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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sciatica (Page 1 of 2)

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12/17/2015 1:51:36 PM EDT
I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Been dealing with it for 3 months. It was starting to get much better and than today I was just standing up and had a sudden sharp pain down my right leg that almost knocked me over. Now I can barely walk and it hurts to even sit down. Feels like someone is stabbing a nerve in my leg with a knife and twisting it Pain so bad that you almost feel like blacking out. Goes from my glute to my foot
12/17/2015 1:52:39 PM EDT
[#1]
Herniated disk at L5/S1?
12/17/2015 1:54:17 PM EDT
[#2]
Get yourself an inversion table. They are not expensive and easy to use.
12/17/2015 1:54:29 PM EDT
[#3]
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Herniated disk at L5/S1?
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I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
12/17/2015 1:54:58 PM EDT
[#4]
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Get yourself an inversion table. They are not expensive and easy to use.
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I actually got a really nice one and have been using it for a week but it feels like it's making it worse, no improvement
12/17/2015 1:56:51 PM EDT
[#5]

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I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
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Quoted:

Herniated disk at L5/S1?




I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
When mine went, it felt like the back of my right leg was burning from the inside out.  Couldn't walk more than 10 feet or so without having to take a break.  Could walk at all without being hunched over.  Couldn't sit for more than a few minutes at a time.



It sucked.



 
12/17/2015 1:58:50 PM EDT
[#6]
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When mine went, it felt like the back of my right leg was burning from the inside out.  Couldn't walk more than 10 feet or so without having to take a break.  Could walk at all without being hunched over.  Couldn't sit for more than a few minutes at a time.

It sucked.
 
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Herniated disk at L5/S1?


I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
When mine went, it felt like the back of my right leg was burning from the inside out.  Couldn't walk more than 10 feet or so without having to take a break.  Could walk at all without being hunched over.  Couldn't sit for more than a few minutes at a time.

It sucked.
 


I'm getting that burning feeling in my foot. And worst of all I have a cold and keep coughing and every cough causes an unbearable pain down my leg.

Did you cure yours?
12/17/2015 2:00:29 PM EDT
[#7]

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I'm getting that burning feeling in my foot. And worst of all I have a cold and keep coughing and every cough causes an unbearable pain down my leg.



Did you cure yours?
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Quoted:


Quoted:


Quoted:

Herniated disk at L5/S1?




I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
When mine went, it felt like the back of my right leg was burning from the inside out.  Couldn't walk more than 10 feet or so without having to take a break.  Could walk at all without being hunched over.  Couldn't sit for more than a few minutes at a time.



It sucked.

 




I'm getting that burning feeling in my foot. And worst of all I have a cold and keep coughing and every cough causes an unbearable pain down my leg.



Did you cure yours?
Surgery.  Been almost 10 years and no more problems.



 
12/17/2015 2:01:47 PM EDT
[#8]
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Surgery.  Been almost 10 years and no more problems.
 
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Herniated disk at L5/S1?


I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
When mine went, it felt like the back of my right leg was burning from the inside out.  Couldn't walk more than 10 feet or so without having to take a break.  Could walk at all without being hunched over.  Couldn't sit for more than a few minutes at a time.

It sucked.
 


I'm getting that burning feeling in my foot. And worst of all I have a cold and keep coughing and every cough causes an unbearable pain down my leg.

Did you cure yours?
Surgery.  Been almost 10 years and no more problems.
 


How much did it cost? Is it possible to go away without surgery?
12/17/2015 2:03:17 PM EDT
[#9]
Had a bout of sciatica year and a half ago.  Tried to work it out by stretching.  Only made it worse.

Went to my chiropractic doctor and he treated it successfully. Been getting stronger ever since.

Go NOW before the nerve gets pinched.

Your body is talking to you.
12/17/2015 2:04:46 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
Had a bout of sciatica year and a half ago.  Tried to work it out by stretching.  Only made it worse.

Went to my chiropractic doctor and he treated it successfully. Been getting stronger ever since.

Go NOW before the nerve gets pinched.

Your body is talking to you.
View Quote


Wouldn't my nerve already be pinched if I'm feeling it all the way down my right leg?

I think I'll try a chiropractor
12/17/2015 2:07:09 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
Get yourself an inversion table. They are not expensive and easy to use.
View Quote

X infinity!!!!!  I would not be alive today if I didn't happen to have one
12/17/2015 2:08:21 PM EDT
[#12]
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Quoted:

X infinity!!!!!  I would not be alive today if I didn't happen to have one
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Get yourself an inversion table. They are not expensive and easy to use.

X infinity!!!!!  I would not be alive today if I didn't happen to have one


I don't know why it's not working for me. I was hanging on it for about 10-15 minutes a day for a week

When I'm upside down it feels okay but as soon as I go back upright the pain comes back twice as bad
12/17/2015 2:08:32 PM EDT
[#13]
I know exactly what you're going through, I had to have back surgery in 2004 (at 23 years old) for a herniated disc (rock climbing accident)

Go get it checked out, its not going to get better on its own. The nerve damage can lead to some bad things eventually if not taken care of
12/17/2015 2:09:25 PM EDT
[#14]
L4/L5 for me. My leg finally went numb from the knee down. It still hurts like hell from the hip to the knee though. When mine really acts up my goto is ice pack, inversion table, and a tens unit. I went and saw a neurosurgeon and he told me to come back when i started dragging my leg. I know the pain, and it really sucks. Pain relievers didn't help me either.

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12/17/2015 2:10:01 PM EDT
[#15]


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How much did it cost? Is it possible to go away without surgery?


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Surgery.  Been almost 10 years and no more problems.


 






How much did it cost? Is it possible to go away without surgery?


$100 copay. No idea what the insurance company paid.





Cortisone injections help some people.  So does seeing a chiro.




 
 
12/17/2015 2:10:01 PM EDT
[#16]
Not necessarily, it likely just pressure being place on the nerve.

I waited too long, should have gone to get help sooner. My nerve got pinched.  By the time I got to the office I could not move my legs. Doc came out and carried me in.

I don't have any other issues with my back.  PS, I did walk ok after treatment.
12/17/2015 2:10:15 PM EDT
[#17]
OP, I've been dealing with this for almost 2 years.  

Be very careful cuz a pinch will put you down, but hard!  Like hospital level death-pain.

Take 4 ibuprofin every 4 hrs as it's an anti-inflammatory.  Ice your low back, about where the top of your crack is and to the right.  Ice on 10 and off 10.  Do not try to flex right now.  See your chiro but NO TWISTING adjustments or you'll be very sorry.

Plan to get an X-Ray and MRI and see an orthopedist.  If it's a bad rupture at L5-S1, you may need some epidural injection of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory steroid into the injured area.

Monitor your urination and bowels to be sure they work properly.  If you find you can't go, get to the ER immediately cuz of nerve impingement to those systems.

God Bless....Prayers sent

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12/17/2015 2:11:20 PM EDT
[#18]
Does your calf muscle still work?  If it's been this long although I love my inversion table, you can end up with permanent nerve damage.  That nerve also affects your bowels so be warned.  I went a year before seeing a Dr and should have gone sooner.  However I think if I had had an inversion table back in those days I probably could have avoided surgery.  They came out shortly afterwards and were extremely expensive.
12/17/2015 2:11:41 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:
Get yourself an inversion table. They are not expensive and easy to use.
View Quote


This!! I got one of the not famous brand ones for 87 bucks. What a huge difference.
12/17/2015 2:11:44 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
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Wouldn't my nerve already be pinched if I'm feeling it all the way down my right leg?

I think I'll try a chiropractor
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Quoted:
Had a bout of sciatica year and a half ago.  Tried to work it out by stretching.  Only made it worse.

Went to my chiropractic doctor and he treated it successfully. Been getting stronger ever since.

Go NOW before the nerve gets pinched.

Your body is talking to you.


Wouldn't my nerve already be pinched if I'm feeling it all the way down my right leg?

I think I'll try a chiropractor

As a field, I like chiropractic.

But make sure you go to a place that has on-site radiology, or at least sends you out for an x-ray before they do adjustments.  The one chiropractor I didn't like (out of the half-doze or so I've been to) did not do x-rays and otherwise seemed more hokey than the others.  The better ones were often also attached to sport/occupational therapy centers.
12/17/2015 2:12:16 PM EDT
[#21]
I got it last year, and my right shin is still numb.
Doctor told me the only thing I can do it ride it out.  fuuuuck!

I didn't spring for an inversion table, but I got myself a roller tube thing to roll my back and sides on.
12/17/2015 2:14:24 PM EDT
[#22]
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L4/L5 for me. My leg finally went numb from the knee down. It still hurts like hell from the hip to the knee though. When mine really acts up my goto is ice pack, inversion table, and a tens unit. I went and saw a neurosurgeon and he told me to come back when i started dragging my leg. I know the pain, and it really sucks. Pain relievers didn't help me either.
View Quote


See if they'll prescribe you some Neutontin / Gabapentin for the nerve pain.  It def helped me

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12/17/2015 2:15:02 PM EDT
[#23]

Quoted:


I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Been dealing with it for 3 months. It was starting to get much better and than today I was just standing up and had a sudden sharp pain down my right leg that almost knocked me over. Now I can barely walk and it hurts to even sit down. Feels like someone is stabbing a nerve in my leg with a knife and twisting it Pain so bad that you almost feel like blacking out. Goes from my glute to my foot
View Quote




 
I've had that along with other nerve pain from herniated discs.




I sympathize.




The only thing that helps it when it gets really bad is opioid painkillers. For me, anyway.  YMMV
12/17/2015 2:16:06 PM EDT
[#24]
WhyTanFox makes a good point; find a Chiro doc who takes a x ray before hand. I have been to this particular doc for a while and at the first visit started by taking a x ray.
12/17/2015 2:17:39 PM EDT
[#25]
I think chiropractors in Somalia are called witch doctors. Be careful.
12/17/2015 2:19:09 PM EDT
[#26]
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  I've had that along with other nerve pain from herniated discs.


I sympathize.


The only thing that helps it when it gets really bad is opioid painkillers. For me, anyway.  YMMV
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Quoted:
I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Been dealing with it for 3 months. It was starting to get much better and than today I was just standing up and had a sudden sharp pain down my right leg that almost knocked me over. Now I can barely walk and it hurts to even sit down. Feels like someone is stabbing a nerve in my leg with a knife and twisting it Pain so bad that you almost feel like blacking out. Goes from my glute to my foot

  I've had that along with other nerve pain from herniated discs.


I sympathize.


The only thing that helps it when it gets really bad is opioid painkillers. For me, anyway.  YMMV


I had tried a painkiller when it first started acting up, zero affect
12/17/2015 2:21:20 PM EDT
[#27]

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I had tried a painkiller when it first started acting up, zero affect
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Quoted:


Quoted:

I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Been dealing with it for 3 months. It was starting to get much better and than today I was just standing up and had a sudden sharp pain down my right leg that almost knocked me over. Now I can barely walk and it hurts to even sit down. Feels like someone is stabbing a nerve in my leg with a knife and twisting it Pain so bad that you almost feel like blacking out. Goes from my glute to my foot


  I've had that along with other nerve pain from herniated discs.





I sympathize.





The only thing that helps it when it gets really bad is opioid painkillers. For me, anyway.  YMMV





I had tried a painkiller when it first started acting up, zero affect




 
Damn.



Maybe try physical therapy?  It helped a lot with the arm pain I had after a major C6-C7 herniation.  
12/17/2015 2:21:31 PM EDT
[#28]
I had that problem a few years ago. Chiropractor fixed it in about three trips. Find one tied to sports.

I still have to be careful with my back but that was there before the sciatica.
12/17/2015 2:24:09 PM EDT
[#29]
Good luck and get to the Doc asap.
I've been dealing with it off and on for almost 15 years and it;s no fun.
12/17/2015 2:26:44 PM EDT
[#30]
Yep, even after my surgery 10 years ago one wrong twist and I am in the painhouse.

Yoga has helped me a lot as well, specifically "Yin Yoga"
12/17/2015 2:27:49 PM EDT
[#31]
Have chronic sciatica - it comes and goes, with several months between bouts. Chiropractor is the only solution I've found.

Get a good one, though - one that actually applies force to your body, not just eagle feathers and incense. They need to get a knee on you and twist the heck out of you to get those vertebrae to move and ease the pressure.
12/17/2015 2:30:49 PM EDT
[#32]
Don't spend so long on the inversion table.  3-5 minutes should be all you need.  Once fully inverted do a few crunches.  That will usually shift my back back into alignment.  Then go back to just a slight incline or even level and just lay there a while before trying to get off.  One of the problems you are most likely having right now is that when you hurt your back, the muscles go into spasms to try and protect from further injury.  Until you are able to get your body to totally relax, inversion often want do the trick.  Give it some time.
12/17/2015 2:44:07 PM EDT
[#33]
Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica!  Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica! Sciatica!
12/17/2015 2:47:36 PM EDT
[#34]
I had no idea those tables were so cheap, any recommendations?
12/17/2015 3:07:22 PM EDT
[#35]
Been dealing with it for 17 years.  My best advice, outside of surgery, is to strengthen your core.  Abdoominals and obliques.  Work the shit out of them and keep your weight in check.  The pain will go away for most.
12/17/2015 3:13:25 PM EDT
[#36]
<--- Have it.

I swim and walk to deal with it.
12/17/2015 3:23:42 PM EDT
[#37]
Ruptured L5/S1 (GO ARMY LoL). Appt. with a nuerosurgeon in a week or so.  My Dr. described it as "your jelly doughnut done gone and lost all it's jelly".
12/17/2015 3:28:44 PM EDT
[#38]
I've had two bouts with sciatica this year. Back around April was first, I just took Advil and roughed it out. Really sucked and took a month to go away.

Then in September it was back. Went to the doctor. He had me take it easy for 3 days or so. Basically lay down for two hours, then get up and walk around. Once it hurts again, lay down for 2 hours. I was back to normal in about a week.

Now I'm keeping documentation on it. Next time it comes back I'm going to the VA for disability since I'm sure it's service connected.
12/17/2015 3:32:17 PM EDT
[#39]
I know exactly what you're going through.  I had a disc bulge that was pushing on the nerve, affecting my left leg.  The pain is unbearable.  I got regular steroid injections in my spine for about a year and those really helped.  Core exercises and stretching also helped.  I've been mostly pain-free for three years now.  I'm not sure why it went away but I've kept up with the exercises and stretching.  Also need to be extremely careful when lifting.  You don't want to re-injure it.
12/17/2015 3:34:05 PM EDT
[#40]
I has it on and off. Google McKenzie exercises. they will help. Do the push up one 8-10 times a day for 10 reps throughout the day. The key to them is bending the back as hard back as you can. I have my wife step on my back and push my shoulders back. But that's me. Ask a doc before doing it. When I first did them I didn't push back with force, now I do and works way better now.
12/17/2015 3:59:09 PM EDT
[#41]
Been there done that. Quit wasting time even thinking of a Chiropractor.  I tried that shit, and finally asked her when was this shit supposed to stop the pain?  After my insurance says enough?  Went to a Ortho back doc and had a double laminectomy. I had two herniated discs that were squeezing the nerves. You're going to have to have an MRI done, then a good possibility of surgery.  
Co-worker is going through this and they did a laser burning of the nerve that kills it temporarily.  It lets you walk and talk without pain meds while the disc try's to heal itself, but severe situations this won't work.
Just don't fuck around and wait too long. Permanent damage can occur. EDIT: 3 months already? FFFFFUUUUUUCCCKKKKK!  You're destroying that nerve.  Hope your dick works when all is done;
Hopefully you can get help in Somalia   Post your real location and someone in your area might be able to make a recommendation.
12/17/2015 4:03:05 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote History
Quoted:
I've had two bouts with sciatica this year. Back around April was first, I just took Advil and roughed it out. Really sucked and took a month to go away.

Then in September it was back. Went to the doctor. He had me take it easy for 3 days or so. Basically lay down for two hours, then get up and walk around. Once it hurts again, lay down for 2 hours. I was back to normal in about a week.

Now I'm keeping documentation on it. Next time it comes back I'm going to the VA for disability since I'm sure it's service connected.
View Quote



I have degenerative disk disease and just had a bout of sciatica, the pain is gone but my big toe has been moving by itself for almost two weeks coupled with some loss of sensitivity in my calf and toes. The doctor just told me to do some exercises and just ride it out, come back in 8 weeks if the numbness doesn’t go away. I think mine is service related to, but I got out in 97 to late to go to the VA
12/17/2015 4:03:14 PM EDT
[#43]
Had sciatica. Herniated disk, L5. Lived with it for a year till I started collapsing from the pain. Had to have back surgery to correct the issue, as I was too far beyond what physical therapy could do. It's been 7 years since my surgery, and have had no issues. I agree with OP, in that it is a pain I wish on no one. I feel for you, and don't be hard headed like I was and just get it checked out.
12/17/2015 4:04:51 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote History
Quoted:
Had a bout of sciatica year and a half ago.  Tried to work it out by stretching.  Only made it worse.

Went to my chiropractic doctor and he treated it successfully. Been getting stronger ever since.

Go NOW before the nerve gets pinched.

Your body is talking to you.
View Quote



^ Well said brother.

Get that adjusted for a stint. Surgery can always be an option but shouldn't do it until conservative treatment exhausted.
12/17/2015 4:08:03 PM EDT
[#45]
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I don't know why it's not working for me. I was hanging on it for about 10-15 minutes a day for a week

When I'm upside down it feels okay but as soon as I go back upright the pain comes back twice as bad
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get yourself an inversion table. They are not expensive and easy to use.

X infinity!!!!!  I would not be alive today if I didn't happen to have one


I don't know why it's not working for me. I was hanging on it for about 10-15 minutes a day for a week

When I'm upside down it feels okay but as soon as I go back upright the pain comes back twice as bad



You sound like you're doing too much. Ice afterwards.  If you already have a disc bulge, could be inflaming it and actually irritating it right now.

Chiro-alignment should help reduce the inflammation and then doing traction after that should be more beneficial.
12/17/2015 4:12:57 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote History
Quoted:


I'm getting that burning feeling in my foot. And worst of all I have a cold and keep coughing and every cough causes an unbearable pain down my leg.

Did you cure yours?
View Quote View All Quotes
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Herniated disk at L5/S1?


I haven't been to the doctor yet but at this point I'm guessing it's a herniated disc for sure
When mine went, it felt like the back of my right leg was burning from the inside out.  Couldn't walk more than 10 feet or so without having to take a break.  Could walk at all without being hunched over.  Couldn't sit for more than a few minutes at a time.

It sucked.
 


I'm getting that burning feeling in my foot. And worst of all I have a cold and keep coughing and every cough causes an unbearable pain down my leg.

Did you cure yours?


I had similar symptoms and thought it was my back. I tried to suffer through it, but the pain got so bad after 4 weeks that I could not walk or get out of bed.  It turned out to be a torn left piriformis muscle (connects spine to femur) that was causing swelling of my CI joint.  Steroids, surgery and physical therapy cured me.  Total recovery took about 10 months.


12/17/2015 4:15:58 PM EDT
[#47]
L5-S1 for me.  Had three cortisone shots this year and I'm doing a lot better.  Apparently the disc can heal it's self with time, which I hope is what is happening in my case.  Get an mri asap to see for sure if it's a disc.  If it is the chiropractor can't do shit for you.  I figured that one out the hard way.  Back problems are nothing to fuck with, good luck.
12/17/2015 4:20:22 PM EDT
[#48]
I've gotten to where I can feel the beginnings of it, so I stretch like mad for days and days to make sure I don't get it really bad.  

Sorry, can't contribute anything else.  Maybe after you get it to calm down some stretching will help.  There are several yoga poses that are like a magic switch for it.

12/17/2015 4:23:33 PM EDT
[#49]
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See if they'll prescribe you some Neutontin / Gabapentin for the nerve pain.  It def helped me

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L4/L5 for me. My leg finally went numb from the knee down. It still hurts like hell from the hip to the knee though. When mine really acts up my goto is ice pack, inversion table, and a tens unit. I went and saw a neurosurgeon and he told me to come back when i started dragging my leg. I know the pain, and it really sucks. Pain relievers didn't help me either.


See if they'll prescribe you some Neutontin / Gabapentin for the nerve pain.  It def helped me

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile



I tried that. To many weird side effects for me. I still take them sometimes when it gets really bad though.

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12/17/2015 4:53:25 PM EDT
[#50]
Had two movers come to get all the furniture out of ours pods back in to our house. Had all new hardwood put down, sanded and stained. No more carpet. Anyway I had to help. Back was in spasms, went to take a step and right leg collapsed. Hit the ground and laid for a minute. Guys helped me up, and now furniture is in and I am on ice packs with wedge pillow under my knees. L4/5/6 S1 & C4/5/6. Too many years of heavy lifting, hare scrambles, GNCC type riding. Broken tail bone at 40 MPH wheelie gone bad started it all 15-17 years ago. And too many "shit I can make that hill, jump,dive,flip,etc.
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sciatica (Page 1 of 2)