The 'I just ran 5km, is anything (eek!) possible now?' log

hillsiderunner

mel.b wrote: »

So I got the MRI results today from the GP and waiting to speak to the Physio but it doesn't look like I'll be running any time soon

Essentially:
At L4-L5 there is significant left central disc protrusion exerting mass effect on the left anterolateral thecal sac and exiting nerve root. In combination with facet joint arthrosis is leading to asymmetrical left neural foraminal stenosis. Orthopedic opinion recommended
At L5-S1 there is a high signal annular fissure with a left central disc bulge. bilateral facet joint arthrosis. Asymmetrical left neural foraminal stenosis.

Ahhhh sorry to hear. I have the significant protrusion of L4/5 (also to the left) myself, its effect did calm down after a few months and a lot of back exercises.

There will be some activities you can do.

Hope Cooper is lending his support!

Annie get your Run

mel.b wrote: »

So I got the MRI results today from the GP and waiting to speak to the Physio but it doesn't look like I'll be running any time soon

Essentially:
At L4-L5 there is significant left central disc protrusion exerting mass effect on the left anterolateral thecal sac and exiting nerve root. In combination with facet joint arthrosis is leading to asymmetrical left neural foraminal stenosis. Orthopedic opinion recommended
At L5-S1 there is a high signal annular fissure with a left central disc bulge. bilateral facet joint arthrosis. Asymmetrical left neural foraminal stenosis.

Might be time to dust the cobwebs off my bike instead :P

And yes Neady83, I think Cooper is missing his running

Sorry to hear that too mel.b, on the upside I can tell you that time on the bike has greatly improved my running (legs much stronger) so all is not lost while you rehab! So long walks with Cooper and long rides on the bike Best of luck with the recovery.

Neady83

^^^^^ +1 to all of the above Mel. Keep us posted on your rehab and work on the bike Hopefully I'll see you at Kilnaboy for the Clare Run Series, either as a runner or a supporter

mel.b

I saw the consultant today and I need to get an injection into my spine Apparently that should last anywhere between 6 weeks to 3months so no running at all for the next few months (will be about 3 weeks before I get the injection). If the pain returns after the injection wears off then I'm looking at surgery, so fingers crossed that doesn't happen. I had been hoping to do the half through the heart, a new half marathon in the burren in May on some of my favourite roads but that's highly unlikely now so I'll have to find something for the later half of the year instead and in the mean time get serious with the bike.

Maximus Alexander

I'm sorry to hear that mel, it must be a bitter pill to swallow. Here's hoping the injection does the job anyway. Hopefully you can maintain your aerobic fitness on the bike so it won't be too hard to get back up to speed when you're better.

Annie get your Run

+1 to what max said mel, it's not fair. Here's hoping you'll be back at it before to long. The bike will help if your allowed to do that so don't loose heart.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Neady83

So sorry to hear that Mel. I hope it knocks the pain on the head permanently and you're back on the road very very soon.

I'd be very interested to hear about your progress on the bike, your walks with Cooper and your cheerleading at the Clare Run series so keep up the log if you can, after all anything is possible

mel.b

Really can't take a trick at the moment. Fell over outside the Spar near work this morning, flat on my face. My back is really sore, hoping it's just muscular and that I haven't done more damage. To top it off I chased up my referral to radiology as I had been told it would be 2 - 3 weeks for the injection. Radiology have just told me it is a 4 - 6mth wait and that's paying privately:mad: I've asked to go onto the cancellation list so will see if anything comes of that.

I've only gotten out for a couple of very short cycles so far. My neighbour has taken Cooper to run with and I've cycled along side them. I think I really need to sign up to something to get me motivated.

The Muppet

mel.b wrote: »

Really can't take a trick at the moment. Fell over outside the Spar near work this morning, flat on my face. My back is really sore, hoping it's just muscular and that I haven't done more damage. To top it off I chased up my referral to radiology as I had been told it would be 2 - 3 weeks for the injection. Radiology have just told me it is a 4 - 6mth wait and that's paying privately:mad: I've asked to go onto the cancellation list so will see if anything comes of that.

I've only gotten out for a couple of very short cycles so far. My neighbour has taken Cooper to run with and I've cycled along side them. I think I really need to sign up to something to get me motivated.

Sorry to see that things are still not good with you Mel.B, the best of luck with your recovery.

mel.b

Thought it was about time I posted an update. No news is good news unfortunately doesn't apply here

Last time I posted I had fallen over flat on my face near work. This ended up having an unintended positive consequence in that it actually improved the sciatic pain that I was experiencing. If the pain before was a 10, then it dropped down to maybe a 3 and I was starting to be able to stand and walk for longer distances without limping or doubling over in agony.

I then ended up getting an appt at the Galway clinic for the injection into my back. I wasn't able to get hold of my consultant before the appt in Galway so ended up going and discussing it with the Specialist up there, decided not to proceed with the injection due to the improvement. What he thinks happened was that when I fell, I tore the disc some more, which actually released pressure from where it was pressing on the sciatic nerve.

So I was going along ok, still not able to run, but walking generally alright without too much pain. Then I went to NZ for a holiday to visit my sister at the start of March. My niece crawled into bed with me one night and I sleep funny. I noticed the next day that my tolerance for standing had decreased and by the end of day I was getting pain down my right leg and more general back pain (which I wasn't having before). So now pain down both legs Cue nights of horrible sleeping and spending an hour trying to work out how to roll over without sending shooting pains down my leg :mad: I was also traveling with my parents and my mum had been very against me getting the injection but actually said to me one day that it might be worth getting it when I got back to Ireland as she could see the difficulty I was having.

As soon as I got back from NZ i was onto the Physio (a different one this time, this person was recommended by the physios I work with). I've had a couple of appts now and things have settled down a lot - partly just due to time and hopefully what she has been doing and the strategies and exercises recommended. Basically anything that puts my back into extension is a no-no. So that means no running or swimming and limited walking (which is difficult with Cooper), sleeping with a pillow under my tummy (as I sleep on my stomach), lots of side lying and some specific exercises. My chances of getting back running are limited at the moment and she recommended cycling instead.

I'd mentioned cycling a few times in earlier posts, but hadn't actually done any, other than a few very easy cycles with Cooper. I looked at my bike last weekend and thought 'I really must get out' and that was as far as it went:o I went shopping yesterday... there's nothing like realising you have gone up a dress size to get you motivated:P I got home and immediately signed up for the Tour de Burren (only the 60km route) and was out on the bike first thing this morning!! It's funny, but I actually felt more vulnerable on the bike than I did running. Running is also a lot more comfortable - I'd forgotten how uncomfortable bike saddles can be (or maybe I hadn't and that's why I was reluctant to get riding again!).

So that looks like the end of my brief but thoroughly enjoyable running career. I'm delighted I got to do a half marathon, disappointed that a marathon seems unlikely. But who knows, maybe I will be able to get back to running one day.

I want to add a thanks to everyone here for all your support. I never met any of you, but I really appreciated all the virtual cheers, support and advice

hillsiderunner

Such bad luck you've had but good luck with the rehab and the cycling.

Indeed many runners have found their way to the cycling forum over the years ....

mel.b

hillsiderunner wrote: »

Such bad luck you've had but good luck with the rehab and the cycling.

Indeed many runners have found their way to the cycling forum over the years ....

i actually started in the cycling forum many years ago...might be time to wander back over there:pac:

mel.b

Today was the Sonny Murphy 10mile in Kilnaboy. Obviously i couldn't run, but i was out supporting So if anyone here ran it and saw a girl with a bike, that was me . I was just near the 4mile marker and waited for my neighnour who was running it and then cycled the rest of the way with her, giving her moral support (or annoying her!) the rest of the way. She snuck in just under 1:50 so PB'd it from last yr when we both ran. The guy who was leading (and won i preume) was easily over a minute ahead already at the 4mike mark which was amazing and the guy coming second was 50...fair play :eek:

mel.b

I was out today volunteering for the 'Half through the Heart' half Marathon in Kilnaboy. I was at the first water station and then collected all the discarded water bottles on the slow drive back to the finish line. I know Killarney says it is the most scenic marathon but this surely gives Killarney a stiff run for its money with the most amazing scenery of the Burren for the entire run. It wasn't an easy half either that's for sure however it was fun cheering everyone on

As for myself running, I'm back walking everyday with finally no pain at all. While out with Cooper in the past week I've done a few sneaky slow 100m jogs just to see how the back and leg were and thankfully no pain either which is brilliant Another couple of weeks of walking and then I'm going to get back into it, but i know I'll be starting from the start again with the c25K. There were two guys today running the half with their dogs...I got home and told Cooper that he's doing it with me next year!

Annie get your Run

Great Mel! Really hope you're back at it soon!

gypsylee

Delighted to hear you are on the mend Mel.

The Muppet

Good to see signs of improvement with the injury. THe best of luck with the comeback . Take it easy , cooper needs you fit for his debut next year.