Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Hi folks. I've been out of the loop here for a while, even though my workouts have continued..until now. Yesterday at the gym, just after my workout I felt hot, searing pain radiating from the left side of my back down into my leg. An ER visit confirmed my suspicions that I've got spinal problems. CAT scan showed multiple bulging discs, narrowing of the spinal column, and DJD (arthritis) of the spine. MRI is scheduled for next Friday and the followup with my doctor the next week. In the meantime, no lifting over 5 pounds, no jogging or running. The ER doc outlined treatment options from just PT to back surgery, including fusing discs. Months to go before I might be able to resume workouts, if then. I'll know more in two weeks. I had originally felt a stab of pain that wasn't all that severe on the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was moving some heavy rocks in my garden border. That pain subsided pretty quickly. My wife told me to stay away from the weights, but I, being the stubborn, know-it-all husband continued to workout, although with some modifications that I thought were sufficient to protect me from aggravation. I was wrong... WAY WRONG! Word of advice to anyone else who feels radiating pain spreading out from their back... DON'T Lift until you are checked out by a doctor. I did it backwards and I suspect I'll be paying the price for a while. I had a pinched nerve 2-3 years ago that sidelined me for a while. PT cured it and I resumed working out in about 6 weeks. I'm not sure this time will be as quick. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Bruce, This is definetly a tough break. The spine is nothing to play with for sure. Would you mind relating what exercises you where doing that you think may have done it? I am just curous about the mechanics. A friend, teacher, and lifting coach of mine back in Phoenix is a life long weight lifter and pushing past 60 with some very serious disc problems. I think worse than what you have described as he is not allowed to lift weight above his head. He hurt his back standing up in a short doorway of all things. He can leg press almost 900lb for reps and is in great shape all around. -- > Hi folks. I've been out of the loop here for a while, even though my > workouts have continued..until now. > > Yesterday at the gym, just after my workout I felt hot, searing pain > radiating from the left side of my back down into my leg. An ER visit > confirmed my suspicions that I've got spinal problems. CAT scan showed > multiple bulging discs, narrowing of the spinal column, and DJD > (arthritis) of the spine. MRI is scheduled for next Friday and the > followup with my doctor the next week. In the meantime, no lifting > over 5 pounds, no jogging or running. The ER doc outlined treatment > options from just PT to back surgery, including fusing discs. Months > to go before I might be able to resume workouts, if then. I'll know > more in two weeks. > > I had originally felt a stab of pain that wasn't all that severe on > the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was moving some heavy rocks in my > garden border. That pain subsided pretty quickly. My wife told me to > stay away from the weights, but I, being the stubborn, know-it-all > husband continued to workout, although with some modifications that I > thought were sufficient to protect me from aggravation. I was > wrong... WAY WRONG! Word of advice to anyone else who feels radiating > pain spreading out from their back... DON'T Lift until you are > checked out by a doctor. I did it backwards and I suspect I'll be > paying the price for a while. > > I had a pinched nerve 2-3 years ago that sidelined me for a while. PT > cured it and I resumed working out in about 6 weeks. I'm not sure this > time will be as quick. > > Bruce > > > -- Kurnik http://expat-wanderlust.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Bruce, Sorry to hear about this, but I'd give surgery serious consideration if they think it will fix the problem. Andy > > Hi folks. I've been out of the loop here for a while, even though my > workouts have continued..until now. > > Yesterday at the gym, just after my workout I felt hot, searing pain > radiating from the left side of my back down into my leg. An ER visit > confirmed my suspicions that I've got spinal problems. CAT scan showed > multiple bulging discs, narrowing of the spinal column, and DJD > (arthritis) of the spine. MRI is scheduled for next Friday and the > followup with my doctor the next week. In the meantime, no lifting > over 5 pounds, no jogging or running. The ER doc outlined treatment > options from just PT to back surgery, including fusing discs. Months > to go before I might be able to resume workouts, if then. I'll know > more in two weeks. > > I had originally felt a stab of pain that wasn't all that severe on > the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was moving some heavy rocks in my > garden border. That pain subsided pretty quickly. My wife told me to > stay away from the weights, but I, being the stubborn, know-it-all > husband continued to workout, although with some modifications that I > thought were sufficient to protect me from aggravation. I was > wrong... WAY WRONG! Word of advice to anyone else who feels radiating > pain spreading out from their back... DON'T Lift until you are > checked out by a doctor. I did it backwards and I suspect I'll be > paying the price for a while. > > I had a pinched nerve 2-3 years ago that sidelined me for a while. PT > cured it and I resumed working out in about 6 weeks. I'm not sure this > time will be as quick. > > Bruce > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Two and a half years ago my initial pinched nerve came while I was doing straight-led dead lifts. The past two weeks I've felt twinges from 1-arm db rows with heavy weights. The twisting motion (probably cheating because of the heavy weight) associated caused a twinge. I also noticed slight pain doing pushups with 1-arm db row. Bicycles (no weight) were out. On Wednesday my workout consisted of front squats (115x6x4), machine rows (112x6x4), incline db press(50x6x4), chinups (bodyweight x6x4), and captain's chair leg lifts. The only indication of pain was a small amount when preparing to do the db press, just lifting the 50# db off the floor while seated. The actual presses caused no pain at all, but I think the twisting motion of getting the weights up off the floor from a seated position may have set the ball rolling. Then when I started my captain's chair leg lifts, I felt a slight twinge again and I stopped after just two reps. I usually would do about 30. The pain was not great at all and I stopped just to " be prudent " , or so I thought. I logged my exercises, took a drink of water and headed to the locker room. By the time I walked the 100 feet or so to the locker room the pain was setting in and it just got worse and worse. I felt nausea and like I might pass out. I don't really know if there was one particular exercise that caused the problem to get so bad, or if it was just the stupidity of working out at all. Either way I regret not listening to my wife. My workout habit is hard to break. When they took my blood pressure in the ER it was 216/100. I'm usually at 120/80. They told me that pain can do that to BP. It did come down as the evening wore on. I actually had to watch my Redwings win the Stanley Cup from the hospital bed. I'm still taking opiate-based pain meds in the evening so I can sleep, but I don't dare do that during the day because I have to drive to work, plus teaching high schoolers wouldn't be good all drugged up (lol). Today was the last day of school.. hoooray! Bucket seats are HORRIBLE! I eat lunch walking around because sitting hurts too much. Tomorrow I am going to me nieces's graduation party and that is a two hour ride from here. I'm not looking forward to that! I think my wife will drive so I can at least " try " to get comfortable. A fitness lifestyle is very important. But I hope we all remember that we must take care of problems with our bodies. My " fitness arrogance " created a bigger problem for myself. Hopefully it will only be a blip on the road. We'll see. Lift smart everyone! Bruce > > > Hi folks. I've been out of the loop here for a while, even though my > > workouts have continued..until now. > > > > Yesterday at the gym, just after my workout I felt hot, searing pain > > radiating from the left side of my back down into my leg. An ER visit > > confirmed my suspicions that I've got spinal problems. CAT scan showed > > multiple bulging discs, narrowing of the spinal column, and DJD > > (arthritis) of the spine. MRI is scheduled for next Friday and the > > followup with my doctor the next week. In the meantime, no lifting > > over 5 pounds, no jogging or running. The ER doc outlined treatment > > options from just PT to back surgery, including fusing discs. Months > > to go before I might be able to resume workouts, if then. I'll know > > more in two weeks. > > > > I had originally felt a stab of pain that wasn't all that severe on > > the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was moving some heavy rocks in my > > garden border. That pain subsided pretty quickly. My wife told me to > > stay away from the weights, but I, being the stubborn, know-it-all > > husband continued to workout, although with some modifications that I > > thought were sufficient to protect me from aggravation. I was > > wrong... WAY WRONG! Word of advice to anyone else who feels radiating > > pain spreading out from their back... DON'T Lift until you are > > checked out by a doctor. I did it backwards and I suspect I'll be > > paying the price for a while. > > > > I had a pinched nerve 2-3 years ago that sidelined me for a while. PT > > cured it and I resumed working out in about 6 weeks. I'm not sure this > > time will be as quick. > > > > Bruce > > > > > > > > > > -- > Kurnik > http://expat-wanderlust.blogspot.com/ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Bruce, Thanks for this. Hope you find your way through this. Obviously your in great condition so that should help a great deal. This has caused me to pull out the books and take a close look at my form/ I have concluded that I was getting sloppy with Squats and leaning a bit forward at the bottom. I am taking the time to concentrate on blocking before I start. I want to move deadlifts into my program in the next few weeks so I am treading carefully with that as well. I bet you did most of the damage moving the rocks. The same thing happend to another friend of mine doing some yard work for his mother. -- > Two and a half years ago my initial pinched nerve came while I was > doing straight-led dead lifts. The past two weeks I've felt twinges > from 1-arm db rows with heavy weights. The twisting motion (probably > cheating because of the heavy weight) associated caused a twinge. I > also noticed slight pain doing pushups with 1-arm db row. Bicycles > (no weight) were out. On Wednesday my workout consisted of front > squats (115x6x4), machine rows (112x6x4), incline db press(50x6x4), > chinups (bodyweight x6x4), and captain's chair leg lifts. > > The only indication of pain was a small amount when preparing to do > the db press, just lifting the 50# db off the floor while seated. > The actual presses caused no pain at all, but I think the twisting > motion of getting the weights up off the floor from a seated position > may have set the ball rolling. Then when I started my captain's > chair leg lifts, I felt a slight twinge again and I stopped after > just two reps. I usually would do about 30. > > The pain was not great at all and I stopped just to " be prudent " , or > so I thought. > > I logged my exercises, took a drink of water and headed to the locker > room. By the time I walked the 100 feet or so to the locker room the > pain was setting in and it just got worse and worse. I felt nausea > and like I might pass out. I don't really know if there was one > particular exercise that caused the problem to get so bad, or if it > was just the stupidity of working out at all. Either way I regret > not listening to my wife. My workout habit is hard to break. When > they took my blood pressure in the ER it was 216/100. I'm usually at > 120/80. They told me that pain can do that to BP. It did come down > as the evening wore on. > > I actually had to watch my Redwings win the Stanley Cup from the > hospital bed. I'm still taking opiate-based pain meds in the evening > so I can sleep, but I don't dare do that during the day because I > have to drive to work, plus teaching high schoolers wouldn't be good > all drugged up (lol). Today was the last day of school.. hoooray! > Bucket seats are HORRIBLE! I eat lunch walking around because > sitting hurts too much. Tomorrow I am going to me nieces's > graduation party and that is a two hour ride from here. I'm not > looking forward to that! I think my wife will drive so I can at > least " try " to get comfortable. > > A fitness lifestyle is very important. But I hope we all remember > that we must take care of problems with our bodies. My " fitness > arrogance " created a bigger problem for myself. Hopefully it will > only be a blip on the road. We'll see. Lift smart everyone! > > Bruce > > > > > > > Hi folks. I've been out of the loop here for a while, even > though my > > > workouts have continued..until now. > > > > > > Yesterday at the gym, just after my workout I felt hot, searing > pain > > > radiating from the left side of my back down into my leg. An ER > visit > > > confirmed my suspicions that I've got spinal problems. CAT scan > showed > > > multiple bulging discs, narrowing of the spinal column, and DJD > > > (arthritis) of the spine. MRI is scheduled for next Friday and the > > > followup with my doctor the next week. In the meantime, no lifting > > > over 5 pounds, no jogging or running. The ER doc outlined > treatment > > > options from just PT to back surgery, including fusing discs. > Months > > > to go before I might be able to resume workouts, if then. I'll > know > > > more in two weeks. > > > > > > I had originally felt a stab of pain that wasn't all that severe > on > > > the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was moving some heavy rocks in > my > > > garden border. That pain subsided pretty quickly. My wife told me > to > > > stay away from the weights, but I, being the stubborn, know-it-all > > > husband continued to workout, although with some modifications > that I > > > thought were sufficient to protect me from aggravation. I was > > > wrong... WAY WRONG! Word of advice to anyone else who feels > radiating > > > pain spreading out from their back... DON'T Lift until you are > > > checked out by a doctor. I did it backwards and I suspect I'll be > > > paying the price for a while. > > > > > > I had a pinched nerve 2-3 years ago that sidelined me for a > while. PT > > > cured it and I resumed working out in about 6 weeks. I'm not sure > this > > > time will be as quick. > > > > > > Bruce > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Kurnik > > http://expat-wanderlust.blogspot.com/ > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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