Prain/№8054

Bed-ridden at 18 with an L5-S1 herniation: three years to stronger than before

Anonymous from Reddit, 21, herniated at 18 benching a PR source

THENMonths bed-ridden, a year off school, living off Advil and Tylenol. PT and stretching did nothing.
NOWWeighted pull-ups at 140 lbs bodyweight, 5–7 km runs, stairmaster. Soreness caps at 2/10.
Confidence 1 → 9Pain 9 → 2
RECOVERY TIMELINE, 36 MONTHS
M0: HERNIATED BENCHING A PR
M2: BED-RIDDEN, YEAR OFF SCHOOL
M6: FIRST WALKS, 2-3K STEPS
M24: BACK IN THE GYM
M36: STRONGER THAN BEFORE
Advil + Tylenol
PT + stretching
Vitamin B-complex injections
Salonpas patches for sitting
Graded walking
Cycling for glutes + core
Return to lifting
M1M3M5M7M9M11M13M15M17M19M21M23M25M27M29M31M33M35
MO 1
YOUR TURN

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One person’s structured self-report, not medical advice, not a prediction of your outcome. n=1. If you have progressive numbness or weakness, changes in bladder or bowel control, or saddle numbness, see a clinician before loading anything.

PRAINwithprain.com/journeys/8054