Get ready for an inspiring journey of triumph over a health scare.
From crippling sciatica pain to an unforeseen path to healing 🧵
On December 25, 2024, I suffered a significant disc extrusion at L5-S1. My long legs, heavy weight, and prior herniated discs set the stage. While degenerative discs commonly appear after 40, symptoms vary widely. Factors include genetics and lifestyle; I was unlucky.
Years of heavy deadlifting and squatting contributed to my condition. I worsened it (my theory) by using a shiatsu massager on my lumbar area, pressing it against hard balls—reckless, I admit. Similar injuries can happen with popular Theraguns.
Pain period 💔
The next day, I couldn't move. An ambulance came, and four guys carried me to the hospital. I spent the night there with blocker injections. They needed an MRI to help but laying flat was unbearable.
Pain was 9/10. I lived like a zombie, reliant on strong painkillers and steroid injections, which helped only 20%. I hobbled in pain but continued developing gitsaga.io micro-saas from bed to distract myself.
Research period 📚🔍
Opinions were divided: NO to surgery, stick to therapy; YES to surgery due to liver risks and "falling leg." The debate was intense. I completed the MRI under heavy sedatives.
After consulting doctors in The Netherlands and Croatia, I chose surgery. Found a top clinic in Zagreb for Minimal Invasive Endoscopic Spinal Surgery. Best decision yet.
Operation
- Spinal anaesthesia combined with sedatives was sufficient, eliminating the need for full general anaesthesia for this one-hour procedure, ensuring quicker recovery. I did not feel a thing and was pretty much out.
- "Non-trivial," remarked the doctor. The disc extraction presented a complex challenge: the disc was impinging on the primary nerve at four critical points. This required careful navigation and precision to relieve the pressure.
Post-Op & Recovery Plan:
- Comfortable lying on right glute; main issue resolved
- Right toe sensation will gradually improve
- Short sitting sessions of 15 min/day (eat or with clients)
- Exploring options for the perfect standing desk (suggestions welcome!)
- Begin PT in a month
The Future:
Surgeries like mine are happening frequently with young people in this hospital, highlighting a problem in our modern lifestyle. Are we overtraining, undertraining, sitting too much, or simply lacking balance?
Drawing from years in combat sports and strength training, I've learned this truth: respect the fundamentals of movement, especially with compound lifts. Your body's daily readiness matters more than your ego. Train, but always within the margins of what your body is telling you that day.
Per Aspera Ad Astra ❤️