Sciatica pain

[drobertson]

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

[drobertson]

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,

[WDH]

Good deal. 

[WmFritz]

How you doing with the steroid shots, David? 

[drobertson]

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

[doctorb]

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.

[SPIKER]

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

[drobertson]

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

[SPIKER]

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

[drobertson]

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

[SPIKER]

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

[thecfarm]

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.

[drobertson]

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

[thecfarm]

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.

[SPIKER]

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.

[red]

swimming and hot tub

[drobertson]

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,

[thecfarm]

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.

[drobertson]

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

[SPIKER]

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) :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 but I have "NO Recollection" of that hehehe.

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

[drobertson]

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

[SPIKER]

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.. . 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!   still hurt like you would not believe... 

Mark

[drobertson]

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

[drobertson]

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,

[doctorb]

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