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Sep 2023
7:54pm, 15 Sep 2023
9,722 posts
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Gymfreak
Hi
Coming here to see if anyone has experience as google has me a bit lost as it totally contradicts itself!!
An MRI has confirmed prolapse of L5/S1 with lateral recess stenosis and S1 nerve root compromise
Probably about 6 weeks in, the last week things have been a bit less numb/weird but very much it’s still there
I stopped everything couple weeks ago, as everything was making it worse, even walking
Now walking seems better, how long have people taken to fix/get back cycling/running/lifting weights
Some websites say cycle, others say no high impact, others say people have run through it
I’m lost with what on earth to do or not do. I’m nervous to ever try anything ever again at the moment!
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Sep 2023
7:27pm, 17 Sep 2023
15,455 posts
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jda
My impression is there are no rules, no guarantees, but staying reasonably active is probably good. Some of the problems are usually due to muscle spasms trying to stiffen and protect the back, but which cause problems in themselves. So any exercise that gently increases your motion may help with this. And even if it doesn't help the back, it's good for the rest of you! Weights that stress the spine sounds like something I'd avoid, however.
When I had back trouble some time back I could cycle quite well but struggled to walk any distance or even stand up for long. It went on for a few months, I was on the verge of getting surgery...and then it improved quite abruptly, possibly due to some specific stretches I was doing, but it might have been luck. I do suggest Mckenzie exercises and book. No guarantee it will work for you, but it helps a lot of people.
20 years on I've been basically fine ever since. Despite having pretty bad posture and a desk job hunched over a computer screen (that's usually too low for me). Back pain is one of those things that often improves with age. But not always, there are no rules...
Good luck!
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Sep 2023
8:36am, 18 Sep 2023
9,723 posts
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Gymfreak
Thanks JDA
Walking the last few days has felt a bit better, and I've moved a bit from numbness to burning. I'm not sure if burning is better or worse!
Cycling frustratingly most definitely irritates it, which is annoying as doctor google suggests this is often fine. I'm starting clinical pilates on Weds, not my thing at all but hopefully might help. And probably going to start some PT with the person that takes my bootcamp so that I can at least do some weights without doing ones that will make it worse
This is so annoying as it seems like it could go on for so long. I can handle not running if I can at least cycle but it seems I can't even do that!!!!
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Sep 2023
1:37pm, 18 Sep 2023
47,762 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Total randomness is my experience Gf. GP said my back problem (caused by variously a fall, a sneeze (don't laugh!) or chronic problem) was slipped or prolapsed disc. Lots of psycho-active painkillers which after 1 day I chose not to take cos they were scary! By time I went to a physio she said it wasn't slipped disc, just bruising. And a chiropractor waved some crystals over it. In the end, I think improvement was just gentle, general mobility and a lot of time. Perhaps heat and cold helped a bit with repair. And local numbing agents. And maybe dry needling to kill the nerve pain. But mostly just time.
Also, I had bizarre referred leg pain for about a year, but I was able to run through that, gently. Best of luck. Backs are weird.  G
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Sep 2023
2:14pm, 18 Sep 2023
9,724 posts
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Gymfreak
Thanks HappyG, at least it's good to hear you came out the other side!
Saw physio again today, he says no weights, no PT, just try the pilates and to possibly try a bit of cycling on the wattbike, but 15 mins then get off, move a bit, then another 15 mins etc. But that it's basically realistically going to be start of November before I do anything
So annoying I literally do not have a CLUE how it happened. Things just got numb! I didn't even have the excruciating pain (though obv I'm grateful for that!)
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Sep 2023
2:37pm, 18 Sep 2023
15,465 posts
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jda
Burning (presumably due to nerve irritation) sounds more positive to me than numbness (sufficient pressure to block signals) even if the symptoms are more difficult to manage currently. I've always read that numbness is a bit dangerous as permanent damage can be hard to recover from.
Some pilates can put a bit of stress on lower back I think. Crunches and similar. But as I said, a bit of motion and exercise is probably good where possible. Time really is the best healer, it's a nuisance I know, but these things generally pass.
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Sep 2023
10:08am, 20 Sep 2023
7,316 posts
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bigleggy
Currently waiting for a scan as I have numbness in my toes and I'm flat footed on one foot because I don't seem to have full control of how I plant my foot on the floor as I walk.
Initially I had buttock pain but that's receded and now I feel it occasionally in the hip, especially after stretching / physio exercises.
This is week 3 and its pissin me right off !!!
The GP told me to keep moving but 'avoid heavy weights'. That's great but running with one flat foot does not go well !!!
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Sep 2023
10:40am, 20 Sep 2023
9,726 posts
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Gymfreak
Bigleggy it's so frustrating
I'm not in pain but all numb across buttocks and just above. Week 7. For the first day yesterday I thought it was improving but back to how it was again today
Can't run or cycle at all as it 100% makes it a lot worse. I've never had this long off- even with running injuries or bike crashes I could always use a wattbike/turbo but even that aggravates it massively. Even walking aggravates it after 25 mins. So I have been told to not walk further than 25 mins. FML. I mean it could be Christmas by the time I ever get back on a bike at this rate!
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Sep 2023
10:35am, 21 Sep 2023
7,317 posts
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bigleggy
Yep - frustrating indeed. I seem to have got to about 50% better then it's just stopped. So I'm stuck being 'not quite recovered enough' to start running or cycling.
Hard to stay positive so concentrating on what I can do , stretching, physio, pushups, squats etc. Guitar also helps but ain't going to get me fit.
I'm going to get my bike out at the weekend and see if it aggravates it or helps. Got to try something different as what I'm doing now seems to have stopped working.
Hope you get it sorted soon GF. Stay strong.
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Sep 2023
4:16pm, 21 Sep 2023
140 posts
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olde english
yeah had something v similar spring 2022, did all whats been mentioned in physio and rest land i managed to get through to aug/sept then lost my patience and got a nice big injection into my spine and was bouncing round the following day. Been pretty much clear since had a bit of aching this month which got me paranoid, but seems to be my grumpy achilles going rogue making my back ache a bit as its all clearing now. caveat...i have health insurance and happily rinsed it to cover the many 1000's of £ it cost, so wasnt fussed about the hit n miss success rates it can have.
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