Finally realised maybe I do too much, LOL

[jkmt]

Oh, Hally, I feel for you. Swimming was on my physio list when I had a spinal fusion some years ago. Mind you, I'm not a waterbaby, so it was one of the exercises that didn't get done too often! It doesn't seem fair when you exercise for your wellbeing!

[dede]

Injuries are not fun for anyone. And a lot of them take weeks and weeks to improve (especially as we get a little older). I hope you have a speedy recovery Hally.

[andiesenji]

Thank you everyone, I am just really p****** off more than anything. I exercise to keep myself fit & healthy.

Mind you my xray showed a lovely spine with great spacing.

Andi, I must admit I thought swimming was good. I ended up doing the laps as the back & legs were sore so I thought I was doing the right thing.
Andi, How long did you take to heal?  Well done on fixing without surgery, surgery is not an option anyone wants.
H

I had to wear the rigid clamshell brace for 7 - 8 months but that was largely because of my age and osteoporosis. 
It has to be readjusted several times because my weight changed a bit and I had some skin irritation until they applied a neoprene lining with an inner lining of a silky fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin.  After the first six weeks I could take it off for sleep, as long as I didn't turn onto either side but I had an adjustable bed (still have it) so this worked okay.
After the clamshell was no longer needed, I continued to wear an open brace for several more months, when driving, when doing anything that might put stress on the vertebra.  During all this time I had a lot of nerve pain and some numbness here and there, mostly in my right leg and foot and there was some weakness in that leg.  I had several EMGs (electromyograms) to check the nerves in the leg, no fun at all, and a few MRIs to see how the bone was healing and if the discs were changing.  The one disc bulge was quite large but fortunately I have a large space for my spinal cord so it was not compressed too much and the disc bulge gradually shrunk over the next few years - the last MRI in '08 showed it was half the size it had been originally.  So time does heal, as long as there is no further injury to the area.  I don't do any heavy lifting or pushing, pulling on heavy things.  (Pushing a regular vacuum is very stressful and pulling the hose to the built in one is almost as bad so I just avoid it.)

[Halex]

Thanks jkmt & Dede.

Gosh Andie that is a long time to heal. Tou poor love.

Of course I want an instant fix!LOL, dont we all.

 Yesteray the pain woke me up at 4am. Today just a slight niggle, so hoping today is a good pain free, well close to it day. The pain varies daily

H

[Halex]

Went to the physio today. She strapped my back up.

She said my back was healthy & as I am fit & healrhy healing shoud be quick

Later down the track i will be able to swim breasstroke but not for the moment. Have exercises, can walk until my next appt which is thursday.

So news quite good

H

[dede]

Great to hear Hally. Fingers crossed you will be back to your normal routine soon.

[Cornish Cream]

Good news Hally that it should be a speedy recovery

[goldfish]

Really pleased to hear that, Hally.   But whatever you do, don't overdo anything!!

[Frozzie]

Good to hear your recovery should be quick and hope you get to enjoy your cruise ...

Dh still spends most days lying down and has to be careful about not losing sensation in his legs as apparently you Only have 6 hours to get to emergency before the muscle dies .. Was relevant in his case as the ciatique nerve is involved hence the ongoing pain and pins and needles.. He has to do regular self tests to check he still has the correct sensation in his leg.. Not fun stuff back probs...I've had enflamed discs in same region l5 but nerve isn't touched so I get by however the only exercise I'm allowed to do is swimming or aqua gym .. Everything else is out..

[Halex]

Thanks everyone

Goldfish,
I am being good I was going to go to the gym this morning BUT as we are leaving next week for our holiday I will wait until tomorrow morning or thursday morning. I am not rushing back into it.

Frozzie, your poor dh & aparantly L5 is the mst common area for people.

H

[cookie1]

Very pleasing news Hally.

[faffa_70]

Good news Hally!! 

Hopefully with your back being strapped up you will get some relief as well.

Please remember to take it easy and recover well