Remind me that I'm not 30 years old anymore...

[Dogmama]

I wish my adolescent brain would catch up to my almost 60 year old body.

Last week I decided that I needed to learn how to do pikes in the gym. Now, I know that these exercises really tweak my lower back. I have spinal stenosis, arthritis, bone spurs, etc., and doctors just shake their heads at my MRI's. But I'm ten feet tall and bullet proof...right??

So, here I am four days later. I can sit and lay down in limited positions. Sleep is tough. I know the spasms will go away. Maybe I'll even (gasp) see a doctor & try to get some muscle relaxants. Oh - and did I mention I came down with the flu?? So I need to sit up to breath, but it kills my lower back.

It's hard to accept that recovery takes longer. Pushing limits on the bike or in the gym has more consequences than 15 years ago. Like most of us on TE, we're in better shape than many people 20 years younger. But - mother nature will have her way. This sucks.

I'm supposed to go to California next week for a dog training conference. Am I going to be one of those old ladies who needs help lifting her suitcase into the overhead bin? Heck no - I'd check it through first!

[SheFly]

My saying - after 40 bumbles don't bounce.

Like you, I have a brain that thinks I am invincible, and a body that likes to prove my brain wrong. I tore something in my shoulder in November racing CX, but haven't been to the doctor yet figuring it will just go away eventually, and soon, I will be able to sleep without pain and stop taking ibuprofen .

SheFly

[malkin]

So sorry you're hurting! And the flu...a double whammy!

I feel more ok about receiving help when I remember that that interaction is also about the other person.

[Wahine]

That sucks!!

Now for some practical advice. Getting some good sleep is absolutely essential for you to be able to get over this as quick as possible. So using meds to help sleep is a good thing. You can try some strong over the counter meds first (if you know your body tolerates them). If those don't work, you may well need a prescription med to help you get over it. Also, many of my patients that have similar MRIs to what you're describing do really well sleeping in a recliner. It's sitting, but because you tip backward, it can take some pressure off your back but would keep you upright enough to help with the breathing bit.

Good luck. Get better soon!!

[OakLeaf]

Ow. Feel better soon!

[Crankin]

Feel better soon, Dogmamma. I know exactly what you mean. On Wednesday I did an abs exercise in a class that I don't usually take. I knew it would tweak my lumbar region, which takes a lot of work for me to keep healthy. And, it did, even with modifications. I knew I shouldn't do it, as I was doing it! Two days of pain, it's gone this morning.

[Dogmama]

Wahine, thanks for the suggestion about sleep. Being ten feet tall & bulletproof, I often think I should be able to plow through anything without chemical help. But I had considered taking an OTC to help with sleep & will do that tonight! I can sleep in a recliner with a small pillow under my hip - it's a balancing act but when I get it right, the pain isn't as bad.

Crankin, I know that you mean about doing something even though the little angel on your shoulder is whispering, "this is gonna hurt later!!" Why do we do these things??

Malkin - thank you for reminding me that everything isn't about ME.

[Pax]

Dogmama - Hope it clears up quickly, I've spent many nights in a recliner and it's not my favorite place to be for sure!

Wahine - thanks for mentioning sleep, I'm terrible about this, but I have started to give myself permission to skip my workout when I functioning on three hours of sleep. I tend to get hurt much more easily when sleep deprived... kind of duh, but not when my brain still tells me I'm 20.

[lauraelmore1033]

I swear by my Makenzie Back Roll. When I first had a problem with a herniated disc I couldn't sleep more than a couple of hours before the spasms woke me up (even with Vicodin and muscle relaxers) I read a booklet by Makenzie which recommended the night roll. I bought one on Amazon and was immediately able to sleep all night and was soon on the road to feeling normal again.

[smilingcat]

oui--- Hope you find some means of getting comfortable. Oh muscle spasms in pain. never fun, never good. I wish you speedy recovery and be able to get a good nights sleep.

And yes we all feel like we are ten feet tall and do anything we want. I'm pretty stupid in this regard. My first word after having my impacted wisdom teeth shattered to get it out was "Is it okay if I went on my 30 mile training ride?" It didn't happen.

Lots of good suggestions BTW.

[pll]

I hope you gals feel better soon.

SheFly: get that shoulder checked. CX season will be back soon.

[Norse]

I've had back issues ever since being rear-ended by a Mack truck, literally, many years ago. Whenever my back acts up, I find a lot of relief in doing yoga focused on the back. In particular, I've been using this dvd forever: http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Rest-Us-B...ds=peggy+cappy, and recently discovered this one, which has a great segment focused on the lower back, along with a really nice variety of stress relieving poses: http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Stress-Re...elaxation+yoga. My lower back was recently killing me after spending hours outside shoveling snow and using the roof rake; I did the low back tension segment for 20 minutes and when I was done, the pain was gone and stayed gone.