Per your description looks like it's a case of sciatica. Do a search in this site and you will find a bunch of us(including myself) suffered ffom it. It took me a little bit over a year and a half to get rid of the pain and back on the saddle. For excercise I did a lot of stretching and walking/hiking. Hang in there and be diligent in doing your rehab program and don't just sit down and think the pain will go away while doing so and you should be back on the saddle.
Wasted Passion
I am 31 years old and I have lived a charmed life. I have never been seriously injured in anyway. No broken bone, no dislocated anything, never sick, heck I've never even had a cavity. The worst thing that I can remember is 10 stitches in my hand when I was a kid and a few pulled muscles during high school sports.
The problem is I took it for granted. I quit riding on a regular basis after college, got lazy and got fat. Last Wednesday I started having some severe pain in my left leg from butt to foot. Went to the doctor last Friday (first time in three years) and was told I have a pinched nerve in my lower back. Now if I stand up for more than 15 to 30 minutes at a time my leg starts to ache and if I don't back off and sit down it becomes a severely painful situation. I am taking three different pills for pain and recovery and it doesn't seem to be working. Went to a second doctor on Wednesday and she is saying it could be a while before it clears up completely and there is a possibility that it won't get back to normal.
So hear I sit on the couch wishing I could go for a ride and realizing how good I had it now that it is gone.
I am going to turn this into a positive. I will continue to push it and will do what ever is needed to get back to normal. I here by vow to anyone that reads this that when I get back I will not waste another day. I will stay active and ride regularly. I will lose the weight I have been passively "trying" to lose for the last ten years and I will embrace an active lifestyle and use the gifts God gave me to fullest extent.
Has anyone that might still be reading this ever gone through a similar situation or had a pinched nerve? If so what did you do to get over it?
Thanks
Session
The problem is I took it for granted. I quit riding on a regular basis after college, got lazy and got fat. Last Wednesday I started having some severe pain in my left leg from butt to foot. Went to the doctor last Friday (first time in three years) and was told I have a pinched nerve in my lower back. Now if I stand up for more than 15 to 30 minutes at a time my leg starts to ache and if I don't back off and sit down it becomes a severely painful situation. I am taking three different pills for pain and recovery and it doesn't seem to be working. Went to a second doctor on Wednesday and she is saying it could be a while before it clears up completely and there is a possibility that it won't get back to normal.
So hear I sit on the couch wishing I could go for a ride and realizing how good I had it now that it is gone.
I am going to turn this into a positive. I will continue to push it and will do what ever is needed to get back to normal. I here by vow to anyone that reads this that when I get back I will not waste another day. I will stay active and ride regularly. I will lose the weight I have been passively "trying" to lose for the last ten years and I will embrace an active lifestyle and use the gifts God gave me to fullest extent.
Has anyone that might still be reading this ever gone through a similar situation or had a pinched nerve? If so what did you do to get over it?
Thanks
Session
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Sciatica , I am recovering from it . Stretching , core exercises , weight loss are all components of successful recovery . To avoid recurrences you have to include all your physical therapy in your lifestyle . Good luck .
I have also had lower back issues. Severe spasms, radiated pain, etc. Sprained it in a gym doing back extensions while I was really pi$$ed off about something. Next morning I sneezed and my back's never been the same. That was 18 years ago. The good news is that it did slowly get better. It took a few years and many trips to the chiropractor. I still can't do heavy lifting, but light to moderate is ok if I'm careful and wear a sacro brace. Took up mtb about 13 years ago and it's never been a problem.
All that said, everyone's back issue is different. My issue was with alignment, not discs. Find a good chiropractor. One that doesn't try to sell you vitamins, herbal supplements and snake oil, but listens to you and makes sense when they explain what they want to do to properly align your vertebrae.
Good luck, stay active and hang in there!
All that said, everyone's back issue is different. My issue was with alignment, not discs. Find a good chiropractor. One that doesn't try to sell you vitamins, herbal supplements and snake oil, but listens to you and makes sense when they explain what they want to do to properly align your vertebrae.
Good luck, stay active and hang in there!
Sciatica is what I was thinking it was also but the last doctor I saw said that with sciatica the pain did not go past the knee. I have had pain all the way to my foot. She is trying to get me setup for an MRI next week which should tell them exactly what is wrong.
Thanks for the feedback everyone I have to admit I did not realize that I was going to be dealing with this for as long as y'all have experienced it. Kind of disheartening, but it is what it is and I will do what I can as often as I can. Thanks again. Anyone else have any experience with these type of issues?
Thanks for the feedback everyone I have to admit I did not realize that I was going to be dealing with this for as long as y'all have experienced it. Kind of disheartening, but it is what it is and I will do what I can as often as I can. Thanks again. Anyone else have any experience with these type of issues?
Sciatic pain will go into the heal at the extreme level of the condition, doctors and a chiropractor have told me that.
I had Sciatica that I got from a twist injury. I slipped on polished concrete when I was wearing road cycling shoes. I had the Sciatica for about 5 months, it was very painful.
Then a chiropractor, who I'd not seen before, after I was giving up on visiting the docs as being totally uncaring and useless, told me to start swimming. "Twenty laps a day," he said. Alternating side stroke (on both side), with free style and backstroke. Breast stroke was not to be done because it adversely arches the spine. Butterfly was also a no-no, for the same reason. Not that I could do butterfly.
Swimming stretches the spine, helping to relieve the compression that causes pain and it also help regain core strength by straightening my sagging spine.
After two weeks of swimming I was pain-free ... as-pain-free-as. Swimming was like a miracle cure.
Twenty laps was the rule, twenty laps each day, alternating the different strokes, until the pain went.
Of course I can't say your condition is like mine was, nor will you have the same results, but swimming certainly did the trick for me. I only made one more visit to the chiropractor after I started swimming.
Warren.
I had Sciatica that I got from a twist injury. I slipped on polished concrete when I was wearing road cycling shoes. I had the Sciatica for about 5 months, it was very painful.
Then a chiropractor, who I'd not seen before, after I was giving up on visiting the docs as being totally uncaring and useless, told me to start swimming. "Twenty laps a day," he said. Alternating side stroke (on both side), with free style and backstroke. Breast stroke was not to be done because it adversely arches the spine. Butterfly was also a no-no, for the same reason. Not that I could do butterfly.
Swimming stretches the spine, helping to relieve the compression that causes pain and it also help regain core strength by straightening my sagging spine.
After two weeks of swimming I was pain-free ... as-pain-free-as. Swimming was like a miracle cure.
Twenty laps was the rule, twenty laps each day, alternating the different strokes, until the pain went.
Of course I can't say your condition is like mine was, nor will you have the same results, but swimming certainly did the trick for me. I only made one more visit to the chiropractor after I started swimming.
Warren.
Don't assume anything. I've known a few people who had severe episodes but then bounced back. Others (like me) have lingering problems that heal slowly. Like I said, find a good chiropractor. If your problem is due to misalignment of any sort, then nudging things back into alignment is what they do. With luck, you may be back on your feet sooner than you think.
Tex,
Get the MRI and you can quit guessing about what it is. Or at least narrow it down a bit. Mine was a rupture at L5s1
Get the MRI and you can quit guessing about what it is. Or at least narrow it down a bit. Mine was a rupture at L5s1
I have a similar condition, but with one VERY annoying twist.
About 4 months ago, I was over a buddies house having a few adult beverages with some friends. Played some homerun derby in the backyard and ever since, I've had foot-drop and numbness all up and down my left left and foot...right out to the tip of my toes. Walking is a chore and running is a sloppy mess. Biking is the only real fitness activity I can manage.
Been to the chiropractor, who did a couple xrays, showing that I have degenerated discs. Essentially, my discs, starting from the base of my neck, go from thin to thick to thin again at my lower back....not good.
Its been 4 months now, and the foot-drop is getting better. I able to somewhat roll my ankle and take a proper step. The muscles in the leg have atrophied and building strength through balance exercises is helping. Still find myself almost falling over on random obstacles while walking.
I need an MRI to diagnose to real problem and come up with a true fix...I'm just VERY nervous about the whole thing.
About 4 months ago, I was over a buddies house having a few adult beverages with some friends. Played some homerun derby in the backyard and ever since, I've had foot-drop and numbness all up and down my left left and foot...right out to the tip of my toes. Walking is a chore and running is a sloppy mess. Biking is the only real fitness activity I can manage.
Been to the chiropractor, who did a couple xrays, showing that I have degenerated discs. Essentially, my discs, starting from the base of my neck, go from thin to thick to thin again at my lower back....not good.
Its been 4 months now, and the foot-drop is getting better. I able to somewhat roll my ankle and take a proper step. The muscles in the leg have atrophied and building strength through balance exercises is helping. Still find myself almost falling over on random obstacles while walking.
I need an MRI to diagnose to real problem and come up with a true fix...I'm just VERY nervous about the whole thing.
good advice here
I bulged out a disc about 12 years ago and was in a lot of pain. No one told me to do it, but I just knew that swiming would be a great way to get some exercise and loosen up my back. If you've never been a swimmer it will take some time to work up to 20 laps, but I would keep going until you can do a lot more - it will definitely help. It's boring as hell though.
Other advice on this thread is also good. Lose as much weight as you can. Build up your abs, your back extensors, your obliques, and your psoas. The psoas is what helps you twist. The stronger your core, the less load on your spine.
I bulged out a disc about 12 years ago and was in a lot of pain. No one told me to do it, but I just knew that swiming would be a great way to get some exercise and loosen up my back. If you've never been a swimmer it will take some time to work up to 20 laps, but I would keep going until you can do a lot more - it will definitely help. It's boring as hell though.
Other advice on this thread is also good. Lose as much weight as you can. Build up your abs, your back extensors, your obliques, and your psoas. The psoas is what helps you twist. The stronger your core, the less load on your spine.
Wild Wassa said:Then a chiropractor, who I'd not seen before, after I was giving up on visiting the docs as being totally uncaring and useless, told me to start swimming. "Twenty laps a day," he said. Alternating side stroke (on both side), with free style and backstroke. Breast stroke was not to be done because it adversely arches the spine. Butterfly was also a no-no, for the same reason. Not that I could do butterfly.
Swimming stretches the spine, helping to relieve the compression that causes pain and it also help regain core strength by straightening my sagging spine.
Dugg-E you need to hurry. Foot drop and wasting implies serious nerve compression or destruction and the potential for recovery is not that great. You have had a red flag and you and your practitioners should have picked it up.
Sorry texasrig, but you are depressed. Physically, you probably cannot account for your injury based on your story. So there probably is no injury. You say you need physical activity to lose weight, but there is no medical evidence activity is needed (or even a successful method) to lose weight. It's what you eat. Physical activity in general terms does assist the recovery of musculoskeletal pain however so you will have to face your pain. You have not watched your lifestyle and now are paying for it and are depressed and it is what it is. Sounds like the story of modern society. Hope you see the light.
Sorry texasrig, but you are depressed. Physically, you probably cannot account for your injury based on your story. So there probably is no injury. You say you need physical activity to lose weight, but there is no medical evidence activity is needed (or even a successful method) to lose weight. It's what you eat. Physical activity in general terms does assist the recovery of musculoskeletal pain however so you will have to face your pain. You have not watched your lifestyle and now are paying for it and are depressed and it is what it is. Sounds like the story of modern society. Hope you see the light.
IANA physician, and this is not a diagnosis.
I have had a few bouts of sciatica, but I haven't had a relapse since I lost 15# and upped the miles. I wasn't riding enough. Also, I make sure to take my wallet out of my hip pocket before I drive.
I have had a few bouts of sciatica, but I haven't had a relapse since I lost 15# and upped the miles. I wasn't riding enough. Also, I make sure to take my wallet out of my hip pocket before I drive.
True, there are no excuses if I've permanently f'd up my nerves. Thanks for the push...I'm making an appointment on Monday.Ridnparadise said:Dugg-E you need to hurry. Foot drop and wasting implies serious nerve compression or destruction and the potential for recovery is not that great. You have had a red flag and you and your practitioners should have picked it up.
regards.
Chiropractor for 20 years...many of them working directly with olympic and national teams. This is not a diagnosis or offer of medical advice. Just a note to hopefully keep you from being overwhelmed by your situation.
Many of the comments in this thread are correct depending on the nature of onset and pathology of your condition. Based on how you've presented the onset, it sounds like it's due to age and inactivity related de-conditioning. The type of pain you're describing is commonly treated and eliminated. Activity, stretching, core conditioning, and specific therapy to involved areas by an adequately qualified professional should "fix" you. This is of course dependent on the lack of any underlying pathology or permanent structural changes.
Keep the spirits up...
Many of the comments in this thread are correct depending on the nature of onset and pathology of your condition. Based on how you've presented the onset, it sounds like it's due to age and inactivity related de-conditioning. The type of pain you're describing is commonly treated and eliminated. Activity, stretching, core conditioning, and specific therapy to involved areas by an adequately qualified professional should "fix" you. This is of course dependent on the lack of any underlying pathology or permanent structural changes.
Keep the spirits up...
I have been in a similar but different situation. I was very active when I injured my back, I had started racing BMX again and had rarely touched my mtb in a few years.
I herniated a disc which pinched a nerve. I had foot drop and intense pain; my entire leg from my glute to my foot would "charlie horse." It would literally knock me off my feet when it happened.
I had to quit BMX and start mtb-ing again if I wanted to ride (so said my mtn biking Doc). I just love to ride in general, so I did. After 8 months of being off the bike I bought a new full-suspension bike and rode it a whole 4 times before I was in a 60 mph head-on car crash that blew out my knee. Another year off the bike for more surgeries and rehab but I was glad to actually be able to be alive to do it all. Fast forward 4 years and I get rear-ended at relatively low speed but it's enough to jack my back again. Bulging disc this time, lots of nerve pain and no way I can ride. I found yoga at this point and within a month or so of classes was back on my bike.
So for the passion angle to all this, if you really love to ride, you'll find a way. I really miss racing BMX but there are risks there I can't take so I mountain bike. If I don't do yoga riding is harder, so I carve time put for this other activity. When I have a crappy ride I still enjoy the fact that I am riding on the dirt and am not 6 feet under it. Like you said in the original post, don't waste what you've got and when it seems bad remember it could be worse.
I herniated a disc which pinched a nerve. I had foot drop and intense pain; my entire leg from my glute to my foot would "charlie horse." It would literally knock me off my feet when it happened.
I had to quit BMX and start mtb-ing again if I wanted to ride (so said my mtn biking Doc). I just love to ride in general, so I did. After 8 months of being off the bike I bought a new full-suspension bike and rode it a whole 4 times before I was in a 60 mph head-on car crash that blew out my knee. Another year off the bike for more surgeries and rehab but I was glad to actually be able to be alive to do it all. Fast forward 4 years and I get rear-ended at relatively low speed but it's enough to jack my back again. Bulging disc this time, lots of nerve pain and no way I can ride. I found yoga at this point and within a month or so of classes was back on my bike.
So for the passion angle to all this, if you really love to ride, you'll find a way. I really miss racing BMX but there are risks there I can't take so I mountain bike. If I don't do yoga riding is harder, so I carve time put for this other activity. When I have a crappy ride I still enjoy the fact that I am riding on the dirt and am not 6 feet under it. Like you said in the original post, don't waste what you've got and when it seems bad remember it could be worse.
I wish everyone here a speedy recovery.
please grab a book by Dr John Sarno, preferably "the mind body prescription." You can usually pick one up for a few bucks used on amazon or at a used book shop.
Read it, think about it, and feel 95 - 100% better as soon as you grasp the concept.
Feel free to PM me and if you need a little help with it, i will try. I have had a lot of success with this for myself and others... from gruesome health situations.
Laugh at it if you want...I am laughing all the way to the bank of feeling great and riding!!!
please grab a book by Dr John Sarno, preferably "the mind body prescription." You can usually pick one up for a few bucks used on amazon or at a used book shop.
Read it, think about it, and feel 95 - 100% better as soon as you grasp the concept.
Feel free to PM me and if you need a little help with it, i will try. I have had a lot of success with this for myself and others... from gruesome health situations.
Laugh at it if you want...I am laughing all the way to the bank of feeling great and riding!!!
See, it's people like you that makes me not understand or see where my father is coming (i'm 17). He's always taught me while growing up that when things get tough there's no point in continuing and that there's always a point in time where we have to give up for good. There's no point in biking in the winter etc etc. "Why do that" he says "when others do this?"slomo said:I have been in a similar but different situation. I was very active when I injured my back, I had started racing BMX again and had rarely touched my mtb in a few years.
I herniated a disc which pinched a nerve. I had foot drop and intense pain; my entire leg from my glute to my foot would "charlie horse." It would literally knock me off my feet when it happened.
I had to quit BMX and start mtb-ing again if I wanted to ride (so said my mtn biking Doc). I just love to ride in general, so I did. After 8 months of being off the bike I bought a new full-suspension bike and rode it a whole 4 times before I was in a 60 mph head-on car crash that blew out my knee. Another year off the bike for more surgeries and rehab but I was glad to actually be able to be alive to do it all. Fast forward 4 years and I get rear-ended at relatively low speed but it's enough to jack my back again. Bulging disc this time, lots of nerve pain and no way I can ride. I found yoga at this point and within a month or so of classes was back on my bike.
So for the passion angle to all this, if you really love to ride, you'll find a way. I really miss racing BMX but there are risks there I can't take so I mountain bike. If I don't do yoga riding is harder, so I carve time put for this other activity. When I have a crappy ride I still enjoy the fact that I am riding on the dirt and am not 6 feet under it. Like you said in the original post, don't waste what you've got and when it seems bad remember it could be worse.
I don't believe in that bullsh*t at all and it's heart warming to hear that people out there fight for what they want, I believe that's the only way to approach life and you'll never truely lose or be kept down.
Power to you! Ride til ya die
.Keep up the good work everyone! Even though I don't have a injury right now, Ive been in that same boat recovering from surgery, etc and it BLOWS!
BigSteve...Im glad to see you dont have your fathers approach in life/difficult situations. If you take that mindset like that, what will you get accomplished in life, things to see, things to do, fun storys to tell! Doing difficult things may suck at the time, but it makes the fun times even more fun by looking at what you have accomplished and BS you have trudged through!
I wish everyone out there a speedy recovery if your going through one, and I hope you reach your riding goals this year!
As us Marines say....what does not kill you only makes you stronger!
BigSteve...Im glad to see you dont have your fathers approach in life/difficult situations. If you take that mindset like that, what will you get accomplished in life, things to see, things to do, fun storys to tell! Doing difficult things may suck at the time, but it makes the fun times even more fun by looking at what you have accomplished and BS you have trudged through!
I wish everyone out there a speedy recovery if your going through one, and I hope you reach your riding goals this year!
As us Marines say....what does not kill you only makes you stronger!
If it turns out you have Sciatica try this web site http://www.dailystrength.org/support-groups. They have a Sciatica section. I came across the site after cancer surgery. Like anything else some people on there were positive and helpful and some were depressed jerks trying to pretend they knew more than all the doctors in the world.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Thanks for the response everyone. First off for those that have gone through truly serious injuries or cancer please do not be offended by my post. I have the utmost respect for anyone who has overcome anything like that. You are an inspiration to me while I recover from my relatively insignificant injury.
Ridnparidise I appreciate your feedback but I struggle with your diagnosis a little bit. I would agree that I have a relationship with food that needs to be addressed. I tend to use it for a stress relief mechanism and I agree that I must get that under control to lose any significant amount of weight. I would disagree about being depressed. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart with a wonderful little two year old son and twins on the way. I work at a stable job that while it may not be my dream job I make a decent living and most days enjoy what I do. Thanks for the thought provoking post anyway.
My back was feeling much better yesterday. To the point where I did some core exercises and was able to catch up on some chores around the house. It is a little sore today but it is starting off good.
Thanks
Session
Ridnparidise I appreciate your feedback but I struggle with your diagnosis a little bit. I would agree that I have a relationship with food that needs to be addressed. I tend to use it for a stress relief mechanism and I agree that I must get that under control to lose any significant amount of weight. I would disagree about being depressed. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart with a wonderful little two year old son and twins on the way. I work at a stable job that while it may not be my dream job I make a decent living and most days enjoy what I do. Thanks for the thought provoking post anyway.
My back was feeling much better yesterday. To the point where I did some core exercises and was able to catch up on some chores around the house. It is a little sore today but it is starting off good.
Thanks
Session
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