Over the past few months, I’ve been dealing with a nerve issue in my lower back that’s been pretty brutal at times. After a flare-up in January, I got hit about a month ago with sharp, throbbing pain down my left leg that made simple things like walking, sleeping, or any kind of physical activity a real challenge.
I got an MRI last week, and it confirmed a herniated disc at L4–L5, pressing on the L5 nerve root. I’m honestly just glad to know what it is. And if you’ve had nerve pain (which it turns out many people have), you know it’s intense and sucky.
The good news is I’m getting better — slowly, but noticeably, every day. My current plan:
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A short course of steroids to reduce inflammation
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Physical therapy (lots of core)
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Possibly adding an epidural injection if progress stalls — but for now, things are trending in the right direction
They say that this should take a good 6-8 months before I’m out of the woods. My new motto is: Just abide in ’25 to get back in the mix in ’26.
This whole thing has taught me a few things:
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It sucks to be immobile — I have a lot more empathy for people who are injured or disabled. It’s easy to take movement for granted.
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My posture and office ergonomics are terrible. I never realized how bad my posture is or how much I sit during the day. I’m fixing both.
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I’m lucky. This isn’t a terminal disease or a catastrophic injury. I can still move. I can sit. I can function. I’ve had friends dealing with much worse.
Thanks to everyone who’s reached out and expressed care — I’ve appreciated it more than I can say. More updates to come. 💪
