Originally Posted by jc907

I had a L5 - S1 discectomy to address a compressed nerve that was causing extreme lower back/sciatic pain and loss of feelings in my legs and butt. It was the result of jumping in and out of trucks day in and day out for 18 months in Iraq. I was often the teams SAW gunner which meant I carried the heaviest loadout (about 100 lbs.) of ammo and weapons (SAW, rifle and about 1500 rounds of ammo). The trucks were older South African armored vehicles that were at least a couple of feet off the deck. Jumping in and out of them at 46 years old apparently didn't agree with my lower spine.