Originally Posted by
AerobaticDreams
I'm glad to see this thread, as I am currently in the middle of the first steps of trying to sort out my own back issues. The Doc said I have a damaged disc low in my back. It gives me immense pain and causes Sciatica pain in one leg. I can't walk more than 2/10 of a mile before the pain hits me. Cycling has been curtailed a great deal due to the resulting pain. The complication is that I MUST exercise to try and control my diabetes. I have gained 20 hard fought pounds back that I lost last year as a result.
Doc says PT first, and then shots to control my pain. He assured me there are many steps in between where I am now and surgery. It hurts so much, I find myself just wanting to jump to surgery and skip everything before it. I suspect I will end up with surgery and have been worried about my ability to cycle as a result. At the end of a lousy few weeks of pain, everybody's postings give me great hope.
Thanks!
This is usually the docs first response, but because this same pain had been happening every fall for a couple of years and because I had been riding a bunch of miles, (so he knew my core strength was good), I requested that we try the surgery. The biggest hurdle was convincing the insurance company that it was necessary and worthy of their funds. The neurosugeon had to send them some more stuff and it got approved, one day before the surgery. It definitely brought relief from the sciatic pain in my left leg.
Keep after the doc to get the surgery, it works.