Back problems - Suggestions?

[newpump]

Hey everyone. I have a "serious" back problem that I've had for over a year now and I need some good advice.

Basically, I injured my back lifting (incorrectly) over a year ago. To make a long story short - I could not move for a few weeks after the accident - I went to a chiropracter, who helped get me on my feet again, but my back was never quite right (I feel the injury everyday, ALL day) after the accident, and I could not do dead lifts or squats after the accident, without REALLY hurting the injury location again. I finally went to my GP to get an MRI done. According to my GP, the MRI showed that I had a "mushroomed" disk - I asked what this meant, and he said that the disk was "herniated" and that my discomfort was due to a swelling of the disk. The doctor called the condition "degenerative" (not sure what EXACTLY that is based on). Apparently the disk swelling pushed on the spinal chord, causing discomfort .

My GP then refered me to a specialist to determine if I needed:

1. Physical therapy rehabilitation
2. Steroid treatment (NOT anabolics - probably catabolics like prednesone (spelling error - sorry)
3. Surgery

The speciallist looked at me for about 5 minutes. He had me walk around his office, and bend in strange ways. I told him that I am an avid lifter, and that weight lifting was a VERY important part of my life (I lift between 4 and 6 days per week etc etc). His comment to me was that there was not much he thought I should do besides seeing a physical therapist. He told me that I may have to stop doing some lifting PERMINENTLY (like deadlifts and squats and some standing curls!!!!!! - only some of the most important compound lifting techniques!!!!). He then charged me his fee and sent me on my way (after giving me 2 physical therapists to see).

My question is this. Am I doing everything I can to get over this? Is there another path I should be pursuing? One of the things that REALLY bothered me was the TOTAL LAX attitude the specialist had in my weight training. He told me that I could continue to lift - just not the excersizes that excited the condition. I feel as if he did not appreciate the unique needs of a lifetime lifter. I'm wondering if I should go back to my GP and see if there is a specialist who might know more about the needs of a lifter?? I have read a ton of messages about people on the board that have gone through this stuff before - what do you guys all think? What should my next move be (I'm calling the physical therapist on Monday).

Thanks for all the advice. I REALLY want to get this behind me - get on with lifting - and try my first cycle!!!!

Newpump

 

[PBR]

Spinal Tap

First of all you need to go to a Sports medicine doc -prefer UCLA their knowledge is unsurpassed in this area. I have 5 spinal fusions and was nearly paralized from C-3 to T-1. If you have a structural problem passive remedies are pointless all your doing is waiting for areas of muscle to die-nerve paths rebuild at a rate of approx 1mm per month-(if ) they repair- thats where most of your pain is coming from-atrophy-you must get the disc off of the spinal cord, it will continue to impeed nuro to the affected areas- no info - no support = die. The medical community does not give a fuck about your BB, to them-your not an athelete-it is simply a way of life and a discipline- that is all. any more questions? Dont let part of your body die off- rebuilding is more than most can handle-Good luck- time is not on your side- sorry man

 

[gethard1]

I feel for YOU

I have a fractured L5 vertabra, fought pain meds, depression and anti-depressants for years....I took the docs advice and stopped lifting and was horribly depressed, gained 70lbs of fat had constant pain and numbness down my left leg as well as the feeling of getting kicked in the nutz from time to time.

I started simple, stretching everyday 2 times a day and walking for MILES at a slow pace, the gradually increased to lifting and still stretch 3 times a day every day.

to make a long story short, I should have went to a sports doctor not a nuerologist and a gp , but live and learn, I am now squating 20 rep squats for 350lbs and deadlifting etc.....absolutely NO back pain, but I have also been on a continuous cycle for 9 months to help counteract the damage done by pain meds and anti depressants, they will DESTROY your ability to handle the pain naturally, trust me....it will go away. just perservere and stretch...it will get better..

 

[Zyglamail]

My question is this. Am I doing everything I can to get over this? Is there another path I should be pursuing?

I feel that the medical community is very biased and many have blinders on. They get set in their ways and fail to see or even acknowledge other forms of treatment. Back injuries are often due to sprains/strains of tendons and ligiments which are not easily identified or repaired.

If you have an open mind, I would suggest looking into prolotherapy, you can find some general info about it at www.prolotherapy.com if your looking for some reading, the book Prolo Your Pain Away!: Curing Chronic Pain with Prolotherapy has a lot of good info in it and a list of docs who do it. It worked wonders on severe tendonitis I had.