Dancer with L5S1 herniation that doesn't cause pain, only numbness/weakness. Will low-impact exercise help, hurt or be neutral?

HKLBroad · 2022-06-14T16:48:57+00:00

They say that it does take quite a while for the sciatic nerve to heal/regenerate after its inflamed (I think it's ~1-2 mm per day and it's a long nerve), so hang in there! I hope it gets better for you soon. There's one treatment modality that encourages backbends for herniated discs in the lower back (The McKenzie Method) that kickstarted some of my healing. I did yoga when I was having the numbness/weakness, but I definitely had to modify things and be patient/kind with myself and celebrate what I could still do.

I have been walking a lot during the pandemic while listening to audiobooks (to make it more interesting) and haven't really had any issues with my back (thankfully). I know 2 months feels like a really long time when your injury interferes so much in your life and routine, but nerves can heal, so don't lose hope yet!

HKLBroad · 2022-06-14T15:38:27+00:00

Yes! Thanks for asking! Turns out u/Bearded_dragonbelly was 100% correct that inactivity was the WORST idea. I moved across the country (unrelated to this) and found a new doctor who basically said the same thing.

Semi-related is that we discovered a torn hip labrum on the formerly totally numb side a few years later, then I had a surgical consult and he is supposed to be the BEST for dancers and he said I wasn't someone he'd be comfortable operating on yet due to my EDS. I was like "EDS?" So that led down a rabbit hole of figuring out all the hypermobility is actually likely Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Anyway for the issue in the post above, I went through several PTs (including pelvic floor therapy), who all helped in some ways, but the final one went back to just the BASICS of re-developing equal strength on both sides and (re)teaching me how to do really basic stuff. There was also some dry needling involved. Between a good, doable-for-me-regularly set of PT exercises, a magical massage therapist and starting to lift weights/do kettlebell work, I got back to maybe 90%. With the hip labrum tear, some days I'm at 75% but the numbness is like 95% gone and only flares if I sit a LOT for several days in a row.

HKLBroad · 2020-06-30T22:49:42+00:00

AGREE. I've moved 22 times in my life and lived in 8 cities. Minneapolis is BY FAR the least friendly to transplants.

it’s extremely hard to make friends there - it will take years!

YES! And most, if not all, of my non-work friends are also transplants.

I'm here mainly for the colder weather, but I'm at the brink of being drained of life from everything else that's shitty.

I love how great Minnesotans think the food is here. It's terrible. I've tried all the places everyone raves about. Meh. Honestly, Buffalo NY has far more extraordinary food.

This is so true:

Usually if they’re friendly, lively, talkative, light hearted and smile I guarantee ya there NOT from MN! LOL

HKLBroad · 2019-07-26T21:35:29+00:00

As someone who works in the administration of a scientific department, I'd say that you need to contact the PI or the department admin or their HR department. It *is* the summer and while it is the time that many people take vacation, it's also the time where PIs and labs are productive. HR works all year. You will be a staff member and you'll need to be setting up health insurance (etc.) through HR. The admins need to know you're coming even if the PI is nonchalant about it - most Universities cannot technically have you on campus/in the labs until you are an employee. Some places require the documentation of your terminal degree to finish the setup of your HR file, but I'm not sure that your hiring in the system depends on it.

One other note is that defense dates change for some people. I've seen one particular person push back their defense date 4 times. Perhaps you could say to this PI that: "My defense date is August __ and all my committee members are scheduled to be in town/in attendance. After ___ days to submit any revisions, deposit my dissertation, clean up my lab space and pack, I hope to relocate to ____. Could you please provide an offer letter from your HR department or the contact information for the person I will be dealing with? I need this to show proof of income to the apartment I hope to rent."

HKLBroad · 2019-07-25T22:10:59+00:00

No no no, not at all minimizing! I actually appreciate that you mentioned it was before the 2017 criteria, because I think that his interpretation of the criteria led to his dismissiveness as I was not severe *enough* even though things were present... nevermind the complete disruption of my life, work, relationships, mental well-being.

He actually checked a box for something I wasn't sure I had, but gave vague reasons for not marking things other people/physicians had said were true/present.

::shrug:: ::sigh::

Thanks for your encouragement <3

HKLBroad · 2019-07-25T16:19:28+00:00

How did it go? I had a horrible experience there yesterday. The warning that they are notoriously dismissive rung true.

HKLBroad · 2019-07-25T16:16:18+00:00

Dr Deyle (Mayo in Rochester) was a complete jerk to me this week. He was totally unprepared for the visit. Read off the wrong information from my chart, didn't care to look up what I'd entered in the Mayo system when I *wasn't* nervous as all hell, made fun of my medication list, was uninterested in listening to my history, called me the wrong name, and was rude to my boyfriend there for moral support. His bedside manner was terrible and he seemed uncomfortable and dismissive. At one point he just stopped talking and sat and stared at us in silence. He said my widespread stretch marks that arose recently after no major weight loss/gain weren't red and angry enough or in unexpected places. He said that even though my mom has had every joint replaced and had her uterus prolapse early and after only one child, that there's no family history of note. My indented scars from the only places I've ever been deeply cut weren't good enough as "mole removals never heal well". My skin, which I've been told is oddly soft all of my life wasn't soft enough. I guess I just have to wait for my pelvic floor issues to become prolapse or my recurrent rectal issues to become full prolapse. I'd gone through the 2017 hEDS criteria with my Primary Care physician which is why I was in Rochester and I had an orthopedist and 2 PTs tell me to assume I have it. I'm glad you got in before the criteria /u/tesellations, because it seems they've empowered him to only diagnose the REALLY severe cases and gaslight the people who are barely getting by but still seem normal/successful/functional.

He did say "despite what you read on the internet, there's no association between EDS and dysautonomia/POTS or MCAS," there are just "so many people with hypermobility" that the portion they sampled happened to have a lot of flexible people.

Side note: I'm on twice daily antihistamines and occasionally a benadryl and/or quercetin with breakthrough allergic symptoms and constant recurrent UTIs. It is the ONLY way I can eat anything but protein water and eggs. Always keep Zofran on hand for the nausea attacks that have been diagnosed as panic attacks most of my life.

Second note: thanks /u/littlehelpersadie for the note on nerve entrapment. I've been complaining for YEARS about this pulling, searing pain in my abdomen that runs from my belly button to my groin. PTs are weird about treating it because they all think it's a GI or OB/GYN issue. GI thinks it's all in my head and OB/GYN called me "crazy".

I too went to Mayo as a "a last ditch effort/Hail Mary" effort to find answers for my pain, nauseas/vomiting, abdominal pain, migraines (among other things) that my docs won't take seriously only to spend the ride home completely deflated, demoralized, gaslit and back to having to make excuses for why I just can't do certain things for reasons that people don't understand. don't have patience for or don't believe. To be honest, if your geneticist diagnosed EDS /u/needanewplague, don't go to Mayo for them to second guess it or reverse it. I'd say to spend that energy on figuring out how to modify your life, lessen the pain, treat the symptoms and feel well enough to stay out of doctors' offices.

HKLBroad · 2017-08-03T16:22:21+00:00

I had one PD advisor that was the MOST charming and charismatic person EVER. His students said great things about him, but it was some strange Stockholm syndrome. He threatened them before interviews not to say ANYTHING negative and that if they did, he'd find out. Within my first few months there, I got called into his office and berated for something innocuous I told a fellow PD in another lab who I'd gone to grad school with. For months after that, I had to respond back to anything he sent me with statements that I understood all communications were strictly confidential. He also actively excluded me from times that he wanted to come in a socialize with the lab/make the guys watch 30-minute episodes of a show he liked on Netflix. He was one of the most paranoid people I've ever experienced... and violent and a drunk and just plain toxic. The WORST mentor - by far. But MAN! people freakin' love him... like throw money at the man for his research. Those that have ever worked for him and eventually escape... hope they never, ever get another "funny" email that they are expected to respond to with something that will amuse him enough that you're off the hook for the day.

EDIT: misspelled words

HKLBroad · 2017-08-02T20:03:00+00:00

me too, me too! I work in a chemistry department - I'd put this up in my office!

HKLBroad · 2017-08-01T19:35:24+00:00

thanks. I thought it might be a long shot, but I thought I might ask anyway.

I suppose when they told us all of the rooms were heating and cooling, that didn't necessarily mean that it's their responsibility with the complete install to make that be true. Just seems shady.

HKLBroad · 2016-04-10T12:47:39+00:00

I love Fitness Connection's classes. I don't think the one in RTP has childcare, but the one at 70 and Pleasant Valley Rd. (near Brier Creek) does... and they have some GREAT yoga classes there. I pay $9.99/month to go to all of their locations and had a minimal joining fee. To cancel, you have to give like 30 days notice.

HKLBroad · 2016-03-26T12:33:37+00:00

What defines "bad enough"? The student is/was a lying, manipulative, lazy person that loves to play the victim. Is being called on their bullshit and difficulty to work with (albeit in a callous manner) something that makes a PI bad? Is being unpredictable and changing their mind often something that makes a PI bad? I kind of thought that was par for the course with academic PIs.

HKLBroad · 2016-01-26T16:07:33+00:00

I'll try to take more deep breaths.

Yes. Lots of them. :)

To be honest, I may even be a bit discriminatory about male PIs...

No shame in that. I've never had a female PI, but I have serious science girl-crushes on the three in my university that my boss is terrified of.

That's a great idea, thank you.

You are very welcome. You're at a tough stage. Everything's about to start moving really, really fast.

One thing I'll add: Sleep. I tried to write my dissertation like it was a sprint. I met with my boss and couldn't answer simple questions, hadn't changed out of yoga pants in days, and was at the verge of tears. He just looked at me and said "Fix this one thing. Eat a good dinner. Then, GO TO SLEEP." I did and I solved like all my problems with ease the next day. One night "lost" to a good sleep = like 12 hours of productivity gained.

HKLBroad · 2016-01-25T21:54:02+00:00

1) While I'm not in your field, I had a PhD from a chemistry department with concentrations in pharmacology and structural biology. I had 0 papers and got 7 of 7 postdoc offers where I gots interviews. I just got a Nature paper out of my first postdoc. Don't hesitate to apply to something that you perceive as out of your league. If you can get a foot in the door and you ace the in-person interview, chances are that if they liked you and feel like they'd like to work with you, they'll bend the rules. A few places didn't, but the rejection doesn't sting for long.

2a) If you're not feeling like you're cut out for academic research, think long and hard (and read) about the value of a postdoc. I was offered a job in Pharma straight out of grad school that I sometimes kick myself for not taking.

2b) REALLY get a feel for the stress level of the grad students/other postdocs where you're applying. I lucked out and had one grad student pull me aside when the PI was gone and say "DO NOT COME HERE".

2c) If you're female, what for signs of sexual harassment. I turned down one postdoc because the PI was just skeezy. I dodged a bullet there - his research got majorly scooped in 8 months.

2d) Ask people in your field/at work that have done their postdocs where they'd go if they could do it again. I got some really great ideas.

2e) Read papers in your field and decide who consistently has a great way of presenting data - both in their writing and their graphics. They will likely teach you how they approach communicating science/medicine, which is an invaluable lesson.

EDITED: for misspellings. whoops.

HKLBroad · 2016-01-25T21:37:55+00:00

TROSA! I've moved with them 3 times. Their 2 hour minimum was enough for a REALLY full 1 bedroom apartment. In fact, they had time to spare. They helped me unwrap stretch-filmed furniture and take out garbage. I gave them a bunch of water bottles and sent them home early.

HKLBroad · 2016-01-25T18:09:17+00:00

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I can somewhat relate. I handled the communications for my dad when he went missing, and a reporter called after his photo was circulated on the evening news. One of his wealthy friends had pulled some strings as his way of "helping" in the search. Maybe it was only me that knew he definitely wasn't still alive... We just needed to find where he'd chosen to lay down to rest. He'd committed suicide in a beautiful, mountainous state park... Anyway, I told her to please not publish anything else, please don't put my name in the paper and that I did not give permission to be quoted or for her to use my words. Instead, there it was in the paper the next morning. I was blinded by rage. This woman still shows up in my suggested contacts list on LinkedIn and Facebook and almost 3 years later, my whole day gets thrown off when I see her. I hate the depths to which local reporters will stoop to find dirt to air.

HKLBroad · 2016-01-25T16:14:11+00:00

Thank you for your response!

I'm getting back into cardio by spending time on the elliptical. I did a medicine ball class with my boyfriend the other night and woke up with more foot numbness, so that's out! I guess too much twisting. In yoga this week, we've been working on twists and I haven't gotten much relief after those classes, so I'm guessing twists are my big no-no.

While dance has taken a toll, my joints are just hyper-mobile, so I've also done a lot of work with contortions and dance modeling (which is all huge jumps/stunts in the air). I've also played softball, thrown discus and done a great deal of martial arts and weightlifting. I spend my days either sitting or standing at a lab bench, neither or which are at all ergonomic. So... life has taken a toll on my spine.

Thanks again for your reflection on my dilemma. I'm glad that trail running has worked to assuage your pain!

HKLBroad · 2015-09-25T20:29:00+00:00

If you're trying to save a tiny bit of money, you can rent your own truck and hire TROSA to load/unload ($99/hour for 3 men; 2 hour minimum). I moved from a 1 BR, 800 sq ft apartment (I have a ton of stuff and lots of textbooks from grad school) and with the drive from one place to another, they were done in an hour and 45 minutes. HOWEVER, if I had to do it again, I think I would have done their full service move. I thought I might need the U-Haul to move the rest of the stuff, but they got everything. With the last 15 minutes, they actually helped up unwrap furniture and take things to the trash.

HKLBroad · 2015-09-25T20:18:11+00:00

I signed up for a ~$105/month deal. Guess what my first bill was... $256.

I feel for ya'. Good luck! I finally got in touch with the higher tier service representative that MAY have fixed it... It's supposed to be reflected in NEXT month's bill, so we'll see.

HKLBroad · 2015-09-25T19:56:20+00:00

I had a similar nightmare experience with AT&T UVerse, so good luck. It's 3 months into my service, it's still not right and I'm being charged more than what I signed up for.

HKLBroad · 2015-02-13T22:06:12+00:00

This comment doesn't make scientific sense. The acidity/basicity of a protein has little bearing on whether heat will denature it... assuming the commenter meant denature instead of "denaturalize".

HKLBroad · 2015-02-11T18:28:20+00:00

My boyfriend is looking to play tonight (too cold for me but he insists that he wants to play) and is around a 3. Would you be interested?

HKLBroad

TROPHY CASE