[drewrad]

New here. Hello everyone.

I've been a weightlifter since I was 12 years old and haven't stopped at 44 years old. There's plenty of public service announcements about drugs, HIV, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, smoking but nada for being careful for one's spine. I would have listened to that one. At least I think I would have.

Last MRI in Feb. 2012 showed two herniations L4/5 & L5/S1 as well as a L2/3 bulge. I don't lift weights anymore. I still do pullups though and plenty of machines, but no direct load bearing on spine weight lifting, only pulling.

I am in the process of getting another MRI soon to see the latest 'look' of things in the lower back. I have had a recent bad turn with what feels to be the L5/S1 with chronic sciatica now along with some right foot numbness. This is now a month.

I've done plenty of traction and paid a chiropractor $5k this summer to 'decompress' me on his fancy machine. Temporary relief.

But, this isn't working. I can't sit and can't drive. Can't eat at the dinner table with the family. Can't go to the movies. You all know what this is about.

I want to fast track my healing but I don't want to rush into anything either.

I am with Kaiser Northern California which I'm not happy about. My spine specialist whom I've met with 3 times now is a small, affable asian lady, but she acts like a bouncer at a nightclub not allowing me to get in to talk to the surgeons.

I have already researched about the overseas option Ritter-Lang, Germany, from all of you folks here giving me a heads up.

I meet again with my spine specialist(Kaiser) this Wednesday to push for an MRI and X Ray to get an update.