Off to the back specialist tomorrow

[44hunter45]

My knee specialist noted that I have great knees for a 63 year old who is 70 pounds overweight. He also said the numbness and tingling I feel lateral below my knee is not my knee, but spinal nerve impingement. So I'm off to the back specialist.

It will be the usual protocol, see the PA, get imaging, then see the surgeon.

This got exacerbated when I had shingles, but I no longer think this is "simply" neuralgia. I weaned myself off the gabapentin after it f'ed me up so bad on my moose hunt. My pain is now constant and manageable, spiced with spikes that make my legs weak and wobbly. When I do any movement, my back "clunks". The best way I've found to describe it is make two fists and rub your knuckles past each other.

I did a zoom session with Eberlestock last week to get my hunting pack correctly adjusted. All I can say there is make sure your meat hauler is properly adjusted for your body. This made a huge difference. I am wearing it for my training hikes and i'm up to 35 pounds in it. Not really noticable at that weight, but I'll be at 100lbs before the opener.

I'm hoping for a non-surgical answer, but I want this to be looked at.

 

[longbow51]

Good luck!

 

[WapitiBob]

Gabipenton did nothing for my brother. Surgery fixed him instantly.

 

[Treeshark]

Best of luck @44hunter45.

Beware of back surgery. While it can provide relief, it often times just kicks the can a bit down the road. At worst, you can wind up worse than they are now.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know here, and I hope you take this the way I mean it: those 70 extra pounds you’re lugging around aren’t doing your back any favors (rucking 100lbs isn’t either).

 

[44hunter45]

Best of luck @44hunter45.

Beware of back surgery. While it can provide relief, it often times just kicks the can a bit down the road. At worst, you can wind up worse than they are now.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know here, and I hope you take this the way I mean it: those 70 extra pounds you’re lugging around aren’t doing your back any favors (rucking 100lbs isn’t either).

Down 20 since the doc said that. So now 50 over. I've hit a plateau at 260. Diet plan is protein strong, but not keto. I've cut out 95% of my processed food.

I am really expecting the back doctor to come back with the same answer. "See me when you are at 210." Some version of that anyway.

 

[Treeshark]

I am really expecting the back doctor to come back with the same answer. "See me when you are at 210." Some version of that anyway.

He gets paid to operate on people, so if he says that take it to heart.

Sounds like you’re on a good path, I hope somehow you can figure this out. Back pain is the worst, I feel for you man.

 

[Deckerp]

Take a look at seeing a PRI physical therapist in your area. It’s like witch doctor stuff for certain problems. Wont work if it’s a true injury like a ruptured disc. But seems like a lot of pain doesn’t come from things like that and I have had great success with it for more chronic stuff - including some type of impingement in my neck that was causing nerve pain in my arm and shoulder. You can look on their site and see if anyone in your area does it:

Postural Restoration Institute

I’m a Provider Learn more about the science of Postural Restoration® and the courses we offer for licensed healthcare and certified fitness professionals. Get Started I’m a Patient Find a […]

www.posturalrestoration.com

They need a re-branding but it basically works by turning on or off muscles that are contributing to imbalances - done by mellow “exercises” that work to strengthen the brain/muscle connections.

 

[morley.tyler]

I'd try a strong regimen of decompression, Gabapentin, and weight loss before I walked willingly into back surgery. Keep f@cking going!

 

[Potsie]

Good luck bud. Keep after the exercise and weight loss.

 

[ismith]

Best of luck @44hunter45.

Beware of back surgery. While it can provide relief, it often times just kicks the can a bit down the road. At worst, you can wind up worse than they are now.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know here, and I hope you take this the way I mean it: those 70 extra pounds you’re lugging around aren’t doing your back any favors (rucking 100lbs isn’t either).

I’d like this 100 times if I could. Failed back surgery is hell.

 

[44hunter45]

I guess I need to be clear what my goals are here.

Not seeking surgery, just want to be evaluated. If the answer is "Stay on your weight loss program and focus on core strength", I would be happy as hell.

I truly believe I can work back to something like my fitness levels of 30 (ok 20) years ago. But trust me, it is harder once the Big T starts to fade.

 

[mtmuley]

I’d like this 100 times if I could. Failed back surgery is hell.

A good friend of mine is in the hospital right now after back surgery. He went in to have a spinal leak repaired after the initial surgery and now is fighting an infection. Scary. mtmuley

 

[Treeshark]

I guess I need to be clear what my goals are here.

Not seeking surgery, just want to be evaluated. If the answer is "Stay on your weight loss program and focus on core strength", I would be happy as hell.

I truly believe I can work back to something like my fitness levels of 30 (ok 20) years ago. But trust me, it is harder once the Big T starts to fade.

I hear that.

There are certain back problems that weight loss, core strength and hamstring stretches won’t touch- certainly a place for surgery in a those of situations. I hope my post didn’t come across as anti-surgery or preachy, sounds like you have a good perspective.

 

[ismith]

A good friend of mine is in the hospital right now after back surgery. He went in to have a spinal leak repaired after the initial surgery and now is fighting an infection. Scary. mtmuley

i hope he comes out of it ok and with no ill effects.

 

[noharleyyet]

I had L4 & 5 laminotomy, desiccated bone saddle, and foraminal roto rooter about 13 years ago...tried the shots, gravity boots, inversion therapy, intense core strengthening first & it all helped... til it didn't. The doc said I'd know when he needed to cut. I knew at 61 & it was a good outcome, but as others have pointed out...it's a complicated patch & the condition is, more likely than not, chronic.

 

[ismith]

I had L4 & 5 laminotomy, desiccated bone saddle, and foraminal roto rooter about 13 years ago...tried the shots, gravity boots, inversion therapy, intense core strengthening first & it all helped... til it didn't. The doc said I'd know when he needed to cut. I knew at 61 & it was a good outcome, but as ithers have pointed out...it's a complicated patch & the condition is, more likely than not, chronic.

T5-7 here.

 

[brymoore]

Surgery worked for me when all the prelim activities didn’t. L5/S1 herniation.

I’m 99%. I have no issues, I just won’t bend over to pick up anything heavy out of respect for the potential consequences.

 

[44hunter45]

I hear that.

There are certain back problems that weight loss, core strength and hamstring stretches won’t touch- certainly a place for surgery in a those of situations. I hope my post didn’t come across as anti-surgery or preachy, sounds like you have a good perspective.

Not at all.

I honestly don't see this going to surgery. I doubt I would choose surgery anyway at the level of pain I'm experiencing. It's just worth it to me to get a professional opinion and incentive to work for recovery. I can tolerate pain better than most, but why choose to if there is a path to pain free?

My sports, occupational, and recreational choices have brought me here. I've done some stupid things with my back over the years. Now I'm paying the price for that.

 

[noharleyyet]

Not at all.

I honestly don't see this going to surgery. I doubt I would choose surgery anyway at the level of pain I'm experiencing. It's just worth it to me to get a professional opinion and incentive to work for recovery. I can tolerate pain better than most, but why choose to if there is a path to pain free?

My sports, occupational, and recreational choices have brought me here. I've done some stupid things with my back over the years. Now I'm paying the price for that.

You gotta stop helping the drummer load out....

 

[44hunter45]

moderate compression L2-L3
Slippage of L4-L5

Weight loss and exercise. They will be there if the pain becomes unmanageable