The Steel Guitar Forum

I lost 35 pounds and all my back problems went away too. Meanwhile, as I lay here in bed recuperating from hernia surgery, a new MSA is looking mighty good, maybe a couple of NV 112s too!

Al,

If it's the recovery period from my surgery you're asking about, it was quite rapid -- just a few days. The only warning the doctor gave me was not to lift more than 15 pounds for rhe rest of my life. The reason the process is low risk is that the surgeon's assistant holds the nerve bundle aside and the surgeon picks the surplus disk material away a tiny bit at a time. As long as the nerve bundle is not damaged, there is very little risk. My surgeon told me that the success rate for this type of repair is very high. Other procedures, such as my daughter is going through, are quite risky and the success rate is low. She had two vertibrae fused together and it didn't help. She is soon going back to have three more fused. Her malady is degenerative disc disese. A simple herniated disc is quite a bit less problem than hers. Consult with a neurosurgeon -- not an orthepedic surgeon -- and ask him or her about the success rate.

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<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 26 June 2006 at 10:14 AM.]</p></FONT>

Al, I know exactly how you felt. I to felt 10 feet tall and bullet proof. I never dreamed a little thing like picking up my guitar would one day become a huge deal!
Yes, my D 10 Carter 8&6 weighs about 38 lbs. Msa M3 weighs in around 32lbs. Could be something to consider my friend
Hang in there.
Hook

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www.HookMoore.com

Roy--Yes, I meant to ask you about your recovery time! Got a little confused there--wrote Steve and meant Roy. Hey, I may be dumb but I'm slow.

Thanks for that reply. 15 pounds, eh? So, did you keep playing steel? And how did you get it around? Hey, at least you got to be pain free.

Al--take a look at this - http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=02758-2CEH&Submit=Go . This is a folding portable Platform Truck from Harbor Freight Co. The only thing is they make it in a bigger size. This is 19" X 29" and the ones I bought are 24" X 36" or that's what they measure anyway.They are item # 3377 at their local stores but not shown in their catalogs. Buck Granthum and I both have them. The handle folds down so they load easily and they roll so well I don't even bother to back up to the door anymore --just roll across the lot and in the building and right to the stage. Greatest thing since milk of magnesia for old men ! - <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bill Myrick on 27 June 2006 at 03:27 AM.]</p></FONT>

What did I do wrong ? the address isn't highlighted so you can click on it --sorry-- <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center"> OK - next morning --maybe I have it corrected.[This message was edited by Bill Myrick on 26 June 2006 at 02:48 PM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bill Myrick on 27 June 2006 at 03:29 AM.]</p></FONT>

LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION HERE! I CAN TALK ABOUT POSTURE PROBLEMS AND TENSE PLAY. TO PREVENT BACK CERVICAL PAIN AND TENDINITIS,i GUESS THE KEY IS TO PLAY RELAX AND IN THE RIGHT BACK STRAIGHT POSITION ,IF YOU DON'T ,IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP HEALTH PROBLEMS AND PAIN COMES SONNER OR LATE... I THINK IS GOOD TO DO SOME LIGHT REGULAR COMPLEMENTARY SPORTS,LIKE SWIMM ,FOOTING OR A LITTLE WORKOUT WITH SOFT WEIGHT ,IT PREVENT THE MUSCLE CONTRACTURE'S ,WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?....ABOUT CARRING STEEL,DO YOU THINK IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE CASE ? THE PROBLEM COMES WITH THE WHOLE KIT....IT'S TO MUCH WEIGHT.... AND ADD THE AMP.....MAYBE THE SENIOR STEELERS HAVE THE RIGHT ADVICES TO EVERYBODY...WE ALL NEEDS TO KNOW THE BETTER INFORMATION ABOUT... (SORRY ABOUT MY POOR INGLISH!)

sorry AL,I forgot to say to you my best wishes,you have to see the better doctor......
best regards
Ariel

Al, I've had lower back problems for decades but never met the right Doctor until 32 years ago. My problems are minor compared to yours, I have had arthritis for years (one area is the lower spine) and am flat-footed. My guy recommended "Allison Exercises" and "Orthodics" in my shoes. Once this was done I got into running and weight-lifting. However today I am in constant discomfort, especially in all joints from the waist down. I have taken a prescription drug for this to dull the pain but I don't like what it does to my "thinking", so I leave it alone. I guess we are all so different in many ways. Thank God that there are techniques today that can help some of us. I don't dare try to pick up my D-10 in a case; that's over. I bought a S-10 to carry when we go on a trip. I can remember years ago when I would sneeze and collapse on the "sales floor". Today I exercise religiously, especially the "Allison Exercises" to strengthen the abdominal muscles. You might check with your Doctor about these (Allison Exercises). I believe that I have read about a form of disc replacement that one might research, that originated in Europe. I don't know the risks that may be involved with this so I would do a lot of research before considering such a major procedure. In fact I personally would not try anything without the advice of my Doctor.

Al,

I bought an Excel Superb S10 6 + 4 (30 pounds out of the 12 pound case) and a Nashville 112 amp (42 pounds). Ww have a 2-wheeled dolly to carry one at a time and a 4-wheeled dolly to carry everything at one time. I usually ask one of the younger guys to load/unload from the trunk of the car at gigs and shows, and one of my kids or a neighbor helps at the house. I use a light weight folding keyboard bench rather than a pac-a-seat, and I carry miscellaneous stuff in a small roll-around suitcase.

Where thers's a will there's a way.


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Thanks Ariel, Charles and Roy--I'm getting some good ideas here.

I met with my neurosurgeon yesterday. First thing I discovered is that I have three herniated discs--not one. The doc said that my back looks "pretty normal for my age--backs are designed to fail." Actually, two of the discs are not causing me any pain--its the lower one that is impinging on the sciatic nerve. Doc says he doesn't think I am a candidate for surgery.

The approach we are taking begins with the Medrol dose pack that "Dr" Carlucci said helped him. I started that yesterday. If that doesn't shrink the swelling, the next step is a steroid injection directly to the area in my back. Should that not take care of it, he has a fun looking needle that goes into the disc, which removes a bit of the center, thus shrinking the disc in size. Once I get out of the woods, I will get an exercise regimen going. Got to drop about 20 lbs too.

BTW, I dumped my Motrin too. Thanks for all the comments and for listening. It really helps me mentally to hear others stories and advice--also its great to have people to talk to who have been through similar stuff.

Al,

I hope it all works out for you. I saw my doctor today about my back and we're going to keep an eye on mine.

25 years in the piano business moving stuff around the floor has messed me up and they weigh more than a steel.

Also, my younger years thinking I could lift anythin by myself. I see it in my 19 year old son and I'm warning him. "Lift it now, pay for it later!"

Russ

Got the old back trouble.discs are all but gone,discs fused in some area's. Doc said he never saw a neck wore out like mine is..Doing therapy at home on lower back and its helping some.its a day to day thing.some days are good and other's its hard to even walk.old aurther in there also.and bieng at 300 lbs don't help.im working on that too.please guys and gals use a dolly or have help moving this stuff and exercise the back and neck to keep it in condition.

I have nothing approaching the complication of a herniated disc, but from a fairly young age – 13 or so—I’ve experienced periods of lower back pain in the sacroiliac region. I have no problem as long as I do a modest amount of exercise targeting the surrounding muscles. If I slack off the exercise for a couple of months during golf season, I soon end up at the chiropractor and have to work through it and rededicate myself to the exercises.

15 minutes of daily exercise avoids weeks of lower back pain.


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HagFan

Hi Russ! Read what Ron Page says about exercise for the back. You might be able to avoid serious trouble later on by getting those back muscles strong now.

From what I've read, once you start to have back issues, you need to keep up the exercises to avoid more trouble. Most people that keep up the exercises do fine.

Al:

You have had a ton of contributors. I am 2 months post surgery. I have six blocks, 12 screws, and two rods plus some set screws in my back. Triple fusion. If you want to talk call me at 208 755-9571. This is not for sissy's. You need to know everything you can garner about this deal.

Jim

I mounted my Carter to the wall and play laying on my back. The music is terrible, but I feel better listening to it. Sorry, wrong section. Tj

Al I had a herniated L5/S1 with extruded fragments and a buldging L5/L4 disc 10 yrs ago. I had a diskectomy with no fusion and over the last 10 yrs the spaces closed compressing the nerves and causing extreme pain again. I had artificial disk replacement 6 months ago and can't believe the relief!! The Disks are called Charite and were just approved by the FDA last year. Good Luck and keep your abs & gluts in shape

Jim Simon--What you've been through sounds like a nightmare and a half. I would like to talk to you and will try to give you a call. I hope that after all you have gone through that you are getting some relief.

Mike Baldwin--I'm hoping I don't have to go that far down the road, but it is encouraging to know that artificial disk replacement is a reality now. Bones are usually stable. Muscles can be built up--but once a disk goes bad, its basically bad forever. The Charite disks may add years to our useful lives. Hope I never need them, but its reassuring to know that such medical treatment now exists. You know, they've got this hip/knee replacement stuff down pretty well now--maybe fresh backs are on the way next.