Disappointing news

[takniteasy]

Okay, so I have been using the r-ALA and at first was really pleased with the results. Started a new position with an internal medicine clinic and that messed up my eating habits a lil bit. I dealt with that okay. However, I have been taking Effexor XR for about 8 months now, completed my first cycle (which I was quite happy with) and my workout schedule for the past couple months has been mediocre. Then, the past week and a half or so, there have been drug reps coming to the clinic, with some scruptious lunches to go along with their presentations. There went the good eating habits down the drain. Why couldn't I just say NO!? Well, if that is not bad enough, I have had this nagging muscle spasm in my lower back which is affecting sciatica nerve down the right leg. Therefore my leg days have been nil. Well, when all my conservative measures had no positive effects, I consult a local doc who believes I may have herniated disc in the lumbar region. Starting Medrol dosepack tomorrow (talk about bloat!) and taking Soma for some temp relief. Worst thing is I am putting on weight like no tomorrow--have gone from around 115# to 128# in about 6 weeks. Someone please give me some positive feedback here. I know this is probably hitting me all at once or at least feels like it but I really need some encouragement here. I have always tried to stay healthy and fit and I feel like I am fighting a losing battle here.

 

[SteelWeaver]

That's horrible! Hernias suck big time. I once got a partial one from falling off a log with a huge backpack - hurt like hell for months - but strangely, when I started weight training regularly, the pain went away

You're gonna be OK, girl. Probably a lot of the weight is water - hell, I've put on like 6kgs in one weekend before. As soon as you drop the carbs a bit it goes away. Else you could just think of it as insurance ....

Are you doing all the special stretches and stuff for your back? Is it L5? That one seems to go in a lot of people. I bought this book "Back Pain: Chinese Qigong for Healing and Prevention", by Dr Yang, Jwing-Ming. It was amazingly helpful - shows you how to do all these exercises and stretches for lower back pain - covers Western and Eastern methods of treatment, explains typical causes of back pain, etc. You're in medicine, so you probably know a lot of that stuff, but the blend of eastern and western is super.

Dunno if this helps, but anyway, take it easy! (doh )

 

[takniteasy]

Thanks, Steel! Yeah, I have been doing all the conservative measures, i.e. stretching, moist heat, rest, ice and gobbling down OTC Aleve like candy just hopng to relieve the inflamation that I am positive is there. I geuss being a strong chick is gonna take stronger measures. I am never one to go to a physician cause for the most part where I live they are idiots. They treat more snowbirds than young (ha!) fit women. I happened to get word of this guy and he is pretty smart for a change. No pics yet but he did not rule out L5. God, I hope not! But, I think the most depressing thing I am dealing with is the weight gain. Hopefully, returning to the super clean eating habits will yield as quick of results as the falling off the wagon.

 

[Sassy69]

Man, it sux when its your back. But I'm w/ SW -- it may take a while before you can get around the initial problem, but I still fully believe in building up your strength helps support your body.

I was at a local bb comepetition tonite - granted it was a really small show and the competitors were kinda lame... I saw the "winner" of the 40+ Women's Masters - jeezus. Saggy skin. I was depressed. 40 is only 3 years away for me. This lady who won hadn't been training her whole life, but I sure as hell am going to make sure I do so I dont' look like that at her age. Shit.

Anyway, sorry for the whining -- but here's someone who is actually pursuing comp bb and still can't beat the ravages of time. The only way I can think to deal w/ it is to stay on top of it ALWAYS, not just when you start getting older. How the hell can I start getting saggy skin?? I still get zits for god's sake.

 

[witkowsd]

Did you ever try going to a chiropractor? I go about 1 to 2x a month for maintenance because of lifting heavy and whenever I can afford it he has a message therapist that works with him. I hurt my sciatic (sp?) nerve and couldn't even bend down to get dressed and he helped immensely. Don't rule them out - for people like us that workout you can't imagine how bac you back can be out.

 

[TEXgrl]

insist on getting an mri to see if you actually have a herniated disc. i suffered from sciatic pain for years, and docs suspected the same thing with me, but every mri showed nothing. they finally decided it was bursitis, and i learned what things to avoid to keep it from flaring up.

good luck.

 

[takniteasy]

Thanks for all the replies! I had a lumbar series done and the films showed excellent disc spacing, so I am not concerned with that. I do still have a hematoma that is lingering next to the L4-L5 region and I am going to have someone else check it out. It is becoming a little bit firmer and I suspect that may have some bearing on the pain I am having. I have had to lay off the gym temporarily but hope to heal rather quickly. I am going to purchase an eliptical trainer this w/end, so if anyone has any suggestions on brands, I would greatly appreciate them. That may be the only form of exercise I may be able to do for the meantime.

Again, thanks for the replies.