Herniated disk

I've done 20 decent workouts since the blog started. The last eight or so were at a local gym. However, the squats started to hurt like hell and my left hamstring became ludicrously tight. Turns out I herniated a disk in my lower back.

The pain in my back shifted to my left leg in the days after the last workout. I thought it was a pulled muscle in the left hamstring, and I saw a doctor who just told me to rest and apply warmth. It became excruciatingly bad on Monday June 22, so I saw the doctor again. That time she took me seriously: my resting pulse went up dramatically, my blood pressure was up dramatically, my respiration was up dramatically, and I was visibly in pain. They ordered an MRI which I got on Thursday, anti-inflammatory cortisone steroids, and on Tuesday they ordered Vicoden (a potent but addictive prescription pain killer) which helped a lot. But as the pain subsided, I realized I had partial numbness in my left lower leg and foot.

I feel much better, but I got the results of the MRI on Friday: herniated disk. I see an Orthopedic Specialist (bone doctor) tomorrow. I can sit with zero or tiny discomfort if I use good posture, I can sleep fine, and I haven't used the Vicoden since Friday morning (and want to throw it out, but I'll keep it just in case I do something stupid). Walking is even okay. But carrying even the baby, who is less than 30 pounds, starts to make my leg hurt.

I'm now officially old, and must make abdominal and especially back-strengthening exercises the core of my workout. I'll hopefully get an official Physical Therapy referral from the Orthopedic Doctor. Until then, a Physical Therapist has prescribed a half hour regimen of back, stomach, and to a lesser extent hamstring and hip exercises for me at least twice a day. Most of the routine is mildly strenuous and boring, but there are bits that are damned demanding.

Hopefully I won't require surgery.

IF I can return to regular strength training, I have no choice but to start with easy weights and just take it light for months, possibly forever.

I'm only in my early 30s. SO WHEN DESIGNING A FITNESS PROGRAM, MAKE PROTECTION OF YOUR BACK A TOP PRIORITY! I can't believe I injured myself in my eagerness to get strong. I may come out of this weaker, overall, than if I had stayed a couch potato!