Riding with a Herniated Disk ?
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
I see they have plenty of hard headed riders like myself. I first had a back injury while in the Army during 65-68. They messed me up pretty good as far as my later life is concerned. The Army doctor told me that I would be alright until I hit my fifties and he was right on. I have no disc material between L2,L3,L4 and L5. The top back surgeron in my part of the country told me that I needed all 4 disc removed and replaced with a artificial disc. He then told me that this could not be done in the USA as the FDA will not allow more than one to be placed in each person. He then went on to say that I could go to Germany and have it done. Can't pay that bill!!I went to a pain management doctor who started out with the injections which have a short period of relief. They then tried burning the nerves in my spinal column and I ended up with one side of my Diaphragm paralyzed which stopped my right lung from working. The last resort was to install a infusion pump inside of me and have it deliver Dilaudid to my spinal fluid every 24-7. It works but I still have days with break through pain. I was told to stop riding my Harley.I laughed and purchased myself a AirHawk seat cushion. I ended up buying another one for my recliner. They are about $110 and may be found at Amazon and several other places. I just did a 800 mile ride to Florida with no pain. My ride is a 2004 RK. I will ride until they pick me up and put me in that box.Later Fairshake
I have to say that I personal liked my Army Dr better than I do my VA aDr, I feel very rushed and they didn't even want to see my medical records. He looked at my folder and said he didn't have time to read that and asked what's wrong and what do I need! And then the meds the Army was having me use are to expensive for the Va to send me and they don't work half as good, I think there trying to get me to have surgery. Even though the Army said I was still to young to try to have it done, unless I wanted to start walking with a cane.
I have 2 Herniated disks in my lower back for 20 years now, the back Dr. told me to try a inversion table, I use it for about 10 min. every day scents then I haven't been back to the back surgeon, after 2 weeks on the bike and any where from 5000 to 8000 miles my back is killing me but after a few days home and using the table 2X a day I'm fine again not saying the inversion table is for everyone with back problems but it works for me
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 45
From: Long Island, NY
Its like I'm reading my future! The radio frequency that I've been talking about is were they go and burn your nerves. I've had it done about 6 times and it last between 6-8 months with the month following and the month its goes away being more painful than before you had it done. Last time I went about a year ago he did something wrong and it hasn't felt right since, never going back. Though it did feel real good for the months that it was working, unfortunately the nerve they burn grow back and the procedure has to keep being repeated.
I have to say that I personal liked my Army Dr better than I do my VA aDr, I feel very rushed and they didn't even want to see my medical records. He looked at my folder and said he didn't have time to read that and asked what's wrong and what do I need! And then the meds the Army was having me use are to expensive for the Va to send me and they don't work half as good, I think there trying to get me to have surgery. Even though the Army said I was still to young to try to have it done, unless I wanted to start walking with a cane.
I have to say that I personal liked my Army Dr better than I do my VA aDr, I feel very rushed and they didn't even want to see my medical records. He looked at my folder and said he didn't have time to read that and asked what's wrong and what do I need! And then the meds the Army was having me use are to expensive for the Va to send me and they don't work half as good, I think there trying to get me to have surgery. Even though the Army said I was still to young to try to have it done, unless I wanted to start walking with a cane.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
2010 Limited with some stuff
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 263
Likes: 13
From: Beautiful CNY
I see they have plenty of hard headed riders like myself. I first had a back injury while in the Army during 65-68. They messed me up pretty good as far as my later life is concerned. The Army doctor told me that I would be alright until I hit my fifties and he was right on. I have no disc material between L2,L3,L4 and L5. The top back surgeron in my part of the country told me that I needed all 4 disc removed and replaced with a artificial disc. He then told me that this could not be done in the USA as the FDA will not allow more than one to be placed in each person. He then went on to say that I could go to Germany and have it done. Can't pay that bill!!I went to a pain management doctor who started out with the injections which have a short period of relief. They then tried burning the nerves in my spinal column and I ended up with one side of my Diaphragm paralyzed which stopped my right lung from working. The last resort was to install a infusion pump inside of me and have it deliver Dilaudid to my spinal fluid every 24-7. It works but I still have days with break through pain. I was told to stop riding my Harley.I laughed and purchased myself a AirHawk seat cushion. I ended up buying another one for my recliner. They are about $110 and may be found at Amazon and several other places. I just did a 800 mile ride to Florida with no pain. My ride is a 2004 RK. I will ride until they pick me up and put me in that box.Later Fairshake
All the best to you sir.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: Renton, WA
3 ruptured discs in a high school trampoline accident 55 years ago, compounded by an unexpectedly long "jump" out of a copter in Nam. Occasional visits to the chiro, stretching exercises every morning and a well adjusted backrest will work. Aleve also for long rides. Just drink some cranberry juice to help the kidneys process the junk in the Aleve.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
My thoughts exactly!!! My experience with VA, although not personal but vicariously thru my step father and my father in law, I have determined that criminals get better treatment and care than our Veterans do. Something wrong with this picture.
2010 Limited with some stuff
2010 Limited with some stuff
I too have two herniated disks. Physical therapy (stretching) keep me in pretty good shape if I watch what I'm doing. Indomethicin is a wonder drug and I use it when nothing else works. A back rest is a must. I have no cure for pot holes, if you bottom out, it is gonna hurt like a ******!!!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 263
Likes: 13
From: Beautiful CNY
Anyone ever have a issue where they start a ride, either to work or for fun, and at some point have an episode or event that won't allow you to ride the bike back home? Or worse, spasm during the ride?
The nature of back issues can be their unpredictability and I often worry about feeling good enough in the morning to ride but fear doing something crippling during the day that leaves me in a bad spot.
The nature of back issues can be their unpredictability and I often worry about feeling good enough in the morning to ride but fear doing something crippling during the day that leaves me in a bad spot.
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Anyone ever have a issue where they start a ride, either to work or for fun, and at some point have an episode or event that won't allow you to ride the bike back home? Or worse, spasm during the ride?
The nature of back issues can be their unpredictability and I often worry about feeling good enough in the morning to ride but fear doing something crippling during the day that leaves me in a bad spot.
The nature of back issues can be their unpredictability and I often worry about feeling good enough in the morning to ride but fear doing something crippling during the day that leaves me in a bad spot.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
I'm nowhere near as banged up as most of you guys are but I've had a back that all my life would go "out" and I'd actually be almost paralyzed in pain. The only thing that would work is when the first hint of the spasms coming on was to take about 5 or 6 ibuprofens and lay down on my back for a while and I could feel the disc actually slide back into where it was supposed to be.
Well, it happened again last year but just wouldn't get better. Instead of seeing an ortho or neuro doc, I went to an osteopath and I'm glad I did. She sent me to a particular PT for a core strengthen regimen. I was totally skeptical but damn, it really paid off. I do the excercises plus I do about half hour of step aerobics in my house a few times a week and never felt better. I'm sure if I was really injured like many of you, this wouldn't have worked, but for those who just sort of got a "bad back", you might want to try this course of action. Inversion tables help too.
Past performance cannot predict future results. Your results may vary.
Well, it happened again last year but just wouldn't get better. Instead of seeing an ortho or neuro doc, I went to an osteopath and I'm glad I did. She sent me to a particular PT for a core strengthen regimen. I was totally skeptical but damn, it really paid off. I do the excercises plus I do about half hour of step aerobics in my house a few times a week and never felt better. I'm sure if I was really injured like many of you, this wouldn't have worked, but for those who just sort of got a "bad back", you might want to try this course of action. Inversion tables help too.
Past performance cannot predict future results. Your results may vary.