So I haven't been blogging about my training recently for a very good reason. I haven't been training recently! I hurt my back and neck and it has been very painful. I am not sure exactly what happened and when but I have severe nerve pain radiating down both of my arms, my neck and sometimes back. Painful enough that riding really wasn't an option. This has been going on for a couple of months but worsening everyday and has become pretty sucky. I haven't wanted to talk about it let alone blog but it's time to lift the veil of silence on this subject. I have seen a doctor and so here goes with the bad news, bad news, good news, really good news, neutral news, good news:
Bad News: I have some general spine disease that is causing the discs between my vertebrae to compress. There isn't the normal amount of space between my vertebrae and that is what is causing the nerve pain in my arms, neck and back. Also, my C4 vertebrae is significantly misaligned. Lastly I have the early stages of some weird type of spinal arthritis. Yay!!!
Bad News: This really doesn't go away and so I will be managing it going forward. This means I will have to deal with it via medication when necessary such as anti-inflammatory or nerve meds. Trying to steer clear of pain meds but we'll see. I will also begin enjoying physical therapy starting tomorrow which may include some traction. Sounds super fun! If all goes well, the pain will subside and I won't need shots or surgery. We are going the medication/PT route for the next two months and will reassess then.
Good News: I feel better. Not all the way better but the meds are working which is great. Hopefully the PT will help further. My right arm still aches pretty significantly, my neck hurts a bit too but not so pad that I need to take pain meds. I am down from a pain threshold of about 8 to about 3.
Really Good News: I can't injure myself further with general exercise and have been cleared to get back on the bike! I celebrated with a 4 mile sprint about 15 minutes after my call with the doctor. This means I can truly begin training for the chubby century. I may get a second opinion to ensure I don't make things worse but for now, I plan to ride and monitor may pain levels. Felt good to get back on the bike today.
Neutral News: I am traveling Sunday through Friday for work. This is the last week long type trip I have scheduled for this year. I should be able to begin training in earnest the week after next. I will ride this week through Saturday. Probably will be mostly shorter sprints.
Good News: I will begin training the week after next barring any goofy stuff happening with my back between now and then. Fingers crossed.
So there it is. I highly recommend avoiding aging. The ravishes of time B-L-O-W-S. Those are my words of wisdom for the day.
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