dcrowell

That's a good question. Like I said, the doctor was less than helpful. I certainly intend to get a better idea of what's going before I allow them to cut me open.

Interesting. Maybe I should hold out awhile before going under the knife. I'm actually considering cancelling the epidural also after reading up on it. It may or may not help. If it does help, it's temporary. There are possible side-effect or even risks.

Nice.

goldfinch

You have to make your own judgment, but the steroid injection has a pretty good success rate at relieving pain, even if temporary. But more importantly it can get you a chance to heal so surgery isn't necessarily inevitable.

dcrowell

Good point.

I'm trying to be rational in my decisions, but it can be such an emotional thing. This is all very frightening... and depressing. To make matters worse, I've been reading more about bike touring. I just want to get away for a while... then I remember I can't ride a bike.

dcrowell

I rode my 'bent around town today. It was mostly pain free. Sitting in an upright position still sucks.

I'm scheduled for the epidural on Wednesday. I see a neurosurgeon next month. We'll see how it goes.

On the bright side, things have improved enough to ride the 'bent to work regularly again. The other three bikes will collect dust for a while.

Street Pedaler

Sorry to hear what you're dealing with. I'm a veteran of two lumbar spine surgeries and I'm facing a probable cervical spine surgery at some point.

While it's true that the epidurals may or may not work or that they may provide only temporary relief, understand that "temporary" could mean "years". The last one I got relieved all of my symptoms for 6 years. YMMV, but don't be too quick to write them off.

Whatever you decide, I wish you well and hope for a quick recovery.

dcrowell

Ugh. Monday was great. Rode to work and everything. Tuesday I didn't even get out of bed.

I was supposed to have the epidural today, but that's been cancelled due to insurance reasons. I'm angry, depressed, and in pain. I'm at work today, but I had my wife drop me off. I'm in too much pain to ride a bike or drive. This problem started on 5/28 and I have yet to get any treatment that worked.

I still have the appointment with a neurosurgeon next month.

Flintstone

I am a total newbie when it comes to cycling and posting here. I tried to send you a pm but apparently you need to have 50 posts before you can send pm's. I am however a chiropractor. If it were me I would continue with the scheduled appointment with the neurosurgeon. Call them to see if they have had any cancellations that maybe you could be bumped up in to. Hopefully the neurosurgeon will have some good news for you. Hey it may not be as bad as you are thinking. I would also (and you prolly knew this was coming) continue to be treated by your chiropractor or even find another one who uses a different technique. Chiropractic is definately not a quick fix type of care. You have been suffering from this for some time and it will take a few sessions to get you corrected. Some people respond to care faster than others. I would definately continue to co-treat this with your MD and Chiro though. Good luck and keep us posted.

goldfinch

Well crap. I hate our insurance system. Hope this can get worked out quickly so you get some pain relief. And stay off the bikes for now.

dcrowell

Okay, good news. I saw the doctor that is going to give me the epidural. He explained what's wrong. I don't have a ruptured disc which is good news. I have inflammation of two of the discs and surrounding tissues. I also have bone spurs.

Now that I've seen him, he'll work to get the epidural approved. It's actually going to be three rounds over a few weeks/months. My next appointment is 7/6, and I may be getting the first epidural then. I also still have the 7/16 appointment with the neurosurgeon. I have an appointment with my chiropractor tomorrow.

I'm feeling better today, and would have ridden the recumbent to work, but I twisted my ankle mowing the lawn yesterday.

As far as riding a bike, the doctor said I can do as much riding as I'm comfortable with. That means I'm staying off the upright bikes for now, and limiting my time on the 'bent.

I also have other big changes coming in my life soon, but that's for another post.

Flintstone

I have inflammation of two of the discs and surrounding tissues. I also have bone spurs.

Sounds like this inflammation could also be in conjunction with a facet joint problem which the Chiropractor can help you with. I'm glad that you are treating this from 2 sides (medically and conservatively). Continue to follow the Dr.s orders and I think you will do just fine. Continue to keep us posted.

dcrowell

Yay! I rode to work today!

I had a morning chiro appointment, where she confirmed she could treat the issue - she's now seen the MRI report.

I'm having a good day today. I know it'll get worse again at some point. I rode my 'bent to work (after walking to the chiro - two blocks from my house). I was comfortable the entire time. Sitting in an upright position still hurts. I just recline my work chair and it works.

I'll still be getting the epidural, but I'm going to hold off on surgery as long as possible.

dcrowell

I had the first epidural on Wednesday. It wasn't painful, but it made me very uncomfortable... mostly mentally. I could hear the needle sliding between the bones. Ugh. A few hours later it got sore. The next morning I felt fine.

I'm coming up on 48 hours since the procedure. I still get numbness in my arm when sitting upright or standing, but less pain. I can ride the 'bent without any pain.

I'm planning on riding a 100K tomorrow. That may be a bit much due to lost fitness, but I'll never be too far from home to bail.

I still have an appointment with a neurosurgeon on 7/13. I'm also scheduled for another epidural on 7/20. I'm not entirely sure I want to go through with it, but I probably will.

goldfinch

You are such a gunner! Good luck on your ride and it is great that you are getting some relief from your pain.

rideorglide

Keep us posted, mate, I'm in a similar mess, and not able to ride after months with 2 herniations.
THinking of getting a bent, but it's a bit expensive and not ready to sell the beauty of a campy equipped bike I built a few years back.

dcrowell

I luckily don't have a disc herniation, so I'm a good candidate for non-surgical treatment. I've had the one epidural and continuing chiropractic visits. I go in for a second epidural on Wednesday 7/20. After that, insurance requires more approval for a third epidural.

I've had substantial improvement. Seldom have pain now, but still get numbness and tingling at times. It's bad enough to be uncomfortable when it happens.

I cancelled the appointment with the neurosurgeon because of an issue with them getting the necessary medical records. With the improvement I've had, I'm hoping I don't need to reschedule.

I've been back on an upright bike as of this weekend. I pulled my LHT out of the basement. Don't get me wrong, I love the recumbent, but I don't want to give up diamond-frame bikes. I hope to be doing long gravel rides within a month or two. I rode my recumbent on a 70-mile ride last weekend, but I'm still going for shorter rides on the LHT for now.

Although I don't have a Campy equipped bike (yet), I understand the feeling. I've had plans to build a steel road bike, potentially with Campy, using a Soma Stanyan frame, and that got put on hold when this issue started.

dcrowell

Update!

I had my second epidural yesterday. It went well, other than the bike crash on the way home.

The first one was extremely uncomfortable. I could hear the needle sliding past the bone. The injection caused a very uncomfortable pressure.

The second one was over before I knew it. The decrease in inflammation made it easier (according to the doctor). I left the office in quite the good mood.

I had the beginnings of a bad headache this morning, but that was gone by the time I rolled my bike out the door to head for work.

Life is good. I can ride any of my bikes again. I can do anything I could before the issue started. I still get some numbness in my right arm, but I'm hoping that after this epidural (and one more next month) that it'll continue to fade.

I'm up for the gravel ride now!