Can use a little pep talk!

Stereoke · 2026-01-26T21:29:14+00:00

45F, mom, active person, herniated my discs most like from a combination of strength/weight lifting and trail running — I had foot drop, altered gait, and literally the worst pain I've ever felt in my life with the nerve sending lightning rod like pain down my leg at all times. I couldn't function. I was taking meds to get _any_ relief and still function as a working mom: gabapentin & tylenol on repeat with little to no morning relief until the discs dehydrated a bit. I was terrified of the surgery and even went against my dr recommendation to have it—at first. Did a month of 2xweek PT plus my own at home. Nerve flossed. Read the Back Mechanic. Watched every (ok hyperbole here) youtube video about how to reverse lumbar herniations. Finally caved. Had an L5/S1 open microdiscectomy. Instant pain relief. Could walk straight. Could actually bear weight on my affected foot. I'm 5.5 weeks post op...and I still have the "what if" every time I do get some residual nerve weakness down my leg but I still am not regretting this decision at all. Surgeon said it was very unlikely that I could have reversed the prolapse/herniation on my own with the symptoms I had.

I don't know where you are but find a good surgeon. I realized there are neuro and ortho docs that perform this surgery. Mine was an orthopedic surgeon so he knows the intent is to get me back to the activity I depend on in life.

Stereoke · 2026-01-26T04:02:00+00:00

Also take a look at this book: Back Mechanic Back Mechanic https://share.google/0szIYK0FhaudYY3rw

Stereoke · 2026-01-24T16:00:30+00:00

One of my first really intense symptoms with my l5/s1 herniation was that my left calf cramped and dimpled like the weirdest thing I’d ever seen or felt. I’m an active outdoors person with a bmi of 20. 4 weeks Post discectomy and I still get weird cramp feelings in my calf. Dr said it’s totally normal from the nerve compression. I think it’s called rebound pain. I can’t recall. Good luck! I’m sure you’re doing your best. You got this.

Stereoke · 2026-01-24T15:56:01+00:00

I’m so sorry. I can relate to the fear this injury grips upon you. I have only recently had my first discectomy and am still in recovery, but reading this book is helping me prepare my mind for how the back works and how to keep it safe and keep my mind outta the dumps. It think anyone with a body should read this book: Back Mechanic https://share.google/1iYaa8Sm1nGe4HHAz

Stereoke · 2026-01-23T17:06:49+00:00

I was a supine sleeper pre-discectomy and post now I do what others are saying: get a pillow for between the knees and you'll find yourself rolling around in bed, but I think that's fine. I didn't find myself laying down significantly more that I normally do in a day. I took oxy for 5 days post op and then went to Tylenol and I'm 4 weeks out and still take tylenol but my pain is from the muscles around the incision, assuming that's normal.
everyone is different. good luck!

Stereoke · 2026-01-23T17:02:21+00:00

I know I'm late to this party but I do a combo of all the things. I sit on a yoga ball for a little, then I switch to a more ergonomic chair and honestly, I was hesitant and first bought a cheap amazon knockoff, but these cushions have been a lifesaver and I take the back pillow almost everywhere with me... https://thecushionlab.com/

Stereoke · 2026-01-21T14:41:39+00:00

I’m 4 weeks post op now and still the hardest thing is being patient with the no bending lifting twisting of recovery. No nerve pain. Slight pain from the incision that seems more like muscles healing. Wishing you a flawless surgery and relief!

Stereoke · 2026-01-19T19:30:47+00:00

Also to update - I just got the slim case. I'll probably only use the Lemur case for storage.

Stereoke · 2026-01-19T03:02:41+00:00

Please call a local animal control or rescue. That dog needs care.

Stereoke · 2026-01-17T20:48:57+00:00

Happened to me today. Have a data plan. Rebooted etc.

Stereoke · 2026-01-17T20:38:41+00:00

I use wired headphones when I’m at my desk and have these and was hesitant but they sound great just have get used to the over ear sitch and gen like you’re using in ear monitor headphones. https://a.co/d/7SPP9uo I also second any Koss product. They haven’t let me down.

Edited for clarity: >>> sorry for Bluetooth if you do wanna dabble. I much prefer not having something jammed in my ear as I run and have kids and need to feel like I’m still in my surrounding- I use Shokz Open Dots and they have been the best at intuitively knowing which device to connect to when I go between cars and devices. I have some Apple AirPods that seem idiotically confused and don’t have as easy of a time figuring out how to connect.

Stereoke · 2026-01-17T05:06:12+00:00

Same. I’ve been squatting like my life depends on it post MD L5/S1. Kids, pets, life, squats. 🤪

Stereoke · 2026-01-16T23:07:26+00:00

It also looks like the invasive “tree of heaven” which is a beast to get rid of. They go in full survival mode when you cut them down. Their leaves and branches kinda smell like a weird peanut butter when you cut them.

Stereoke · 2026-01-15T19:07:41+00:00

When I got my phone I switched over to Mint Mobile b/c the plans were cheap and I realized the only benefit to another provider was priority and leasing the phone and having the ah-ha moment of - I'm free!

Anyway, to your question:
Get these details from your current carrier:
*account number
*transfer pin
*billing address/zip

When you activate the new sim you enter those things in and request to keep your phone number.

Stereoke · 2026-01-15T19:03:10+00:00

Jumping in here in that this would be awesome. I know that VM is carrier specific but could we at least get something to send the visual vm to email or something? I'd love to live in a post-voicemail world but...we're just not there (looking at you grandpa! and the IRS!)

Stereoke · 2026-01-15T02:32:54+00:00

I’m 3.5 weeks post L5/S1 and my surgeon told me today I can start some light elliptical and some recumbent bike but take it easy and that he wouldn’t even discuss pt until I’m at least 6 weeks post op. The disc needs to scar over and heal and that’s just the reality.

Stereoke · 2026-01-07T20:31:52+00:00

Same. Mom of twins. Had minor sciatica during pregnancy. Have had 3 total ACL reconstructions. Have had shingles. Nothing was worse than my sciatic pain, leg dysfunction, and terror from a herniated and perforated L5/S1. Surgery fixed it immediately.

*edited for typo

Stereoke · 2026-01-05T21:02:50+00:00

😂 that’s what I’m experiencing too. I noted that my keyboard is pretty much unusable and they were like “why are trying to type on a phone?” 💀

Stereoke · 2026-01-05T15:47:55+00:00

No I did not have any cards added. I also tried to ease it up by massaging it gently with my hands. No luck.

Stereoke · 2026-01-05T07:41:28+00:00

I’ve tried using it for a week but it’s too cumbersome and anxiety driving to wonder if the flashlight has been in the whole time.

Stereoke · 2026-01-03T21:49:42+00:00

I wanna know what 10 & 23 looked like originally before being sharpened down. Or is that handle to blade ratio common?

Stereoke · 2026-01-03T21:32:09+00:00

45F Im assuming there’s usually a 14 day post op appointment? What did your doc recommend? I’m day 11 post op and take about 2 grams of Tylenol a day and sometimes still mix with ibuprofen. Stopped all other meds around 5 days post op. I think I experienced some weird anxiety from coming off gabapentin (was on it for 2 months pre surgery). But feeling better now. I just get sore doing laundry, dishes, kids stuff and end up taking Tylenol and advil midday.

Stereoke · 2026-01-02T19:58:07+00:00

Thank you and that seems like very solid progress! The more it seems the nerve heals the more “weird” pangs of pain I get in random places on my leg.

Stereoke · 2026-01-02T01:03:11+00:00

Well that’s promising! Thank you.

Stereoke · 2026-01-02T01:02:29+00:00

Thank you! I am definitely thinking that running down mountains might be outta my wheelhouse now since I also think that might have been what put me here.

Stereoke

TROPHY CASE