Back pains - Page 3 - Plumbing Zone

rickmccarthy · 07-23-2009, 11:06 AM

last year may 1 I had a multi-level fusion L-4 S-1 they took out two discs put in 6 screws and two rods I feel great I heard a lot of horror stories from guys that went to an orthopedis surgeon I went to a well respected neurosurgeon and it was awesome. I am not the superman I used to be but that is what dollies are for right?

just had knee surgery 11 days ago that went great too this trade will wear you out that is why I am now trying to get my own business off the ground time to let some young guys make some money for me I killed myself making others rich why not

Bollinger plumber · 07-23-2009, 04:18 PM

I have bulging disc and sciatic nerve problems. No problem lifting and carrying anything but lord does it hurt if I have to stand for a long time. Legs start burning toes tingle, outside of thighs go numb and the middle of my back hurts like hell. If I can sit down or prop my left leg up like captain morgan it relieves the pain. I have an inversion table but don't use it very often. Maybe I need to and see if it helps. Been told surgery would help but heard too many nightmare stories about guys that go in to surgery and come out worst than they were before. Trying to put it off till I retire then maybe get it looked at. Been like this for over 20 yrs so another 10 should be like a walk in the park.

UnclogNH · 07-23-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickmccarthy

just had knee surgery 11 days ago that went great too this trade will wear you out that is why I am now trying to get my own business off the ground time to let some young guys make some money for me I killed myself making others rich why not

Only if it was that easy open a business get rich

Have other people do the work for you.

I was thinking the same thing 4 years ago I'm still broke and work alone

. Tuff times now starting a business is a little harder now than a few years ago.

But stock up on peanut butter & jelly and Ramen noodles for when it slows
Them bills get paid first. I wish you the best of luck.

I had ACL surgery just before I opened dragged myself to the first job 45 days later in a brace. Sounds like were kind of starting out the same.

Good luck.

It will get ruff. Don't expect to get rich quick. One thing I learned no matter how good you are at what you do it does not make the phone ring. $$$$$ on advertising and beating on doors does.

TheMaster · 07-23-2009, 04:53 PM

Weak abs,tight hamstrings and poor lifting techniques and being generaly over-weight is a good way to ruin your back. All of the above lead to poor posture and you will have back trouble sooner or later. Genetics have somthing to do with it also. One of the worst things you can do is wear a saftey brace all the time...this allows your abs/back muscles to get even weaker. Back brace should only be worn while lifting not all the time. Smoking makes any injury worse and takes longer to heal. Back surgery can be sucessful for a few years until scar tissue builds back up in the area and then nerve compression starts back up bringing the pain with it. Some people build more scar tissue than others. Prevention is 100 times better than a cure.
Oh and I'd like to ad the wearing of improper fitting or cushioned shoes. Boots wear out way before the leather does. I had an ortho dr tell me to throw the boots away unless they are required for saftey reasons like steel toe ones. I wear Nikes now with inserts and my joints love me for it.

user823 · 07-23-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMaster

Weak abs,tight hamstrings and poor lifting techniques and being generaly over-weight is a good way to ruin your back. All of the above lead to poor posture and you will have back trouble sooner or later. Genetics have somthing to do with it also. One of the worst things you can do is wear a saftey brace all the time...this allows your abs/back muscles to get even weaker. Back brace should only be worn while lifting not all the time. Smoking makes any injury worse and takes longer to heal. Back surgery can be sucessful for a few years until scar tissue builds back up in the area and then nerve compression starts back up bringing the pain with it. Some people build more scar tissue than others. Prevention is 100 times better than a cure.
Oh and I'd like to ad the wearing of improper fitting or cushioned shoes. Boots wear out way before the leather does. I had an ortho dr tell me to throw the boots away unless they are required for saftey reasons like steel toe ones. I wear Nikes now with inserts and my joints love me for it.

This is what I wear (Dr.Martens), at work and play, they seem to last forever.

And no black scuff marks on customers floors!

Bollinger plumber · 07-23-2009, 07:19 PM

When I did commercial work that walking on hard concrete all day killed my legs. by lunch time I was ready to go home no matter how good the boots I was wearing were. About the only thing I didn't like about commercial work.

Plasticman · 07-23-2009, 09:17 PM

After suffering with back pain for years I finally found a doctor that could help me. I had the surgery that he recommended. The first few days and the following 2 weeks after that, I hurt so bad that I wish I was dead. Today, best thing I ever did.

Cal · 07-23-2009, 09:43 PM

Lost my ACL in right leg in '92 ,,,never had it rebuilt . Left knee ,cartlidge (sp?) removed in '94
Doc told me ,,, stay in the gym ,,keep all the muscles strong around ALL your joints ,,you can go forever .

SURE ,,, I have LOTS of pain sometimes ,,,,but if not for training hard ,,,, i would have drugged myself in to a stupor or blown my brains out !!

DUNBAR PLUMBING · 07-23-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plasticman

After suffering with back pain for years I finally found a doctor that could help me. I had the surgery that he recommended. The first few days and the following 2 weeks after that, I hurt so bad that I wish I was dead. Today, best thing I ever did.

I'm glad to hear of that recovery...because some people never lose that first two weeks.

I was told that I should keep going till I cannot walk, then get surgery.

I replaced a water heater yesterday and it was raining, no way was I taking that around the house on the steep grade.

For those who want to know...

Those GE water heaters supplied by Home Cheapo now come with the Intelli-Vent gas valves, the same ones that are retrofitted to get rid of the defective Robertshaw control valves.

And today, replaced the wiring harness to a water heater I installed in 06...

A.O. Smith is having troubles with their wiring separating in the jackets, I guess from the heat of the burner assembly. And those aren't FVIR either.

Proud Plumber · 07-23-2009, 10:39 PM

I have shed about 30 lbs I am still sore however, it has helped. I think The Master makes a good suggestion about physical health. I have been trying to eat healthier, although I relapsed today and pounded a double qtr pounder. I have been stretching in the morning.

After all Plumbing is a physical trade, much like football players train around the clock to stay healthy. I am not interested in being cut on, therefore I had to make some drastic changes as the days of having employees to do the work are far over for a while. Not to mention I feel better.

The cigs and the gym are next.

07-23-2009, 04:18 PM	#22
Bollinger plumber Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sedgewickville Missouri Posts: 1,326 My Photos	I have bulging disc and sciatic nerve problems. No problem lifting and carrying anything but lord does it hurt if I have to stand for a long time. Legs start burning toes tingle, outside of thighs go numb and the middle of my back hurts like hell. If I can sit down or prop my left leg up like captain morgan it relieves the pain. I have an inversion table but don't use it very often. Maybe I need to and see if it helps. Been told surgery would help but heard too many nightmare stories about guys that go in to surgery and come out worst than they were before. Trying to put it off till I retire then maybe get it looked at. Been like this for over 20 yrs so another 10 should be like a walk in the park. __________________ http://alsdrainservice.services.offi...m/default.aspx Only two devining forces have died for you. One is Jesus Christ and the other is the American soldier. One died for your soul the other died for your freedom.

07-23-2009, 04:53 PM	#24
TheMaster Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6,437 My Photos	Weak abs,tight hamstrings and poor lifting techniques and being generaly over-weight is a good way to ruin your back. All of the above lead to poor posture and you will have back trouble sooner or later. Genetics have somthing to do with it also. One of the worst things you can do is wear a saftey brace all the time...this allows your abs/back muscles to get even weaker. Back brace should only be worn while lifting not all the time. Smoking makes any injury worse and takes longer to heal. Back surgery can be sucessful for a few years until scar tissue builds back up in the area and then nerve compression starts back up bringing the pain with it. Some people build more scar tissue than others. Prevention is 100 times better than a cure. Oh and I'd like to ad the wearing of improper fitting or cushioned shoes. Boots wear out way before the leather does. I had an ortho dr tell me to throw the boots away unless they are required for saftey reasons like steel toe ones. I wear Nikes now with inserts and my joints love me for it. Last edited by TheMaster; 07-23-2009 at 04:58 PM..

07-23-2009, 07:19 PM	#26
Bollinger plumber Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sedgewickville Missouri Posts: 1,326 My Photos	When I did commercial work that walking on hard concrete all day killed my legs. by lunch time I was ready to go home no matter how good the boots I was wearing were. About the only thing I didn't like about commercial work. __________________ http://alsdrainservice.services.offi...m/default.aspx Only two devining forces have died for you. One is Jesus Christ and the other is the American soldier. One died for your soul the other died for your freedom.

07-23-2009, 09:17 PM	#27
Plasticman new nickname:Quaker State Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 1,204 My Photos	After suffering with back pain for years I finally found a doctor that could help me. I had the surgery that he recommended. The first few days and the following 2 weeks after that, I hurt so bad that I wish I was dead. Today, best thing I ever did. __________________ Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

07-23-2009, 09:43 PM	#28
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,407 My Photos	Lost my ACL in right leg in '92 ,,,never had it rebuilt . Left knee ,cartlidge (sp?) removed in '94 Doc told me ,,, stay in the gym ,,keep all the muscles strong around ALL your joints ,,you can go forever . SURE ,,, I have LOTS of pain sometimes ,,,,but if not for training hard ,,,, i would have drugged myself in to a stupor or blown my brains out !! __________________ "The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly."

07-23-2009, 11:06 AM	#21
rickmccarthy living the dream Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 151 My Photos	last year may 1 I had a multi-level fusion L-4 S-1 they took out two discs put in 6 screws and two rods I feel great I heard a lot of horror stories from guys that went to an orthopedis surgeon I went to a well respected neurosurgeon and it was awesome. I am not the superman I used to be but that is what dollies are for right? just had knee surgery 11 days ago that went great too this trade will wear you out that is why I am now trying to get my own business off the ground time to let some young guys make some money for me I killed myself making others rich why not

07-23-2009, 10:39 PM	#30
Proud Plumber Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,122 My Photos	I have shed about 30 lbs I am still sore however, it has helped. I think The Master makes a good suggestion about physical health. I have been trying to eat healthier, although I relapsed today and pounded a double qtr pounder. I have been stretching in the morning. After all Plumbing is a physical trade, much like football players train around the clock to stay healthy. I am not interested in being cut on, therefore I had to make some drastic changes as the days of having employees to do the work are far over for a while. Not to mention I feel better. The cigs and the gym are next. __________________ Bill "I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead"..Jimmy Buffett

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