Seriously Mad Rant

  I was medically retired by the County of Sonoma, Road Dept. back in 09` due to a back injury..I fell out on Willow Creek RD. while tying steel for a cross culvert install.

I partially herniated L-3 L4 L-5 and S-1...anyway lost some strength  and reflexes on my right side. My income was cut in half ( 50% tax free so no complaint there) which is better than nothing

OK so I have basically spent the least 4.5 years getting my self back into shape to return to the work force which I did 32-to 40 hours a week this month .

Yesterday while loading my swimming gear bag, which contained ,1 set of short flippers,kick board,pull buoy and hand  paddles, I felt a charlie horse and a pop and my back locks up, drops me to my knees and  I cant stand up straight.

Really !!!  I don`t do any heavy lifting anymore I stretch , do yoga,swim ,light jog ,lost weight.... UGHHH!!!! and this MF`R happens Really

 I don't feel sorry for my self but I`m frustrated  I know it could have been worse and I know there`s always somebody out there with something worse ...But damn I`m disappointed, I know it will get better  ,was really looking forward to rigging the kayak and getting on the water soon very soon, OK it will have to wait.

Anyway I just need to blow off steam, see my Chiropractor who is awesome

I`m grateful for overall good health , good marriage and healthy wife and kids,the bills are getting paid and I have a roof over my head but when this happens I feel confined and powerless.

Thanks for letting me rant and rave.

sorry man, back problems SUCK!!! two blown discs in my back so i feel your frustration, cameron

I feel ya. Blew my back out bad doing industrial plumbing. Scary doing any outdoors stuff cuz I could be out 15 miles from anywhere with a dead cell phone when it goes again. Then I get to spend a couple cold nights in the woods until I can get up and walk out. I can bank on 2 or 3 weeks a year bed ridden and maybe a hospital trip if I'm lucky.

Bad luck mate - hope it clears up soon

Sorry to hear that VK.  I will keep you in my prayers and for the meantime just kick back and take it easy. I do believe in chiropractor giving you some relief after some adjustments but you might need to go see a specialist. Heal up soon VK.

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Speedy recovery bro. Back problems suck.

Man hang in there. Wish there was a cure all for bad backs. It's suck a finicky part of our body and can stop you in your trax

Nothing wrong with venting. 

I am living a similar nightmare right now.  Just had shoulder surgery and need another one followed by a couple neck procedures.  I also just found out I had carpal tunnel.  This all sucks for kayaking, but my heart and legs are good and I feel blessed for that.     

I just got back from the river.  I have been going at least once a week for therapy.  Mental and physical.  Today I was in so much pain I just paddled in circles and let the water push me around.  I still feel like I got out and did something but did not want to go to far from shore. 

I completely understand others that are not sure when they will have flare ups and do the best they can to live a productive life.  I have constant back pain, but never had it just lock up.  That scares the crap out of me.  I will also say a prayer for you and hope you can get some relief.  I second going to a new specialist and seeing if there is something they can do.  Nerve block, new procedure or something.  Some of my injuries were misdiagnosed by several doctors who told me it was just arthritis years ago.  So I kept working and things got worse.  I finally got a new doctor who is trying to repair me one body part at a time. 

If you start to feel a hair better come on over to the coast and I will tow you around.  Not fast though. 

Vic I understand your frustration! I blew two disks in my low back and then one in my neck. It's been a long and slow healing process. Not to mention very painful at times. Getting a shower and dressed can be a major accomplishment some days LOL. I was unable to get out OTW all last year! Loss of strength and range of motion is humbling. Don't get me started on dealing with worker's comp. insurance company LOL. Bottom line my friend is it won't keep you down forever! I'm still healing and working at getting strength back. I even went out for a paddle this year. If I can come back, you can too! It's not always fun or easy but it does get better. (my wife says I was cussing in my sleep LMAO) Vent when you need to or when you can lol, just know you will get better and I'm sure there will be many NCKA members sending prayers and good vibes till your back OTW!

An ole pal of mine always said, "Nothing heals the back like time."  Just stay off it for a bit and it will come back to itself. 
Be well and good luck. 

VK as long as you have a good attitude, I think you will be fine. Your approach that there is someone worse off than you is so true. And I totally relate to that. I'm one of the worse than you. And know there are many off worse than me. One reason I have lived to 60 and still yak fish. 

I have Cystic Fibrosis. And am very old for that.

I've dealt with my back on  and off my whole life..it's the worst because I never know if it is going to be okay in a day- a week- or an hour or two laying on a flat surface and some real back stretches even works sometimes-but every time I just never know..scary when you feel that hot spot....it has been so bad before that one morning while getting dressed I glanced in the mirror i noticed it looked like my shorts were on my hips at an angle like a gunfighters slung belt...it was my torso that was on my hips at an angle...that really made it real for me...

I hope you are able to stretch it out and get a bit better...its tough..rest it or work it..both can hurt or help...you are right it's big bummer every time...feel like a little kid could push you over with one hand...hang in there

it sounds dumb for such a real injury...a buddy told me the only real progress he's had is to lay in bed when he first woke up and pull one knee up to his chest and hold/stretch rotate his hip /back...crunching clicking.. ...,then release and do the other...I started doing this in the morning before I get out of bed and put weight on my feet...it worked for me...I was surprised how good it worked and thought it would not make much difference but it has, so now it's a habit and pays off on hard work weeks

same to you -good health
It is important that folks speak up when they hit a road bump like you did...got me to take my morning stretch a little more thoughtful  today
thanks
Craig