Any other Buellers with bad backs?

[sak1782]

So Im a disabled vet, 29yo, and have 4 damaged disks between my L1-L5. Two are herniated, and two are degenerating.
I just got home last night from traveling for a family emergency, and when loading my bags into the trunk, I screwed it up again. I am seriously tired of this crap.

I am normally pretty good about not hurting it, so long as I keep good posture, and keep my back stretched out, but now Im laid up on the couch, with a VA appt tuesday for a shot and more meds.

Anyone else have back issues?

 

[1968patt]

I would not get a Firebolt,but you might be ok on a lightning.I have a bad back that is no where near as bad as yours and my Firebolt kills me after an hour.

 

[sak1782]

I have a lightning...just asking in general. Ive had 3 Hayabusa's, and like I said, my back is normally just fine, but right now its all wonky.

 

[dmp0001]

I get the VA treatment 3 times a week to have my back put in traction, so I know how you feel. I wear a brace on long rides to take the pressure off. It really helps to squeeze the frame with your knees to support your weight. I'm only 27 so I feel like I'm to young to let it affect me. But after a day of yard work or a long run I can't hardly stand up straight.

 

[Iamarchangel]

Everybody is unique so hard to figure but I'd never trust a doctor to do anything to my back.
My chiropractor has fixed everything. I know sometimes she sends people back to doctors but on the one injury, her and the doctors worked together.

 

[JRage]

I had a herniated disk disk my doctor told me the shots were only going to be a temporary fix so I opted for surgery and I've been fine ever since. Also try to keep your hamstrings and cafs stretched out

 

[dmp0001]

My problem is that a chiropractor wouldn't be covered by my insurance. At 3 times a week that would get expensive FAST

 

[J_Undisputed]

I was at work moving computer boxes 10 yrs ago instead waiting for the right people to move them, I felt something pop in my lower back and since then... (never saw a doc)If I do too much heavy lifting, stooping or don't get enough sleep I'll eventually be unable to stand when I get up in the morning and will need a cane to get around.
I'm not the thinnest guy on a firebolt, I can assure you.. but I found Abdominal exercises and transverse abdominal raises help. After rides, I'm usually tired from fighting the wind so I'm sleepy anyway. The rest does help take the pressure off my back. When in doubt a 600mg dose of Ibuprofen goes a long way for me. It sucks having limits now, but I finally learned to listen to my body and if I get an ache, take it easy before I need the cane.

 

[Livers]

Have any of you with back problems tried one of the hi-tech beds we see on the tube? Just curious if they are worth the hype?

 

[crxtasy169]

I blew 2 disc in my back when I was 23, I'm 34 now. I just have to be careful about what I do and stay stretched and limber. Having a lightning helps with the ride position for sure. Sorry to here about your lay-up rest well and get better soon.

 

[dmp0001]

Have any of you with back problems tried one of the hi-tech beds we see on the tube? Just curious if they are worth the hype?

link? I am always interested in new things that might help.

 

[strawberrys]

4 disc screwed, 3 doctors in the us might work on me. but was told don't get your hopes up.
Tempur-pedic love it, has helped a ton!


Now the bike, I could have had anything. Rode everything from a BMW ,Concour, HD, anything you can think of, 2 years of looking and testing.
I'm short so they were all about the same, on my tip toes.
I have a Ulysses, it allows me to sit straight up, its light, power, you name it. Oh ya the highway pegs, so when I get leg cramps just extend them straight!
That helps with the back as well now since I have installed them.
Straw
Straw

 

[MotoX6]

I'm 22 and get back spasms sometimes. Doctor thought it was from lifting weights so I use my dirt bike kidney belt on longer rides to support the back. I'm 22 and have a sore back, I dont want it to get worse!

 

[pinball242]

Does it hurt too bad to go down to tru value tomorrow? See whats up w my exhaust? Just askin

 

[hdstn]

I have L4and 5 toasted as well. I have learned as well strengthening your core has been without a doubt the BEST medicine. Every once in a while I take ibuprofen when I over do it or do something stupid but other than that I lead a normal life. Mind you it took a few years, dedication to exercise and tossing out the cigarettes.

As far as the bike...i have the opposite opinion it seems. I have a lightning and went with the firebolt upper triple. Wasn't the original thought when I got the triple but I have not regretted it once. For reference I'm 6'1 185. The bolt bars keep me slightly leaned forward which makes it REAL easy for me to keep my back straight (no slouching that I did with the lightning bars) and using my arms, shoulders and core to keep me upright. Plus it puts you in a more aerodynamic position which has made highway speeds much more tolerable for more than 20 miles.

HTH

 

[stang65pony]

i was in a bad car accident when i was a sophmore in high school. 3 broken ribs and 2 broken vertibrae or fractured i dont remember (another problem) but those were just a few of my injuries. anyways that was one of the main reasons i chose a more upright style bike like my xb12ss. i do pretty good but it still ends up hurting me after a lil bit.

 

[ducrider]

Do some of us have back problems is like asking if we have ever dropped a bike.A good many of us do.I had spinal meningitis 3 days after graduating High school.I have spent many a morning trying to get out of bed from the after effects of it.I have suffered many years.In the last 8 years or so I have learned to not sleep as long.Which helps keeping my back from getting to stiff.Now with the ease of being able to get up and move makes the rest of my day pretty good.4 years ago I herniated a disc in my back which took a good bit of time to recover from but I am much better now.My name here is Ducrider because I have owned a couple Ducati's.Once moving from them to a X1 I can ride all day with out back pain where before I could ride just a few hours.I am in much better condition than I was 20 years ago and am glad for it.I have had the back pains most of you have mentioned and wish you guys never had to endure it.

 

[TJN72]

Hi,
I too have had multi back surgeries. leaving me 3 fused discs and hardware.
I catch all kinds of grief about riding the style of bikes that I do. Before my Xb I had a ninja. It is the crouched riding postion that is most comfortable on the back. A upright or laid back position would kill me in a few miles. Added croosroads bars on XB puts me it an excellent angle.I still cannot ride long distances over 200 miles. As other areas that had sureries hurt- foot knees shoulder. But still looking for a combo of sets and bars to help with those areas. After riding long hot tub bath seems to make it all worthwell.
Tom

 

[brightbuell]

I have a fucked up back and im on pain management. I own a firebolt and i do fine. You just have to learn how to ride correctly. The first thing you have to always remember to do is when you get on the bike and you are riding in neighborhoods and stop-n-go area's like the city and traffic, you have to scoot your ass all the way up till your balls are touching the air box. That way you can use your legs to support your torso by squeezing them together and arching your back. Its the same for racing. You can scoot your ass back on the long straightaways.
I have very long arms, and there was a time when i first got my Firebolt that I thought that I should have bought a lightning, but after a few weeks I learned how to ride correctly and soon after i would not change for the world. So think about that, if you are 6ft and have long arms and can learn you will do better on a bolt. If your 5/8 and you dont learn well get a lightning.

 

[mmcn49]

Hi sak. Like you I’m a disabled vet and have had back issues since Vietnam over 43 years ago. Over time they got worst and VA put me through a back training program many years ago with the physical therapy department. The techniques they taught and the exercises I did and still do all helped immensely.

I have 3-herniated discs. About two to three years ago my back really started killing me. I received a steroid injection in the spine at VA which only helped a little. An MRI showed one of the herniations was huge. Long story short that herniation blew out. Fibrous debris from it packed around the nerve in the nerve canal. Pain was beyond severe, couldn’t walk and was completely bedridden.

I found a neurosurgeon outside of VA with over 35 years experience and had him seal the disc and clean out the nerve canal, (I have no complaints about VA and have received excellent care there, I just wanted someone with a good local reputation and a lot of experience doing the surgery). It was a good thing I did because the nerve blocked part of his view and he had to clean part of the nerve canal blind. The outcome was excellent and I still have 70% of the damaged disc left. Nothing is fused.

The reason for the long dissertation is to emphasize the fact that if you have a major painful turn for the worst, don’t ignore it. If the pain doesn’t start improving in a week or ten days go to an M.D. for a more thorough exam. Remember x-rays show little. To really see what is going on you need an MRI. You may want to use your health insurance outside of VA on this one. IMHO steroids, pain injections and high powered pain pills are only a short term temporary fix. They not the answer.