Timeline for "full" recovery

[LuzTheBuz]

About a month ago I posted a topic about recovery from MS (https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/fo...vering-from-ms). Since then, I have been on the successful road to recovery, although progression back to where I was has been a lot slower than what I had hoped for.

For example, before the onset, I had a squat of 225lbs x 5 @ RPE 6, still pretty easy. After that post starting the 14th, for about 2 weeks I ran Strength 1 with about 1-2 notches RPE lower than prescribed until I felt "normal" where I saw a lot of progress. I decided to switch to Beginner and run through it real quick, doing 2 weeks per block. I am currently on block 2 week 2, thinking of either switching to block 3 or continue block 2. My squat this week was 195 x 4 @ RPE 9. My deadlift used to be 315lbs x 5 @ RPE 8, it felt fantastic, now I can maybe do 285lbs x 4 @ RPE 10 (jumped the gun by accident), and it felt like crap. I understand the whole process is long, but how does this timeline sound? It was maybe 3 weeks off of training, about a month back into training yet I don't feel even close to where I was before. Is this normal? Does progression back to previous level depend on how high previous level was? Should I disregard my previous weights altogether?

[Austin Baraki]

I understand the whole process is long, but how does this timeline sound? It was maybe 3 weeks off of training, about a month back into training yet I don't feel even close to where I was before. Is this normal? Does progression back to previous level depend on how high previous level was? Should I disregard my previous weights altogether?

This is a common type of question we get. While I understand the intent behind it, the bottom line is that there is no generalizable "normal" here.

For the sake of discussion, let's consider either possibility:

1) Sure, this can be a "normal" pace of strength recovery (although we have no evidence on which to base such a timeline); what do you do with this information? Accept where you are right now and carry on training, modifying the programming based on your response with an eye towards the long term.

2) No, this is a slower pace of strength recovery (again, we have no evidence on which to base this timeline, but this is hypothetical): what do you do with this information? Accept where you are right now and carry on training, modifying the programming based on your response with an eye towards the long term.

Do you see the issue here? It doesn't really matter whether it's "normal" or not. You are where you are. You've adapted and gotten stronger before, and you can adapt and get stronger again now -- although the context may be a bit different in the setting of a new medical diagnosis and whatever consequences come from it and/or the treatments you are receiving. So yes, I'd disregard your prior weights. Focusing on them is not helpful right now.

[LuzTheBuz]

Sadly, yeah, it is pretty frustrating, but I understand and will focus on the now. And...

This is a common type of question we get

At least I know I'm not alone in this.
Thanks Doc