In the Zone

I'm in the Zone.

No, not "The Zone," a la Dr. Barry Sears . . . I'm on prednisone. I'm zonin'. Seems I have a ruptured lumbar disc. Another one. Two years ago, I had L3/L4 repaired. Now, L2/L3 has ruptured, on the right side.

Fortunately, this one is a lot less severe than the one in '04. I have no leg weakness. My patellar reflex is intact. I have some sciatic pain, but it's not that bad. Mostly, I just have a stiff back -- standing anywhere close to upright takes time and stretching -- and back pain.

So, I have some time to try conservative treatments. I started a taper dose of prednisone this morning. 12 days. We'll see how I feel after that. I have been improving daily, and I feel pretty good today, for the most part. It's probably too early for the 'zone to be having an effect, but I'm still feeling mighty cheerful, under the circumstances.

Now, prednisone can play havoc with your weight . . . usually, it makes you gain. I did 'zone two years ago. It didn't do anything for my back pain or weakness, but I lost about 3 lbs while I was on it. Here's what worked for me (bear in mind this is for short-term predisone only . . . if you're taking it long-term, I doubt this will be all that helpful):

• Prednisone increases appetite. What I did, and what I'll do again, is be super-vigilant about how much I'm eating. I'll pay attention to eating volume, for not much in the way of calories.

• Prednisone also causes fluid retention. Sure, this is temporary, but if you're trying to lose weight (or would prefer not to "find" any), it can be disheartening to see a scale increase. What I'll be doing -- again -- is eating very low sodium. I'll prepare fresh foods, and stay away from processed stuff.

I am pretty optimistic about this. If the 'zone doesn't work, we might try a cortisone injection (another 'zone, I guess). That has worked for me in the past (shoulder). And who knows . . . the rupture may heal itself. This apparently happens, most of the time.

If things keep getting better, I'll be climbing on my bike trainer by the end of the week. I've been doing some light stretches, and some light ab work, enough to keep me balanced and strong.

I have also resigned myself to the fact that there'll be no duathlon for me this year. Maybe never. But, one step at a time. It does seem that every time I even THINK about doing a duathlon, I rupture a disc. Maybe I should just leave well enough alone. Third time would mean that I'm snakebit. No, thanks. I think I'll stick with my bike, for now. Which, by the way, I'm going to clean off this weekend. It still is dirty from my last ride -- in December -- in the rain. You never know. Maybe I'll feel like a short spin.

Herniated Discs can Fix Themselves

Treatment Options for Lumbar Herniated Disc

* * * * *

If you enjoyed this essay, please send it on!

Want to subscribe? Check the top of the page . . . on the right.

Comments

[Valerie Lancaster]

You go girl!!! Keep up the WONDERFUL attitude.

[Cynthia]

Hey, gal--I am so sorry to hear of your injury. At 49 years old, I ruptured a disk (L5/S1) in August 2003, which finally started me on my weight-loss journey. Just previous to the injury, I had been doing massive amounts of crunches & Pilates work... It was definitely operable, but we decided to treat with prednisone, pain meds, and then begin a VERY gentle program of walking (only 10 min. a day to start). I built that up to 20, then 30 minutes and by Jan 04 was pronounced healed.

I also did arm exercise with weights (that didn't involve my lower back) and only ab work that didn't seriously involve back--like holding in my belly for long periods of time (no crunches!). My neurosurgeon forbid anything that hyperextended my back. I did lose some weight during this time, then joined WW in Feb 04 and went on to lose 77 lbs.

Prior to my diagnosis of breast cancer in July 05, I was walking a daily 5k and doing a complete routine on the bowflex and was within 2 pounds of goal. Now with the surgery, chemo, and radiation--during which I was forbidden to lose weight, but ends in a week--I am back up 25 lbs. but have started into walking the 5k at a slower pace. I know I can take it off again.

The very hardest part--for you too, I am guessing--is being willing to be patient and take it easy on myself as my body heals. I want to be "perfect" right now! That's a good way to hurt myself.

I find your blog so inspiring on my journey and wish you the best of luck and excellent health.

[Debbie]

Cynthia, I'm sorry, I somehow missed your comment a few days ago. Hey, you are an inspiration! You've been through more crap than I have, for sure.

I am definitely much better -- the prednisone worked this time. The rupture wasn't very bad. My main problem now is pacing . . . I do a light workout and my tendency is to think, OK, did that, now I can get back to "normal." Nope. Can't do that.

Right now I am doing what core work I can, including stability ball. I will never, ever again do an incline hyperextension back machine. My PT taught me to do a lower leg lift off the stability ball, and that works to strengthen my back muscles. I can't say enough about the ball exercises . . . they are HARD. I have a video I did in December. Man, I thought I was GOOD on the ball, but that workout was too hard for me!

I also am doing some Theraband exercises. You can do a surprising amount of upper and lower body work with them, without stressing the spine. I have both light and heavy-duty ones, and use whatever works for any given exercise.