Dale: Been there done that, so to speak. Sign up at the earliest possiable date for the classes! Dr.s told me to quite lifting, but hardheaded me would not listen. Well I was 46 when I decided to take a position on the night shift, working alone so no one would know how bad I was getting. I was able to hide it till I reached 53. Then the pain got so bad I could no longer hid it. I was dragging my left leg by the end of my shift, and one night the Fire Chief told me either I get help or he was going to report my condition to safety. I went to the Doctor again finally. I had four herniated disk, with narrowing of the nerve channel. The space where the nerves run down the spine was so narrow it was pinching the spinal nerves and causing my legs to go numb.
First doctor (Orthopedic Surgeon in Fairbanks) wanted to operate, according to him I had to have surgery and right away. Wife wanted a second openion. Second doctor (Orthopedic Surgeon in Anchorage) said I was not a cantadate for surgery. Wife wanted a third openion. Third surgeon, (Air Force) said I was not a cantidate for surgery. At this time the VA called me in for an examination for re-evaluation of my service connected disabilities. (I had been knocked off a 14' ladder by a car, my second year in the Air Force. Injuring my back.) The VA surgeon also said I was not a cantidate for surgery, that the surgery would be worse than the condition I currently had. The first doctor really went through the roof when I told him I had decided no surgery.
Today after physical therapay, and a total readjustment of my thinking and acting, I am at a position where things are much better. I no longer work, I tell everyone I am retired, but actually I am getting VA, and Social Security disability. I no longer pick up anything weighing over 15 lbs period. Yes, I still ride my snowmachine and go out into the woods all the time, but the way I do it is a lot differant. I no longer ride the trails at 35 to 40 miles per hour, I now go 10 to 15 MPH. When I kill a Moose I don't butcher it on the spot. I tie it to the back of the snowmachine and drag it to the shop at a friends gold mine. There we use a hoist to lift it up for dressing it out. I no longer do my own oil changes, it hurts to get down on a creeper, I use Jiffy Lube. But the biggest thing is that I joined a gym, and go and do my physical therapy everyday that I am not out in the woods. The Therapist set up a routine and I follow it.
The pain is still there, 24/7, but it is under control now. Most days it is not the main thing I am thinking about, but it can be if I don't watch what I do. Other days it rules my every move. It is something you have to learn to live with and handle. If I don't watch what I do, I move wrong, or pick up something heavy, I need the heavy drugs. But they are so debilitating the next day I don't want to use them. Therefore I am concious of what I am doing at all times. I plan every move and action to avoid the things that cause pain.
Get a desk job, before it's too late.
