On Jul 1, 2012, at 6:28 PM, Christopher Paul wrote: > Greetings all, > > I want try my luck with this vast knowledge bank... > > I have been suffering from sciatica for the last 5 years. I had a > couple of epidurals and that helped and little else. > I have no problem when sitting down or riding. I have ridden several > centuries this year and am otherwise healthy. When I have had to > stand for more than a minute, the pain kicks in. > > Last week I had a foraminotomy and a laminectomy. I feel like I've > been reborn! No more waking up and reaching for the tylenol. > Now I'm going stir crazy from not riding my bike. Of course I don't > want to screw up a successful surgery, but I'm in agony waiting and > waiting. > > Any thoughts as to when the earliest sensible time to get back in the saddle?
I would say talk to your physical therapist... they did refer you to a physical therapist for post-surgical treatment, yes? If not, I'd suggest that you get a referral. If nothing else the PT can work with you on body mechanics, look at your bike position, improve your core strength, etc. > By the way, my health provider did everything to discourage me from > getting this procedure. Shame on them! I feel I suffered needlessly > for at least 4 years from listening to bad advise. The stats on back surgery outcomes are quite poor, about 50% of people have an improvement in their pain- the other half get no relief or even worse pain and/or motor losses (leg weakness or paralysis, incontinence, etc.). That's why more conservative approaches are tried first and doctors try to dissuade surgery except in urgent situations (motor impairment, cauda equina syndrome, etc.). I hope that you are among the 50% with a good long-term outcome. Among my friends who've had back surgery so far all have had good results; but among my clients (I am a psychologist) over the past 22 years I have seen hundreds with bad outcomes. I've been having some S1-L5 type sciatica off and on for several years, worse this spring, and have found physical therapy to be very, very helpful. I have a daily regimen (press-ups, standing back extensions, some strengthening exercises, "slide and glides," etc.) that have dramatically improved my situation. Unfortunately these sorts of things don't work for everybody. I was able to play three gigs in four days (guitar) standing 90-120 minutes straight with zero symptoms. First time in a long time. In addition to the therapy, I took in my guitar and had a consult about ways to splay while avoiding aggravating the underlying problems. I had a rapid response (within the first week after starting treatment) but it can take time; my friend Doug herniated a disk and it was months of PT before he got good relief. 10 years or more later and no further problems, he rides his bikes every day, does brevets, etc. For people with ongoing daily pain, the absence of that pain is really a remarkable- and possibly life changing- experience. Congratulations! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
