u/Anonymousimpreg

I have been an avid CrossFit athlete for about 6 to 7 years, in excellent shape. Just had my second back surgery, microdiscectomy at L4/L5. My back had been acting up since the open so I really haven’t been able to work out a ton since March.

I’m limited to walking right now which is frustrating.

How do you guys get through this temporary season and stay motivated? Losing a ton of muscle weight and it’s frustrating.

Just had my revision MD at 4/5. Worried because first surgery I woke up pain free. Today, my sciatica is still there post op. Doc did say I had some scar tissue back there.

Someone calm me down please because this sciatica is by far the most distressing part of this whole journey.

Those of you guys that have done a second MD, how was your recovery? Getting it done endoscopically this time. Just want to be pain-free

3rd TFESI, confident they finally hit the right area (other two injections didn’t do anything). I had the absolute worst steroid flareup of my entire life last night, holy cow, 36 ish hours post injection.

My leg was absolutely throbbing, everything hurt and I was getting close to driving myself to the ER

Woke up today, minor pain and just kind of a weird sensation? Can’t really describe it, I do have some tension in my lower back locally. Had an MRI this morning so we’ll know exactly what’s going on soon

Edit: just some of the images from my MRI it has not been read yet but herniation at L4/L5 has gotten worse, not completely in the nerve canal but severely impinging…

Quick rundown:

Have had random sciatic symptoms out of nowhere affecting the back of my eye and side of my left calf. No weakness, no numbness, came out of nowhere the beginning of March after a workout.

Had a MD in 2020, did a TFESI for a flareup in 2021 and I was fine until now.

Had an intralaminal injection at L4/5 which did nothing beginning of April.

Second shot was a TFESI at L5 S1, had bought a 30% improvement but still had pretty gnarly calf pain. Started PT so calf pain was intermittent.

Had a third shot today, TFESI L4/5. Confident they actually hit the right level this time because I had pretty significant numbness afterwqrd, tingling when the needle went in.

Going for updated imaging later this week, doctor said if this third shot doesn’t work than I have to get a consult for surgery. Hoping PT starts working it’s magic.

Have any you guys had additional purging when you switched from Taz cream to the gel?

I’m not sure if it’s coincidental but I’ve noticed a lot more clogged pores coming to the surface. Been using the cream for about a year