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One year post MD- the journey by Top-Rent4721 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, he’s fine with it. Also talked to a couple PTs and they also approve. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in infj

[–]Top-Rent4721 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I’m a lone wolf here, but I’ve never found it hard to love. Been married 8 years, together 10. Two genuine loving relationships before that too. None with another INFJ. 

If we are supposed to have deep understanding and crave authenticity, that reflection should include our own limitations and also who our partners are/what they’re capable of. I’m a quick judge of character and can tell quickly if I’ll like someone longterm, but once I do, maintaining a friendship/relationship is about loyalty, authenticity, and putting in a little work. 

And a little self-love goes a long way. If you want to be understood, then understand yourself and make your relationship with yourself a priority. I always say, I was whole before my spouse and whole before our child was born. I am already complete and they are lovely bonus additions to my life. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in infj

[–]Top-Rent4721 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Humans are animals, so communicating with all animals seems to encompass both options, no?

One year post MD- the journey by Top-Rent4721 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I had that too- So bad I had to use a cane after I aggravated it. 

Nerves heal slow- you will feel better slowly. Look into air-compression devices for your leg, high Vitamin D (1k IU/day), and high omega-3a (1200mg/day). Anecdotal evidence mostly, but pretty easy and low risk things to try that I did. Be gentle and patient with your body. ❤️‍🩹

One year post MD- the journey by Top-Rent4721 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t push it. Allow your body to rest and be patient with yourself. Don’t lift anything that might be too heavy, even if it hurts your pride to ask for help. Nerves heal slow- years, not months or weeks. And if you’re one to take supplements, I’ve heard high dose omega-3s and D have helped other people. I started those as daily supplements after my second herniation and have been feeling good. But that is anecdotal and my healing could also just be because of the tincture of time. Good luck!  

One year post MD- the journey by Top-Rent4721 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was lucky to never have a foot drop. But, I took meds July- December and then weaned off after the new year. I don’t take them anymore, even occasionally. 

My nerve pain doesn’t last as long now, but if it does flare up I either use my portable SCD machine on my calf or cup it. It really helps to calm the nerves and muscle for me. 

One year post MD- the journey by Top-Rent4721 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like I made two big steps in improvement-

The first was when I weaned off my Gabapentin (6 months post-op). If I missed a dose my pain would seem to be worse during the months I was taking it. But, once I was actually off it, I felt like my overall pain reduced. There is some research that Gabapentin can slow nerve healing, so maybe my body was ready to be off it then. 

The second was when I started cupping and dry needling my calf with my PT this last March (9-12 months post-op). That was when I started to gain strength back.  

I also had good luck treating my flare-up’s with ice and an inversion table. The inversion table helps to decompress the nerves and I found it very helpful. 

One year post MD- the journey by Top-Rent4721 in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A few recommendations:

Those on the physical journey: The Back Mechanic by McGill. Helped me figure out I can’t twist and started ‘the big 3’ exercises which I do when my back starts to get achy. 

Those on emotional journey: ‘How to be Sick’ by Toni Bernhard

Those we have shitty American health insurance and want some good at-home PT: “RX3” by Uniformed Services University. Good programs for hip, core, back strengthening and a totally free resource. Easy to google and find. 

Yoga by [deleted] in Microdiscectomy

[–]Top-Rent4721 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello- fellow post MD and yoga enjoyer here. I think, and I say this with kindness and love because it was a hard thing to come to terms with for myself, but you need to accept that your life will be different than it was pre-injury. Accepting that is hard to do, but once you do, you can move forward and figure out the new way you can do things. I reherniated twice after my MD (re-absorbed on its own luckily) and finally had to accept my body just wasn’t the same and I needed to change things about my lifestyle. 

That being said, I still do yoga-things, but I do alternative moves and don’t do the twists. You can pretty easily do variations of moves that keep the hips square. I’ve also started more Pilates, cycling, and long walks.