Off bike for a while

[DrBadger]

Hey Mary-
Sorry to hear that you are still feeling so poorly, but at least you know what is causing the pain now. I know exactly what you are experiencing. 6 years ago i fell and herniated the disc between L4 and L5, I was a senior in college trying to finish and apply to graduate school, so I put up with extreme leg pain for ~ 6 months before seeing the neurosurgeon and having a micro-discectomy. I would not recommend waiting. See the surgeon, and if he thinks that surgery is your best option I would recommend getting it done sooner rather than later. The longer you wait the more possibility there will be permanent damage to the nerves, no fun.

The surgery it self was really not that bad... over night in the hospital, but the first time I got out of bed following surgery the leg pain was gone! Granted, now I had pain in my back from them cutting and digging around... but I was glad not to have the pain in my back!

As for the pain meds... I don't deal well with them either, and find that they make me quite depressed as well. For the 6 months I was in pain I was on therapeutic doses of Naproxen (Aleve), it is stronger than ibuprofen, but isn't a narcotic. I think that I was taking 2 Aleve (440 MG) 3-4 times a day under Dr supervision. This is what a prescription dose would be, but we were using the over the counter meds.

Good luck getting in to see the neurosurgeon soon, and keep your chin up. If surgery is your best option it isn't that bad, and you will be out riding again in no time (maybe on the trainer at first to protect the back from falls). I am back to an even more active lifestyle than I was pre-surgery.

PABadger

[bcipam]

Mary

Pam here checking in. Well I guess your DX is not unexpected. After the first of theyear I also get to do the cortisone injections (in the hospital) to see if I get any relief. I'm hoping that's just the ticket. Right now my pain (with alittle help from the pain meds) has subsided and last night and today have been the first days I could walk normally, not all gimpy. I'm hoping your back calms down soon and you get some relief.

I'm wondering about your riding. My doctor said it was good for me and I have to say, I do feel well riding and afterwards, have hours of relief but I'm not positioned up on my bike, I'm fairly bent over, stretched out. The doctor said (and it appears to be the case) that flexing the back right now is a good thing. Have you tried that or is it just too painful?

We basically have issues at the same location but different DX - yours being a disc budge and mine being stenosis due to arthritis . But I can see bending and stretching will take pressure off the disc. Sitting upright would put pressure on the disc.

* * *

PABadger - I'm a firm believer in Aleve and have tried to take that for relief but unfortunately it'seither just not strong enough or isn't working the way I need, as I still have pain while on it so I'm still struggling with the Vicodin although right now down to 1 tab a day (1/2 in the am 1/2 at night). Kind if hoping to get down to 1/2 in the pm soon. My system is getting better I think cause I cut down the dosage.

[silver]

Mary,

Mr. Silver here...the good news is that there is some explanation that can be addressed.

I've thought of you often over the last couple days with sympathy sciatic pain too boot!

When the Poop Faery comes your way, drop a pinch of Pixey Dust on her!

Silver's Estogen Laden Hubby

PS: I'm going to go back to my manly old car forum and hang with the "Old F*rts" there. I'll leave all you athletic, healthy, superior gendered folks alone...