Recovering from back injury...anyone else?

I've got two degenerated dics and bone spurs, etc.  My back doc told me to go ahead and train.  I have to admit...I'm in pain.  But what is the alternative....watch'n Oprah and get'n fatter?   Not for me!

I've started doing Yoga (of all things) and it really helps.  There are Yoga DVDs out there just for the back.  Consider it. 

Good luck!   

Umm, it's been a while, but I bulged, herniated, then ruptured L4, and had to have 40% of it removed in 2001.  I got into tris to prove to myself that my back was sound (if I can do that, I can do anything, right?), and I'm pain-free now without limitation.

For me, the journey back to training came in two phases 1) ensuring the back is structurally sound, which is what the doc has to do.  After my surgery, he said that as far as he could tell, I wouldn't notice a difference and should carry on doing whatever it is that I do.  At a minimum, though, your doc should be very clear and specific as to what types of activities cause you to run a higher risk of  further degeneration through use, etc, etc. ,

And 2) building up the muscular support structure for the back...which is something the doc can give you guidelines about, but it's really listening to your body, and pain threshhold. 

And FWIW, it seems a little off kilter that you are so anxious to return to training that you're willing to forego the advice of the doc you entrusted with the care of your SPINE...to me, that's a signal to 1) understand more about the recovery specifics, so you can either pursue your recovery aggressively with confidence , or lay back and go easy like your doc says...or 2) get a doc that you've got more confidence in so that you're on a same page.  A back is for life....

Hope your path, whatever it turns out to be, is a healthy one...

I agree with what Rick said about taking your dr's advice.

I ruptured a disc in 2000 and had surgery. I didn't think I would ever run again. It took me a good year to slowly build up my cycling strength. About two years after surgery my friend wanted me to do a 5K with her. She was slow and I figured I would give it a try. I did some slow jogging and nothing hurt, last year I started running and even trained for a marathon. 

I need (HAVE TO) do lots of ab strengthening. If I don't my back muscles start hurting. Yoga has also been a life saver.

You really need to take some time and let things heal. 

Hang in there and hopefully you can at least find some less-impactful activities!