Injuries.....:(

[Liefcat]

Whoaaa, very frustrating, Plummy

I´m quite shocked with the physio not doing "hands-on" things...

The 3 options... Hmmm... To me not very likely that your back is going to heal miracously overnight...

Personally not gr8 on epidural stuff... I was very reluctant in ICU, but they persuaded me eventually... And got me a partial paralysis in my left leg, so only happy when they removed it...

I can fully understand that you are scared about the risk of legs getting paralyzed during an operation... Well, in my understanding that risk is generally not that big, so if I were in your shoes I would ask about the percentage and then make a rational decision.

Anyways, I hope you can get to see some genuine light at the end of the tunnel, if not it could seem a bit depressing... Best of luck, Dave

[plummy]

I might have had a bit of a Eureka moment today. 90%+ of my severe pain is on the lower outside of my left hip and mid left glute. I've been telling myself that this can't be disc related because it simply doesn't "feel" like nerve pain, more like a muscle pull/tear pain. I had a scheduled physio appointment and basically told him "get out from behind your laptop and watch my body movement/flexibility in relation to A) me having a prolapsed disc and B) me having an additional issue with my outer hip - that I think everyone stopped looking for once the disc damage was spotted.
Ultimately, he stated that I have a severe inflammation of the greater trochanter which is far more the reason I can't walk than the disc issue. He worked that area for 15 minutes and managed to get more movement in it quite quickly and now I have an exercise regimen to loosen it further.

Now, the above doesn't mean I'll be leaping tall buildings any time soon but it's caused me to stall the lumbar epidural for a couple of weeks at least to see how this goes. If I can sort my hip out, it'll give me the function that the epidural (which isn't a "fix", just a pain killing jab really) was supposed to and without the inherent risk, no matter how small. That said, for the first time since early December I walked downstairs one after the other (couldn't manage up quite).

What I need to be careful of is doing too much too soon. The disc bulge still needs to heal fully and there's no guarantee of that - and that can take many weeks. Additionally, I've been mostly prone for several weeks so all my other muscle groups have become used to doing nothing - and need to be slowly re-introduced to doing some work.

Fingers crossed and all that (but no erging, I promise)

[Mike Channin]

Only just saw this, Plummy - all the best with your recovery - my fingers are firmly crossed for you!

[Liefcat]

Congratulations on your bright moment, Plummy Yes, I seem to remember you having problems with your hip before

It looks like you are right that the professionals have been very fixated on your disc, while the truth might be more complex than that...

Once again, good luck with getting mobility back

[Paul Victory]

Wow! I've only just seen this and you've really been through the wars Plummy! Very sorry to hear about all your troubles and best wishes for your future recovery.

[spidermac]

Hi plummy also just picked up on this as I don`t read this thread very often. Very sorry to hear of your health woes & sympathise with trying to get a correct diagnosis - not easy! Being a keen exerciser for a long time I am sure its very frustrating being so incapacitated. went thro a similar thing myself the last 2years & still suffering. Hope u get some resolution to the situation.

[plummy]

Thanks all. Still on the diet of "baby steps". I had health service physio yesterday who said one set of things then saw a musculo-skeletal specialist at my local GP who poo-poo'd the steroid injection in my hip because he said that my issues are all still L4/L5 nerve related and I need to continue with specific exercises (which are particularly difficult and painful) to free up the nerve and wants to see me again next week for an update. He says it "should" free up quite quickly.....hmmm

That said, BOTH people have said that climbing on the erg is not something I should specifically avoid, just be very careful with...

[plummy]

A further update for anyone who's interested. I'm still going for physio every Friday and she's handing me more and more exercise sheets to follow - I think I'm up to 12 sides of A4 now. I've told her that I can't do more than 4~5 per session because my hip gets sore after the first 2~3 anyway, so she said to pick ones I can do.
Today, she had me do a couple of goblet squats (with a 5kg dumbell thrown in - not AT me ) and lots of adductor/groin work because that has started to feel randomly "crampy all of a sudden for no reason.
I've been rowing 1500m per day because it's mentally do-able when every stroke still gets me shooting pains in my glute/hip area and these rows are done with all 4 seat pads stacked on top of each other to protect my bum from the pressure of my fattiness (ugh...80kg now). I started these at 8:57.0 - yes, THAT slow but yesterday managed to get that down to post injury best of 7:34.0.
As a result, I tried a 2k today and managed 10:07.0 at a steady 20spm. Yay - CTC score bagged
Still obviously a looooong way to go

I've requested a follow-up MRI to see if the disc is actually repairing which should give "some" clarity re the pain in my hip/glute i.e. is it still caused via the pressure on my sciatic nerve via the bulge/prolapse or is it piriformis/greater trochanter based entirely. No idea when this might happen but looking unlikely for at least 4~6 weeks even with private insurance

Plummy

[plummy]

Further update and there's no good news to report. The follow up MRI still showed a significant disc bulge pressing on the nerve so after 6 months it's pretty clear that this isn't going to sort itself out. I have a spinal epidural now scheduled for next Tuesday which "might" deal with some of the pain and give my body a little more opportunity to heal but apparently the chances are relatively low after 6 months (maybe 5~10%). If the epidural works, it'll only mask the issue and unless the disc repairs whilst the jab is doing its thing (might not work, might work for a few weeks, maybe a few months - these are unknowns) then the next and only step is surgery to decompress the nerve. That scares me as an option but I might not have a choice...tbc
As such, I'm not going anywhere near an erg for some time now...

[JonT]

I'm sorry to hear that Plummy. I was hoping you were slowly on the mend. Fingers crossed the injection helps, but it doesn't sound like that is going to be the long-term fix for this.

[plummy]

I'm sorry to hear that Plummy. I was hoping you were slowly on the mend. Fingers crossed the injection helps, but it doesn't sound like that is going to be the long-term fix for this.

Thanks Jon - yeah - it's a sticking plaster at best really. The thought that the state I'm in now is the potentially the best I'll be for the rest of life if scary as hell. The decompression discectomy surgery IS supposed to be 80~90% successful to varying degrees so, in a desperate bid to think "my glass is half full and not half empty" I'll hang on the that last resort for the time being.

[Iain]

Sorry to hear the update, but amazing what the surgeons ca now do. They managed to repair my mother's vertebrae when they were apparently crumbling - twice! So while I understand your nervousness, sounds like a good option.

[stumpy]

Dave really sorry you’re in this predicament like you say scary stuff indeed. What ever you decide to do matey I hope it improves and you get back to full health. I really wish you well my friend.
Colin

[Ian Bee]

Sending positive thoughts for today Dave.

[obirobsan]

My low grade injuries from season to season are interesting -- and I think demonstrate form challenges more than anything. Last year was crazy blisters and callouses on the fingers and palm. I suspect from the unnecessary DEATH GRIP on the handle. This year, I've developed a bit of a twinge across one elbow, feels like beginner tendonitis of the elbow. Any suggestions for that? Is it a thing that comes from having my hands too far apart/close, letting my elbow out while pulling rather than keeping it close to the body/ etc?

Plummy - hope your procedure went well today, and your nerve has a bit of release.

[Carole S]

Dear Plummy
My late Mum had a spinal op in her 70s, she couldnt even shuffle let alone walk, afterwards she recovered very well until a decline in her late 80s/90s
The surgeons can do amazing things
Sending you big hugs and lots of luck
Xx

[plummy]

Thanks all. Day 1 post "procedure" = still sore, no improvement but at least allowed to take pain pills again. Apparently it can take a "few days" so fingers crossed. I'm convinced it'll end up needing surgery but...

Rob - tendonitis is fairly common in rowing I think. I've had it a couple of times and it did eventually pass. Yes, I think it might not keeping your arms/elbows parallel to you body and flaring them out and so loading the tendons more (and your lats less). It's ruddy sore when you get it (especially when you accidentally bump it on something)

[JonT]

My low grade injuries from season to season are interesting -- and I think demonstrate form challenges more than anything. Last year was crazy blisters and callouses on the fingers and palm. I suspect from the unnecessary DEATH GRIP on the handle. This year, I've developed a bit of a twinge across one elbow, feels like beginner tendonitis of the elbow. Any suggestions for that? Is it a thing that comes from having my hands too far apart/close, letting my elbow out while pulling rather than keeping it close to the body/ etc?

Plummy - hope your procedure went well today, and your nerve has a bit of release.

Rob, I would video yourself and see if you can have a closer look at your elbows. There are also plenty of people on the forum who will give you some specific feedback if that spot anything awry.


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[plummy]

So, 12 days since the procedure so we are beyond the maximum waiting period to see if it made any difference...and it didn't, not a jot. I'm back to where I've been since the turn of the year, taking pain pills to get through the day (tramadol added as a back-up in case the others don't cut it). I have to wait until the end of May to see the consultant again but rather than mess about trying the epidural again, I've already made the decision to have the nerve de-compression spinal surgery as soon as possible after, which I think might be June. That'll be (assuming everything goes 100%) 2 weeks of doing the very minimum straight after i.e. bed rest and maybe short walks etc. Only after 6 more weeks after that can I consider something more challenging re exercise - so you are looking at best joining back in around August...and that's if it all goes well...

[fkoene]

Sorry to hear that, Plummy. Hopefully you can keep up your free spirit.

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[Ian Bee]

It's sounds like you've made the best choice Dave - hope you get good support from your consultant.

[Draggon]

Hoping for the most capable of hands for your surgery, Dave.

[Pepe]

The very best of luck to you, David, and let us hope that your decision to go ahead with the op. will result in an outcome restoring you to good health and a chance ultimately to get back on the erg. Bon courage

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[Mat]

Really sorry to hear that Dave, and wish you all the very best for the months ahead. I hope you manage to get the next surgery in June and it proves successful

[plummy]

Thanks all - however - I've just heard from the surgeon and he wants to see me next Monday and has scheduled surgery for May 7th!!! - way ahead of what was initially proposed. I'll be taking that opportunity. Looks like it's hospital food for my birthday though! Maybe not a good idea to mix 61 lit candles and oxygen tubes though