Getting Older While Young

[Doctor Steuss]

[...]
On a human note (not that it's an excuse), I have a herniated lumbar disc that's causing insane pain and loss of use of my left leg (and the insurance battle that comes with it), and I think I'm starting to take it out on other people.
[...]

Damn, Steuss. I'm so sorry.

Didn't want to inadvertently cause a derail from Hound's thread. Or at least more of a derail than I already caused.

Thank you Res, I appreciate it. The few people here that I'm friends with on Facebook already know this, but for you and others on the current goings on (because you're all my friends too, and sharing is fun for the whole family).

About 4 years ago, I had the disc at L4-L5 fully rupture and spill out all of the way down to S1, crushing the nerve on the left side. Basic tale of being stupid and lifting something that I shouldn't have, without a lifting belt on or any type of warm-up. Because ego, idiocy, and all that jazz.

I had a discectomy and laminectomy, enjoyed a long road of physical therapy, and eventually got almost all use of my leg back and was able to start lifting weights again. Since then, the area has been haunting me with fun. I've had quite a few epidurals, and facet injections, and an ablation surgery is likely at some point as well. This recent little episode is likely the same rascal (L4-L5) based on where I've lost muscle function and sensation. The pain is pretty indescribable when it gets at its worse. Nothing can cut through it, and it's even somewhat hard to remember what it was like once it stops (hooray for the brain's ways of dealing with trauma). I can't imagine living with one of the various disorders that causes constant life-long nerve pain.

So, back to walking with a cane, waiting on insurance, hoping for a spinal fusion this go-around to just be done with it.

Moral of the story -- lifting heavy things comes with a price. My current cane is pretty stylish though, so there's that.

[Kishkumen]

I am very sorry you have to go through so much pain, Steuss. I hope you can get the operation you need and find relief!

[Markk]

Damn, Steuss. I'm so sorry.

Didn't want to inadvertently cause a derail from Hound's thread. Or at least more of a derail than I already caused.

Thank you Res, I appreciate it. The few people here that I'm friends with on Facebook already know this, but for you and others on the current goings on (because you're all my friends too, and sharing is fun for the whole family).

About 4 years ago, I had the disc at L4-L5 fully rupture and spill out all of the way down to S1, crushing the nerve on the left side. Basic tale of being stupid and lifting something that I shouldn't have, without a lifting belt on or any type of warm-up. Because ego, idiocy, and all that jazz.

I had a discectomy and laminectomy, enjoyed a long road of physical therapy, and eventually got almost all use of my leg back and was able to start lifting weights again. Since then, the area has been haunting me with fun. I've had quite a few epidurals, and facet injections, and an ablation surgery is likely at some point as well. This recent little episode is likely the same rascal (L4-L5) based on where I've lost muscle function and sensation. The pain is pretty indescribable when it gets at its worse. Nothing can cut through it, and it's even somewhat hard to remember what it was like once it stops (hooray for the brain's ways of dealing with trauma). I can't imagine living with one of the various disorders that causes constant life-long nerve pain.

So, back to walking with a cane, waiting on insurance, hoping for a spinal fusion this go-around to just be done with it.

Moral of the story -- lifting heavy things comes with a price. My current cane is pretty stylish though, so there's that.

I'm Curious, how old were you when you started dead lifting?

As life goes on, and I look back at all my friends and acquaintances that were into lifting in HS (football) it seems that most of the linemen type, the ones that did a lot of dead lifting and lower body have lower back issues, almost to a tee.

I was more of a speed guy and was more into general conditioning.... more upper body, and while I have some nagging back issues that come and go from time to time....nothing like my friends that were always in the weight room, and experiencing what you are explaining. I saw a old friend a few months ago at the movie theater and honestly did not recognize him at first, he had a cane and could barley shuffle walk.

Years ago I read that the high school aged body is not developed enough for advanced dead lifting, and that there is certainly not enough qualified trainers at that level, at least in your average programs.

On another note, about 20 years ago I had my C6-C7 fused. I had people tell me not to do it in that it would screw me up and make it worse, and I had others say it is the best thing they did....luckily I went forward with the latter and it was the best thing for me, no more pain since.

I used to think before I had my neck issues that people with spin pain were just pussies, in my mind it was like "suck it up," take some Tylenol. I had never been so wrong in all my life. It got to the point where the pain, as bad as it was, was not as bad as the emotional reality that I had to have another day of the pain. I am sure you know what I mean. It got to the point where when my Vicodin bottle was getting low, I would panic, and was afraid that I might have to go a few days without, before they refilled my prescription.

Rogan often preaches that there are better alternatives to fusing and surgeries, he has had them all....I don't recall what they were, but if you haven't listened to him talk about them, it might be worth a listen. If I recall correctly he goes to Mexico, and Germany for the treatments.

For what it is worth, I feel for you and pray you find the right long term treatments.

[Res Ipsa]

I hope you can find something that can relieve the pain. I am very sorry you have to go through this.

[Some Schmo]

Moral of the story -- lifting heavy things comes with a price. My current cane is pretty stylish though, so there's that.

I'm going to focus on this. I bet you do look stylish with that cane.

I feel for you, buddy.

[Doctor Steuss]

I'm Curious, how old were you when you started dead lifting?

When I was 16. I stopped for the most part in my 30s. Kept squatting though, and doing strongman type exercises like farmer carries. The culprit for the injury was me being impatient while working at my uncle's ranch. Someone was trying to hook up a trailer we had just filled with brush we'd cleared, and they were having a hard time lining it up. So, I picked up the trailer and dragged it to the hitch and dropped it. Dumb. Absolutely dumb.

I used to think before I had my neck issues that people with spin pain were just pussies, in my mind it was like "suck it up," take some Tylenol. I had never been so wrong in all my life. It got to the point where the pain, as bad as it was, was not as bad as the emotional reality that I had to have another day of the pain. I am sure you know what I mean. It got to the point where when my Vicodin bottle was getting low, I would panic, and was afraid that I might have to go a few days without, before they refilled my prescription.

Absolutely. There have been times where I've had to dig deep for a reason to keep on going, and not find the nearest tall structure to just hop off of. The mental side of it is gnarly.

Rogan often preaches that there are better alternatives to fusing and surgeries, he has had them all....I don't recall what they were, but if you haven't listened to him talk about them, it might be worth a listen. If I recall correctly he goes to Mexico, and Germany for the treatments.

One of my brother's friends goes to Mexico for stem cells regularly. He says they've been a godsend for his back problems. Unfortunately, I'm poor, and even covering my co-pays is going to make my credit cards groan.

Thank you Markk (and others) for your well wishes. They certainly keep the hope machine fueled and running.

[dantana]

Moral of the story -- lifting heavy things comes with a price. My current cane is pretty stylish though, so there's that.

I feel for you Stu, as I recently became a member of a couple of these clubs. (lifting heavy things for ego, whatever. And, having to spend the rest of my life sleeping in a recliner)

About three months ago I was standing trusses by myself on a house I was building. These things were big, heavy, living area trusses. I just needed to get three more of them up to get past this big awkward set and didn't want to bother with finding a mechanical aid.

Anyway, I had a truss about half way up, realized I wasn't going to make it, tried to back it back down, and lost it. It came down on me folding me in half forwards and pinning me under it. Thankfully the web broke and allowed me to fall off the roof.

My first thought was - it sure is nice to be out from under that thing. A simultaneous thought being - I sure hope I still have legs as I'm pretty sure I just got broke in half. The last one of - well, I'm falling now kinda felt like just an after thought. Surprisingly, a ten foot fall to a back landing isn't what caused the damage. It was the fold over. The Doctors called it a 'burst fracture' on T-12, a crack of L-1 and one cracked rib. Nothing displaced though.

I am back to work now. I have never had any pain in the break area of T-12, all my pain is low back, pretty durn uncomfortable, and showing no sign of getting better.

[Doctor Steuss]

I am back to work now. I have never had any pain in the break area of T-12, all my pain is low back, pretty durn uncomfortable, and showing no sign of getting better.

Ooph, I'm sorry dantana. That's the pits. I am so glad the outcome wasn't worse. I can only imagine how frightening that must have been once the adrenaline started to wear off, and the reality of what just happened settled in.

I completely tore my left pec while bench pressing when I was 23. I thought that was the worst pain anyone could ever experience. Then I discovered back/nerve pain. Ah, to be naïve about pain once again...

For a while, I kept thinking "do I just have a really low pain threshold" until a friend of mine told me about her experience prior to getting a lumbar fusion. She said the nerve pain from the herniated disc was a few steps higher on the pain scale than her natural, no drugs, child birth.

Not sure how true that is for everyone... but it certainly made me gain newfound respect for moms, and helped me find some compassion for myself.

[Moksha]

Dr. Steuss, I wish you the best.