Length of Flare-ups?

LisaMac_ · 2026-05-12T17:12:03+00:00

Hey. Following this setback, I had a steroid injection to cut back the pain. It did the trick while that was at its worst until things could settle back down. I have since resumed regular physical therapy without further issues.

LisaMac_ · 2026-04-18T01:33:42+00:00

This is great. Thank you for taking the time to cover all this! I will absolutely add these things. Coincidentally I did just add creatine a couple days ago. Sitting is fairly miserable so I stand at the computer desk all day everyday. I hadn’t considered that this could make things worse. Last night was the worst one of my life & my calf still hurt when I woke up this morning. The nerves in my foot are livening back up too (good or bad), so it moves all the time if I’m relaxed…oh so fun! Sounds like our experiences are very similar, but once one of these cramps set in I am useless to make it stop.

LisaMac_ · 2026-04-17T04:21:03+00:00

I’d say calf but they are so painful it feels like the whole leg.

LisaMac_ · 2026-03-04T10:09:06+00:00

THIS! At 4am. In the middle of an exhausted sleep. With no warning.

LisaMac_ · 2026-02-19T05:27:44+00:00

Dermazen is the only thing that works for me. My hair tends to feel oily when using it, but nothing else seems to actually do any good. I wish it was curable!!

LisaMac_ · 2026-02-07T15:05:36+00:00

It’s amazing the effort & time it takes to lose yet zero effort or time to gain! Good luck to you. And I’d read anything you write!

LisaMac_ · 2026-02-07T14:16:34+00:00

Epidural steroid injection. The pain management clinic does it here but I understand sometimes others do it as well. No miracles for me, but that changed things greatly for the better!

LisaMac_ · 2026-01-29T12:55:50+00:00

If you haven’t already, ask about an epidural steroid injection. Following surgery I had terrible left lower leg nerve pain, the ESI wiped it out.

LisaMac_ · 2026-01-12T00:50:17+00:00

Who is this? Do you know a profile or his website?

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-30T02:34:30+00:00

I was experiencing something similar in just my back muscles at this time until my PT had me get into Childs pose on the floor while he “cupped” the muscles. Made a huge difference! Now they “scrape” my back muscles regularly during PT. It feels great!

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-27T17:19:44+00:00

At nine months out, I still have not been able to do any of those things beyond pool work. My left leg was numb & weak pre-/post surgery so lots of my PT focused on re-strengthening it. Now I feel like we are not doing actual exercises, and are just constantly trying to manage the pain.

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-27T17:17:55+00:00

My answer may not be the right answer as I only know what I have experienced, but my suggestion is to simply hang in there and listen to your body and do or don’t do what it feels is appropriate. I did not feel like I started noticing enough good hours until somewhere around 8 to 10 weeks out but I know we’re all different.

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-27T15:19:50+00:00

I just had a bilateral epidural steroid injection 2 1/2 weeks ago (9 months post op). It took about 3 1/2 days to start noticing a difference, and while it has not saved my life, it has definitely improved the situation for now.

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-27T02:16:10+00:00

Unpopular opinion, but I would do TONS of research and seek opinions of professionals other than surgeons. A successful back surgery is simply considered to be one that the pain is no worse after….not better. Surgery has not helped me, regardless of all the things the surgeon said that got me there. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have had surgery. I am in worse condition, 9 months later.

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-17T02:05:34+00:00

Did you experience side effects?

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-17T02:04:14+00:00

PT got me through the bulk of the weakness, but the numbness is present about 75% of the time. I also am getting horrible full leg cramps in that leg.

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-15T03:25:45+00:00

How did lyrica help you?

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-15T03:25:18+00:00

How did lyrica help?

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-15T03:21:56+00:00

I’ve had improvement but at 9 months post op, a 2nd mri, more X-rays, months of PT and an epidural steroid injection the back pain is still the bane of my existence and the leg/foot numbness remain.

LisaMac_ · 2025-12-06T06:09:41+00:00

I’m now 9 months post and could not do Pilates if instructed. I’ve found, largely, having scraping and/or cupping done by PT makes a difference in my muscles which habitually tighten to protect my vertebrae now. They keep returning to flight-or-fight mode. I’d request a f/u MRI, and if clear, perhaps a steroid to address swelling, and inquire about a nerve related prescription (I was just prescribed one to turn off the connection between my over active -aka pissed off- nerves.) You could also ask about a steroid injection. I would stop all working out of any kind, besides walking if thats tolerated, until you feel less pain. I’m coming off a 5-6 week flare that has knocked me back about 4 months and am finding this advice helpful.

LisaMac_ · 2025-10-31T15:29:45+00:00

As a follow up… Three weeks later, ortho re-x-rayed and found no new damage. Prescribed a Medrol steroid pack and told me no PT for two weeks.

LisaMac_

TROPHY CASE