youre cautious but still active! I'm a medical office manager and see so many people who just give up at the slightest pain.
    nscrco64 wrote: »
    I had back surgery lower spine fusion (l5s1) and was still in horrible pain, so they took out my hardware a few years later as my back had fused well. I did steroid shots, cauterizing the nerves, acupuncture,chiro care, massage you name it! My pain level is at least 50% better. I gained a bunch of weight over the years since the surgeries. Of course that makes the pain worse. I have learned I cannot use the elliptical machine as it rotates my lower back too much. Doing more reps with less weight on my weight training has helped and cardio is the very best to get the blood flowing in those sore areas. One other big lesson I learned is that sugar causes inflammation and that causes sooo much pain. I hope you feel better soon and can have a wonderful healthy pregnancy! Please add me if you want some additional support. I'm much older than you and my children are grown, but health and fitness is something we all have in common! I have been on MFP for just under 60 days and have been loving it! I hope you do too! Wishing you all the best! Nancy

    I had tried all of the same remedies as you and Nancy as well as hanging from an inversion machine to avoid survery. I had a slip and fall & ended up having back surgery of the lower spine fusion (l5s1) as well in 2004. Technology and recovery has come even further since then. You will rest and recover and get strong again. I listen to my body but am able to do just about anything within reason unless it involves arching of the back. All the best with your surgery, family planning and health. Would be happy to support you.
  • sparkle_313
    sparkle_313 Posts: 18 Member
    I am hoping that being young, proactive, and having a strong will to be active will help me heal much faster.
    50% pain reduction sounds worth it lol I can't do anything I want to. I am glad to see I am not the only one. It's a sad place to be. One of the doctor's asked if I was depressed over this..well of course lol as are all of you I have no doubt. But I am staying positive and looking forward to what I will call, for now, my recovery.
    I meet with my surgeon next month, as eager as I am I am being patient. We have a wedding in New York in early September and I won't miss that. And with us trying to get pregnant I have to wait til the cycle finishes before they'll do anything.
    The the thought of start a family or surgery comes up..I don't want to wait for either lol patience is a virtue.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories