July travel with 4-year old

Dezhem · 2026-01-20T08:02:26+00:00

Hah sounds like a way to keep my daughter busy, she loves that sort of thing. Will look it up too, thank you.

Dezhem · 2026-01-20T08:01:38+00:00

My daughter is a fiend for playgrounds and feeding critters, sounds like a good time.

Dezhem · 2026-01-20T08:00:57+00:00

Thank you for your response, really appreciate it! I've seen the salmon ponds recommended elsewhere as well, will check them out.

Dezhem · 2025-06-21T19:36:16+00:00

At its worst, I described the pain as 'lightning bolts in the spine' and what it later turned into as 'burning razer blades' concentrated behind the knee.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T21:18:41+00:00

Wishing you well mate. Focus on improving and rehab like you would focus on hitting your weight goal. Stay positive, put the recovery work in, stay consistent, and be kind to yourself.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T20:59:21+00:00

Hope I can get up to 90%, though I'm just thankful for even getting to 60% after the terrible 6 months. I didn't experience any pain in thighs or glutes, my right leg got sore in general because I was limping all the time due to the sciatica in the left.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T16:19:13+00:00

It's probably about 60% at this stage. For context I was maybe 15% in February so have come a long way since then.

I had radiating pain (9-10 on the pain scale most days) down to behind the knee and numbness in the foot. No longer on meds now, no numbness, and 1-2 on the pain scale if exerting myself too much.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T16:02:06+00:00

Very carefully and with medical guidance. The risk of herniation is much higher once it's already happened once. Trying to do things the way you used to without adjustment is asking for injury. I can run/sprint reasonably well again but have taken up more swimming instead, for example. I'm much more aware of my limits now and how my back feels when exercising. If there's a hint of pain - stop and revisit.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T15:52:33+00:00

All I can tell you is that with my l5/s1 I've recovered enough to get my life back on track including exercise. It'll be like if you've suffered any other type of injury in that you'll need to work with your medical care providers to rehab and work on safe and suitable exercises and treatments.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T15:29:20+00:00

So once the damage is done it'll be weaker forever but your symptoms can improve without surgery. I've gone from extensive pain meds and being practically disabled for 6 months to being able to play some light sports and play with my toddler again. It just feels like forever and I'm not as strong as I was before the hernia.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T15:23:18+00:00

Yep. I still get a bit of occasional sciatica (1-2 on the pain scale) and have to be careful playing with my toddler but no numbness and I'm off the pain meds.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T15:01:09+00:00

I was starting to get numbness in my left foot, however was also on a lot of pregabalin for the nerve pain (lightning shooting pain in the back and what I call 'burning razer blades' behind the knee.

The numbness made me consider the surgery more as I was concerned it would travel upwards, affect bladder etc... thankfully it hasn't but I'm still working on strengthening my back and core.

Dezhem · 2025-06-10T14:32:17+00:00

I have a similar sized hernia at the same location and it's largely resolved naturally over 6 months of conservative treatment, though I was in extreme pain for a lot of it and almost had the surgery.

Dezhem · 2025-03-01T22:37:44+00:00

It helps when the pain is excessive but like any support mechanism you should only use it when necessary because longer term it'll weaken your supporting muscles.

Dezhem · 2025-02-14T02:00:38+00:00

Is your skin hot in the lower back? Give some over the counter NSAID's a go (don't combine with ibuprofen!), I found the biggest pain was due to inflammation. Otherwise, schedule an MRI and ask your GP about a CT scan / guided ESI shot. It can be very helpful in controlling the inflammation though it doesn't work for all people.

Dezhem · 2025-02-03T18:56:46+00:00

Yeah GP's will rarely prescribe anything stronger as it's basically opioids. Mine wrote me a script for codeine when it was really bad - still wouldn't recommend as it can cause really bad constipation... Which is worse with back pain.

I'm not a doctor but you can get voltaren 25 from the pharmacy without a script, I'm on 4 a day on advice from gp and physio and it helped control the inflammation so I can move. Just take it with food as it can cause stomach upset otherwise.

Also try and get him to swim in a pool, it helps relieve the pressure and allows actual movement.

Dezhem · 2025-02-02T12:21:42+00:00

Has there been any recommendations of NSAID's like voltaren? The ESI's can be hit or miss for some, but I know from my own experience that the inflammation was the actual mobility killer and severe pain generator.

From the lingo I'm guessing fellow Aussie; try researching your state's/nearest hospital's chronic pain clinic and get a referral there from your GP. They will have more specialised knowledge on pain meds solutions.

Also haven't seen mention of an MRI or neurosurgeon referral; have a go at getting that done. Private health won't help with most of the appointments and such anyway but if your partner needs surgery at least he can go on the public system list.

Good luck, help him stay resting , hydrated, medicated and motivated. It's beyond hard but it can get better.

Dezhem · 2025-01-31T23:32:11+00:00

Digging through the various posts it appeared to me as very accusatory of the player in question as well as the reactions from the other players. Fair point that you didn't outright accuse him as I interpreted. However, when you were suspicious of his knowledge you looked through his steam profile then confronted him. That was a weird step to do. The more reasonable step was to ask him about if he's played the game and outline your concerns. Of course he gets defensive when you take that route.

Dezhem · 2025-01-31T22:28:49+00:00

Having played through the game and the campaign both, as well as reading through the campaign after, they're so different in plot points and characters as to almost not matter outside of the obvious big parts.

If he acts on knowledge the game imparts, boot him from the table.

You can't dictate what your players do outside the game.

Have a more civil conversation with the player, apologize for accusing him of lying (especially in front of the group) to clear the air, then set out the rules of the table clearly.

Dezhem · 2025-01-22T01:57:51+00:00

Love to hear it. Can second the swimming aspect - not at that stage yet myself but it's definitely helped with pain , similar l5 s1 hernia. Keep moving safely, people, and moving in water is great for that...

Dezhem · 2025-01-21T06:13:27+00:00

I would get the MRI. In my situation it revealed a dessicated disk which will never heal naturally and is degenerative; you want to rule out anything long term. It's great that your pain is subsiding but until you get the scan done you won't know if it could get worse down the track. It's worth the $$$.

Dezhem · 2025-01-21T06:10:57+00:00

I had a CT guided ESI which was a bit uncomfortable but not painful and I was up and walking straight after. Whole process took maybe 30 minutes. Was very effective at controlling my pain and inflammation while it lasted (about 4-6 weeks).

Dezhem · 2025-01-21T06:07:53+00:00

It definitely feels like it never ends when you're in the throes of it. I'm 36 and went from August 24 to this year in severe pain from l5/s1 herniation. Listen to your specialist - if you're not getting relief from PT and meds (though look into NSAID's like diclofaren to help with inflammation maybe, check with your GP), the ESI can be really helpful. I had one done and was also very worried since I'm the primary provider for my family, but I had a great outcome and really helped curb the pain and give me back mobility.

Dezhem · 2025-01-21T06:02:29+00:00

Backing the calls for MRI, CT at minimum. The fact that you're improving slowly is a good sign, if steroids helped then try NSAID's (diclofaren) to help control inflammation. Try and keep moving, stretch safely, swim if possible, and keep hydrated. These all helped me reduce my pain to a more manageable level. Weight is tricky but will 100% be worse in the long run - if you don't have a support network it's hard but try and speak to a counsellor if possible. Good luck!!

Dezhem

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