I remember chanting to myself over and over, “Get under the bar and just get it done.” Mind over matter, the brain is usually stronger and can make you forget about the pain temporarily. I stood there trying to amp myself up to squat. I remember gritting my teeth numerous times before I even got into position. I felt the pain start at my lower back and rush down my legs. I got into position and completed the squat, but I remember that the hardest part was fighting away the tears.
I have something called endometriosis. It is a debilitating condition without a cure, and in this country, one in twenty women must face it. While the exact cause of it remains unknown, doctors now have a better understanding of it. How does that help me or the other women who must deal with this problem? Well, it doesn’t. There are numerous symptoms of endometriosis and some of them are worse than others.
I had my first surgery in February 2006, and the recovery was just as much fun as the symptoms before I had the surgery. Once I had recovered though, I could function without pain. However, after a few months, the symptoms slowly returned. Vicodin didn’t even make a dent in the pain. I was determined to deal with it though because I didn’t want to have surgery again. There are some women who have had ten or more surgeries and still continue to be plagued by endometriosis.
Fast forward to April 2009. I started to get interested in working out. I’ve never seriously trained and have only done some basic stuff over the years. I dabbled in some kettlebell work and then was introduced to the darker side of lifting by my husband, Jay. Shortly after seeing the heavier workouts and watching some strong women train, I was sold. I felt like a brand new woman and discovered a new side of myself through lifting. I also saw how much my condition prevented me from making progress.
From April through November, I lost a total of three months of training. That means I had a three-month stall in progress. My condition got so bad that toward the end of October, it was normal for me to cry as much as sweat during a work out. I knew I needed surgery again, so I made an appointment with my doctor. He diagnoses me with another condition called cervical stenosis. That coupled with the endometriosis made it almost impossible for me to even function. Every move was painful.
I had the surgery in November, and it took me six weeks to recover. Once I got back to the gym, I retested all my one rep maxes. I had lost strength on my deadlift but had gained strength on the squat. I was excited to move forward without pain. For me, real progress could begin now. So I decided to start training and eventually compete in an amateur powerlifting meet in 2011.
I started on the 5/3/1 program and retested on my calendar year anniversary. I had added 140 lbs to my total. My total in April 2010 was 600 lbs. While that is a low total, training pain free was more rewarding than having a 255-lb deadlift.
My pain has been slowly creeping back, and I’m not looking forward to stalling progress again. I’m sure there are many women who are involved in the darker side of lifting and deal with this condition. While I wish I had the magical solution and could tell you how to be pain free, I don't. I have found a few mind tricks that help me get through each set.
I’ve found that the following works for me:
- Make sure your belt is as tight as possible to provide some pressure on the lower back and stomach.
- Schedule your rest days or deload week for the week when you know your condition will be worse based on your cycle.
- If you can’t schedule your days accordingly, take either ibuprofen or acetaminophen approximately one hour prior to the set.
- Always make sure you have a spotter while squatting in case the pain worsens and you can’t finish your set.
In closing, women or men who have women in their lives facing this condition, I wish you all the best in fighting the pain away.