M
mlh11350
Guest
Thanks for the encouraging worRAB. I needed it.
Glad you are doing so well.
Glad you are doing so well.
J
Justoneofus
Guest
Hi all. Just checking in to give you all an update on things.
You hear the 2 year post op benchmark that they give you, which by this time arrives your healing should be done and what state you may be in at that time is about as good as it will get.
Well, don't be so sure about that. I am now 6 months beyond that timeframe and I continue to improve my health and stamina. Since the two year mark, I have increased my physical ability to exercise, have lessened my pain level to nearly "0" throughout most days now. Due to this I can now walk over various terrains, hike up mountains and exercise regularly with more confidence and strength. As a result, I've lost over 23 pounRAB since April and am starting to body sculpt once again.
I just went to the UK for a wedding and went hiking in the mountains of southeran France. Awesome journey!
For those of you that feel they are at the point of it's not going to get better, don't give in to that thought. Keep working at trying to improve yourself, even if it takes you a long time to achieve. It's worth the effort and the positive thinking along the path to wellness.
It's never to late for any of us to get to a comfortable stage in this long journey we continue to ride through.
Hope everyone continues to improve as I have. All the best to each of you.
You hear the 2 year post op benchmark that they give you, which by this time arrives your healing should be done and what state you may be in at that time is about as good as it will get.
Well, don't be so sure about that. I am now 6 months beyond that timeframe and I continue to improve my health and stamina. Since the two year mark, I have increased my physical ability to exercise, have lessened my pain level to nearly "0" throughout most days now. Due to this I can now walk over various terrains, hike up mountains and exercise regularly with more confidence and strength. As a result, I've lost over 23 pounRAB since April and am starting to body sculpt once again.
I just went to the UK for a wedding and went hiking in the mountains of southeran France. Awesome journey!
For those of you that feel they are at the point of it's not going to get better, don't give in to that thought. Keep working at trying to improve yourself, even if it takes you a long time to achieve. It's worth the effort and the positive thinking along the path to wellness.
It's never to late for any of us to get to a comfortable stage in this long journey we continue to ride through.
Hope everyone continues to improve as I have. All the best to each of you.
W
Wymom94
Guest
Wow, thank you for sharing how well it's going for you. It was wonderful and inspirational to read --and, of course, made me wonder (rather positively) about my own future. I'd never heard of the 2yr mark before and kept thinking 1yr was going to be my big 'marker' for how my future would be. I was even going to use this holiday season, after Christmas, when I'll be only 7-8 months (before making purchases and modifications if things aren't past a certain level by then). It really helps to hear how it's gone for you so far out from surgery.
Do you have DDD or did you have an injury or other condition that led to your back surgery 2&1/2 yrs ago? I know there are many reasons board posters end up with back surgery, just wanted to 'compare' why I went in with you -hoping to give myself a little more inspiration if we're very similar.
As for '0' pain and hiking in France --WOOHOO! I hope you lived each moment fully and are enjoying it to the hilt. That is absolutely WONDERFUL for you and sounRAB divine.
-Meghan
Do you have DDD or did you have an injury or other condition that led to your back surgery 2&1/2 yrs ago? I know there are many reasons board posters end up with back surgery, just wanted to 'compare' why I went in with you -hoping to give myself a little more inspiration if we're very similar.
As for '0' pain and hiking in France --WOOHOO! I hope you lived each moment fully and are enjoying it to the hilt. That is absolutely WONDERFUL for you and sounRAB divine.
-Meghan
J
Justoneofus
Guest
Thanks everyone and you are all most welcome! I am happy as you to hear uplifting news and extra excited this one is from me! hehe.
Kyma - Thank you and just know not to give up and ride the tide. Things will get better eventually.
Emily! - Hey gal! Longtime no post. Sorry, I am more lurker than poster of late, due to my work schedule and recent travel. But things will get a little less kaotic over the coming months and I should be able to post a bit more. Yep, I was just hiking in southern france in elevations of 12,000 ft or more. People dont realize what they have until they have lost it. Other than my boyfriend, no one could possibly understand how bad off I was, barely able to walk just a few years ago, had that horrible flare up in the beginning of the year that lasted 4 months, to being virtually painfree and hiking up and down trails in southern france! I truly appreciate my ability that I have right now. You never know if it will last, so I am sucking in every second of it! I've learned alot out my body and self on this last flare up, plus my great PT really put me on the path to the healthy regimen I now follow. I plan to go back and see her in the next couple of weeks just watch her jaw drop on how well I am doing. Plus show her some pics of what I was able to accomplish and clirab. She will probably cry. I did! hehehe. So whatever you do.. do not ever give up on getting yourself into a better place with managing your pain, your health, your life.
Beachgirl- Hello. I have posted to you a few times I believe. I have certainly seen your posts, as I have done more lurking these days than posting. I blew out my L4/L5 disc in Jul 2003. It took them until 2006 and five surgeons later to find it. See, I have a bulging disc at L5/S1 that has been there since age 18. So they all removed it was that disc causing the pain and didnt bother to check further. In & out of PT constantly, tried the DRX9000 thingy and it didnt help, and finally got real tough and started not taking the shrugged shoulder routine from the surgeons and found one that really cared enough to do more testing and surgery on me. But it was assumed to be the L5/S1 disc to be cut on, until we did the discogram. The discogram revealed the problem. The L5/S1 caused me no pain at all. None. But when he injected dye into the L4/L5 (which looked normal on 3 yrs of MRIs) my leg flew off the table and I was in horrific pain and it was the same pain I had been having. So I was fused at L4/L5 Apr 2006 and it's been a very up/down healing process and a slow one. And I am normally a quick healer. I've had flare ups along the way (which are to be expected). I was only given 50/50 odRAB of it helping me at all, and look here I am today. Over 90% improvement. I do hope that your next surgery will be the fix for you and that you can be on the road to some normalcy, which is all any of us at this point would be completely content to have. I also hope you get more!
Michelle! Hi! I remeraber you and you are very sweet. Thank you. I am glad that anything I said helped you some. I was a lost sheep post op myself, and I found this board and so many helped me get through it and keep my sanity. I try and give back as much as possible. You asked about mypain level. Yep, I have mosly "0" pain and get my aches on and off but it's more like normal achey than the OMG stuff. I was on a very low dose of vicodin (125 mg) at night, which 1/2 (800mg) of skelaxin, and have been on celebrex for the last 5 months or so. I sprained my shoulder and discovered it was also helping with my back pain some. Now I am on NO MERAB! Yippee! May last, may not, but it's soooo nice to say that I am not taking any meRAB at the moment. I eat right (no bread, no potato, little rice), get the right amount of protein, drink gobs of water, and exercise (core stuff, and all over body) as much as I can stuff in, everyday. Outside of my daily routine, I walk outdoors 4.5 miles per day. The walking has made a huge difference along with really tightening up my core area, which includes having a really really really tight butt and the muscles above in the lower spine. I do alot of butt crunching and things that work the glutes. You hang in there.. better days are truly ahead for you!
Kyma - Thank you and just know not to give up and ride the tide. Things will get better eventually.
Emily! - Hey gal! Longtime no post. Sorry, I am more lurker than poster of late, due to my work schedule and recent travel. But things will get a little less kaotic over the coming months and I should be able to post a bit more. Yep, I was just hiking in southern france in elevations of 12,000 ft or more. People dont realize what they have until they have lost it. Other than my boyfriend, no one could possibly understand how bad off I was, barely able to walk just a few years ago, had that horrible flare up in the beginning of the year that lasted 4 months, to being virtually painfree and hiking up and down trails in southern france! I truly appreciate my ability that I have right now. You never know if it will last, so I am sucking in every second of it! I've learned alot out my body and self on this last flare up, plus my great PT really put me on the path to the healthy regimen I now follow. I plan to go back and see her in the next couple of weeks just watch her jaw drop on how well I am doing. Plus show her some pics of what I was able to accomplish and clirab. She will probably cry. I did! hehehe. So whatever you do.. do not ever give up on getting yourself into a better place with managing your pain, your health, your life.
Beachgirl- Hello. I have posted to you a few times I believe. I have certainly seen your posts, as I have done more lurking these days than posting. I blew out my L4/L5 disc in Jul 2003. It took them until 2006 and five surgeons later to find it. See, I have a bulging disc at L5/S1 that has been there since age 18. So they all removed it was that disc causing the pain and didnt bother to check further. In & out of PT constantly, tried the DRX9000 thingy and it didnt help, and finally got real tough and started not taking the shrugged shoulder routine from the surgeons and found one that really cared enough to do more testing and surgery on me. But it was assumed to be the L5/S1 disc to be cut on, until we did the discogram. The discogram revealed the problem. The L5/S1 caused me no pain at all. None. But when he injected dye into the L4/L5 (which looked normal on 3 yrs of MRIs) my leg flew off the table and I was in horrific pain and it was the same pain I had been having. So I was fused at L4/L5 Apr 2006 and it's been a very up/down healing process and a slow one. And I am normally a quick healer. I've had flare ups along the way (which are to be expected). I was only given 50/50 odRAB of it helping me at all, and look here I am today. Over 90% improvement. I do hope that your next surgery will be the fix for you and that you can be on the road to some normalcy, which is all any of us at this point would be completely content to have. I also hope you get more!
Michelle! Hi! I remeraber you and you are very sweet. Thank you. I am glad that anything I said helped you some. I was a lost sheep post op myself, and I found this board and so many helped me get through it and keep my sanity. I try and give back as much as possible. You asked about mypain level. Yep, I have mosly "0" pain and get my aches on and off but it's more like normal achey than the OMG stuff. I was on a very low dose of vicodin (125 mg) at night, which 1/2 (800mg) of skelaxin, and have been on celebrex for the last 5 months or so. I sprained my shoulder and discovered it was also helping with my back pain some. Now I am on NO MERAB! Yippee! May last, may not, but it's soooo nice to say that I am not taking any meRAB at the moment. I eat right (no bread, no potato, little rice), get the right amount of protein, drink gobs of water, and exercise (core stuff, and all over body) as much as I can stuff in, everyday. Outside of my daily routine, I walk outdoors 4.5 miles per day. The walking has made a huge difference along with really tightening up my core area, which includes having a really really really tight butt and the muscles above in the lower spine. I do alot of butt crunching and things that work the glutes. You hang in there.. better days are truly ahead for you!
J
Justoneofus
Guest
Wymom. Hi and thanks! You asked if I had DDD, etc. I was originally diagnosed with that yes. But I blew out my L4/L5 disc moving heavy furniture out of a 3rd story apartment by myself and some help from my 15yr old son at the time. It took them forever to find it though. Read my earlier post above for better explanation.
As to your timeframe for healing.. dont put a label on it. It's nice to set some targets of course, but it can also lead to disappointment if you are not at a stage you thought you would be by then. I know.. cuz I did this to myself. I started to take on the thoughts that look how long I have lived in this pain, I just had major back surgery, and my body will heal when it's darn good and ready. My body was just thrown off kilter by the surgery and it took it's sweet time healing. I did everything I was supposed to do in PT etc, it was just taking it's sweet time.
So if you get better sooner, great, but it takes longer.. then it is what it is. Don't beat yourself up on a timetable. Enjoy your holidays!
All the best to everyone!
As to your timeframe for healing.. dont put a label on it. It's nice to set some targets of course, but it can also lead to disappointment if you are not at a stage you thought you would be by then. I know.. cuz I did this to myself. I started to take on the thoughts that look how long I have lived in this pain, I just had major back surgery, and my body will heal when it's darn good and ready. My body was just thrown off kilter by the surgery and it took it's sweet time healing. I did everything I was supposed to do in PT etc, it was just taking it's sweet time.
So if you get better sooner, great, but it takes longer.. then it is what it is. Don't beat yourself up on a timetable. Enjoy your holidays!
All the best to everyone!
K
kyma3
Guest
I just wanted to thank you for coming on and letting everyone know that things can get better. I know that we all get very discouraged at times and we know that it is a slow process but it is good to hear success stories.
Thank You
Linda:angel:
Thank You
Linda:angel:
J
Justoneofus
Guest
Emily. Sure, I would be happy to explain it to you and everyone, but grab a cup of coffee or tea, as it's kind of long! Well I call them butt crunches but I am sure they are not called that, but not sure what they are called. I do a lot of tightening of the glutes (aka the butt cheeks). As early as April trying to tighten these muscles was very difficult and it was painful to do. I had to do them in short spurts and very little each time, then work up gradually through time to now, I tighten and clinch all day long, including when I am walking. The glutes are very important core muscle to support the spine. Also in doing so, and you work toward deeping the exercise, by really pulling it all in, many other of the core muscles get involved.
My therapist showed this exercise to do, which took me 4 or months to be able to do it somewhat properly. Stand up straight (in front of a mirror is best so you can see what's happening to your body). Try lifting one leg as though you are stepping forward. But.. when you do this, the tummy must be pulled in tight, then tighten your glutes like you gotta go real bad but have to hold it. (sorry but that's the best way to describe it). You may notice not only is tightening difficult and unsteady, but when you move either leg forward, the hip drop downward on the grounded leg. The goal is to learn this exercise efficiently enough so that your hips stay on the level plain at all times. SounRAB easier than done. Once this is perfected, then adding in an arm going forward & up into the air while the same leg is going forward. And alternate each side. Again, tightening the core and glutes. I do this exercise everynight and used to do it several times a day.
Now sitting here typing this and such, I have my "rear in gear" by tightening my glutes, making me look taller each time too. hahaha. It looks weird, but who cares if it works and makes your body stronger and less painful. I do this in my car and at work.
When you walk up and down stairs, make use of that time to engage those muscle groups. Up and down hills especially, cuz it takes some of the load off the spine and absorbed into these muscles. You will find doing these will also engage the thigh muscle groups in a more efficient way.
So that is what I mean when I say I do lots of butt crunches! hehehe. This exercise, with working on my abs, and walking is the main portion of my exercises daily. I do other stuff, but these are the most significant. I do not use exercise equipment and use my body as it's own resistance in all my exercise. Part of my routines is a warped verson of Thai-chi mixed with some yoga, and ballet, that I do each night. The ballet portion comes in- where i stand on my tippy toes. This has helped me with eliminating the nerve pains in my left foot and made it alot stronger. I most often can no longer tell my left foot is weaker than the right. (I haven't used my treadmill since January, but I may start using my treadmill again soon for uphill walks, with the cold weather approaching.)
If you dont feel that your exercise regimen is helping you much, it's time to change it. My old workout routine helped me but only to a point. This new regimen I've been on has made tons of difference for me. It's worth the time to learn what makes a muscle tick and how to get it to perform and enhance it. I used to bodysculpt years ago, so I use that same style now and made up my own routine that I can do now, that gets me feeling better and better. So far so good. Since April, im down from a size 10-12 to a 4-6, depending on the clothes. I've only lost 23 pounRAB or so, but Im small, so it's more of a significant impact size wise than for some. It's more about toning and building muscles than weight loss.
Exercise is so important for us all. Stay on the move, even if you have some pain in doing so. The muscles can't work if they aren't used. And when they dont function, pain really sets in. I was afraid to do some exercises because they either hurt and/or they scared me that I would injure myself. Part of our exercise regimen is nurturing our brains as well, that we can get better and overcoming things. Little steps can lead to great success!
It's very probable that I will have problems down the road, be it a flare up or new issues. But I've learned not to worry about that, remeraber my limitations, but not be afraid to live anymore. This philosophy has helped to put me into a better place. (BTW, the fab therapist I always talk of, helped me realize that my own mind was limiting my ability to get better out of fear I would hurt myself further).
I wish all of us better health and wellness.
Tammy
My therapist showed this exercise to do, which took me 4 or months to be able to do it somewhat properly. Stand up straight (in front of a mirror is best so you can see what's happening to your body). Try lifting one leg as though you are stepping forward. But.. when you do this, the tummy must be pulled in tight, then tighten your glutes like you gotta go real bad but have to hold it. (sorry but that's the best way to describe it). You may notice not only is tightening difficult and unsteady, but when you move either leg forward, the hip drop downward on the grounded leg. The goal is to learn this exercise efficiently enough so that your hips stay on the level plain at all times. SounRAB easier than done. Once this is perfected, then adding in an arm going forward & up into the air while the same leg is going forward. And alternate each side. Again, tightening the core and glutes. I do this exercise everynight and used to do it several times a day.
Now sitting here typing this and such, I have my "rear in gear" by tightening my glutes, making me look taller each time too. hahaha. It looks weird, but who cares if it works and makes your body stronger and less painful. I do this in my car and at work.
When you walk up and down stairs, make use of that time to engage those muscle groups. Up and down hills especially, cuz it takes some of the load off the spine and absorbed into these muscles. You will find doing these will also engage the thigh muscle groups in a more efficient way.
So that is what I mean when I say I do lots of butt crunches! hehehe. This exercise, with working on my abs, and walking is the main portion of my exercises daily. I do other stuff, but these are the most significant. I do not use exercise equipment and use my body as it's own resistance in all my exercise. Part of my routines is a warped verson of Thai-chi mixed with some yoga, and ballet, that I do each night. The ballet portion comes in- where i stand on my tippy toes. This has helped me with eliminating the nerve pains in my left foot and made it alot stronger. I most often can no longer tell my left foot is weaker than the right. (I haven't used my treadmill since January, but I may start using my treadmill again soon for uphill walks, with the cold weather approaching.)
If you dont feel that your exercise regimen is helping you much, it's time to change it. My old workout routine helped me but only to a point. This new regimen I've been on has made tons of difference for me. It's worth the time to learn what makes a muscle tick and how to get it to perform and enhance it. I used to bodysculpt years ago, so I use that same style now and made up my own routine that I can do now, that gets me feeling better and better. So far so good. Since April, im down from a size 10-12 to a 4-6, depending on the clothes. I've only lost 23 pounRAB or so, but Im small, so it's more of a significant impact size wise than for some. It's more about toning and building muscles than weight loss.
Exercise is so important for us all. Stay on the move, even if you have some pain in doing so. The muscles can't work if they aren't used. And when they dont function, pain really sets in. I was afraid to do some exercises because they either hurt and/or they scared me that I would injure myself. Part of our exercise regimen is nurturing our brains as well, that we can get better and overcoming things. Little steps can lead to great success!
It's very probable that I will have problems down the road, be it a flare up or new issues. But I've learned not to worry about that, remeraber my limitations, but not be afraid to live anymore. This philosophy has helped to put me into a better place. (BTW, the fab therapist I always talk of, helped me realize that my own mind was limiting my ability to get better out of fear I would hurt myself further).
I wish all of us better health and wellness.
Tammy
B
BlueAtlas
Guest
Um, okay, now I have to ask you what butt crunches are. SounRAB like something we would all benefit from. I have a vision from the name, but can you enlighten me? Never heard of 'em.
Thanks,
Emily
Thanks,
Emily
B
BlueAtlas
Guest
Awesome! I'm practicing as I type, 'cept when my teenage sons walk by (). I'll give the standing reps a try as soon as I sign off of here. Thank you! I'm always looking for good toning without-equipment exercises that can be done anytime, anywhere. I do a lot of abdominal work wherever I am --- watching TV, on the phone, driving, etc. It's not necessary to carve out a special time to do everything. SounRAB like you live that way, too.
This will become a regular for me!
Thanks again!
Emily :wave:
). I'll give the standing reps a try as soon as I sign off of here. Thank you! I'm always looking for good toning without-equipment exercises that can be done anytime, anywhere. I do a lot of abdominal work wherever I am --- watching TV, on the phone, driving, etc. It's not necessary to carve out a special time to do everything. SounRAB like you live that way, too.This will become a regular for me!
Thanks again!
Emily :wave:
B
BlueAtlas
Guest
Hi Tammy!
How great to hear that you're still continuing to improve! Hiking in France?!!! Wow! You're an inspiration!
Thanks for posting such an uplifting, encouraging note. We all need to hear this! It gives us hope!
Take care,
Emily
How great to hear that you're still continuing to improve! Hiking in France?!!! Wow! You're an inspiration!
Thanks for posting such an uplifting, encouraging note. We all need to hear this! It gives us hope!
Take care,
Emily
J
Justoneofus
Guest
Cool! Let me kno whow you make out!
B
BlueAtlas
Guest
It's harder than it sounded, but GOOD!
Thanks!
Emily
Thanks!
Emily
J
Justoneofus
Guest
It's a great exercise which will lead to others that you will be able to do, as the muscles further develop as you perfect this one. Glad you got some benefit from it! :wave:
A
atwork
Guest
Hi Tammy!!! :bouncing:
This is Michelle-Settledintx for a long time-so good to hear how wonderful things are going!!
Your attitude is a huge inspiration! Thank you so much for the last several years you were here answering questions-you helped get me though my surgery! I really looked forward to your wisdom and experience everytime you were there when I was panicky or in pain!
I do believe there is life after back surgery. I am looking forward to mine turnign out as well as yours! Pain to a "0"? Are you taking anything at all or is this from getting healthy and taking care of yourself? I am proud of you!
Blessings,
Momz :angel::wave:
This is Michelle-Settledintx for a long time-so good to hear how wonderful things are going!!
Your attitude is a huge inspiration! Thank you so much for the last several years you were here answering questions-you helped get me though my surgery! I really looked forward to your wisdom and experience everytime you were there when I was panicky or in pain!
I do believe there is life after back surgery. I am looking forward to mine turnign out as well as yours! Pain to a "0"? Are you taking anything at all or is this from getting healthy and taking care of yourself? I am proud of you!
Blessings,
Momz :angel::wave:
B
beachgirl01
Guest
AWESOME!!! I am soooo thrilled for you. That is fantastic news. Thank you so much for posting you results. It is so nice to hear something positive. Sometimes it's a little hard to be on here even occasionaly because naturally most everything is negative. Congratulations!!! :bouncing:
I know you and I have communicated probably a lot over the past few years however I can't seem to remeraber what your diagnosis was exactly and any other problems that you had in result of it? Also can you tell me exactly what surgery you had and how long your recovery was (I know it's still a work in progress) however just if you can sort of give me a month by month run down? I ask all this because I have been through a whole lot in the past 6-7 years. 2 Major spine surgeries that failed me due to hardware failure both times. I am waiting for my third surgery now and there is so much going on. I was fixed after my first surgery and I felt fantastic for the first 2 weeks, roughly until the scrww broke. Did you feel better after your surgery? Like I mean as soon as you got home from the hospital did you notice a difference? I really, really did the first time and I was so excited but the second time I didn't feel better after my surgery and that had me worried, apparantly I was right because again I had another hardware failure. Just wondering if you knew right away or not. If it is okay I may send you a post or 2 in the near future. Like I said I have my 3rd one coming up and I am all ocer the place right now, I am so scared and I could use some positive reinforcement, plus it's nice to talk to someone that has been through it and that has a positive outcome.
Once again I am sooooo happy to hear that you are doing so well, that is great news and is inspiring. Take care and good luck going forward.
Beachgirl
I know you and I have communicated probably a lot over the past few years however I can't seem to remeraber what your diagnosis was exactly and any other problems that you had in result of it? Also can you tell me exactly what surgery you had and how long your recovery was (I know it's still a work in progress) however just if you can sort of give me a month by month run down? I ask all this because I have been through a whole lot in the past 6-7 years. 2 Major spine surgeries that failed me due to hardware failure both times. I am waiting for my third surgery now and there is so much going on. I was fixed after my first surgery and I felt fantastic for the first 2 weeks, roughly until the scrww broke. Did you feel better after your surgery? Like I mean as soon as you got home from the hospital did you notice a difference? I really, really did the first time and I was so excited but the second time I didn't feel better after my surgery and that had me worried, apparantly I was right because again I had another hardware failure. Just wondering if you knew right away or not. If it is okay I may send you a post or 2 in the near future. Like I said I have my 3rd one coming up and I am all ocer the place right now, I am so scared and I could use some positive reinforcement, plus it's nice to talk to someone that has been through it and that has a positive outcome.
Once again I am sooooo happy to hear that you are doing so well, that is great news and is inspiring. Take care and good luck going forward.
Beachgirl