The Forestry Forum

Good day folks, I was just wondering if anyone has ever had to deal with the sciatic nerve pain?  And if so how did you go about rectifing it?  I have an MRI scheduled for Jan 3, just wondering if anyone has had this done, and what I might expect,  thanks,  david

I've had it.  It stinks.  Mine finally went away, but flares up if I do something stupid.

Is it on the side you keep your wallet?

Sciatica-

Pain down the back of the leg and sometimes all the way into the foot.  Caused in younger patients most often by a herniated lumbar disc.  In older patients it can be caused by a combination of degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis, and spinal stenosis.  Often is relieved by rest, anti-inflamatories, loss of weight, abdominal strengthing, and stretching exercises.  May need long- term anti-inflamatory meds and sometimes steroids, both oral and by injection.  Last resort is surgery.  Indications are intractable pain not relieved by the above and significant muscle weakness.  Should  be used as a last resort or to resolve an acute, debilitating nerve compression.

The pain is on both sides, predominantly on the right, going to the calve, yesterday even in the bottom of the foot. Rest helps, but then I go to work, and Hello again.  Paralyzing, motion stopping pain. I am on a nerve pill for now, gabapentin, not much going on with this, Alleve, (generic) for whatever it might do, it did help with the knee pain, after an ACL, patela graff operation. This is a mess, 51 years old, for the most part very active, soccer, and baseball coach for years while the boys were growing up. And I have a feeling the around 15 years of martial arts might have had some impact.  Just saying, don't even know what I am saying, I guess just felt like whinning,  sorry bout that, I never have been shut down like this before, except of course the ACL, but this is good and has been since 04',  thanks guys! it helps just to vent it out at times.   David

Sciatic down both legs means that you have either a large, central herniated disc ( large enough to put pressure on both right and left sided nerve roots) or spinal stenosis.  Sorry you're hurting.  good l;uck and get that MRI.

thanks doc going to happen the 3rd of Jan. this has been going on for many years, just of late the paralyzing condition,, take care and have a Merry Christmas brother!  david

Quote from: doctorb on December 13, 2012, 12:00:29 PMOften is relieved by rest, anti-inflamatories, loss of weight, abdominal strengthing, and stretching exercises.  May need long- term anti-inflamatory meds and sometimes steroids, both oral and by injection.  Last resort is surgery.

doctorb's advise is word for word how my surgeon explained it to me. If I could can expand on it a bit;

I injured my lower back in my mid twenties and had a laminectomy at 37. My Dr. recommended the typical PT, stretching and walking. He compared our spine to a radio tower and our stomach / back muscles to the guy wires. None of the physical therapy helped my pain. It felt like I had a knife blade in my left cheek with the pain wrapping around my thigh and into my calf. My left foot was numb most of the time. Another Dr explained that the numbness was a concern because eventually nerves would permanently die off. 

After another consultation with my surgeon, I wanted him to order the surgery. He would not. He said it was up to me to decide when I was ready. I was, so he scheduled it. That was 17  years ago and over all I've felt good. I  occasionally have to take a few ibruprofen for stiffness but, most of the time, walking regularly will get me back on track. My only regret was not getting the surgery 10 years sooner.

Hope your feeling better soon David  smiley_sun

Bill

Thanks Bill! this means allot to me, I just had a friend a few years older call me from the hospital, he just had some work done on his back, and although under meds he could honestly say his pain was around  a 3 on the scale. I will get the MRI just after the new year, detuctable issues on the insurance plan. This has steadily gotten worse over the last two months, really setting me back on income, as you might guess.  I run my mill for a living, two kids still in college.  My wife is an elemtary teacher but this only goes so far in our present economy.  At this point I will do whatever is necessary, the pain is as you already know pretty bad, paralyzing when it hits. Thanks again Bill, and doc, just talking about it helps to calm a few other nerves,  Merry Christmas to you!   david

Spent MANY years suffering with left side.   I was injured in '92 or so and about 4 years ago I finally had to have surgery that didnt work out real well for me.   It was too many years and now I have constant nerve pain (dead nerves) left below knee on outside and left foot are pins & needles 90% of the time and the other 10% it is the fire/burning.   I still get around but no where near good...
So DON't put it off very long as the longer the nerves are pinched the greater the chance the damage becomes none repairable.

I use a LOT of Naproxen (Alieve) and other prescriptions.

I was on High dose of the Gabapentin stuff, it worked for me for about a month then I had some serious side effects (started loosing my vision.)   I still get days where a black spot shows up in my vision.

Mark

Mark, so sorry to hear about your condition man, I have been told not to wait, I just have to make it to the new year then get the ball rolling.  It really is amazing just how sharp of a pain exist in our bodies just waiting to get out.  Take care brother,  Merry Christmas!   david

I was on that Gabapentin stuff back in 2005 for my other shoulder pain, and I can tell you, if any drug I ever had to take could be considered evil, it was that one.

Wow! my daughter, albeit she is a new nurse, got her BSN bout a year ago, and now at Milwakee childrens, blew a lid when she heard I was on them. I asked the doc, she said quit them if you want,  they helped her, I think I will quit them, no results anyway,  thanks guys,  david

I've been on Gabapentin a couple times also, but Doctor took me off it soon. Too many possible side affects, not good.

My wife been on gabapentin for years due to a truck wreck. Has really helped her with her"spells" she use to have. She is allergy to ALOT of drugs too. When we read the side affects and it says it can cause any of the 50 side effects she will get at least one of the 50 listed. We call it the wonder drug. It works so well with her,we wonder why she does not have a reaction to it. I know everyone is different.

The doc here said it is a conservative approach for a spastic nerve, that most insurance companies want to see some form of conservative measures before moving on to more drastic measures.  She had years ago a disk issue in her neck and claimed the drug saved her.  I have been on them for one bottle and no sign of any improvement.  I would rather just ice than drug, since the ice seems to be working and the drug has not. It really is humbling to be slowed to this level of movement.

I can relate to the sciatica pain. About 7 or 8 years ago my leg got so sore i had trouble walking, had to walk kinda of dragging my leg.  Couldn't sit for very long and standing hurt too. To make a long story short it was a pinched nerve in my L5s1 vert I think ??  Anyway the pain would go right to the tips of my toes on my right leg.  Worse pain i have ever had.  My doctor told me I wouldn't be able to do the type of work I was doing anymore - logging foreman and hardwood lumber grader.  It really ticked me off and i didn't accept that.  I have worked in the bush all my life and started cutting with a chain saw at around 12 yrs old, driving tractor around 10.   I read everything i could about it and did all kinds of exercises for about 18 months. I'm perfect now and this year became a police officer.  I can do all the physical fitness and running neccessary for the job without any problem.  I think what helped me the most was hanging upside down for about 10 mins a couple of times a day - believe it or not.  The more i walked the better i would feel but at the beginning it would take me 20 mins to walk one block.

Thanks Glenn, I have the inversion table, and have been hanging around.  the last time almost made it worse for me which promted me to get the mri.  I will find out in two weeks what the real damage is.  Happy for your new career! Very honorable,  david :christmas:

i had mine act up once in a while. when it got bad i received a epidural(sp?). After 10yr and 3 more shots, i saw a specialist and made the choice to have surgery. i went to the hospital in the morning and was home that night. I my case it was the best desicion. it has been 4 yr since the operation and i have had no pain. Wish i had done it sooner.

I've actually had this in one form or another since I was around 12 years old. Somrtimes the pain is crippling, and other times it just pops up to remind me that I have issues with it. I'm now 48, and have found chiropracic treatment, ibuprofen, and ice to be the best treatment for me. The ice, and ibuprofen reduce the inflammation of the disc that is pressing on the nerve root, and the chiropractic puts everything back into alignment. Keeping a strong set of abdominal muscles is another key. It helps tremendously with low back support.

Thanks for the note slabslicer,  I have used the chiropractor for years, and the ice is a good thing for sure.  Glad yours is doing better, you know how bad this thing is, really stinks,   :christmas:   david

I was awake most of the night, I could not find a position that would relieve the pain. Have had it for years, I had to give up my sales job because I couldn't stay on my feet for hours at a time. Can't sit for long periods either. Ice and Tylenol seem to be my best friends now

I know the feeling man, it is a killer, never would have thought this would have brought me down!  It just kinda makes me made.  Jan. 3  I will find the culprit, after that only time will tell what will be done.  This cannot and will not go on.  I know there are ways to fix it,  and it sounds like the K plan will come into play.   :christmas:

OK, now I'll give the unconventional way I have handled it.  I've had sciatic pain off and on for a good number of years.  I didn't go to a medical doc.  I went to a chiropractor.  Mine did use Xrays, so it isn't just shot in the dark stuff.  First thing he did was to give some therapy to loosen up the muscles in my lower back.  The reason being is that you over compensate for your back being out of whack.  That causes your muscles to go into spasm, and that's where your pain comes from, as it knots around the sciatic nerve.  Pain pills mask the symptoms.

After a few weeks, he started getting the back into shape.  It took awhile, and I'm not really convinced that his adjusting cured the sciatica or if it got better on its own.  I've had a couple of bouts since then.

The last time I finally found a cure for me.  I found a book that talked about trigger points, and was written by a physical therapist up in Canada.  Its basically the muscles knotting around the sciatic nerve.  By pushing on the pressure points, that relieves the spasm and the muscle relaxes and the pain is gone.  I tired his technique, which meant I had to lay on a tennis ball, and the point was located on my hip.  Within 30 minutes, the pain was gone and I haven't had it since.  The guy did go into great detail about back pains, and cited the medical research on it.  Like all research, there are conflicting views.

I'm not a doctor like Doctorb, but I can say that it worked for me.  Whenever I tell people about the process, they think I'm nuts.  I do know that it worked better than the chiropractor, and I never needed the pain pills.  It hasn't returned.  Your results may vary.

Thanks Ron, I will try that tennis ball technique, I have heard this , just have'nt tried it yet.   :christmas: :christmas:

Ron, you may be nuts, but it's not about this. 

Medically, we know nothing about trigger points.  I do not think that it's muscles "knotting" around the sciatic nerve, but I have no other anatomic explanation, so that will have to do.  Often, trigger points are injected in the office, with great, although mostly temporary, success.   Deep continuous massage of the trigger point (area of origin of he pain) also has benefitial effects.  All of these pressurizations of trigger points may be painful to go through.

Hey doc, thanks again for responding, I did talk to a local massage therapist, she said the same thing. I got her number from our local FNP, who has suffered with this condition as well. She repeated your words, It will be painful, and will alliviate but not fix the problem.  A nerve pinch is just that. an issue that originates in the spinal column.  I have the mri Jan. 3 and will go from there.  I have never, never, had such a deabilitating issue in all my life, the acl on the left knee was close, but I could at least walk and cook.  This is another animal all together. I am 5-8 and 165, not bad shape all things considered, but this crap is working me over to say the least. It even hurts to blow my nose,  I will let yall know, for however wants to know,  all the comments have kept my spirits up, and I am sorry for those how have the same issue,    :christmas: david

There is a great book called "the back doctor" by Dr Hall I think.  I have a copy of it here but can't seem to find it today.  I followed it and rear it many times as i slowly got better.  I highly recommend it.

One thing that I have used that has helped has been Alieve (Naproxin) and or Ibuprofen in 500+ mg dose.   Physical Therapy also helped a lot but had 3 different ones prior to finding one that actually helped me much.

for over a month I laid on floor with my legs on the couch in MAJOR pain.   Pressure Points helped in the past prior to this episode but nothing helped.   I got a respected surgeon to give me a shot (in the nerve bundle) hurts like #3LL for a bit but after about 15 min pain killers kicked in and I was able to walk out still not upright but close.   Had emergency surgery about 2 weeks later that removed 2 discs and the bones all chiseled off around em. :o    :-X :-\

I been wanting to get me one of the inverted beds but bad knees makes me not want to use one much.   Tried one in past but between the knees and my stomach it killed me.   The TENS units worked for temporally relief but long term I think could be part of my damaged nerves that left my leg feelings dead below the knee.

Mark

SPIKER, sorry about your pain, I am curious about the tens unit? What is this?  david

TENS -  transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation. 

The theory is that nerves transmit pain sensations to your brain.  By filling those same nerves with continuous stimulation, like the buzz you feel when you touch a 9volt battery to you tongue, then the nerve is already "full" of sensations and can't  carry any more, thus decreasing your pain.  It does work, but not so in all situations.  But it's cheap, doesn't involve drugs, and can be used for long periods of time.

What DOC said, with one caveat the pads have to be placed at the right spots for your particular injury.   Mine was OK for a while but the TENS units kept malfunctioning and on 2 different units 2 different times they failed and basically burnt holes in me. :o >:(   
The shock is a DC pulse that is ON/OFF like a small fence charger.   the rate (time) at which they are ON vs OFF is adjustable as well as the amperage & amplitude (voltage) at which it zaps ya.   When setup right the thing almost feels like a back massager vibrating ya.

They use a gel pad that sticks to ya and the current flows thru it into you back across the nerves that are passing pain signals into the spinal cord/column.   The effects last longer than the time you have to wear it but you have to use them a long time to get much relief from them longer term.   better than popping pills all day for sure.

again need to have a DOC that KNOWS how to apply them in the correct spots for your particular injury.   Usually a Pain Management specialist will know how to use & apply em.   the units are not cheap but are paid for my insurance for most plans.
8)

Mark

Well it is official, I am claustrophobic! I got the mri this morning and had to be pulled out for just a minute, as soon as I went in the the head supports were mashing the ear plugs and I just got kinda freaked out. She moved the pads and then I was o.k. as far as o.k. can be for me. what a deal that was. 40 min. and I was done. will find out next week as to the extent of any damage I may have. 

It is pretty amazing what a sudden beating a 9 volt battery can give you if your therapist inadvertently turns the TENS all the way up instead of off.

Had that treatment on my quad after the patela gragh in 04'  No kidding bout that them things really give a jolt.

here is something that works for me, have had shooting lower back pain down my legs for years, whenever I do something stupid, thinking I am a kid again and can lift heavy objects.

I take naproxen which is an anti inflammatory, at the same time I take glucosamine condroiton. it is a joint lubricant ,

my thinking is the anti inflammatory shrinks things and the glucosamine lubricates, and helps thing slip back into place. and it has consistently worked for me, may be worth a try.

thanks Tom, been on that stuff since 04' after a patela graff on my left knee. Acl, work,  naproxin helps and ice, but only temp. hopefully I will hear back very soon, and get the jist on what is up,  this has slowed me to a very non productive condition.  And the pain is talking every single day.   

Tom L:

Not a bad combination, but medical science is having trouble digesting the effects of glucosamine/chondroitin sulphate.  Many studies show no real effects.  Yet, many people believe it helps.  My old labrador was hobbled with arthritis and had not climbed the steps to our second floor in years.  Three weeks after starting the glucosamine/chondriotin, he was standing at my bedside one morning.  So, something is going on.....we just don't know what.

The glucosamine stuff is not meant to be taken just periodically when you have increased symptoms, as you described.  Whether it is a joint cartilage supplement (some ads) or a "lubricant" (other ads), is very debatable.  It probably acts as an anti-inflamatory, just like the Naprosyn.  It is meant to be taken constantly, which ups the costs dramatically.  I'll bet some people here on the Forum take it regularrly and are very convinced of its results.  Others may not have seen much of an effect.  We just don't know at this point.

I try to be fairly non-biased when I make a medical comments here, but I must say that the theory that you ingest protiens that are supposed to "land' within your joint and rebuild your articular cartilage is just that, a marketing theory.  The stuff may well have benefitial effects.  But we don't know why it helps and it's certainly not a direct connection between what you eat and the health of your articular cartilage.  If diet were the key, we would be able to point out by now what you've been missing in your diet with regard to joint health.  Look, supplements have their place, for sure.  There are lots of alternative and supplemental substances with medicinal properties.  But the business of selling you stuff because you have arthritis, or high blood pressure, or sleeplessness, or BPH, or depression, or a changing sex life without scientific data to back it up is BIG busniness. We all want to believe that some root extract from South America will cure our ills, so we believe it.  And, some of us buy it.  It's no crime, but it may only be having a placebo efffect.

Those TENS units are FUN when you have one in you pocket, and reach to adjust it only it backwards and crank it UP  :o :o 8)   once dropped mine out of my pocket and it yanked out the cable and fell on the floor.   It must have rotated it over to 100% and I plugged it back in  stupid_smiley man that thing took me to my knees!   hahaha   I finally took scotch tape and taped over the power setting to keep from it happening as often.

Mark

I try to be fairly non-biased when I make a medical comments here, but I must say that the theory that you ingest protiens that are supposed to "land' within your joint and rebuild your articular cartilage is just that, a marketing theory.  The stuff may well have benefitial effects.  But we don't know why it helps and it's certainly not a direct connection between what you eat and the health of your articular cartilage.  If diet were the key, we would be able to point out by now what you've been missing in your diet with regard to joint health.  Look, supplements have their place, for sure.  There are lots of alternative and supplemental substances with medicinal properties.  But the business of selling you stuff because you have arthritis, or high blood pressure, or sleeplessness, or BPH, or depression, or a changing sex life without scientific data to back it up is BIG busniness. We all want to believe that some root extract from South America will cure our ills, so we believe it.  And, some of us buy it.  It's no crime, but it may only be having a placebo efffect.
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so you mean I am not going to grow back all my hair and look 30 yrs younger  ?       :)

I got the call from the neurologist today.  Feb. 4. I will know more,  supposedly a good group of doc's, time will tell. this crap has got to come to an end.  I have went from a (cocky lil $@#) to  a dehabiltated pitaful excuse of a mill hand, much less an owner, no one should have to battle this battle. less he is an out right @$$.  I hope I don't fill this description.  thanks for all the chat, and I pray for all those that have issues that cause pain. david

Hope things work out. I know first hand how dibilitating this can be. 

It certainly can be a pain in the back side huh... ::) 8)   

in the mid 1990's mine acted up maybe 2 times a year at most for a wrong movement or 24hrs on the outside.    then by later 90's it was 3 or 4 times a year at worst that lasted maybe3 days discomfort/pain.   By early 2000's then was 3 or 4 times a quarter that would last upwards of a week or more.   started using the TENS units back then which seemed to help on & off for the normal pain but the September/October yearly cold weather changes kept coming around.

Most times spring & summer I was Good to go, Octoberish pretty much every year it got bad.   Then in 08 it went out & I went down.    I was flat over a month could not walk etc. took several shots to get me walking (hunched over) and surgery removal of 2 disks and hacked up 3 vertebra loss of feeling below my knee & full on pins/needles in my left foot 99% of the time now. 

they told me the nerve damage was due to prolonged nerve pinch thought I would toss out the VA did the surgery and is a teaching hospital that I never got a straight answer if they screwed something up by letting inexperienced intern operate on me...

I ended up with rather major infection very rough looking scar and some BAD pain was supposed to be out in 1 day was in almost 2 full weeks got out on walker unable to walk without it and took 4 months of therapy to get walking on cane and almost a year to walk without the cane.   all tolled it was about 14 months from time from day my back went out till I was walking unassisted again.

Mark

Wow Mark, man I hate to hear that, sounds like you dealt with it for a long time.  I have had minimal symptoms for years, just did'nt make the connection. Then this summer while wading the river it started to flare up, and just got worse and worse. never went away, Ice does help, guess I will find out a couple of weeks, I just don't want the shots only to come back later,  have a good one,  david

 ;) the best solution in go ahead and scheguel an appointment with a good nureologist and let him operate and get it over with , the pain you are encountering is caused by a nerve being pinched ,and it is not going to get better until that pressure being relieved , the longer you waite the longer it will take you to recover ,approx 25 yrs ago i went through this on two different ocasions ,i am 75 yrs old now and no back or leg pain  firs time it was sciatac nerve and second time it was the penal nerve ,the operation is minor compared to the pain you are encountering ,excuse my spelling my second grade teacher kept me two years trying to teach me something  ;) ;) 8)

Polly, thanks man, this is my plan, I just hear about all the shots the come before a good fix. I would rather to get a fix as to the bandaid.  this doc is suppose to be a "good one" as many say.  Ice is on now and feeling pretty good.   david

 :) i realize most all cases are different , but in my case the surgent made a small incesion becide my spinal cord removed the material that was pinching my nerve sowed me back up 3 days later i was home 2 wks. back to work , better then going to the dentist anytime , good luck ,operation just a piece of cake  ;) ;) 8)

Two more days til the first visit to the doc. Won't be a day to soon.  Moved the log splitter Thursday evening, thinking it is not that big of a deal,  ???  I am ready for a fix,

Sorry for all your pain,seems like I have had back pain all my life. I'm 6'5" & its a long way to bend over to pick up something.
I used to go to the chiropractor alot & had some relief, but I noticed it was from the massage more, than the "adjustment" so I bought the very same massager he had.

Its the best thing I've ever found, better than pain killers, or any NSAID.
I put it on the couchn & I lay down next to it with it on my lower back...instant! results.... 8)
Here's a link to one like I have.
http://www.amazon.com/Single-Speed-Jeanie-Rub-Massager/dp/B000N2VPLI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1359732568&sr=8-4&keywords=genie+rub

Thanks cedarsavage, my chiropractor uses this after treatments as well, I always meant to get one, and probably will after monday's visit.  Anyone who has had this issue well knows the pain and deabilitating effects it inposses.   The worst part is feeling great, without the mobility.  I really hope all you folks that might suffer with similar conditions find a way to aliviate and excavate the pain and discomfort.   david

doc says I have a form of arthritus, getting a shot thursday, then wait and see. 

got the first steroid shot today, not too bad, took longer waiting than the shot, time will tell on the results, feeling a bit better already,

Good deal. 

How you doing with the steroid shots, David? 

WMfritz, thanks for asking, the first round two weeks ago, started out alright, then no relief through the week end, started a round of anti inflamatories, these are a little better, still have the pinch, I just got the second shot today, seemed like this one was a little better, then the butt cheecks and legs started showing signs of pinch again, not as bad, just ready for relief, all said it is painless procedure, just not sure if it is going to give any relief, doc said if not better by mid next week to call, something else might have to be tried, I am hoping for at least a few days of no pain, just to get caught up on backed up orders,  at least my son is coming home from school this week end, maybe we can knock out some of the logs,   thanks for asking,  david

David-
One comment you made in that last post has stirred me to reply.....

The purpose of the shots is to relieve inflammation and decrease symptoms.  I do not think they are intended as a temporary oasis from your pain, allowing you to increase your activity and "catch up on backed up orders.".  I am pretty confident that your doc would want you to become pain free, but he would not like you significantly increasing you level of activity, which could re-ignite your symptoms.  Slow and steady is the course here.

Quote from: doctorb on February 28, 2013, 10:25:12 PM
David-
One comment you made in that last post has stirred me to reply.....

The purpose of the shots is to relieve inflammation and decrease symptoms.  I do not think they are intended as a temporary oasis from your pain, allowing you to increase your activity and "catch up on backed up orders.".  I am pretty confident that your doc would want you to become pain free, but he would not like you significantly increasing you level of activity, which could re-ignite your symptoms.  Slow and steady is the course here.

Doc I saw the same thing, with all the shots I had they are only a helping hand the fact is you can't go back to working like you once did maybe NEVER maybe after some time healing you can get back at it...

Mark

Docrob, thanks for that info, I did as you might figure give my full background, tool and die work in addition to the sawmill,  and unless I missed something, I thought they said to resume normal activity,, Now this being said I will surely not go &@!$$ out, just try to get back some lost cash flow, I fell a slight pinch this morning, twisting while bending is the culprit, anyway thanks guys, time will surely tell, always does.  take care yourselfs, spring is getting closer, and the smalleys are just a waiting for use,  8) 8) 8) 8)  david

David:

Bending & twisting is REAL BAD for sciatica.   try & squat (bending at knees) and then stand and rotate around your feet NOT the waste.    Also try & do some stretching thru the day not just one time but 3 or 4 times moderately thru day as working.

Mark

Ten four Mark on the squating, I just kinda forget, then I remember real quick, I appreciate the advice, especially from someone who has been there, Today was pretty good, worked in the machine shop, with no issues, but just running a milling machine does'nt take allot of motion, anyway, this week end I will do some sawing if one of the boys is free to help, the good thing is it is just cedar, very light stuff if I work alone.  Have a good week end Mark, thanks again man, take care,   david

David:

Thanks & U R welcome.   One of the harder things for me is to lean  (aka brushing my teeth) I have to stand up straight to put the weight onto my hands as I bend over at the waste when holding it there.   One of the things that used to kill me was running the Mill or Lath and hunching/leaning over a foot or so closer to the working tool...   

Believe it or not one of the things that helped the most was "Core Strengthening" using one of the big soft exerciser balls that you set & balance on.   Also doing those exercises that help both you and the little woman ;) they relieve stress is actually a pretty good help at getting the stomach side and lower back muscles to reinforce the backbone areas.   Clenching & relaxing stomach and internal muscles.    a GOOD Physical Therapist got me doing those which helped probably the most after my surgery.


Mark

SPIKER is right. My wife been having the same pain. Core strengthening the PT has been pushing. Just like I told the PT,would not hurt me to do them too. Yes,I'm a very active guy,but I know I do not use the muscles that the PT wants the wife to make stronger.

Well, we have the ball, and so far I just look at it, she uses it, and I guess I will too, can't argue with success! thanks guys,   david

I somehow missed the ball part.  ::)  The PT is just having her doing certain exercises to strengthen her back muscles. Clenching & relaxing stomach and internal muscles,as spiker posted is what she is doing. Also some legs ones too.

Quote from: thecfarm on March 01, 2013, 07:55:57 PM
I somehow missed the ball part.  ::)  The PT is just having her doing certain exercises to strengthen her back muscles. Clenching & relaxing stomach and internal muscles,as spiker posted is what she is doing. Also some legs ones too.

Yes the clenching & relaxing "Isometrics" and combined with the evil BALL will help a lot.   It is surprising how hard it is to set on one of those DANGed things while clenching various muscle groups & not falling on your Glutinous-Maximus!  There was a different type that had a big board that bisected the center of the ball (half a ball on each side of the board looks like Planet Saturn) that you could stand on and balance yourself.   That or in my case slip off & have the board wack ya in the knee lol.

swimming and hot tub

Now this hot tub idea is more up my alley ;D  I've been wanting(needing, my way of justifing wanting) one for years now,  and the board and ball trick, I'd like to see that one, I know I would land on the gluts for sure,

My wife started belly dancing about a year ago. She was surprised on some of the core strengthen exercises was the same one that her belly dancer instructor was having the class do. There one the PT said is hard to do and she said,I've been doing that.

Belly dancing, now that's what I need 8)  that's what I would be doing if I got on the big blue ball :D :D :D

Quote from: thecfarm on March 01, 2013, 10:03:49 PM
My wife started belly dancing about a year ago. She was surprised on some of the core strengthen exercises was the same one that her belly dancer instructor was having the class do. There one the PT said is hard to do and she said,I've been doing that.

I got no behind so if I tried that the scarfs would fall off and I would be moon dancing  8) 8) :o :D   I tried to talk my woman into doing some of that but after I woke up she said she told me NO very politely go_away but I have "NO Recollection" of that hehehe. help_me

After all that it is one of the things that is supposed to be very good for inner core strengthening and great physical exercise.
Mark

Had the mylegram test today, just a lil brutal, laying flat and waiting for, not sure, just laying flat david

Wait till they want to do a Fluoroscope & let you watch them jab a big needle and tube into your nerve bundle and squirt in some concoction of pain killers into the nerve bundle & get to watch/feel it ooze down the nerves...   It was a one time I was 100% sure if there was anything in my stomach it would have came out.. :-X. :o electricuted-smiley smiley_crying arg-smiley

While seeing the screen was one thing the feeling was what about pushed me over the edge.   the screen was pretty interesting seeing my innards on the fluoroscope real time...

When they did my operation to remove the disks that was one time that no amount of pain meds was helping me.   this big nurse put me from the gurney into bed after I came out of post op.   The NURSE was a white guy that looked like a line backer (I'm 180 lbs & 5'8") & he picked me up like I was a bag of groceries! :o  still hurt like you would not believe... 

Mark

Mark, you are just a bundle of all kinds of good news :D  thanks for the heads up, Maybe this is one I will get to forgo,  hope so, I would rather not see anything,  david

I am quite sure that for most folks I have came off as a whiner, maybe even worse, but for those who have shared their experiences and shared pains, I just say thanks!  I can say as of April 18th I will have this issue resolved one way or other.  They will do a rod fusion between L4 and L5 and cage L3 disk,  I have maintained a pretty decent work load, 30+ hours machining a week plus sawmilling after hours, My bill is going to be brutal, but any reduced pain should be worth the down time,  thanks again to all you folks that have shared your stories,  sincerely,  David R, and I truely hope your pains can be reduced to a manageable status,

Best of luck, David.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Dave hope all goes well it can be a pain in the back though lol.   last 2 weeks I have had a time stumbling & falling (not something I'm used to doing.)   

Be sure to listen to the docs and PT people want done.  try & do some core strengthening ASAP if you are not doing any now it will help you afterwards a lot.
Mark

google  quality of life back pain  and Buy That Hot Tub !

been working on the core, and thanks for mentioning, the hot tub is the shower for now, as the commercial goes " I love my hot tub, I use it everyday"   ;D  this should be interesting,  not sure how to handle no leg pain, it has been over a year now,  I know about surgery, just a bit brutal, the first day or so, hate to say, I hate the bowel thing, can't imagine doing this with rods in the back ;D  I guess time will tell, aye?   thanks guys,  it means allot!    david

At 51 you have alot of living to do. And working too.  :D Good luck.

 All done, might be going home today!  just a lil ibit loupy, but walking the entire floor,  thanks, daivd

Hey, a bit loupy is OK, especially if you are walking the entire floor!

Thanks Dan, made it to the house, Praise the Lord! what an ordeal, never felt pain like this before, they said it will only last about a week or so, providing I don't screw up and twist or bend. You want to talk about walking slow, I think I got the record now ;D  I did get my 4 pack of grabbers and sock tools and a few other neat gadgets for getting stuff,  just waiting for the first good movement,  this should be interesting. maybe TMI, but felt the need to say it.  positve thought bring forth positve results,   

I hope that you convalesce well.  Pretty soon you will be a skippin' and a jumpin'.

Good luck to ya. Hope the wife is taking care of you. Don't be twisting and shouting.  :D

That means no belly dancing too?   I should have heeded some good advice on the core, my gut is weak, and Christy and my Daughter are champions! Caitlin made the drive down from Wis, just to watch me groan?  Love these women, they say the first week is the killer then better from there, I clearly went into this with a large misunderstanding,  My buddy for now is a cryo pack, and lots of walking, bout the only thing that keeps me going.

Sunday morning, showered, pooped, and feeling pretty darn good!  I like my grabber, having all kinds of fun with it ;D  can scratch Dixie's ear without bending over ;D  later folks, have a great week,   david

Dr u made my Day now google Mark Martin Quality of Life

Getting on it in a bit, just finished some slow cooked oatmeal,,I enjoyed the visit  Red you lifted my spirt as well, its always nice to visit with like minded folks with common interests, and just a friendly reminder, my mill is in my blood, ;D she's not going anywhere ;D   take care and your family too, have a great week ahead,  david

David;

Glad you are getting around good.   I didnt have me a Grabber, I had a "HEY HONEY" and my BEAR (at the time 1 year old black lab/husky mix) who would "RETRIEVE" me just about anything I pointed at, he was a real time saver.   Nowadays he still will GET anything I point at or LOVES to "GET MOMMIE"

My ole dixie, will fetch, mostly pizza crust! not much comes back, things are looking better for now, time will tell, getting the house fixed up to ease the trip factor a lil, I'm sure this week will fly by, they all seem to get right on down the road,  I reckon I am headed to bed, a see what the morning brings, 

Just an update, had another kind message from a forum member, asking about the progress, as of now not too bad, stiff in the lower back, feels like a cowboy belt buckle turned around backwards in my back when sitting, not a sharp pain at all, just a feeling,  the pinching and paralyzing pain of before is gone, just moving slow and doing my walks, the follow up and x-ray this wed, will know more then,  Thanks to many of you folks who took time to write!  It's true that a simple note does worlds of good for moral, a good reminder for me to give some folks a howdy as well,    david

Excellent David.  Your description of your current symptoms sounds about right to me.  If the leg pain and nervie irritation are gone, you are winning this battle.  Good Luck.

Follow up went well, still down for another month, no mowing the yard! or any jarring to the spine, lots of walking in store, been relieved for light duty work, (not sawmilling, just machining) which works for now, will catch up on the remaining cedar and pine, when (no one is watching) specially the wife, all said, no piching, no nerver issues or shut down problems,  thanks for all the support, backs are a major component to maintaining the quality of life we all pursue,    david

David sounding much better!

Be glad you didnt try & suffer thru the pain longer like I did...   Long term nerve damage really bites...

Mark

David,

Letting it heal is smart.  I tried to come back too soon when I had it done.

Never have been known as a patient man, specially in my younger years, but have really learned that haste makes waste, as we all know, time waits for no man, its just using the time we have wisely, with a positive attitude,   david

Maybe in the slack time as you wait to heal, you could read a tree ID book to learn.....no, wait, only I would do that  :).

 :D :D :D  well you're not alone, I have been back in the woodlot management handbook,  just more fuel for getting me all wound up ;D 

Easy, easy.  Chomping at the bit.  Don't get too worked up  :D. 

Quote from: WDH on May 10, 2013, 08:05:48 PM
Easy, easy.  Chomping at the bit.  Don't get too worked up  :D.

Danny's right... slow down there Parnell.  :D

David,
I hope that by now things are coming along well. I have found a little inspiration from you back injury story as I injured mine nearly a month ago today. It can really be hard on a guy who goes, goes, goes, and then being confined to a bed. Unfortunately im only 24 and have already injured my back, but on the up now after 6 chiro visits and a lot of exercises. I dislocated my L4 which caused some sciatic pain for me the 1st 2 weeks but has now disappeared so I know your pain. On a side note I don't think you are a whiner at all. If most folks only knew how bad the pain was there wouldn't be any sissy card pulled out. Hang in there and hope your recovery continues to go well!

Hey Hunz, and thanks! everyday is a better day, put in 9 hrs in the machine shop yesterday finishing a  part that has to ship. Feeling really good, just limited to no mowing, weed-weed eating, bush hogging and the stuff that needs to be done.  Chiro's helped me for years, found one that has the actuator technique down to a science.  My issue wound up being a form of arthritis, and the swelling was causing all the pinching of the nerves. once this was removed the pain has also.  take care of your back,  and have a great week end,   david

another good day 8)  got the Lad running the bush hog 8)  man it felt good to watch, just wish I was doing the work!  david

Hey Drobertson:

How you been?   is the Back getting better how bout an update?   I just finished my 1st Summer semester of school (rehab re-training) so I dont have to do such a physical job in future maybe help the old broken down body...

I'm mostly off all the pills maybe 2 or 3 a month but still have digestive issues from being on pain killers for years.

Mark M

Howdy Mark, good to hear from you man, all is pretty good here,  back to solo sawing, just have minimal muscle spasm's.  Although just about a month ago I thought I had done it in for sure, chased by a bumble be, got nailed, thought I really done it, got the 3 month x-ray and the grafting is good. Since then I have been improving daily with better and better mobility,  Sounds like you have been busy, my doc is apposed to the pain killers, maybe for that very reason, I was on them for the first two weeks or so,  take care Mark,   david

David"

Sounds like all is coming out well for ya, benefits of a good doc and not having to use a training hospital of the V.A. system (Military)
The Aleve & Ibuprofen are what caused most of my stomach issues they are both anti inflammatory pills.   

I'm trying to start/finish my BS degree (not THAT "B.S." degree) but actually my BSEE ;)

Bad thing is the chairs at University of Akron are TERRIBLE and killing my back on top of driving hour each way...

Mark

 I use a screen type pillow in the truck to keep my back from hurting so much.I also lie on the floor with my lower legs up on a hassack to relieve the pull on the nerve.I have found that a round of steroids help if done soon after hurting the area,Like trying to pick up a piece of steel when I know better.

ed, not sure of your issues, but a $80,000 dollar fusion would rid the pain if it is Arthur showing up, the inflammation, is what causes the pinching of the nerves, so far, mine has been a success, a  mylagram will tell the tail, and be ready for some discomfort, if in fact you have blockage in the spinal canal, but the end result is worth it,  david

David, how much movement did you give up when you did the disk fusion?Yrs ago they said i would lose 1/3 of the movement in my lower back L4-L5 are bad i lost most of the disk so the 2 vertabre rub on each other, hurts most when i run the big brush saw.

Ed, I'll say it like this for the first two months there was a very gradual improvement, then I had to run from a mad bumble bee, got stung, then whether it was the timing or whatever, I have all movement back,  a little tight in the mornings, but I have stayed off the tractor, and bees!  mine was the L-4,L-5 and disk 3, Insurance covered allot after the deduct.  Real glad I did it,  real glad, I could hardly walk,  david

Good to hear so far so good, David.

 Thanks, give's me something to weigh the options.A positive outcome makes it easier to look in this direction.

Ed, please don't get me wrong on this, I had my wife explain it to me,  I was a pitiful mess, but just forgot! the first several weeks!  But brother it is good now!  Had I not had to have a three way bypass on the hemorrhoid, the week following I think it would have been a little better! watch the pain killers, they will cause a few issues that have ugly affects,  all said, talk to a good surgeon, there are many,   hope all goes well for you man,  david

I've followed your progress, David; glad you are doing well ! I have a great deal of empathy for other sufferers.

Quote from: doctorb on December 13, 2012, 01:14:14 PM
Sciatic down both legs means that you have either a large, central herniated disc ( large enough to put pressure on both right and left sided nerve roots) or spinal stenosis.  Sorry you're hurting.  good l;uck and get that MRI.

I'm hoping DrBob will expand on this a little because I'm suffering again and it doesn't seem to be my lower back but the second or third vertebra down from the big one at the top of the back. Since I'm very active I'd just assumed my lower back was more irritated than usual but pain down both legs to my calves and especially my knees buckling when I moved my head while walking made me think it was starting somewhere else.
It is getting better slowly but I'd sure like to keep it from happening again !!
Thanks

Joan,

Sorry to hear about the pain.  That type of pain is no fun. 

Thanks, Danny.

At the beginning it felt like when you wack your funny bone but in the backs of my legs.
I never thought there was much funny about that pain.

Joan, sorry about your reoccurring pain, I went years with a slow nagging pain, just thought it was from working on concrete floors.  I have a friend who suffered from what you are describing, he ended up getting some work done on his upper back, he could barely turn his head and neck, and now is doing quite well, all I know is what seems like forever( about 4 months) of recovery I am so glad I had the procedure,   take care, and find a good surgeon if this is in fact the direction you have to take,    david

Joan, if you decide to have it looked at,go to Mary Hitchcock.Thats where i had my disk surgery,their the best i think.

I am "nurse" today".  Pat has a pinched nerve or something and suffered fiercely last night with a sciatic nerve.    :-\

Quote from: doctorb on December 13, 2012, 12:00:29 PM
Sciatica-
Pain down the back of the leg and sometimes all the way into the foot.  In older patients it can be caused by a combination of degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis, and spinal stenosis.  Often is relieved by rest, anti-inflamatories, loss of weight, abdominal strengthing, and stretching exercises.  May need long- term anti-inflamatory meds and sometimes steroids, both oral and by injection.  Last resort is surgery.  Indications are intractable pain not relieved by the above and significant muscle weakness.  Should  be used as a last resort or to resolve an acute, debilitating nerve compression.

Pat talked with our Daughter who works for a Physical Therapist this AM.  She talked with her boss who gave instructions on what Pat should do.  He verified what Doctorb said in the above quote.

It just Ain't Right when the "cook" is out of whack.   :-\

Customers are calling and wanting to know where I am and "when".  They understand when I tell them that I am "nursing", but they still want to know when.

We go to the Dr. this afternoon.

Quote from: Magicman on October 29, 2013, 11:37:03 AM
Customers are calling and wanting to know where I am and "when".  They understand when I tell them that I am "nursing", but they still want to know when.

We go to the Dr. this afternoon.

Have to tell them that the Doctor will let you know as soon as possible and you will get back to them thereafter.   Most people will understand that Milling is for a living but without LIVING you can't mill.    Don't have to say much more but assure them you will be back at it when you are freed up from caretaker.

That was basically what my woman said when she got me home from my back surgery, though my pup (now my old dog) helped nurse me too  :)

Mark

We made a trip to the Dr. this afternoon.  Two shots, oral meds,  physical therapy Thursday, and also an MRI Thursday which is a prerequisite for the appointment with the "neurosurgeon" in November.  Hopefully by then she will be OK and we can cancel that.

 By now you probably know a bunch of reasons not to be a nurse  ;D   Keeping you both in our prayers.

Thanks my Friend.

Pat's meds and time are helping with her pain.  She went to a physical therapist this morning and will have an MRI this afternoon.

The one thing I've learned with PT is it has either helped me or hurt me. The pain has never stayed the same.

I needed an MRI recently.  It was too painful  to lay flat in the closed tube machine. I had to reschedule at a different hospital with the open machine.

I wish Pat a speedy recovery.

She brought home a disk of her MRI.  She will go to the PT three times a week and see a Neurosurgeon who will "read" the MRI and see what is going on.

The feeling is gradually returning in her foot.

Pat was in much pain today.  Her Neurosurgeon appointment is Wednesday.

I hope something can be done.I only had Sciata once. Just about would bring me to my kness. Only lasted a few hours. Probably happened more than 25 years ago and I still remember it.  ::)

Sure sorry to hear that she has to wait some more. Makes for some real long days and nights for both of you.
Prayers for her successful op and quick recovery.

So sorry to hear of Pat's discomfort. The way I could get some relief, was to lay flat on my back with a rolled towel under my hips. Any little bit of lessening the pain is welcome.

Lynn, please tell Pat that we are all pulling for her.

I know it really can be a major pain.   Worst one for me left me almost a month without being able to walk.   Laid on my back on the floor with my legs on the couch (setting position flat on floor.) :-[   Weather has also really hit me hard in the past and has also just about every late fall transition to winter... :-\   I wish her well and hope everything can be fixed soon.   Took almost 45 days for me to get in to have mine somewhat fixed.

Mark

MM, sorry to read about your wife's pain, give her our regards, and hoping she's back pain free soon,    david

Just read the entire post.  Sorry MM for your wife's pain and all other members also.  In a few weeks it will be three years since I had a microdisectomy of the L4 performed.  I am so glad I did, even though I'd say it's not always 100%, it's a thousand times better than it was.  I basically couldn't do a thing before surgery w/o experiencing shooting pain and numbness in my right leg down to the foot.  Everyone's pain threshhold is different, and as stated previously, there are no whimps on this issue. While I was considering surgery(talking to others who have had it) I was always asked "do you hurt enough to have it done". My answer was "I don't know", to which the reply was "you don't hurt enough". That day finally came and after a few months of total aggravation, I scheduled an MRI.  5 days later they had me in surgery. Follow up after surgery, and the surgeon said he had never seen a sciatic nerve flattened as much as mine. I made the mistake of too much activity too soon, and the pain and numbness started coming back, although I could "shake it out" at first. Finally went to a PT and got educated.  Stretching and core work. Actually felt it took about 1 1/2 years to be back(no pun)pretty close to normal.  Nowadays bending and staying down, i.e. pulling weeds, painting the bottom siding, that kinda stuff is the most difficult. Physical work does not seem to be an issue.  Bottom line: There are solutions, good ones.

Pat and I met with the neurosurgeon today.  She has a ruptured disc which is pinching the sciatic nerve causing her back and leg pain as well as her foot numbness.  He told her that no time, medicine or PT could relieve the pressure and pain.

She is scheduled for Micro Endoscopic Discectomy Tuesday morning.  This procedure will remove the bulging part of the disc that will relieve the pressure on the nerve.  She will stay overnight Tuesday and should be able to come home Wednesday.

That sounds good. I know you are busy,but you better update us every so often. Kinda does not sound like something in 2 weeks she will be running up to Maine to give me a hug.  :(  Speaking of hugs,give her one from me and wish her luck from me too.

Thank you my Friend.   :)

I will be sawing tomorrow, and hopefully we will get to go to the Cabin Friday and Saturday.  I have some firewood logs to get out before it starts raining.

People recover from micro disc surgery quite quickly sometimes.  Her pain relief can be almost miraculous.  Sometimes, however, the nerve root that's been compressed gets  little angry at the removal of the disc material, and it can still bite back a bit.  Good luck to Pat.

doctorb should know. My wife had surgery on her heel. Achilles tendon. She felt better the next day!! She was in so much pain, but the operation took away the pain.

She had a bad night last night and has been miserable today.  She is looking forward to Tuesday.

MM that is what I was wondering, hope they can get to her soon and fix the disk.   The docs at the VA that did mine did the full cut (teaching hospital) and removed pretty much the entire disks.   They cut, hacked, broke and snapped away the bones to make room for the nerves...   There are much better Laser Surgery disk fixes now with very small amounts of recovery or cuts to person...   
Stretching was one of the only things that gave me much relief.  Laying on my back pulled knees up to my chest and try to keep leg straight.   could not BEND while standing up as that puts more pain/disk damage.   also laying on back using abs to clench and release to build inner muscles same ones you use to stop peeing.   Clenching and releasing all those muscles helps to reinforce the spine...

Other items Naproxin (Alieve) taken 500 MG 2 times a day like clockwork takes days to build up to be the anti-inflammatory needs for some help..

Mark

She is off of any meds that might cause blood thinning now.  "Tylenol" type only.

"Looking forward to Tuesday" is a great attitude.  The pain will be gone. There will be a significant amount of discomfort, can't be avoided with stretching the muscles to the side to be able to get at the disc through the vertebrae. Good luck to both of you, and I'm sure you'll be a good "nurse".

Today is the day for Pat's surgery.  :)   She had a miserable night last night.   :-\

My best to her, MM.  Despite having surgery, some patients feel better right away, as the nerve compression is released.  I'll be wishing that for her.

Had back trouble since '85 from lifting locust firewood! After two auto accidents ( not my fault, one a drunk driver) now missing l-4,l-5!
Best thing I've found for sciatica is a magnet belt! Own quite a few! You can get them even at Wal-Mart! If you wear it around the clock, even to bed, pain should be gone in three or four days!! Wear mine for my missing discs too!! Like the stiff ones!! THEY WORK!!!

MM Wish her and you Luck,   

After my surgery I was in the worst pain ever, was brought back to my room some 3 hrs after they said I would be back.   Out of recovery there was a BIG guy who picked me up and put me into the hospital bed... :o    The knockout drugs were wearing off and I was in pain agony to say the least. >:( :-[ :-\   The nurse hooked me up to the pain med IV and said the button will add more if I push it, felt like I was back in high school playing a good video game pushing that thing to no avail.    >:(   AHH she comes back & says it only puts out a little bit a few time an hour  :'(  SO the beeping of my button pushing must have irritated her lol...    :-*   Needless to say things didn't go well for next 3 weeks; infection, 0 feling in both legs, falling on the walker, slipping & kicking door jam, with 0 feeling other than that pain ya get when you REALLY did something bad (shock) that makes you all but pass out or barf  :-X...

Yea I sure moss those days (NOT) and even the daily pain I'm dealing w now is better than going back to the butchers that hacked me open.

Mark

Maybe MM won't pass that story on to Pat.   :)
Hopefully she can relate a much more comfortable recovery from her surgery.
Sorry about yours.

Just a few days, and all will be better, its rough no matter how good it went, serious stuff for anyone, with time,  all will be close to the same,  our thoughts and prayers are going out for you both,  david

The surgery was successful and we are back at home.  The Dr. said that the disc had really beaten the sciatic nerve badly so he was not surprised that the numbness in her foot became pain after the surgery.  She had a very miserable night partly because the IV failed and the meds that were supposed to  be pumped into her was actually being soaked up by the bed.

She also had much trouble waking her "nurse" a few times, but I should be OK after the swelling goes down.    smiley_sleeping smiley_smash whiteflag_smiley

She will be on restricted activity for the next 6 weeks; leg exercises and walking.  She is finally sleeping now and friends will bring supper tonight and tomorrow night.   :)

Good to hear, Lynn.   8)    I've got an electric dog collar that Pat can borrow to help ''wake'' the nurse.  :D :D

Thanks for the update.

As nerves "wake up" after being compressed they often go from anesthesia (no pain) to hypesthesia (increased sensitivity / pain).  Not an uncommon scenario.  Hang in there Pat!  MM too!

Quote from: Magicman on November 15, 2013, 07:54:58 AM
She is off of any meds that might cause blood thinning now.  "Tylenol" type only.

I am wishing your wife a speedy recovery. Be careful not to overdo the tylenol dosage. It is not like advil in that you can give yourself the "prescription" dose. From what I have heard, a tylenol overdose can be serious.

Not a doctor, but just wanted to share.

Steve

Pinched nerve and the waking up nerve pain are way different both (will be censored real bad if i posted it) but the pins and needles burning is not as bad as the compressed nerve but a whole different and annoying pain that really drags on daily life...

luckily she has not LIVED with the compressed nerve so long to cause the continuous pain (hopefully!)

Mark

We made it OK last night.  I just have to do what she says.   ;D

The pain meds that she was prescribed has Tylenol so she can not have any "extra".  She starts leg lifts and walking today. 

I am "grounded", but the sawing customers understand.  Thankfully, I sawed and knocked out the hot ones during the past couple of weeks.

I hope all goes well and Pat improves each and every day.

The ladies in Pat's Sunday School class are bringing vittles.   food3

Last night it was chicken spaghetti, pecan/cranberry/apple green salad and a cherry/white chocolate pie.  Tonight it was smoked brisket, potato salad, fried okra, baked beans, and pumpkin cookies.

This nursing gig ain't all bad.   ;D

Pat ran a couple ° of fever this afternoon, but it has apparently broken.  She is walking....kinda and did her leg lift exercises.  Hopefully her soreness will diminish.

Lynn,

Time for another hug for Pat from Florida and best wishes from N & M. Would you mind helping me deliver it, Lynn?

Thanks.

And our best to the apparently well fed nurse.     :D

Norm

Nurses have to eat, too. 

Them church ladies can be too much of a good thing.. ;D Couple of years ago, my wife was bed ridden for 4 weeks with a broken pelvis. I was the attending nurse. Them church ladies brought in so much vittles, I couldn't eat it all. Had to freeze some of it. I told them it was so good, I wanted to save some for later. Wouldn't do to have someone find out I threw out her favorite casserole !!!  I did put on a few pounds...

Thanks for the updates  Been praying for her

Amen, and Amen on them  Church Ladies 8) 8),  Glad Pat is doing better!    david

Thanks for all of the well wishes.  The hug was properly administered, but the kiss was from me.   smiley_love 

Last night was really, really bad.  She could not allow anything to even touch her foot so she (we) turned sideways on the bed so that she could hang her foot off of the bedside.  Thankfully it is not so bad this morning.

I am hoping that when that sciatic nerve settles down to it's new environment this foot pain will go away.

MM those first days were really bad for me but then I was stuck in hospital bed for 3 weeks and the nurses would not listen & would jam the sheets down under mattress to where I didn't have strength to pull them out to get my legs out.   spent much of that time laying on top of sheets w just blanket on my chest... :( >:(.   Make sure she is taking the pills on time, do they have her on a Naproxin or ibuprofen?  those two are anti swelling/inflammatory pills & have to be in your system to build up / work they are not really a take them as needed pills from what docs always told me...
Even today 5.5 years later for me about 1/2 my leg is pins & needles 75% of the time and my left foot still has days where it feels like a blow torch is on it...   Spells are different (not worse or better) than when the nerve was pinched for me where I can't set still, drive or stand shuffle around.   Heating pad don't help and Ice feels just like shoving 1000 pins into ya.

Wishing her well...

M

She has no ° this morning which is good.  She started out this morning on the couch, but I see that she has migrated back to the bed and is asleep.   smiley_sleeping

Today has gone fairly well.  The foot pain is still there but maybe not as intense.

At least we are eating well because the ladies showed up again this evening.  Lasagna, green beans, tossed green salad, garlic bread, and brownies.

She had a slightly better night last night, and is in the recliner this morning.  Hopefully the foot pain will diminish.  Hopefully.

She says that I can not saw Monday, and sadly she has given up on her being able to make the Goodwill Sawing trip to Texas.   :-\

Hope Pat continues to improve. Too bad she may not make the TX trip, I was looking forward to her support. After my wife's surgery and was taking chemo, I had to eat a lot of those church lady casseroles.

Until tonight, I had never shaved a lady's legs before.   :o   :)

MM,
Hope your wife is feeling better, just my personal experience but after breaking my L5, then my L4 a decade later, along with herniating my L5-S1, L4-L5, and L3-L4, I understand her pain.  I have been through the meds, surgery, physical therapy, steroids, all of it.  The pain would radiate down both legs and drop me to my knees just walking across the barn, I had to use a walker for 6 months after the second break.  Things got to the point where the meds and steroids were not working any longer and it was suggested I try OMM (Osteopathic Manupulation Medicine).   All I can say was that it was sort of a chiropractic without the cracking, mixed with massage, and some energy/whoo-hoo medicine - now mind you I am a very much hands on have to see it myself to understand it kind of guy, so I have a hard time believing in something I can't understand.  My doctor is all of 5 feet tall and maybe 100 lbs, 30 years old, gray hair.  Well - there is something to this sort of therapy, I can honestly say after the first session I walked out of there amazed, went back for probably 6 more sessions, have not gone back now for maybe 3 years.  Now I will get sore once in a while, but I can swing a chain saw all day and pull cable so sore is expected.  Just something to look into that is not drug related and is really aimed at helping the body heal itself.  I truly hope she feels better soon, it really is a miserable kind of pain. 

Quote from: Magicman on November 23, 2013, 09:08:03 PM
Until tonight, I had never shaved a lady's legs before.   :o   :)

TMI lol.  We pray that Pat continues to improve.

Quote from: Sixacresand on November 24, 2013, 10:19:38 PM

Quote from: Magicman on November 23, 2013, 09:08:03 PM
Until tonight, I had never shaved a lady's legs before.   :o   :)

TMI lol.  We pray that Pat continues to improve.

Might need a blood transfusion after the leg shaving lol... :o :D

Which one of us  ???   :D   :D

If Pat had a few laughs during the "shaving procedure", she's getting better.   :D

Guess what this morning's duties included.   :o   :)

There's an old saying... don't throw the baby out with the bath water. ;D

I'm not going to make a guess.  You can get in trouble that way.  Not worth it.     ;D

Norm

I'll stick my neck out.  yikes_smiley  Were we paintin toe nails?  ???

I would rather see Magicmans toes than to know what happens.  ;D

Hope there is improvement!  Get good at the pedicure stuff and you can open a new business!

I am still hoping that she can make the Texas Goodwill trip.

I talked with a caterer and ordered our Thanksgiving Dinner.  I will still smoke another turkey and the children will also bring their customary dishes.

Man, I don't know where I have missed this thread except for being in the Caribbean Islands for the last 9 days. I had no idea that Pat was going through all this stuff. What can I say about missing this? Anyway I hope that Pat gets all healed up real soon and hope she can make the trip also. She is such a trooper. Lynn you keep doing just exactly what she says and don't get to fat in the meantime. bg

Pat is making improvement, but the strange thing is that her pain/numbness/discomfort/nausea seems to change each day.  I guess that the nerve is trying to sort itself out ??

Both of us are still hoping that she will be able to make the Texas Goodwill trip.

This far from surgery, the nausea is undoubtedly from the pain meds.  She is not allergic to them, but her stomach is intolerant of them.  Many, many patients like that.  Ask to try to shift her pain medication.  If she is taking any codeine derivatives ( oxycodone, oxycontin, hydrocodone), a shift to dilaudid (hydromorphone) may help the nausea, and sometimes, provides better pain relief.  Just a thought.

THANK YOU doctorb  Pat was beginning to wonder and suspicion that.  Being a bit nauseous and not able to eat much and then taking what you listed on an empty stomach was only complicating and making matters worse.

She will avoid taking those and see what happens but of course that leaves her without much help through this Holiday.  It has been a week and thankfully she was weaning herself off anyway.

I hope it works for you. I would make sure the doctor explained the possible after effects of the surgery. I am in no way trying to scare you or influence you, I am only trying to bring up your awareness. I had a 2 level fusion after an industrial accident. April will be a year. I am now pretty much down for the count. I had a great career in the oilfield and it is over with. 24 years in the Gulf and overseas. At this point I am very, very, very, limited on any movement. Even picking up a gallon of milk. We now buy 1/2 gallons. It is that serious. I hope you haven't had any trauma like something dropped on your back or anything. If it is degenerative you will hopefully be ok. I really am not trying scare you here I just want to give you something else to go by when making your decision. Your pain factor will have the biggest effect on your decision. Ultimatley, if you are hurting bad enough then you will do anything for relief. I have gone through every one of the steps listed previously, but it is my hope that 1 will work for you, so you do not have to have surgery. I can only say what is happening and has happened to me, so as I say, the pain factor will probably be the deciding factor. If I can help in any way let me know.

LaneC,that is sad to hear.

Hello thecfarm. Yeah, there are no winners in someone getting seriously hurt. I think of getting a mill and all , but I think I am dreaming. I really don't want to admit it because I have always been so active, especially with my kids but it is a fact I have to live with. I still like reading and being on this forum, because it is the cleanest, neatest forom I have ever seen, and I like working people like myself. Take care.

Pat continues to make improvement.  Now she only has a "strange" feeling in her two smallest toes and a shoe bothers her.  Hopefully as the nerve continues to sort itself out, she will make a full recovery.

Quote from: Magicman on December 22, 2013, 04:08:35 PM
Pat continues to make improvement.  Now she only has a "strange" feeling in her two smallest toes and a shoe bothers her.  Hopefully as the nerve continues to sort itself out, she will make a full recovery.

Gotta be the bright red nail paint  ? ?

I am sure she will be fine. I am glad she is improving. For some it just gets better and better, and I hope that is the case with her. It sounds as though you are giving alot of support and that is a great thing. I wish her well.

Quote from: Magicman on December 22, 2013, 04:08:35 PM
Pat continues to make improvement.  Now she only has a "strange" feeling in her two smallest toes and a shoe bothers her.  Hopefully as the nerve continues to sort itself out, she will make a full recovery.

MM, great to hear! 

Did she have a laminectomy, or something else (don't see in thread)?  That's what I had just under 3 weeks ago now, and my back feels somewhat better but still have a lot of numbness in my right foot and a little in the calf (but not so much pain as others have experienced).  Still have "foot drop"  and can't raise my foot (can push down, but not raise).  Walking very far hurts, because my foot doesn't work the way it should, and puts a lot of unusual pressure on the big toe.  But everyone says that walking is a good thing.  (Except maybe today since everything is a sheet of ice ...)

Very appreciative of anything (encouraging or otherwise ...) you're willing to share of your wife's progress, we can go to PM if you prefer.  Thanks ...

I had to go back to Reply #134 to see what the surgery was called because I certainly did not remember.   ;D

QuoteShe is scheduled for Micro Endoscopic Discectomy Tuesday morning.  This procedure will remove the bulging part of the disc that will relieve the pressure on the nerve.

The hypersensitivity of that nerve root will subside to a new normal for her.  Her sensation may never be exactly normal, but usually the obnoxious abnormality of it fades.  Sounds to me like she's doing great.  Give her my best.

Thank you doctorb.  Your continued observations and comments have helped to keep her reassured and on track.  Yesterday was her best day yet.   :)

Good to hear that Pat's mending well.  8)

Yes it is good to hear she is improving. :)

My back went out this morning while putting on my boots .  Went straight to the ER and will follow up with Orthopaedic Dr on Monday.  I had back surgery in 1998 almost the same surgery as David . 2 disc removed and BAK fusion L4-L5   L5-S1  the problem disc now is L3-L4
I have been very careful with my back and this is the third time in the past year I had to go straight to the ER. It is what it is

Sorry to hear of your latest conditions, take it easy and let us know how the report goes,   

Ouch!  Hope you have a speedy recovery.

You probably have what is often called "Junctional Disease".  This is the term applying to the increased motion that takes place adjacent to a fusion of the spine.  In your case you have the vertebrae fused from L4 - S1.  The first "open" segment above the fusion is your L3 - L4 segment.  It's had to take significantly more stress since your 1998 fusions because the other segments below it down to your pelvis are unable to move.  Ideally, each link in a chain moves with respect to the next.  Rather, in your case, you have three fused links (two fused segments), placing much more motion and stress on the segment next to the fusion.  These can eventually wear out and "bang", here you go again.  So the degeneration takes place at the "Junction" between the mobile and the fused vertebrae of the spine. 

Let us know what the doc says.   
Good luck, Red.

Sorry to hear this, red.

A bad back is just about like bad feet. Can't get much done with either if they hurt.  :(

I dont think I have been "Pain Free" since 1998 .  You learn to live with it and thankful it is not worse.  Last year the Dr told me to tough it out.  The meds have not helped with pain since Sat and I am walking with a cane. I am 5 ft 8 about
190 so I can loose a few pounds .  I am in good spirits . . Not my first Rodeo.

Quote from: red on July 21, 2014, 04:25:46 AM
... Last year the Dr told me to tough it out.  The meds have not helped with pain...

Both things the doc s kept telling me too, take some pain meds and deal with it,  >:(

Now I have pretty much ever lasting pain/nerve damage because it went uncorrected for so long.   the surgeon said Why did ya wait to come get it fixed? ::) ::)   Well ghee the pain management docs said take pain killers and deal with it for a decade+ so you tell me doc>? :-\

Mark

Try an inversion table. Couple times a day for no more than 12 minutes at a 120 degree angle. That's 3-4 chiropractors visits cost depending...

Dr wants me in physical therapy before new MRI.   I may pay out of pocket for MRI.  first injury/surgery was workers comp.  that surgon does not take my insurance but
he will take $350 

Rollercoaster ride . . Walking short distances left leg very weak . . But today we go to probate court for my Fathers estate . . My only brother is the Executor he was court ordered to return $101,000 in June . . That money was returned yesterday today he will be removed and a 3rd party wiil take over . . No stress at all . . Kind of a toss up which is more painfull.

Sorry to hear about that Red. Hopefully things will begin to improve for ya...

I posted in the "Full Members Section" yesterday about my back issue and was directed towards this thread.
I just finished reading it from top to bottom and didn't realize so many folks on here have back trouble.
This is all very new to me and just trying to prepare myself for whatever may be in my future.

Got an epidural shot in lower back this AM and feel somewhat better already. Doc said it will take a few days before we will really know how affective the medicine is on my back...
Gonna try to "lay low" this weekend...

Bad backs/back neck pain is pretty common here in amoung the coalminers. Not saying their job is any worse than logging.

But, crawling around for 8 hours in low coal, 40 inches, and not being able to stand and stretch is hard on you. But so is most any other physical labor.

Nothing happened in court judge gave my brother 45 days to produce documents or else . . . When I left court house I bought a coaster bike at walmart $88   I figured everytine I have been to physical therapy they make you ride the stationary bike for 15 minutes. . . Maybe get an inversion table this weekend . . . Cant imagine this pain in the winter with snow and ice

Of course my stomach is a mess . . Been taking probiatics and activia yogurt with bland diet

Quote from: red on August 02, 2014, 03:47:11 AM
Of course my stomach is a mess . . Been taking probiatics and activia yogurt with bland diet

If your having the back door trots have read that kraut, older the better, is good too. The bacteria in it is supposed to help your intestines.

You can tell if your getting better by using the wire test. If you can poop through a screen wire it's pretty bad but when you move up to rat wire your getting better and finaly chicken wire you are pretty much healed.

I heard a story, true one, that there are now stints that go in the buttocks that can relieve sciatic nerve pain, the only issue I have with this is if its' in the spine, caused by arthritis, how could they work?  been having more pain after over a year out here, mainly in the mornings, but flare up happen after time on the tractor.  Only felt in the mornings for the most part.

Well, I got the epidural shot the other day and felt great for about 2 days. Now the left side of my shin and back of my calf is starting to "tingle" and go numb from time to time...
GREAT  electricuted-smiley electricuted-smiley electricuted-smiley

Deese: Your temporary relief that you experienced is about all that shot could do for you, unfortunately.  And my doc warned against shots of whiskey to relieve the pain!  Can't remember, did you have a MRI already?

QuoteCan't remember, did you have a MRI already?

Yes Sir I did the MRI about a week or two ago and you can easily see the disc pushing out much further than the rest...

Well the normal surgical procedure as explained to me, was they go in there and shave(cut) back the disc to be "inside the edge" of the vertebrae. Then the scar tissue formed when healing fills it out and becomes part of your "new disc".  I know it's a pretty simple explanation, but then I'm not the doctor. 

Quote from: BradMarks on August 04, 2014, 06:19:28 PM
Well the normal surgical procedure as explained to me, was they go in there and shave(cut) back the disc to be "inside the edge" of the vertebrae. Then the scar tissue formed when healing fills it out and becomes part of your "new disc".  I know it's a pretty simple explanation, but then I'm not the doctor. 

Yes that's basically how the doc described it to me as well...
I've gotta get it done, but I'm trying to wait until things slow down a bit here at work...August is our busiest time of year and I absolutely must wait.

Quote from: Deese on August 04, 2014, 03:03:23 PM
Well, I got the epidural shot the other day and felt great for about 2 days. Now the left side of my shin and back of my calf is starting to "tingle" and go numb from time to time...

Deese, pay close attention ... that's how mine started (except right leg) -- numbness and tingling.  Then one day the doc told me to walk on my heels, and my foot wouldn't come up.  As I understand it, that bulging disc is aggravating the nerves down to your leg, and if it gets worse then some of your leg functions could be affected.  Not sayin' that you need to do something now, just to pay attention that things don't get worse, in which case you may need to do something quick. 

QuoteDeese, pay close attention ... that's how mine started (except right leg) -- numbness and tingling.  Then one day the doc told me to walk on my heels, and my foot wouldn't come up.  As I understand it, that bulging disc is aggravating the nerves down to your leg, and if it gets worse then some of your leg functions could be affected.  Not sayin' that you need to do something now, just to pay attention that things don't get worse, in which case you may need to do something quick. 

Thanks for the input SawyerBrown. My leg was hurting so bad it woke me up at 4:30 this morning.  I'll "keep an eye" on the numbness and will definitely have to get something done asap if it's progressing...

I've got 2 weeks vacation left, and we get 2 weeks paid time off for Christmas. So, my initial goal was to wait until around Thanksgiving to get the surgery and return to work in January. But at this point I dont think I can wait that long...

Deese: You are way too young to have to battle this now. Probably should look into having it fixed. I've had 13 epidurals over last 11 years. Some worked, some did'nt. Pain management Dr. told me it is not an exact science. Hot shooting pain down my right leg into my calf constantly. Finaly had micro surgurey(discectomy-laminectomy) on L4-L5 on right side. 3 1/2 hours on table and pain was gone. Don't want to screw that sciatic nerve up beyond repair. Good luck,  Mike

Quote from: MikeZ on August 06, 2014, 11:14:13 PM
Deese: You are way too young to have to battle this now. Probably should look into having it fixed. I've had 13 epidurals over last 11 years. Some worked, some did'nt. Pain management Dr. told me it is not an exact science. Hot shooting pain down my right leg into my calf constantly. Finaly had micro surgurey(discectomy-laminectomy) on L4-L5 on right side. 3 1/2 hours on table and pain was gone. Don't want to screw that sciatic nerve up beyond repair. Good luck,  Mike

I know. Thanks Mike. I will have to go ahead and get it done if it continues to get worse. I pray that I can wait until the "slow season" here at the office. It would NOT be good for me to miss work right now.

Yesterday I was cleaning up and taking/piling up scrap metal to haul off, I had half dozen old left over aluminum framed screens and windows.   These I tore down and boxed up with about 30 lbs of other aluminum.   I hopped off tractor and caught my right outside calf on one of the aluminum 45 degree screen parts. ::)  Needless to say having little to know feeling in the leg is not always a BAD thing, looked down to see what had my pants caught, only I was in shorts  :o   had drove it about 1/2" into my leg and didn't realize it much.   scabbed over today so having a bad back is not all bad when you tear up some other part & can;t feel it 8) :( :( ;)

Mark

Mercy sakes!  I would say ouch!  I guess no feeling has it's advantages, but, what a way to find out,

Stuck in and could not move??  :o  Glad no pictures. Take care of that wound. Or should I say hole.  :(

Ouch, Spiker!

As far as the nerve root irritation that leads to what is called "Sciatica", there is debate in the medical world whether to wait it out or to have the bulging disc removed.  Neurogenic pain is not well tolerated, and those patients that can not get adequate relief to a tolerable level with rest, braces, medication, and injections end up going to surgery.  It sometimes happens quickly, as in my case, and it sometimes takes a couple of years to either bug you enough to decide on surgery or to improve on its own.  Believe it or not, studies have shown that the results at about 5 years out from surgical versus non-surgical treatment are about the same.  However, those of us with unremitting nerve pain tend to go to surgery, as the amount of discomfort sometimes can not be brought down to a tolerable level.

Not too bad looking today, (couple days later.)   The wound scabbed over well and seems to be healing.   Not hurting or showing any signs of infection  8) 8).

As many know I had back surgery (the barbaric type) Aug1st 2008, they took out 3 discs complete disc-vasectomy, they cut me from tail bone up 6+" to remove them removing the pointy parts of the bone off all the vertebrata and grinding nerve slots for the passageways.   This was done at a Vet Teaching Hospital so think I was used as a next best thing to a cadaver training tool... >:(   The original damage was in 2 discs and mostly sciatica on left and left leg mobility issues.   Afterwards (was going to be 3 hrs and out in a day) ended up in surgery for 6+ hrs and almost 9 till I was out of recovery and back to my room.   Had no mobility for over a day & half below waste, ended up with vacuum suction type drains in and infection that kept me almost 30 days in hospital.   3 months with walker to get around and on a cane for better part of a year.

Fast forward to last few months my right leg is now starting to also have no feeling (one I got stuck on the other day.)   I have slowed down a lot but still have to keep living or might as well jump on a ice flow...   The Left leg is numb/pins and needles 24/7/365 from knee down and entire foot.   stays cold and often trips me up walking around on un-level surfaces or in woods.

Now I had suffered for 15+  years with my sciatic compression and according to the docs feeling probably never will come back.   

That why I always say if it hurts dont wait go to doc and have it fixed RIGHT...  ;)

Mark

I had re-read the entire thread to see if anyone had mentioned Alieve.. and a few had said they had taken it.  I suffered for years w/ back pain as well..  most times it felt as if someone speared you in the back w/ the end of a hoe handle.. but I also suffered from Sciatica pain in my left leg.  I did Advil, heat packs, cold packs all seemed to provide only minor relief.. it came to a point last Thanksgiving when my pain was so severe that my stomach muscles locked up and walking bent over was all I could manage.  Sitting in my computer chair just made it scream.  Now I take 3 Alieve at night before I hit the bed.. it has made my back pain almost none existent.. and I haven't had the Sciatica pain since.  Everyone's situation is different.. but if you haven't tried it..  some info.

Naproxen was originally marketed as the prescription drug Naprosyn by Syntex in 1976, and naproxen sodium was first marketed under the trade name Anaprox in 1980. It remains a prescription-only drug in much of the world. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its use as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug in 1994; OTC preparations in the U.S. are mainly marketed by Bayer HealthCare under the trade name Aleve and generic store brand formulations in 220 mg tablets. In Australia, packets of 275 mg tablets of naproxen sodium are Schedule 2 pharmacy medicines, with a maximum daily dose of five tablets or 1375 mg.

I must say that I am MUCH better since the shot in my back...Just like they said--It took about 10 or so days before I would really know if it helped or not.
I can now sleep on my side again without pain in my leg. I am also taking 2-4 alieve each day. I still have some pain/tingling in my lower leg but NOTHING compared to the pain before the shot. I'll keep yall posted.

Great news, Deese!  Don't appreciate pain-free like we should, do we? 

By nature we just take things for granted....
But I'll tell you what---It will be quite a while before I forget how that pain felt!

Deese:  are you doing any stretching exercises?, it might help relieve some of the lingering pain/numbness.  I get little "reminders" once in awhile to do my stretches. Feels better after I do. And probably if I did the stretching everyday I wouldn't need a reminder ;D

Reopening this topic, not real excited about why, going back in 13th of Sept for more fusion. Its been a real battle for the several months, may have to sell the mill, going to set on this for a while,

Sorry to hear this.  Back pain is really tough to deal with. 

Quality of Life , how much pain can you live with . I am thankful I can walk somedays.

It's been a little over a year since my last shot in the back. I have almost constant dull burning sensation in my left calf and rare, brief moments of intense pain in the bottom of my foot. Hopefully it won't get any worse. I got an MRI probably 2 years ago and it showed one disc completely blown apart, with visible fragments surrounding the area, and two discs directly above bulging. Looked bad. I exercise my left calf regularly to help keep the strength in it. However, my left leg and calf (especially calf) cramps all the time, so it stays sore most of the time...Very Wierd.

 Talk to your doctors, they have started replacing disks. A friends wife just had one replaced and is doing really good.

Well I just typed up a long post about how my back went out . . but it  did not go thru ?  So I go to the doctor tomorrow I will update then . from a real computer and not a cellphone

I guess there is a few ways to sell Back Pain and just cant think ..  when it first happens it does not feel that bad and most people just try to work thru it.. then one day you just cant get out of bed .. and most likely to late for over the counter pain meds .. but with most muscle problems a heating pad and then icing for 15 minutes and REST like real rest ... everything you do will just make it worse .. and chiropractors may help I always said I would try acupuncture but I am to chicken for that ...Swimming is the best exercise for me ...I had two discs removed in 1998 and now I am in need of more surgery ... somedays I say no way I just cant do 6 months recovery then the next morning at 4 am I wake up Screaming in Pain saying cut me open ... google back pain Quality of Life ... when all else Fails do as the Doctor Ordered ....Good Luck

I have struggled with this subject since the late 1960s after an industrial accident.  I have found that physical therapy helps a lot, rather than chiropractic.  I wear a back brace before doing heavy work. I stretch every morning before getting out of bed. I like hot tubs and warm weather.

Logging did not help it at all.
I try not to life more than 50 pounds. Keep moving, but use the right posture.  Hanging upside down in a device helps a lot also.
Alcohol and drugs should be a last resort.

This post is Robertson's back problems and surgery

Thanks for dragging it out of the archives. Interesting reading. 

Alan