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Degenerative Disc Issues

As I read all of your posts I feel sympathy for ya'll. My thyroid is my only medical issue at this point in time.
As I say, keep moving on the mats!
 
Avoiding back surgery, if that is possible, is a very good idea.
 
Oof scary, I had a car accident when I was 18 that messed up my back, I had a few ct scans recently due to some other health concerns. 1st dr pointed it out degenerative degrading discs etc like c8-c10 or something and other doctors kinda ignored it, didn't bother to even bring it up.

Last doctor I asked right about it and he said oh yeah, that's gonna be a problem for you in 10-20 years, but not now and showed me a normal relaxed disc and how mine was compressed already and spacing was not as consistent as normal, grrereat
 
ST Guy said:
Avoiding back surgery, if that is possible, is a very good idea.
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One can take that too far and lose out on a lot of good years. While every surgery carries risk, sometimes not having surgery has equal or greater risk. In my experience, while these weren’t fun, they have left me miles better off.
 
Have a friend who did Stem Cells recently; had several bad breaks from a race accident on stand-up; hit by another rider. It did wonders for him....like, Wonders.
 
Research on uses for stem cells continue to show new promise.
 
65, huh...Closer to the end than the beginning...
Thanks Captain Obvious...
I wish I could recommend Physical Therapy or some other motion exercise...
But...I've tried all of it and...
Some movement everyday is essential...Even if it's just a short walk...caveat, of course, you're still ambulatory...
I had a mild/major/debilitating stroke however many years ago that was...
Pro-Tip...Don't have a stroke

My right leg and arm lost some of their connection to my brain...If that makes sense...
If I'm walking without a cane or scooter type gizmo...Most people look at me like I'm drunk...
Which can be a positive AND a negative.
The best thing I've found...
Massage...AND hot tubs...really hot...Harbin Hot Springs hot...With warm or cool water intervals...
Water is of little or no impact...Plus, I'm a Pisces...
Pain is a different animal...Alcohol...Marijuana, in whatever form works for you...
Anything else is a mindfuck...

It doesn't hurt if I don't let it...right?

Good luck.
 
tzrider said:
One can take that too far and lose out on a lot of good years. While every surgery carries risk, sometimes not having surgery has equal or greater risk. In my experience, while these weren’t fun, they have left me miles better off.
Click to expand...

I had two cervical fusions 4 years apart way back in the '90's. First one was a no-brainer and (almost) an emergency (one week from diag to operation). It had to be fused as I was in a lot of pain and couldn't use my arms. Second one was a judgment call as it wasn't so clear cut and was told it might clear on its own. I saw the top doc in Indianapolis that worked with the Colts. He warned me that everyone is going to say wait and put off surgery as long as possible but if you wait too long the nerve is permanently damaged and surgery won't help. His advice was to wait 6 months and if I was still in pain or still had weakness, numbness or tingling in my left arm/hand (signs of nerve damage) then get it fused. 6mo later I got it fused. I still deal with pain and left arm is a bit weak but I am functional with occasional bad days.

As far as on-going treatment, as others have said, keep moving. After the surgeries I joined a gym around 2000 and go at least every other day. Work on core, posture and stretching especially if you ride a desk at work. BTW, before the first surgery I was terrified I was going to be permanently crippled. However, my research showed that C-spine fusions are +90% successful. It is an easy operation because of easy access from the front. Lower back fusions are much harder due to access from the back and success rate is only about 50-60% at least back in the '90's. It might be higher now but I doubt it is anywhere near 90%.
 
ST Guy said:
A stroke will, most definitely, change your life.
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Nah...It's been a cakewalk...
"The sarcasm is strong in this one"
Thanks Darth

Yup...The disconnection is tough...But the constant fear of losing my balance...
I'll never get used to that.
 
dmfdmf said:
I had two cervical fusions 4 years apart way back in the '90's. First one was a no-brainer and (almost) an emergency (one week from diag to operation). It had to be fused as I was in a lot of pain and couldn't use my arms. Second one was a judgment call as it wasn't so clear cut and was told it might clear on its own. I saw the top doc in Indianapolis that worked with the Colts. He warned me that everyone is going to say wait and put off surgery as long as possible but if you wait too long the nerve is permanently damaged and surgery won't help. His advice was to wait 6 months and if I was still in pain or still had weakness, numbness or tingling in my left arm/hand (signs of nerve damage) then get it fused. 6mo later I got it fused. I still deal with pain and left arm is a bit weak but I am functional with occasional bad days.

As far as on-going treatment, as others have said, keep moving. After the surgeries I joined a gym around 2000 and go at least every other day. Work on core, posture and stretching especially if you ride a desk at work. BTW, before the first surgery I was terrified I was going to be permanently crippled. However, my research showed that C-spine fusions are +90% successful. It is an easy operation because of easy access from the front. Lower back fusions are much harder due to access from the back and success rate is only about 50-60% at least back in the '90's. It might be higher now but I doubt it is anywhere near 90%.
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Cervical fusions...the bones that make up my spine, right?
Cuz when I hear cervical...cervix...girly stuff...
Nope

My right arm tingles 24/7...plus the 7 pills I take everyday...
Make me a bruise machine...
Plus...Fuck...Don't get me started.

:teeth
 
Holeshot said:
Have a friend who did Stem Cells recently; had several bad breaks from a race accident on stand-up; hit by another rider. It did wonders for him....like, Wonders.
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Good to hear.

On the other hand, the remark is a good example of why diagnostic imaging is critical. If the issue is nerve impingement because of stenosis (abnormal bone growth) stem calls won’t be very helpful. They don’t ungrow bone.

Helpful in recovering nerve function after decompression? Possible.
 
I still need to get an MRI for the shoulder. I fluffed it because that tube is too G-Damn small for wide shoulders and I am a wimp. My left shoulder is pretty screwed up. Pain everyday and it certainly hurts like hell stretching it trying to keep the arthritis at bay. Some screwed up gears in the shoulder tranny.
 
Anyone done Shockwave therapy??

I am considering trying it.
 
budman said:
I still need to get an MRI for the shoulder. I fluffed it because that tube is too G-Damn small for wide shoulders and I am a wimp. My left shoulder is pretty screwed up. Pain everyday and it certainly hurts like hell stretching it trying to keep the arthritis at bay. Some screwed up gears in the shoulder tranny.
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I know your pain, 10 years since I was diagnosed with moderate arthritis in my left shoulder. First circuit through the gym is brutal, 2nd circuit is better after I've broken off the new spars in my bones. Once a week I have to work on my shoulder flexibility and that's a brutal thing, I"m sweating like a pig by the time I"m done.

But, I"ll be goddamned if I'm going to let arthritis own me, I"ll keep working through the pain.

As to strokes, yeah, they're bad news and will definitely change your life. Haven't had any myself, but have had friends and family members (father, grandfather) who had one change their life.
 
See these are the sorts of conversations, that when I see a nice day out my window like today I'm thinking, should I be working or is it time to quit and go ride all year again :laughing but I guess I'll need money for healthcare later on so, off to work I go!
 
Climber said:
I"ll be goddamned if I'm going to let arthritis own me, I"ll keep working through the pain.
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Hopefully you never get any serious nerve pain... it doesn't give you that option.
It's kinda like trying "work through" being hit with a taser. :laughing
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