My Lower Back

[ehubbard]

Sorry to hear this. Get a second opinion from someone who specializes in this type of issue. Call Louie Simmons and see what he says. Take some time off from squatting and pulling and work your torso in other ways. Build the stabilizers up. Get some soft tissue work done on your back and glutes. Talk to chiropractors who deal with strength athletes. Just don't accept your initial diagnosis without a fight if it means that much to you.

[markievicz]

Jim,
have only had the chance to view your vlog now.

Really sorry that you got this news, am kinda shooting from the hip here and will send you a pm when i gather my thoughts fully,

I know you are tempted to keep going to reach that 500 pull , i know its been a dream lift for you , but ask yourself , would you swap (god willing) walking your daughter down the aisle on her wedding day for that pull? ( or insert any lifetime milestone event here ). What happens when you reach 500, will another 20lbs tempt you to stay going , maybe 50lbs ? I guess what i am trying to say (just not very well), is that we all have dreams and goals but these change or evolve into something else along the way...

A wise man once said its the journey not the destination that counts....

Whatever you decide to do i wish you well , and it goes without saying all of MAB will be here in your corner.

[Beverly McD]

Originally Posted by ehubbard

Sorry to hear this. Get a second opinion from someone who specializes in this type of issue. Call Louie Simmons and see what he says. Take some time off from squatting and pulling and work your torso in other ways. Build the stabilizers up. Get some soft tissue work done on your back and glutes. Talk to chiropractors who deal with strength athletes. Just don't accept your initial diagnosis without a fight if it means that much to you.

Excellent post.

[CLEEPER]

A second opinion is never a bad thing but what you do with the information is what matters.

Here is my opinion and it's just that , an opinion . Do what Al said and be the best bencher you can be. One day you will have grand kids and it would be a shame to let a lifting dream get in the way of bein able to lift the most precious thing of all and that is a child. Stay healthy and live a long healthy life.
Go body build and get the extra weight off and make your wife's panties drop every time you enter the room.
What ever you decide , I have the greatest respect for you as a person and a lifter and would love to drink some beer with you.

[Mr.Silverback]

Jim, I dont have any words because I don't know what i could say that could ease the pain...know that you are in my prayers brother and I completely support you! Thank you for your kinds words through out my log brother!

[fenrisulfr]

Well Jim, i cant compare our ailments but i was told that i cant squat deadlift or overhead press ever again. I know the crushing despair of what it feels to be told that. Get that second opinion, do the rehab, get the shot, be strong.

[Fazc]

Jim, I asked the boys on Sugden if they knew about it. One positive response so far which may give you hope:

"I have basically exactly this.

Was told six months ago and told to stop all lifting. Two days ago I pulled 240kg again... Nutrition supplements and so forth have helped massively."

Lower back injury help. Sugden Barbell.

Thought you might want to keep an eye on the thread.

[moeheep]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Jim,

You are an asset to the lifting community. You have always went out of your way to help, and never asked a thing out of anyone.

First and foremost I just want to encourage you to remain active in a manner that is healthy to you, both physically and mentally. If you can only bench, then bench. You have made great progress this past year on that lift, and I see very good things for you in the future.

No matter what you do, even if you turn full bodybuilder on us, we're going to back you 2000%. You are one of the best damn guys I know.

This^^^^^^^ X 100

[Hazzard]

Haven't got much to say mate other than to give you my commiserations and utmost encouragement and respect for whatever path you choose.

[Squatter]

Sorry for the late reply everyone, but I was busy at work as it is year end.

Firstly, I am very touched at how you all chime in with great advice and thoughts on how I should proceed. We sure do have a great community here and I am very proud to be a part of it. I wish I could travel the world and thank you all personally for giving me some direction when I needed it most.

As you all can see, I have always been emotional about my lifting. I know some of you are not so much, but I cannot help it. The reason I am is because my whole life is wrapped around it, and lifting has always improved every facet of my life. I met my wife at the gym while squatting. It has helped me deal with the emotions of the abuse by my late Father, and the subsequent forgiveness of him, and the death of my Mother last year. Attending my first 2 meets in 2012 has also helped my whole family get closer - closer than we have ever been, which is what my mother wanted. We even spoke about it the night she passed.

As you also may or may not know, I was told last week by my eye surgeon that my Birdshot is now untreatable. There is some faint hope to save my eyesight tho. I have an appt. booked in March with another specialist, and it will then be determined whether or not I will qualify for some special meds that may help combat the Birdshot systemically. The concern is that these drugs will tamper with my immune system, which is causing the Birdshot. I am not sure if tampering with my immune system is worth saving my eyesight.

With all this said, I am determined to continue lifting, albeit without deadlift or any lift which leaves my back unsupported, and compete in Bench only. Off Road told me that he was given wise advice once that a strong back is a healthy back. So, i also want to do any lifts I can for my whole body. Squats are also OK, but are capped at 365 for now, provided my back is healed and at 100%. He fears any weight above that will likely cause a re-occurrence.

So, JB and CO. - how about turning me into a world class bencher? Who would have thunk it. Bench has always been my nemesis, but I now want to turn it into my best lift. I have been thinking about this since Wednesday. The only speed bump may be my tremors, which I am sure you have all witnessed in my bench vids.

I also realize I am fortunate to be able to lift at all. There are certainly others who have been thru worse and rose to the challenge. So can and will I.

Leaving deadlifts behind for the foreseeable future is really tugging at my Heartstrings. However, your all right - the risk of perhaps becoming a cripple or bedridden is not worth it. The last thing I and my family needs is for me to be both crippled and blind.

I do have second and third opinions coming. One appointment is booked for March. David, my physiotherapist, is going to give me a referral to yet another sports medicine Doc. Not sure when that appointment will come, as David said he has a long waiting list. However, he might be able to help. I also have an appt. booked with a Chiropractor on Monday. She was highly recommended to me today by someone who has been in a car accident.

This problem (I don't like to call it an injury as it was not caused by my powerlifting) is 100% structure related. My soft tissue is actually OK and will remain so, as long as I don't continue to push it to the breaking point, like I have been. If this Chiro Doc cannot help, I hope she will recommend one who can. David and the Doc also told me no exercises will resolve my issue. However, they were all for strengthening it further with alternative lifts.

So, if anyone, including JB, has any programs to turn me into a "Bodybuilder" who specializes in a big power bench, please let me know. I am far from being washed up and I of course want to be a productive and active part of MAB forever. I just really love you all for all you say and do to help not only me, but all members here. God bless you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart guys and girls.