Wazzup

[T.Q.]

Hey T.Q. I'm wondering if lifting weights (even light ones) is a good idea in your condition? I would think any kind of weight lifting would be bad for your back (especially post-op). What say you?

P.S. Thanks for your concern.

[T.Q.]

I didn’t just have a herniated disc L4/L5, it ruptured about six years ago. The fluid from the disc leaked out and was pressing on the root nerve into my right leg.

I think similar.

Day 1 in hospital he did suggest injection and a wait and see (two weeks). By day 2 the pain level was 12 out of 10 and surgeon said forget it we better operate.

Afterwards he said it was one of the worst he's seen. Totally crushing the nerve flat.

I was told I was lucky there were no jagged edges or bone anywhere. That it could have severed the nerve.

Harrowing.

Glad you're managing it okay.

[Pahonu]

Wow! Sorry to hear. Sounds awful and it brings back unpleasant memories for sure.

I had been in very good health too until that happened at age 46. I was working on my old VW campervan when I severely strained a lower back muscle. I did the rest, heat/cold, anti-inflammatories thing and it was manageable. Then it started spasming so I saw a doctor and got some muscle relaxers. That night the nerve pain to my right leg started and my wife had to take me to the ER the pain was so bad. The MRI showed the disc had ruptured, likely from the pressure of the spasms.

I hope your long term outcome is good. I can’t complain. The disc is permanently damaged as the fluid is gone, so I have low level pain as I described, but it hasn’t stopped me from getting back out camping and other activities. The one thing that does linger, is if I am in the same position for too long, the pain increases. So when we travel and are walking around, every once in a while I have to sit for a few minutes and stretch a bit, but that’s not a big deal. No more concerts in the pit standing for three hours though! Also, driving for hours is hard. I try to get out and stretch every hour or so on trips. It’s just some changes to how I do things not if I can do them. I’m thinking the golf cart will be a must now!

Best wishes on your recovery.

[T.Q.]

Wow! Sorry to hear. Sounds awful and it brings back unpleasant memories for sure.

I had been in very good health too until that happened at age 46. I was working on my old VW campervan when I severely strained a lower back muscle. I did the rest, heat/cold, anti-inflammatories thing and it was manageable. Then it started spasming so I saw a doctor and got some muscle relaxers. That night the nerve pain to my right leg started and my wife had to take me to the ER the pain was so bad. The MRI showed the disc had ruptured, likely from the pressure of the spasms.

I hope your long term outcome is good. I can’t complain. The disc is permanently damaged as the fluid is gone, so I have low level pain as I described, but it hasn’t stopped me from getting back out camping and other activities. The one thing that does linger, is if I am in the same position for too long, the pain increases. So when we travel and are walking around, every once in a while I have to sit for a few minutes and stretch a bit, but that’s not a big deal. No more concerts in the pit standing for three hours though! Also, driving for hours is hard. I try to get out and stretch every hour or so on trips. It’s just some changes to how I do things not if I can do them. I’m thinking the golf cart will be a must now!

Best wishes on your recovery.

I think it was inevitable with me.

My L5/S1 already being completely gone was causing so many troubles. Was leaning to the right for years and I had extreme inflammation. I actually thought it was weird back pocket of swollen fat of some kind.

Pain for years. Chiropractic. Trying to figure it out.

The herniation maybe was a blessing when all is said and done. I got my inch and a half back in height. I’m back to upright. My back is flat.

Now just hoping the fusion continues to heal correctly (seems to be so far) and back to life.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Hey T.Q. I'm wondering if lifting weights (even light ones) is a good idea in your condition? I would think any kind of weight lifting would be bad for your back (especially post-op). What say you?

P.S. Thanks for your concern.

No problem. Just looking out for ya. Lest you become totally bed-ridden and must go through seasons 1 thru 12 of Hawaii Five-O again.

EDIT: I am done with MPI season 4 and will begin season 5 in about a month to start the 40-year anniversary of the 84-85 season.

[Luther's nephew Dobie]

T.Q., metalmoose, 80's Big Hair, Ivan, Pahonu,
Nobody can say you guys don't have heart! Your examples reflect well on you.
T.Q. don't be surprised given the ways of the internet and the 21st century if your X-ray doesn't wind up a fad in Japan like Hello Kitty, with untold numbers of people
wearing shirts featuring it on both back and front. It could happen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Higgins: Magnum, remember what I told you about Robin Masters?
Thomas: Yeah?
Higgins: I lied.
[smiles]

[T.Q.]

Hey T.Q. I'm wondering if lifting weights (even light ones) is a good idea in your condition? I would think any kind of weight lifting would be bad for your back (especially post-op). What say you?

P.S. Thanks for your concern.

No problem. Just looking out for ya. Lest you become totally bed-ridden and must go through seasons 1 thru 12 of Hawaii Five-O again.

EDIT: I am done with MPI season 4 and will begin season 5 in about a month to start the 40-year anniversary of the 84-85 season.

Appreciate it. I'm being careful. Surgeon okay'd lifting 20 lbs.

His timeline to golf was 3 months (rare best case for some patients) to one year. I'm being careful.

Go SEASON 5!

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Hey T.Q. I'm wondering if lifting weights (even light ones) is a good idea in your condition? I would think any kind of weight lifting would be bad for your back (especially post-op). What say you?

P.S. Thanks for your concern.

No problem. Just looking out for ya. Lest you become totally bed-ridden and must go through seasons 1 thru 12 of Hawaii Five-O again.

EDIT: I am done with MPI season 4 and will begin season 5 in about a month to start the 40-year anniversary of the 84-85 season.

Appreciate it. I'm being careful. Surgeon okay'd lifting 20 lbs.

His timeline to golf was 3 months (rare best case for some patients) to one year. I'm being careful.

Go SEASON 5!

I'm looking forward to the season 5 opener with Sharon Stone. Season 4 was a good solid season ("Distant Relative" being my favorite) but season 3 is still the season to beat. So many classics in that one!