[Victoria]

Originally Posted by Willie

Thank you Tracy/Victoria (ok... really... which one is it?)!

Tracy...it's a long story.

It's... awful. Really. And I feel like such a wimp, but I have never experienced pain like this. When I'm lecturing, and I can't feel my leg, and my students ask me what is wrong, I just want to go home and lay on the couch and do nothing. But, racing season starts in a few months, and I'm already not training on the rowing machine. Sigh.

I can assure you, Kate, you are NOT a wimp. Sciatica was one of the absolute worst pains I've ever experienced. Talk about tears. I got to the point where I would just cry myself through the days. No position would offer any relief. I would sit on the edge of the couch, crying, and I would rock back and forth just trying to comfort myself somehow. Lying was just as uncomfortable. I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep for more than a few minutes at a time. I remember many nights where I would nod off only to be awakened by that sharp, stabbing pain down my leg. I eventually became afraid to fall asleep. It was horrible.

Anyway, I'll have to find UConnJulie, as I'm still feeling like a bit of a lurker around here. I have had the one epidural, and am hoping that they'll give me another one in a few weeks (speaking of tough-- hardly! Did I mention that they had to put me on valium just go get me into the hospital? I was a mess... lots of tears... ). At that point, I'll be back on the water 4-5 times per week, and so rest isn't really an option. Unless, of course, I just don't race this season. Right.

Oh man, do I know what you mean. I'll save my MRI story for another time.

I'm trying to avoid surgery at all costs and am not even considering it as an option at this point. I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

I ended up having microdiscectomy for surgery about two years ago. Best thing I ever did. I was up and walking within a couple hours after, and I was back at work within a week (though I probably should have taken two). I think I was cleared for "normal activity" after a couple months of PT. I've never felt better.

Thanks for checking in on me... I kind of feel like I'm writing to myself

Anytime you need someone to bitch to, you know where to find me!