Worse Than I Thought
What I thought was just a sciatic nerve acting up turned out to be a much bigger problem.
ACTUAL MRI IMAGE FROM MY INJURY
🏋️♂️ **Who I Reached Out To**:
I spoke to loads of folks to gain some insight on dealing with the injury from pro wrestlers I knew to family, friends and fans. I also asked Chace LaChance (a masseuse), Jaxton Wheeler (who’s dealt with loads of injuries), and Guido Genatto (who’s suffered from severe sciatic nerve issues). Unfortunately, their advice didn’t help, and I had already committed to some upcoming pro wrestling matches.
🤼♂️ **Wrestling at the State Fair**:
I wrestled two days in a row at the local state fair. The first night was painful, but manageable. For the past few months, I’d been sticking to tag team matches with minimal crazy bumps, thinking I’d stay safe. But on Day 2, things went south.
🚗 **The Painful Drive Home**:
After the match, I hobbled to my car for the 45-minute drive home. Within minutes, I couldn’t find a comfortable position and had to pull myself up by the car's roof handle to relieve the pressure on my sciatic nerve. Pure agony. I even had to cancel a side trip to visit a friend’s new place.
🛏️ **A Rough Weekend**:
I spent the weekend sleeping in short bursts—on the floor, stairs, couch—anywhere I could find even a hint of comfort. Finally, I saw a chiropractor, who said my lower back was too swollen to treat. He recommended I call my doctor in Florida for some prednisone. After just one dose, I felt a bit better and thought I was on the road to recovery.
🌿 **Optimism Crushed**:
Feeling optimistic, I decided to mow my lawn—a task I actually enjoy. My buddy from Florida was coming up, and I wanted to show him what a real lawn looks like. But that optimism didn’t last.
🏥 **The Diagnosis**:
I ended up spending three days off and on in the ER and two more visiting doctors. The verdict? A herniated disc at L5/S1.
💊 **Current Routine**:
Now, I’m spending 23.5 hours a day lying horizontally—on my back or stomach. I’m on Gabapentin, a muscle relaxer, and tons of ibuprofen. I got an epidural shot that was intense but seems to be helping. Feeling is slowly coming back in my big toe, and the cramping in my calf is easing up. I’ll start decompression therapy soon and might even try warm acupuncture. If you’ve got any advice, let me know. It’s overwhelming trying to find the right answer to get back to 100% and it seems unlikely that I'll ever get back to normal.
🎯 **Silver Lining**:
The good news? I’ve had time to watch the Olympics. I’m really into archery, swimming, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. The track & field events have been a fun distraction too. I even spent three hours watching a 273 km bike race through France, which made me miss being in Europe. 🌍
With that being said, I'm going to be horizontal and lame for the next 3 to 9 weeks at the very least. I'm going to let the steroid injection do it's thing for the next two weeks in hopes that'll relieve the issue a bunch then lots of rest I guess. Hoping by September I'm able to walk for extended periods, maybe I'll be able to do some traveling or at least get out of the house. I'm really unsure. Not even sure how to end this blog...
24 comments
Everyone in the sport should have their cervical (neck) area examined as well. Recently, I went for MRI and CT scan X-rays for L5-S1 herniated disc follow-up (that began in 2010) and happened to bring up a long term matter (minor to me) involving tingling fingers. I had ignored this for years, did my decompression for my lower back, and continued with moderate athletic activity. Big mistake. Now they want to install rods and screws in my neck. My lower back will be fine. If I’d only addressed this tingling thing years ago I could have avoided where I am now. If you notice or have had any minor numbness or tingling in your fingers, get your neck examined ASAP.
…please don’t post my message…I didn’t want it posted…it was just for you and out of concern…
…I don’t know who you’re getting your information from but I’m a Medical Exercise Specialist who has worked with the some of the best physical therapists in the country. You need professional guidance. No one should stay horizontal for a long period of time. You need to move in order to get blood and nutrients to the area in order for it to heal. Find a good orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist in your social circle, or among your clients and stop getting professional results from friends and fellow wrestlers. I’m older than you with several herniated discs and, with consistent corrective exercise, I am fully functional. Don’t fuck around with your health.
Sorry to hear about your medical wooes. A friend went through pretty much what you are experiencing, including stay flat for several weeks. He was good at following his doctors recommendations and did slowly heal up.
You are quite right, though…never quite got back to “normal” (as it was before it all fell apart). I’m a great believer in listening to and do what my cardiologist says…and it has worked super effectively for 20 years since the five bypass heart surgery and the recent aortic valve replacement. So, stay the course and I’m sure we shall be seeing you doing some more matches for W4H…maybe even a oil match featuring you and Joey Nux.
Stay flat, relax as much as possible, enjoy tv and a bit of sex (now and then, of course!).
Wow, Cameron, I am so sorry to hear about your injury. I understand what you are going through. Due to an exercise injury in the gym in mid-April, 2023, I had a moderate herniated disc at L2 – L3. Even though it was moderate, the pain was excruciating. Just to walk, I was doubled over for 3 weeks. If I stood straight up, I would experience terrible pain. After 3 weeks, things started to get better.
Take it easy; don’t over do. I hope you heal quickly. Wishing you all the best. Bill in Sarasota, FL