After decades of safely lifting and toting heavy objects and people on the job (my personal motto, which I wore on a button until they made me take it off, was "I'm not real bright, but can lift heavy things"), I experienced a significant lower back injury while carrying this really big guy down a ladder.

After suffering for quite a while, I finally went to see a friend of mine, who is cross trained in pain management, neurology, and orthopaedics. He diagnosed essentially a slipped, bulging disk that was impinging on a nerve. Physical therapy, along with a series of spinal injections, completely restored my back, and I have remained pain free for some time.

I would have refused either drugs or surgery, but this worked for me. I'm just tossing it out there in case you are not seeking out all your medical options.

Yep, getting older does suck, until you consider the alternative.

BTW, if you do decide to try a recumbant bike, post and let us know how it goes.

Jeff