Pain in the butt and leg update

[coriolis]

I visited the neurosurgeon today. He looked at the MRI and noted disc degeneration in two discs and one bulging disc. The bulging disc explains the lack of a knee-strike reflex in my right leg, but the location of it does not explain the sciatica I had earlier. He ordered a hip x-ray because of possible bursitis in the hip joint.
The good news is that he feels that this is not a serious case and some improvement should be possible. He wants me to lose weight (I already dropped from 231 on Aug 1st to 216 this evening.) As far as activity, he said, "let the pain be your guide." He indicated that at this point, I do not belong in the hospital, and surgery would not make any improvemnt. He did not note any muscle weakness which is an improvement, (I did have that a month ago) and the sciatica has not returned. I plan to get down to about 195 and cautiously get back on the bike. I believe that overtraining on hills earlier this summer brought this on because I was really crunching on some steep hills and carrying about 40 pounds too much.

[Stephanie]

Well, it sounds like it is a work-in-progress and it great that it is nothing serious. Congratulations on your weight loss and keep up the good work!

[weatherlover427]

Congratulations Ed! I am glad that your injury is not that serious. I pray for a speedy recovery.

[azsnowman]

All right Jr.....I mean Ed "LOL!"

Sounds like your on the right track....the spinal thing, could that be the fact *we* aren't getting any younger?

The weight loss........BRAVO!!! I "had" dropped over 56 lbs this past summer on the Atkins diet, but with cooler weather settin' in......I "LOVE" my carbs way, way, waaaayyyy too much!

Dennis

[Miss Mary]

Ed - I have no experience in this area but it sounds like you're on track too. Keep up the weight loss, that's just great!!!! I found a sure-fire way to lose weight myself......4 years ago. Such a simple thing, really. I'd be glad to share it with you. I eat for 12 hours and then stop for about 12, each 24 hour period. Breakfast by 7 a.m. (yogurt, half a bagel, cereal, banana for examples, 1 or 2 of these), light lunch (half of a turkey sandwhich, side salad, soup, etc.), afternoon snack, good dinner (regular sized portions) and then stop all solids by 7 p.m. If I was hungry in the evenings, I'd just drink at least 8 ounces of water. By doing this you trick your stomach into thinking it's full. By the time I went to bed, my dinner was already digested. Compare this routine to the year before (1998), hubby and I would tape our TV programs since the kids were little then and settle down at 10 to watch them. With a big snack. Then watch the news and turn in by 11:30. All that food just sat in my stomach - I slept terribly then too. Another plus!!! One I never would have believed until I tried it. I'd say about 80% of the time I still eat this way. And when I do have a late evening snack, I just don't feel well now. I actually did this for another reason, but the weight fell off too. Another benefit!!!

Sure hope you're on your way to a good recovery. No surgery too - that's a plus.

[coriolis]

Yes Mary, ditto on the glass of water and nothing before bedtime. I basically cut out everything between meals (I was a big snacker) and eliminated "seconds" at meals. With my level of activity, it works pretty well for me.

Yes too, Dennis, we are not getting any younger, dangit. Time to conserve what we have left, eh?

Josh and Steph, thanks for your loyal support

[azsnowman]

Ed........did you have a previous back injury? I injured mine way back when I was cutting meat, now, any little thing will throw it out and cause the pain in the butt. "IF" it comes down to surgery, personnaly, I would get a 2nd, 3rd opinion on it.....I've known too many good, strong men who have had that kinda surgery, they are now frail, hunched over little men that can't lift a cup of coffee without extreme pain.

Dennis

[coriolis]

Not to my knowledge, Dennis. I wrestled and played football in highschool, but never had a back injury. I suppose that with age, things are not what they used to be, so eventually something just gave out.

We baby boomers will NOT age gracefully. We are used to having it "our way" and will go kicking and screaming.

[Miss Mary]

Agree on we baby boomers going kicking and screaming. We will fight aging big time!!!! I was at the hospital/med arts building the other day, doctor check-up, and saw a sign posted near the elevators. Senior Fitness Class - ages 50 and up, please join, blah blah blah. I'm thinking - Seniors, 50 and up? What's wrong with this picture? LOL That is just 2 years away for me folks. I'm kicking and screaming already......

[JCT777]

Ed - congrats on the weight loss. Wish I had the dedication to shed some extra pounds myself!

Also, I hope that the problem is not serious and that it will get better in time.

[coriolis]

LOL Mary. Something IS wrong with that picture! The definition of "senior" should be raised.
Nope, no rocking chair for me (he said defiantly)

John, you can do it. We should start a board called the "kicking and screaming"

[Stephanie]

Not to my knowledge, Dennis. I wrestled and played football in highschool, but never had a back injury. I suppose that with age, things are not what they used to be, so eventually something just gave out.

We baby boomers will NOT age gracefully. We are used to having it "our way" and will go kicking and screaming.

The makers of Botox just love us!!!

[Pburgh]

Did someone say seniors???? You better raise that age pretty high!!!!!!

Great job Ed!!!!!! It also sounds like you have a very good doctor. When you have a surgeon who is not recommending surgery, that says a lot for him!!!!

((Hugs)) to you my friend - keep up the good work!!
Karan