Neck MRI results

[ny biker]

I'm sorry about the diagnosis, Catrin, but I hope you and your medical team are able to make the best of it. Absolutely yes to that ice cream -- something decadent.

Does the gym where you do the kettle bells have recumbent stationary bikes? I know stationary bikes are not the most exciting things, but if your knee can handle it, it might be another cardio activity that you can do, especially in winter or on rainy days. Years ago I used to ride a stationary recumbent for an hour at a time, doing crossword puzzles to keep myself entertained. Maybe you could knit?

[Catrin]

Thanks for the kind words, I've already had a decadent spiced latte and I will likely have a glass of wine tonight. Kind of sad how mild my "treats" are in times like this, but I can't help but to think of my lower activity level. My weight is already 2 pounds higher than I prefer (has been for a month or two). I need to not fall into the trap of starving myself since I am not able to be as active as I want to be, it will be challenging.

I've my own kettlebell herd at home - I will need to somehow camouflage it so I will be less likely to play with them My favorite gym does have 2 machines I CAN use without pain (ArcTrainer and the name of the other escapes me right now) - and another I can use without pain IF I am careful - it is like a semi-seated elliptical/recumbent. Stationary bikes are out for me, sadly.

Crankin, you are so right, regardless I can do more than some, it could be worse. Hopefully I can prevent it from being worse but time will tell.

[ny biker]

It's good that there are a few machines you can use. Sometimes I like to combine cardio machines in a workout -- 10 or 20 minutes on one, then 10 or 20 (or 30) on another. It helps to break up the routine. If you want music and don't already have an mp3 player, I recommend the Sansa Clip -- tiny, inexpensive, the clip holds well to various pieces of clothing, easy to use.

[OakLeaf]

Hang in there, Catrin.

[salsabike]

Hey, Catrin. I have had to reinvent my athletic self several times---the first time, after having been a dancer for about 12 years and then developing fibromyalgia; the second, and more recently, having to quit triathlons because of tendon damage that makes running verboten. I would just say that you WILL find ways through this and around this, and that you will find new athletic doors that you'll be able to walk through. You have my heartfelt sympathy and support in this.

[Catrin]

Hey, Catrin. I have had to reinvent my athletic self several times---the first time, after having been a dancer for about 12 years and then developing fibromyalgia; the second, and more recently, having to quit triathlons because of tendon damage that makes running verboten. I would just say that you WILL find ways through this and around this, and that you will find new athletic doors that you'll be able to walk through. You have my heartfelt sympathy and support in this.

Thanks Salsabike, your comments and all the others are appreciated. You know, I was sedentary until I learned to ride in 2010 for my 50th.

I do wish I had discovered at a much earlier age that I enjoyed playing outside but that is how it goes. I can STILL hike easy trails, and if all goes well, the KB break is only temporary. My coach is talking with my Chiro to see what other movements might be safe.

Trying to figure out how far I can safely push the knee with the meniscus tear. It's never felt good since the surgery so it's hard to go by feel. It will all work out as things do, so I will stop whining and go to bed

[Crankin]

I hope you wake up feeling rested! I know how discouraging it is when our bodies rebel. My story is a lot like Salsa's, so I get it. I think the key is to just not stop moving.

[Catrin]

I hope you wake up feeling rested! I know how discouraging it is when our bodies rebel. My story is a lot like Salsa's, so I get it. I think the key is to just not stop moving.

I had a decent night's sleep, those two glasses of 10 year aged tawny port and dark chocolate helped

I agree, the point is to not stop doing everything. So if all I can do is to walk, then walk I will. Inside, outside, on the ArcTrainer, whatever. Hopefully we can find other things that I can do. The meniscus tear has me stumped, can't figure out how I did it but I've an idea WHEN as I think back - hopefully my work on the ArcTrainer won't hurt that. I THINK it's non-impact. Unsure if I agree with my doctor on his problem with kettlebell swings (he doesn't think that I'm in complete control of my arms and that I might hurt myself in other ways because of the pendulum movement), but it's food for thought.

[Pax]

Glad you got some sleep! And such a lovely way to get it.

[salsabike]

To amuse and inspire you, here is my favorite image about this. My husband found it on the internet some months ago (we've searched and searched but can't find an attribution) and said to me, "This totally reminds me of what you do when you've been injured. You may have to change what you do but you NEVER GIVE UP." Best compliment I ever got.



I figure if we can do our best to keep that kind of attitude as long as we can...we'll keep figuring out something we can do. We might not know what it is today. But we'll find it.

[Catrin]

Great image Salsa, thanks. Yeah, I totally agree with that attitude

My coach told me of someone he once knew who wound up in a body cast for some period of time. He was in pretty good condition when they finally released him from it, he had focused on a regime of deliberate muscle contractions and it worked well to prevent his muscles from atrophy. We will keep figuring it out!

[azfiddle]

Just saw this Catrin. Wow- it all sounds pretty overwhelming. No advice but a big hug.

[FlyingScot]

2001 Herniated C3-4, herniated C 4-5, herniated and ruptured C 5-6, bulging C 6-7. Severe foraminal stenosis with spinal cord compression. Neural root compression. Severe radiculopathy. Complete reversal of my lordotic curve. The initial injury happened in June. By the time I went to the doctor in October I had irreversible nerve damage. This isn't something that gets better. I ended up in emergency surgery to decompress my spinal cord (discectomy and fusion with cadaver bone) I have almost constant nerve pain and a left-sided weakness which might have been prevented had I not been so stubborn and taken care of things sooner. Things I can still do;cycle, hike, race sailboats, downhill ski, skate, rock climb, rappel, swim, highland dance, Olympic style weight lifting, circuit train, Zumba. Things I can't do; ummmm nothing. What changes have I made? I can do everything I want to do but I have to be more mindful of using good body positioning and mechanics. So now you know at least one person for whom surgery was successful.

And I wanted to address the kettle ball thing. Because you will not know when your grip has become too weak I would not recommend any swing type exercises with this equipment. Not only can you hurt yourself but you could potentially hurt someone else if your grip breaks and you send it flying.

[Catrin]

Wow Flying Scot, just wow! So glad you're doing so well 15 years later after all that!

My situation has been long-term. It looks like that only real difference between you in 2001 and me now is I've only one herniation, the other disks are bulging only - outside of that our MRI results look remarkably similar. Apparently the herniation + nerve root compression are in an unusual place - leave it to me! Next is a neurological consult that will include a nerve/muscle interaction test to attempt to determine how permenant my damage may already be, and also to help us determine how quickly that surgery needs to be done I won't accept any bets of sooner over later...

I've had neurological symptoms since my MTB injury in 2011 and they've checked things from time to time. Sometimes I think having a high tolerance for pain and being stubborn can work against us as well as for us. I DO ignore things, especially if I don't want to hear the answer. I really didn't think things had progressed this far however, but such is life. Thanks for sharing your experience with me, it IS good to hear of your positive outcome.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow Catrin, so sorry to hear this news. My father-in-law had pretty severe cervical stenosis some years back. He was a woodcarver, gardener, and a very handy fix-it type guy, plus lifted weights at the Y and cycled. The stenosis eventually weakened his hands and caused numbness and tingling to the point that he could do almost none of his favorite activities. He did finally have the surgery and was much improved thereafter. He was a lot older than you when he reached that point, though, in his 70s.

I am sorry you are having to go through yet another limitation in your activities -- seems like you have given at the office already! :-(