sciatica a real pain in the ass

[Mr I]

I haven't trained in over two weeks because it got so bad I decided I needed total rest.

One of the most debilitating complications I ever had. Also sick of taking the meds

[Bouncer]

Noticing any relief from the 2 week break? My dilemma is that physically a break helps but mentally I descend into madness.

[Mr I]

It's tough plus all the drugs I feel shit but it's necessary

[Bouncer]

How many drugs you on bro. I knew something was off.
:D

[Mr I]

Naproxim, Co codamol (cities and paracetamol /tylenol) and diazepam and a stomach protector. Feeling a little better now.

Now time to take some pain and numb leg and begin to walk it out a bit

[Bouncer]

Damn, sounds pretty bad, is there anything surgically that can be done?

[Mr I]

No need, it's basically a chronic inflammation and it will go. It just takes time.

[Bouncer]

You training upper body still or just feel like a total break is best?

[blm]

Rest is best, initially. Training other body parts still puts tension on the lower body. Once that area is that inflamed unless you rest, stretch, ice and heat, and take an antiinflammatory you will only make it worse.

I battled piriformis syndrome and sciatica for 9 months before I finally took 3 months of of work and working out and went to a specialist. After a couple weeks of rest and naproxen I started physical therapy where I learned proper stretching for said condition, received ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, and Graston technique therapy. After about 10 weeks I went from barely being able to sit or stand and a daily pain level of 10/10 to being fully functional with a manageable pain of 3/10.

It will never go away. It's a matter of learning pain management and recognizing what triggers it. Movements like dead lifts regardless of weight are completely off limits for me. As soon as I bend at the waist and introduce that tension, it's over. I spend the next 2-3 weeks bringing down the inflammation and regaining mobility.

Stretch, stretch, stretch! Read up on neurol flossing/stretching. Don't underestimate the benefits of hot/cold therapy.

I spend at least an hour of stretching and using the foam roller daily. When life gets in the way and I miss some days I quickly start feeling the tightness and sharp pain working it's way back.

[Bouncer]

blm is this something that deca would have any beneficial effect on or no?

probably not but if anti-inflammatory meds work and deca is an anti inflammatory maybe it helps a little bit? makes sense in my head at least. lol

[blm]

We'll see in another week or two ;)

I started low dose deca last week (75 e7d).

[Bouncer]

ahh, the deca bug has hit you again. good to hear. it's made me feel so much better physically so you were right about that. i still struggle with it mentally though, even at 100mgs per week I've noticed lower lows and more ups and downs then my norm. I've decided the downside is worth the up side of being able to train and feel good again instead of always walking around feeling 50% injured.

[blm]

Not so much the bug but attempting to find a comfortable balance between pain, sides, and function.

Getting old sucks. Especially for those of us that abused our bodies early on in sports, work, recreation, etc.

If I can get relief from low dose deca with little to no sides it will be worth it.

Taking naproxen regularly to the point of having to use nexium just to protect your gut lining is far worse IMO.

[Bouncer]

I started low dose deca last week (75 e7d).

Ahh, even lower than me. (I'm at 75mg E5D aka 100mg E7D)

Interesting little experiment to figure out the lowest dose possible where Deca has joint improvement effects. That question as far as I'm aware is not known. Cutting edge pack leading science we are doing here. :D

I've been surprised at just how strong of an effect I've had by adding just 100mgs per week to my test cycle. I bet even 50mgs per week would have an effect in terms of joint improvement.

Going by the typical Deca recommendation dose we are all lead to believe that 200-400mgs of Deca is the minimum. I have found this to be completely untrue. Especially for those of us not used to 19-nor drugs after years of test only cycles.

[Mr I]

Thanks blm

It's probably the worst physical thing in terms of ongoing mobility issues.

I have taken a week off gym completely and, has two physio sessions, chiropractor, acupuncture and I am now doing hit and cold.

It has migrated to the outer perifirmas and upper gluteus minor so it's almost feeling more hip.

I'm doing the stretches which are agonising. But you gotta do them. After a week of barely eating I'm now going the other Way; eating moderate healthy cars and a light bodybuilding diet. I'm also over hydrating while loading minerals and vitamins. I'm basically trying to fill up the muscles with glycogen and water to try and reduce the knotting up and make space in there.

Taking tumeric and magnesium. Pineapple juice. I hate all the meds but it's best to stay on top of the pain. While I could do upper body, anything risks throwing the area into spasm so I'm avoiding all together. I literally had to ask freinds to help out moving garden stuff because I cannot.

The one benefit is I generally know how to care for myself so if I can be a patient patient I will be ok I think. I also foam roll three times a week which is also painful.

It's one of those times where you say "ill never do that again" the culprit waa squats. I can squat like a demon but it causes incredible pelvic twist and hip flexor tension in me. So essentially to squat regular I would need daily therapy which just isn't feasible.

I do feel like I am coming out the other side of it now but it's been difficult to think quite frankly.

No squats from here I'm just not built for it. As things stand I will see how I feel Monday but if I do go back next week it will be very light.

After taking next to no juice for a couple months I am ramping it up purely to rehab.