Old Lady Shuffle

Bella Lucy 82 started this discussion · 9/6/2013

I haven't been on here in quite awhile! Off and on for most of my life, I've had lower back problems. On August 22, my whole back on the right side, tightened up so much, my mom had to get me and take me to the emergency room. I was given a muscle relaxant and a pain pill and sent on my way. After begging my doctor to help me find out what it was, I had my first MRI on my lumbar area. Results came in on September 3. It showed degeneration of the vertebrae and I have a slipped disc in the lower lumbar that may require surgery... I hadn't cried so much in such a long time. I have also been off work since August 23, and my pain still isn't much better. I'm currently waiting for a neuro surgery office to call me with a consultation. Pole has always been such a huge part of my life and since being laid off at the studio since June, I'm worried that I'll have to force my unwilling body into retirement. Has anyone else suffered anything similar? I could really use some advice or tips on what I should and should not do if I do end up getting the surgery.

5 replies

Lyme Lyte · 9/6/2013
I had severe back pain, especially at the base of my spine. Same as you, degenerative disease. I went to a chiropractor for about a month and he loosened things up and lined things back into place and I have been fine since. I will resort to anything before going under the knife. And no this doesn't mean you need to retire from poling. Maybe take a break? But not quit altogether..... So don't worry. Degenerative disease happens to all of us as we age....some more than others, but still. :)
Phoenix Hunter · 9/7/2013
I had spinal surgery a year and a half before I started poling. ( I just started poling 6 weeks ago). I was scared that I would not be able to do anything. I think I'm ok and I think I will get even better with strengthening and practice. I'm proof that it is possible to pole after spinal surgery. Granted, your situation may be different- but I don't think you will have to completely retire. I will tell you this: I used to do aerobics and play instruments before my surgery. I was not able to do these things for about a year. It was a long, painful, miserable year and I had to struggle to get back to normal. Just be prepared to not be able to do anything for many months-year. It just depends on the surgery you have. Talk to your doctor. tell them this is very important to you and you want to preserve your ability to do this. if that doctor is not concerned about preserving quality of life, go to another doctor. he/she may also tell you not to have surgery, to try other things first. my doctor did not tell me that I would not be able to play the flute for a year and he did not care. he is an asshole and I hope karma catches up with him. dont settle for an asshole doctor. In the end, I am much better now and am just glad that all that is behind me now. give your body time to heal if you have surgery. my doctor acted like I was gonna be able to do carwheels the day after my surgery. this set me up for disappointment. just be prepared for a long hiatus , but yes I really believe that you wont have to quit poling. but you will have to relearn everything you once were able to do and it is frustrating but it is possible
watergirl · 9/7/2013
Where to begin.....just know that you will be able to pole again. I just took my first class in 9 months just last week after December spine surgery for a huge L4 disc rupture. . I was so bad I could not walk. This was after a 14 month valiant fight doing everything possible to avoid surgery. I had many dark days and was scared and frustrated. In class was a student I had not known before my time off, she had spine surgery in March and was back in 6 weeks. Everybody is different. I highly recommend a website www.spine-health.com and do your homework there. It is an incredible site , run my MD's of every type with an amazing amount of information. There are forums there too - be careful because some people are really hurt bad from accidents and it can drag you down, but 95% of the posts are filled with positive and valuable information. Unfortunately we do not live in a "Marcus Welby MD" world and doctors do not have time to have close patient relationships any longer. You need to do your own due diligence on the spine and spine injuries and become an informed patient. The more you know, the better. Keep a journal. A small notebook and write down everything. Every time you move one way and it hurts, when it does not hurt how you feel when you wake up, after standing or sitting etc. . Grade it on a 1-10 scale. This will help you with body mechanics and will also give the doctor and any physical therapists a guide to help you on your healing. I don't want to use this forum to tell you my journey, but you can message me and I will give you my personal contacts and be happy to talk to you about my experience. My best advice here is rest, physical therapy may be prescribed and can do wonders, so will massage, and I am a huge fan of acupuncture. And do your homework. And, do not be afraid to go to more than one doctor. Even if your insurance does not cover every specialist out there- you can make arrangements to self pay for a consultation at a reduced fee. Ask a lot of questions, ask everybody you know if they know people with back problems and who is their doctor. You would be surprised at how many people have or had back issues. I was lucky- I was having a bad day, ran into a friend, he pulled out his phone and said "call this guy- tell him I referred you". Turns out he was one of the top neurosurgeons in in the country, had operated on my friend - BUT even better- I knew the guy from doing Bikram Yoga pre injury! I had no idea he was a top doc, and he did end up doing my surgery. Again, feel free to message me and reach out. You will get through this.
Bella Lucy 82 · 9/8/2013
Thank you all for your responses! It gives me some hope that all I've worked for the past 11 years isn't lost. I still haven't had a consultation yet but I'm hoping to find out everything I can. I'm crossing my fingers and toes!
AngelVonSpin · 9/10/2013
12 months ago I had back surgery to remove a cyst growing across and impinging my L4 nerve. My experience has taught me a lot which I hope might be useful to you. Firstly beware of surgery - for me it was unavoidable, but for many the pain goes on after surgery. If you have nerve impingement then you will probably need surgery and the sooner the better, however if the pain is related to muscular skeletal problems associated with the pathology of your degenerative spine then play safe and explore all your alternatives before having surgery. Post op I have found dry needling to be fantastic, which is done my my physiotherapist. Massage can be good - however for me I haven't got the lasting relief that needling gives. I use warm packs every night on my back and still take some mild analgesia as my back continues to be tight and sore if I don't. I started physiotherapy exercises within 48hrs post op, returned to my eliptical trainer and strengthening exercises 2 weeks post op, and back to pole about about 8-10 weeks post op (but very light work and avoiding anything that hurt). I also do lyra and train at the gym, do crossfit etc. etc. Of all my activities pole was the hardest on my back and still now gives me the most trouble - however I manage that with the above techniques and I have almost returned to my pre surgery level of pole - which was high advanced spin pole. But I don't train as often as I used too as my back protests if I overdo things. What ever you do consider specific therapy to strengthen your core and back, stretching is vital, really any thing that keeps you in tip top shape will pay off. The 12 month recovery has been frustrating and I have been in pain sometimes, however I have been so determined to get better. The hardest part is the mental challenge of feeling dispirited and like you will never be as good as you used to be. Post op my physiotherapist told me it was at least 12 months to recover from back surgery and 6 months to just feel normal again, and my progress has been right on target - but I have had to work hard for it - I am sure you will too - girls who pole are tough