Man Down

[master detailer]

My brain is telling me to get up and go. My back/leg is telling me otherwise. Do you know of any ways to trick the brain?

I refuse to live like this

smoke some weed it will help all detailers have bad backs atlest the over 50 ones like me.pills will hook you bad .

 

[jfelbab]

I can relate as I have sciatica caused by a degenerative disc (L5-S1). This really has curtailed my car care. So what have I done about it?

First, I saw a spinal specialist. He gave me information on what was happening and options. Surgery is last on my list of options but is still a possibility as age and progression of this moves on.

Therapy coupled with pain killers made life more livable. I now take meds for control of the pain and I work out daily. Exercises designed to strengthen my lower back and stretching exercises for the glutes helped a lot. I am able to walk 2-3 miles now without much pain and can detail for an hour or two at a time. I'm learning to listen to my body and effective pain management. Of all the exercises the glutes stretching were the most beneficial.

I also love the TENS machines. They are quite affordable for home use and very effective for me. I've seen them for as low as $40.

I joined an athletic club and work out there daily. For me, the best exercise routines are those that don't compress, but extend the spine. Three years on, I'm managing fairly well. Well enough to not be considering surgery anyway.

My days of detailing a couple cars at a time are over but I can still keep my rides looking pristine.

 

[swanicyouth]

I can tell you that you will hear a lot of horror stories about surgery. My laminectomy was at L5-S1. It cured all my pain 100%. No pain - perfect outcome. That was 16 years ago. So, not all surgery comes out bad.

Choose your Dr wisely.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Sorry you are feeling bad. The last time I had surgery I was out of commission for 8 weeks. To override the cabin fever I watched the X-files series from start to finish. That kept my mind off the pain somewhat and kept me occupied. Get to feeling better.

Thank You!

I'm watching The Untouchables Series

Hope all gets better for you Flash...

Art

Thanks Art. Get your mother to make me some of those tamales and I'n sure I will get better

Dude, welcome to my world.
Sorry I did not read the entire thread already and with the app I cannot multi-quote.

However, I've suffered with DDD for most of my life, yet it wasn't until it hit my sciatic nerve some 14+ years ago did it disable me.

Last August I did something it didn't like and it's been down hill since! Since November I can hardly walk (and already used a cane) which lead to a walker in December.

We're going to the dr in the morning to go over the latest tests, the MRI and CT myelogram and all that jazz .

Myself like you I feel that if they were to take a chainsaw and just remove everything from my waist down my complete right leg with it and the right half of my hip life would be better!!!!!

I only wish medrol packs would still work for me. Direct site injections can surely help.

Actually the inversion machine you bought is not a bad tool. I have two of them I use to be able to use. One is like saw horse that you walk up to you and place your pelvis against a pad and then it has to say rod between your legs that holds more pads behind your legs. Then you win over forward and flip upside down and basically an inverted seated position with all your weight being suspended on the front of your thighs. It straightens your spine while it decompresses it, and its not a bad deal if you could stand 10-15 minutes at a time 2 to 3 times a day.

The other one is an older version and a much higher quality version of the teeter hangup machine, where you basically grab your ankles your snap um in and you flip upside down!

Both machines will help the decompress the spine but you need to be careful. I use to do exercises while hanging upside down on the ankle grabber.

But as you are finding out now pain is relentless and you do not have a choice, rather it tells you exactly what it wants you to do, the problem is that's not very descriptive other than that it wants you to scream and yell a lot!

I have taken as many as 3 different muscle relaxers at the same time, soma, robaxian, and xanaflex. The first one I've been taking for 37 years! The second one for 10 and the last one I took for 3~4 back in the mid 2000's. (Gave me cotton mouth something FIERCE! )

Follow those with Neurontin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl and your in my wheelhouse. Brother.... I would NOT WISH THAT on anyone here!

Hopefully yours clears up soon. Just take it easy, use heat and ice, and hopefully you'll be up and at it in a week or so.

Oh speaking of heat, do not fall for Walmart heating pads those are useless. Look up Battle Creek equipment Thermopore therapy pads. These suckers will go thermo-nuclear on ya'! Up to 160 degrees, and make their own moist heat. I wear out one a year. (And the warranty is longer than that so I just keep getting free ones! ) :laughing: I have one on NOW!

Good luck dude, we'll keep you in our prayers.

I just hope they give me some news tomorrow that helps them make mine better! Never thought I'd be BEGGING for lumbar surgery! (I begged for them NOT to do cervical surgery in 2006, go figure.)


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My wheelhouse is already crazy enough. I don't need extra ingredients. Hope your visit today brings good news. I'll keep you in my prayers

Is this the unit you speak of?

Amazon.com: Thermophore MaxHeat Deep-Heat Therapy, Large, Standard 14" x 27" (Auto-Switch): Health & Personal Care

I've heard of this but had no idea it was this widespread of an ailment. I really hope everyone suffering from it finds some relief from the pain and discomfort....

Bobby, I've been sick less then 5 days of my life. Have never had back issues. This is a new world to me

I feel for you man!! I've had 2 surgeries back in my early thirties. I sure didn't expect to get down that early in life.

Inversion tables are great. I love mine. Although I'm guilty of not using it everyday like I should. Mainly when I flare up.

Daily doses of anti-inflammatory and the occasional Tens unit help me make it thru.

I can't do a lot if things like I used to, and probably never will. But I can still get around and hold my own..





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Can't wait for my Teeter table to get here. Wish I had overnighted it!

Flash I hope you get better soon....I'm going through the same thing myself.

Started Christmas eve and hasen't let up since.
Pain,pain and more pain....cannot sit more than 20mins. Cannot stand for more than 20mins.

Mrs07 has an endless supply of skelaxin and that does help me some.

Going to the spine Dr in a few weeks and hopfully he can do something.

Hang in there Buddy your not alone.

Sorry to hear Tim. Hope you get well soon

Maybe we could start a forum and call it Autogeezers

Flash, I'm sorry to hear of your current troubles. I have yet to experience this. I really hope you can get it sorted out and under control soon. I suffer from "big belly and bad ankles". The big belly causes a lot of lower back pain, while the bad ankles (when I take on extra exercise such as long walks) get me to a point where the pain in my feet when I stand up is sometimes unbearable.

I try to watch what I eat, but I seem to really struggle there too. Pushing through it for me, and limiting my portions at refueling time seems the best I can do right now.

I'm sorry you're going through this, but reading through this thread has refortified my own willingness to become a little more diligent within my own affairs, so you should at least know that what you're going through might be creating positive change in the lives of others.

Prayers for a speedy recovery my friend and if you've got cabin fever and want to chat, please know that you can call me anytime.

My diet has changed effective this past Saturday. No more using the excuse of my quitting smoking as my reason for gaining weight. I've already lost 3lb's in the past 72hrs!

Hope this thread will help others too

Good luck and God bless Flash. Get well soon, you're not getting any younger you know...Im the MAN

Yes, I am aware my clock is not running backwards

Did you hear about Kilgore blowing up?

 

[Vegas Transplant]

...Sorry to hear Tim. Hope you get well soon +1

Maybe we could start a forum and call it Autogeezers ROFL



Yes, I am aware my clock is not running backwards

Did you hear about Kilgore blowing up?

Gonna google it now. Had a friend with three babies (teens now) that lived right around the corner~less than a mile. Gotta track her down. Thanks for the info...I'm on it.

 

[Meghan]

Have had same issue for years, few things that make the world better with it...
Exercise- stronger core helps everything, I also have an inversion table in my home along with the exercise ball... they work.
I did chiro for a while and did not help a lot but some.
Hot tubs rock and if you don't have one take a hot bath.
And not sure if it helps in long run but a good deep tissue massage makes me happier! Followed with Ibruprofen as a snack! :xyxthumbs:

 

[BrutalNoodle]

Flash,

Sorry to hear, man. Which ever course of remedy, I hope it'll go according to plan. Cheers to a positive resolution.

 

[cardaddy]

Flash, yes that's the one!
Your insurance will pay for it too under durable medical items.

Be warned IT GETS HOT REALLY HOT!
At first you may pull it off at 5 minutes. Later you'll be able to stand the full 20 minute cycle (each light turns solid after 5 minutes running time).

Also (because it gets so hot) they recommend you NOT lay on it, rather it lay on you. I'll tilt sideways and put it on a pillow behind me. (If you have any foam rubber in your pillow(s) you'll want to put a towel folded 4 thick on your pillow or you may smell melting foam rubber! )

My doctor visit today wasn't terribly productive. Still not recommending surgery (but he'll fight it till the very last breath). Instead he's saying intense physiotherapy 3 times a week for 6 to 8 weeks. I honestly don't * think * I * have * it * in * me. Can't hardly walk, can't even TOUCH my low back (for 3+ MONTHS) and as soon as someone starts pulling and tugging on me I'm gping to grab something sharp and take their arm off, or head or whatever is closest! :dunno:


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[Flash Gordon]

Update

Just left my doctors office. Turns out all disc are fine !!
It's my butt muscle causing the problem It's pinching my Sciatic Nerve !!!!! oke:

She up'd my dosage of steriods and muscle relaxers and ordered me to drink more WATER! Dehydration may have led to this whole ordeal :doh:

I really appreciate everyone's support :grouphug: For those who suffer with this daily my heart and prayers go out to you. I wouldn't wish this pain on ANYONE !!! :bash:

 

[cmanningjr]

Good news!!!


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[dad07]

Update

Just left my doctors office. Turns out all disc are fine !!
It's my butt muscle causing the problem It's pinching my Sciatic Nerve !!!!! oke:

She up'd my dosage of steriods and muscle relaxers and ordered me to drink more WATER! Dehydration may have led to this whole ordeal :doh:



I really appreciate everyone's support :grouphug: For those who suffer with this daily my heart and prayers go out to you. I wouldn't wish this pain on ANYONE !!! :bash:

Great news Flash!

Thoughts and prayers for a swift recovery.

 

[FUNX650]

I agree that this is good news.

So it was some tight muscles that caused this...
Have you been trying to be a hard-a$$ here recently?

{J/K}


Bob

 

[Dr_Pain]

Update

Just left my doctors office. Turns out all disc are fine !!
It's my butt muscle causing the problem It's pinching my Sciatic Nerve !!!!! oke:

She up'd my dosage of steriods and muscle relaxers and ordered me to drink more WATER! Dehydration may have led to this whole ordeal :doh:

I really appreciate everyone's support :grouphug: For those who suffer with this daily my heart and prayers go out to you. I wouldn't wish this pain on ANYONE !!! :bash:

That is great to know! If you go back to one of my prior reply, I suggested reading up on piriformis syndrome. I guess this last visit confirms some things. If you need to have a chat about it and the rehabilitation you could or should do, send me a PM. I'll give you my cell and we can chat :xyxthumbs: (it's a lot easier than typing all that stuff)

 

[Paul Mitchell]

That's good news!

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Do you mean to say that my prayer groups has been praying for your...BUTT...lol

Thank God for cell phones and old praying ladies rops:

 

[cardaddy]

Awesome news Flash! Now if they'll only figure out that's what's causing mine we'll both be out relaxing our asses! :laughing: My doctor gave me a shot yesterday, nerve block, muscle relaxer and the pain was OK the first half of today. By 6:30 it was back, now I can't touch my back yet again.

Still love me some monster ice packs though!

 

[jfelbab]

Update

Just left my doctors office. Turns out all disc are fine !!
It's my butt muscle causing the problem It's pinching my Sciatic Nerve !!!!! oke:

She up'd my dosage of steriods and muscle relaxers and ordered me to drink more WATER! Dehydration may have led to this whole ordeal :doh:

I really appreciate everyone's support :grouphug: For those who suffer with this daily my heart and prayers go out to you. I wouldn't wish this pain on ANYONE !!! :bash:

Flash,
Some of the most helpful exercises that work for me are shown on youtube. (Google "Sciatica exercises" and "Glute stretches") I start my day with some of them and they did stretch my glutes and relieved the pressure on my sciatic nerve. I'm sure your doctor or therapist will suggest these or some variation of them.

I also don't drink much water. Just not much into water but I started drinking lots of juice. Does Vodka count? LOL

Good to hear you have no disk or spinal issues.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Day 5. Pain seems to have decreased slightly. Finally got a good nites sleep (5 hours SOLID)

I don't know whats nuttier. The pain itself or your mind after only sleeping 4 hours over 48?!?!?


Everyone have a BIG glass of WATER today on ME. I'm picking up the tab !!!



P.S. Thanks for all the tips & thoughts too! The U.P.S./FedEx guys are jockeying for position in my cove delivering all this stuff I've ordered !!!!!! rops:

 

[cardaddy]

Day 5. Pain seems to have decreased slightly. Finally got a good nites sleep (5 hours SOLID)

I don't know whats nuttier. The pain itself or your mind after only sleeping 4 hours over 48?!?!?


Everyone have a BIG glass of WATER today on ME. I'm picking up the tab !!!



P.S. Thanks for all the tips & thoughts too! The U.P.S./FedEx guys are jockeying for position in my cove delivering all this stuff I've ordered !!!!!! rops:

Heheheeee... take pictures of that one Flash!

I told my wife last night that I thought iced tea counts. I start drinking it at 11:00 and don't stop till about 11:00. She said NO IT DOES NOT! :dunno:

Unless of course you end up staying up a lot (like us both lately), getting to bed around 5:00 and sleeping till 2:00!

 

[kirkatizer]

I pulled my sciatic nerve while doing manufacturing work. I was 19 at the time. I took 4 months off of work and went to therapy. It helped but with the work I was doing wasn't helping when I returned. I ended up doing a lot of core exercise along with full body, nothing serious just a quick routine. I started to do yoga and the stretching really helped. Reinforcing my body with a little bit of muscle, better eating and stretching makes me feel 110%. There are some days where I cramp up above my butt, hip, or lower back but nothing nearly like it was. I'm 24 now and still dealing with discomfort a couple times a month but not everyday like it used to be. I feel your pain. I just worry how i'll be when I'm 40