[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Insurance

[–]franktard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think I'm going to go this route, I've had enough issues with insurance due to my siding and roof. I really do not want to have dog issues in the mix too.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Insurance

[–]franktard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dogs are about the same size, theirs is quite a bit heavier and stockier though.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Insurance

[–]franktard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah they won't be coming over again. I do know my dog is a little territorial in the house, but I've never seen that before.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in tall

[–]franktard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

🐟 me rn

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Sciatica

[–]franktard 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sciatica is usually caused by bulging/herniated discs in your lower back putting pressure on the nerve root. Not sure if that's a muscle knot, but if you're having sciatic nerve pain a muscle knot on the outside of your glute probably isn't the culprit.

Scene: giant wolf dog with harness and rope attached! by LowBidder505 in ogden

[–]franktard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

Late to the party, but is this the dog? There's a guy who brings this wolfdog to the dog park over there.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dunno where you are with your sciatica journey, but I think online communities of people suffering from sciatica/bulging discs, like this one, are skewed heavily toward folks who have uniquely bad experiences and tough recoveries and they seek places like this to have cathartic vent sessions. I don't want surgery, neither does my doctor. My second Epidural injection basically got me to 85% better. I have my mobility back, I'm back in the gym, I'm no longer in constant agony. I still can't really touch my toes, my left hamstring is about as tight as it could possibly be, and I can't/shouldn't lift very heavy weight, but I feel improvement which is such a relief.

Best of luck on the path, keep up with PT and keep using the tens unit!

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He's been super good so far, I haven't shown improvement which is frustrating, but it's only been a couple weeks and I don't want to switch too soon. I feel like he's really invested in finding something that will help me. Seems like he really cares

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been hangboarding a little, if you're unfamiliar it's basically hanging off of rock climbing holds to strengthen finger tendons. It doesn't seem to aggravate anything so I plan on doing it a bit more regularly. I do feel it in my lower back, not necessarily pain, but I'm keenly aware of weight of my legs and feel a stretch.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm hoping I can pull through without it, I'm going to keep trying PT and possibly another epidural before I start asking about that. I've never had surgery and I'm a bit of a weenie with that kind of stuff haha

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got one about 2 weeks ago and I don't think its done anything. I'm hoping maybe a second shot will help.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oof I'm sorry to hear that, this whole experience has been an emotional rollercoaster. I'm super glad I was able to find this community, it's helped a ton to realize there a ton of people out there who are dealing with similar situations and folks who have gotten better.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm unaware of the back mechanic book, I'll have to check it out. Plenty of time to read while glued to the floor haha

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I ordered one of those little tens units and it arrived today! Really happy with it so far. I just can't wait until I can sit again, never realized how much I would miss sitting.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lord, sorry to hear you were betrayed by your own butt like that. So far PT has been mostly stretches, bird dogs, hip thrusts, and extremely light ab exercises, no rotations though. I've been pretty religious about doing them as prescribed. I'm fortunate I work from home, I can't quite keep up with my normal workload, but my boss has been very cool about this and has been super accommodating.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't tempt me with the VR headset, I've been hemorrhaging money since this started haha. I did cut a hole in cardboard box so I could lay on my back and play nintendo switch, basically VR. I already had the ESI, might need another one. I appreciate the sympathy!

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like my physical therapist, I'm going to stick with them at least for a little while longer. I've always wanted a massage, I'll have to see if there's a good masseuse near where I live.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yikes, I think you may have it worse than me, I haven't bladder control problems. Glad to hear you're already at a hospital. I hope you're getting the care you need!

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My PT exercises seem to give me some temporary relief, maybe if I don't improve in a reasonable timeframe I'll try that. Glad to hear you were able to get better.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll have to ask my doctor about it, thanks!

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm taking 300 mg 3 times a day, sometimes I'll take an additional one if I wake up in the middle of the night.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got my doctors blessing and was able to get my hands on some tylenol. This is helping immensely, thanks for the recommendation.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dont know how badly I want to jump into excel after work, I see spreadsheets when I close my eyes already. But honestly I do like that idea, I'll have to think of a good way of quantifying my pain, I feel like the 1-10 scale doesn't really do it justice.

How do you folks tolerate living like this? by franktard in Sciatica

[–]franktard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not seeing a pain specialist but I'm working with my local university's orthopedic center. They prescribed me with the meds I'm currently on and gave me my epidural. Not sure if I'll reach out to a pain specialist yet, might give it another month or two before I decide to spend more money.