Fishing with Back Pain / Sciatica

[fish'n Jim]

As noted, it's a pervasive issue.   Every one's problem is different.   So you have to get a good diagnosis.   You want a second and/or third opinion here.

When I was about 40, I was having pain and fished a tournament in 3 footers on a Sunday and was cut on that thurs.   A piece of disk broke off L5 and pinned the nerve.  It could not stand up or sit, only stay in between.   L4 was compressed.   My leg went numb.   I'd been having problems since injury at 16, so I had investigated and you have to find the best neurosurgeon you can.   Three of us had back issues at work at that time.   Me and another guy had the same surgeon.   His took three surgeries to cure with finally fusion.   The other guy, different surgeon, had a permanent limp.   I was lucky, no more pain, leg good, and haven't had much problems in the last 25+ years but I still have some "episodes" and the first thing I do is get on my roman chair and get inverted to stretch it out.   Only thing that works for me.  Inverting takes the pressure of the discs.   Minimize sitting.   Exercise regularly once your out of pain.  Walking usually helps.  I haven't heard of anyone that's had any luck with any injections.   I fished with a guy that had experimental surgery in the military for a disc replacement and he had poor results after many operations.   It's life style threatening.

So you can't be too careful managing it, and the pain is so intense so you want relief as fast as possible and that clouds your thinking.   I don't know what they use now if they don't use pain medicines.   I stayed away from that and used NSAIDS, heat and massage and "chair position" to get it down.   So you have my sympathy and best wishes for a good outcome.

[Turkey sandwich]

8 hours ago, WRB said:

Caution about back supports, they are good during the healing process and can be degrading if used beyond that period because your core mussels weaken. It may seem logical to take the stress off your spine by wearing a back brace, I suggest you discuss this with your spinal surgeon. My GP told me to wear a back brace when doing any lifting or twisting, my surgeon* said don't wear it, work on strengthening your core mussels. 

There are good spinal institutes throughout the country in major cities who train doctors that practice in smaller cities. My advice is go to the top doctors who train the others, it's your spine and don't want to go to the best doctors to repair what a less skilled Doctor did. Do your research.

Tom

* Rick Delamarter, MD Dir Cedars Sinai spine center.

ym and 

 

 

Yes. following surgery, you'd likely be wearing a clam shell hard brace.  A soft brace afterwards does not replace actually training your core and rebuilding strength.  I use a belt religiously for any kind of heavy lifting in the gym and the brace is used on the water when needed as a supplement. 

[Drew03cmc]

I'll speak to this. Im 33 now and I had your problem 18 months ago, had surgery (decompression) 13 months ago and am an avid fisherman and diesel mechanic. 

 

It hurt me to walk, move, twist, etc. My L4/5 nerve was being obstructed and not able to slide through the gaps in the vertebrae. I tried pain management (shovelling pills down my throat isn't for me, never again as I became addicted and fought that big time), they had me do 2 months of physical therapy before they'd do anything else (thank you insurance company...), but they finally decided it was time for surgery. With my job, I'm climbing ladders, tires, engines, laying in awkward positions, etc so there's no easy way to do it. Fishing became difficult, especially from shore when I have to stand up, squat, bend and twist. After surgery, I noticed I couldn't move the way I wanted to. I went to therapy, but started doing my own therapy at the gym and the Dr told me to stop going to therapy and just do what I was already doing. I've fished fewer times the past 13 months than any year since I was 12. It hurts me. I've floated once since and that was in a rental aluminum barge of a canoe that my pregnant girl at the time couldn't help me move around. In short, if I had to do it (decompression) again, I wouldn't. It's been terrible coming back from it, been terrible trying to learn to cope with pain that is still there and often worse, been terrible trying to move on and do the things i want to do for enjoyment. The only way I'd do it again is if they were fusing my spine. I know it sounds bad, but honestly, it's what I'm feeling and I think a fusion would be easier to recover from than a decompression that the issue is still present. Just my .02.

 

 

[Loochy88]

On 1/25/2018 at 6:32 PM, NHBull said:

My L3-5 are degenerating and a few docs have wanted to go in.

Short of surgery, pain management is the first option.

Orthotics with heel lift

Core strength 

Foam roller

Low dose advice, keep a trace amount in your system when fishing.

Don't overthrow the bait, torqueing  your low back makes it worse.

Massage therapy help and if it doesn't, at least it relaxes you.

The list is long, so see a specialist, avoid orthopedic surgeons 

 

I hear you on overthrowing the bait.  One of my favorite tactics at LOTO used to be chucking crankbaits as far as i could.  I don't do that much anymore since my spine doesn't agree with it.  

On 1/25/2018 at 8:05 PM, Catt said:

 

 

Last Sunday I simply stood up, couldn't straighten up, couldn't walk for 5 days, & the level of pain was close to unbearable.

 

Hope you're feeling better soon.  

On 1/25/2018 at 10:34 PM, BassAssasinGarcia said:

It hurts to hear this but I can RELATE a little bit. My pain may not be back pain but I'm 31 and have had 4 knee surgerys and it's a absolute pain in the rear throughout the day on the water keeping the pain under control. But, if you have never tried kratom tea/ powder, you are about to have your mind blown. I literally just started using this stuff about 3 days ago. It was suggested to me because I was tired of having to take pain pills all the time and I absolutely would not take anything if I knew I was going to be on the water. So I would have to just tough it out until I was off the water. Do some research on it and give it a try. I promise your back pain will be gone for about 4-5hrs. It's amazing. It's all natural and organic. 

Seems way too good to be true, but what the heck.  It can't really hurt right?  Maybe I'll give it a shot...

... upon further research, the legality of this stuff seems a little sketchy (at best).  What is this stuff...?

[bigbill]

After having prostate cancer it’s zero on the PSA, I’m having back problems.

 

Besides having two wornout knees, I have three bulging discs, spinal stenosis , sciatica too. I can’t walk, sit for too long I get shooting pain down my left leg. I rest most of the time. My local surgeon won’t operate. I’m a big man plus my health isn’t that good. Before it became worse I would lean against the guard rail and fish. Luckily the waters edge is close by.

 

for pain relief at work I’d hang myself from the overhead crane to stretch my spine. I’d use the nylon straps under my arms.

 

when I switched to longer rods to cast farther from shore it didn’t help my back any. I make long casts to hit target areas where I see active fish that most can’t reach that’s the key to shore fishing. Either fish close to shore our go out farther. I try to follow the fish from the shoreline as the night turns to day. When they move to there deeper cover.

 

im on the opioids now for pain, great. Bad backs run in the family. Just take it one day at a time.

 

whats this Kratom? I’m going to see my pain doctor soon I’ll ask him too.

[James Pondscum]

  I do not experience  back pain except when fishing at times?  More prevalent when wade fishing?  I lift heavy objects at work and also at the gym . Not much of a problem?  Could it be my stance or posture?

[BassAssasinGarcia]

On 1/29/2018 at 9:59 AM, Loochy88 said:

I hear you on overthrowing the bait.  One of my favorite tactics at LOTO used to be chucking crankbaits as far as i could.  I don't do that much anymore since my spine doesn't agree with it.  

Hope you're feeling better soon.  

Seems way too good to be true, but what the heck.  It can't really hurt right?  Maybe I'll give it a shot...

... upon further research, the legality of this stuff seems a little sketchy (at best).  What is this stuff...?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia 

 

I understand it sounds to good to be true as I thought the same. BUT! It has got me off of opioids and it's truly done wonders for my pain. Pretty remarkable to be honest.