OT: Lower back pain

[conversationpc]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

[Marabelle]

Yes, a man I had been with for a few years swore by me walking across his back.
If your wife is small, have her do a couple of "walk overs". I'd say she'd have to be less
than 115 pounds.

[Blueskies]

Cold compress, keep moving, and time!....and I go to a chiropractor for adjustment's, on occasion!

[Marabelle]

Swimming!!! Best of all worlds. That usually will help loosen the muscle and relieve the pain.

[*Laura]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

Sorry to hear you have to go through this,Dave...I have been through that too and it was terrible.
My advice would be to try and sleep on a hard flat surface with no cushions.It will really help you feeling better in the morning when you wake up..
And try not to sit in front of your computer too long.

Some more help and advices:

http://www.backpain.realage.com/content.aspx/topic/1

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_290.shtml


Get well soon.

[NealIsGod]

Make sure they don't do surgery unless it is COMPLETELY necessary. I have heard from doctors I know that back surgery should be a last resort.

[Rockindeano]

Dude, easy one.

I suffered from this for years on end.

Vicodin, heat, constant movement, stretching.

Don't take too much Vicodin. Awesome drug, but addicting as hell. Get the Extra Strength ones...huge but awesome.

[Natalie]

Heat and motrin. Also, have you tried massage therapy? If these don't resolve your lower back pain soon, see a doctor, you don't want to cause further damage. Also, always use proper body mechanics such as lift with your legs, hold heavy objects close to the body, don't twist while holding a heavy object, etc. Most injuries are the result of a long period of misuse of the back and then one day it takes something very simple to "break the camels back" (pun intended) and you have pain.

Hope this helps.

[KCfla]

WEll, on this topic I could write a novel
Basically what everyone said is correct. If it is really bothering you, lay on a hard flat surface, with you knees bent. This will allow you back to "stretch and relax". If your having a hard time sleeping, use a pillow under your knees ( if on your back) or between your legs ( if on your side). That way, your back doesn't get "twisted" while you sleep.
Skelaxin is a good muscle relaxer ( and NOT addictive) but if it's too pricey- Flexeril is a good alternative.

If you have any more questions- PM me. I'm a Pharmacy Tech, as well as having 3 degenerative discs in my lower back. I've been battling lower back pain for about 8 years now.
In other words, "been there, done that- bought the flippin shirt!"

[conversationpc]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

Sorry to hear you have to go through this,Dave...I have been through that too and it was terrible.
My advice would be to try and sleep on a hard flat surface with no cushions.It will really help you feeling better in the morning when you wake up..
And try not to sit in front of your computer too long.

Some more help and advices:

http://www.backpain.realage.com/content.aspx/topic/1

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_290.shtml


Get well soon.

Thanks for the info...Unfortunately, my job involves sitting in front of a computer for at least 8 hours a day.

[conversationpc]

Heat and motrin. Also, have you tried massage therapy? If these don't resolve your lower back pain soon, see a doctor, you don't want to cause further damage. Also, always use proper body mechanics such as lift with your legs, hold heavy objects close to the body, don't twist while holding a heavy object, etc. Most injuries are the result of a long period of misuse of the back and then one day it takes something very simple to "break the camels back" (pun intended) and you have pain.

Hope this helps.

Twisting while holding a heavy object is exactly what did it. This is the 3rd time the same area of my back has given me trouble but it's taking a lot longer to get over this time.

[sadie65]

As a veteran of back troubles for well over 25 years now, as well as working in front of a computer all day long, I concur with what others have offered here.

During your work hours, perhaps you can bring a heating pad or wear one of those heat patchs. I also recommend trying to sit as erect as possible. Because I have permanent damage due to that injury, I have found the less I slouch the better my back feels.

Good luck

[conversationpc]

As a veteran of back troubles for well over 25 years now, as well as working in front of a computer all day long, I concur with what others have offered here.

During your work hours, perhaps you can bring a heating pad or wear one of those heat patchs. I also recommend trying to sit as erect as possible. Because I have permanent damage due to that injury, I have found the less I slouch the better my back feels.

Good luck

CVS is just up the road a short distance, so I may go there and see if they have any heating pads.

I've had minor upper back problems before but this makes that feel good in comparison. I feel your pain...literally.

[Rockindeano]

Heat and motrin. Also, have you tried massage therapy? If these don't resolve your lower back pain soon, see a doctor, you don't want to cause further damage. Also, always use proper body mechanics such as lift with your legs, hold heavy objects close to the body, don't twist while holding a heavy object, etc. Most injuries are the result of a long period of misuse of the back and then one day it takes something very simple to "break the camels back" (pun intended) and you have pain.

Hope this helps.

Twisting while holding a heavy object is exactly what did it. This is the 3rd time the same area of my back has given me trouble but it's taking a lot longer to get over this time.

Workman's Comp Bro! Congratulations!

Sit back, rake in the cash, and be on MR all day long. NOTHING beats that.

[conversationpc]

Workman's Comp Bro! Congratulations!

Sit back, rake in the cash, and be on MR all day long. NOTHING beats that.

I wish!

This happened at home. The heavy object was my daughter. I'm pretty sure that doesn't count towards workman's comp.

[sadie65]

Workman's Comp Bro! Congratulations!

Sit back, rake in the cash, and be on MR all day long. NOTHING beats that.

I wish!

This happened at home. The heavy object was my daughter. I'm pretty sure that doesn't count towards workman's comp.

How old is your daughter? I'm not sure she would appreciate that comment

So says the mom of very healthy active young boy who also helps keep the injury alive (God love him)

[conversationpc]

How old is your daughter? I'm not sure she would appreciate that comment

So says the mom of very healthy active young boy who also helps keep the injury alive (God love him)

She's only eight and she wouldn't care.

[sadie65]

How old is your daughter? I'm not sure she would appreciate that comment

So says the mom of very healthy active young boy who also helps keep the injury alive (God love him)

She's only eight and she wouldn't care.

Gotcha! Mine will be 9 next week. I feel old.

[KCfla]

How old is your daughter? I'm not sure she would appreciate that comment

So says the mom of very healthy active young boy who also helps keep the injury alive (God love him)

She's only eight and she wouldn't care.

Gotcha! Mine will be 9 next week. I feel old.

I'll join this club- My son's 10 this year. And yes, he's what took out my back as well. Small bathroom/squirmy wet kid= OUCH!

[Granny]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

uhoh-feel sorry for you. I've already had low back surgery. Ice or heat-whichever feels better for you and rest. Do not lift, twist or bend. What did ur DR. say. Did u have an MRI to see what the problem is? or is it just a muscle pull. If its 2 weeks, it probably isn't. Having low back pain again now, and am going for a myelogram on Tues. Already had MRI.

Hope u feel better soon.
rockngranny

[chickpea]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

Yoga. Seriously. Lay down on your back and scoot your butt as close to the wall as you can get. Then extend your legs up the wall. Lay like that for a bit. You can pull your knees down to your chest to stretch out your lower back too.

[conversationpc]

What did ur DR. say. Did u have an MRI to see what the problem is? or is it just a muscle pull. If its 2 weeks, it probably isn't. Having low back pain again now, and am going for a myelogram on Tues. Already had MRI.

Hope u feel better soon.
rockngranny

I didn't go to the doctor. Since I've had this happen before, I can pretty much diagnose it myself. Just had him call me in a prescription for muscle relaxers (Skelaxin).

I think I aggravated it again the other day when I tried to turn over in bed, so I'm pretty sure it's the muscle and not a disc/vertebrae problem.

[Granny]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

Everyone gave you good advice. I was a back office nurse for over 30 years. The best advice is to go to an orthopedic spine surgeon for advice. Not ours. We only know so much and it may not be corect.
Sounds like we are all a bunch of cripples here. Sitting here on MR does not help us, but it sure is fun.

[Granny]

What did ur DR. say. Did u have an MRI to see what the problem is? or is it just a muscle pull. If its 2 weeks, it probably isn't. Having low back pain again now, and am going for a myelogram on Tues. Already had MRI.

Hope u feel better soon.
rockngranny

I didn't go to the doctor. Since I've had this happen before, I can pretty much diagnose it myself. Just had him call me in a prescription for muscle relaxers (Skelaxin).

I think I aggravated it again the other day when I tried to turn over in bed, so I'm pretty sure it's the muscle and not a disc/vertebrae problem.

hope u are right. Give it another week and if not better a DR. is recommended
grandmother advice

[KCfla]

What did ur DR. say. Did u have an MRI to see what the problem is? or is it just a muscle pull. If its 2 weeks, it probably isn't. Having low back pain again now, and am going for a myelogram on Tues. Already had MRI.

Hope u feel better soon.
rockngranny

I didn't go to the doctor. Since I've had this happen before, I can pretty much diagnose it myself. Just had him call me in a prescription for muscle relaxers (Skelaxin).

I think I aggravated it again the other day when I tried to turn over in bed, so I'm pretty sure it's the muscle and not a disc/vertebrae problem.

Sadie's right about the Thermowraps. They do work quite well, and should help you while your "stuck" on the computer. I use a heating pad at home while I'm here ( if needed )

Also, Chickpea's suggestion about the legs up the wall works really well too. I was going to post that, but most people I tell it to think I'm out of my mind.
One to use if you stand alot ( as I do at work) is to grab a counter/desk and bend over so that your upper body is at 90 degrees from your legs. Lean back GENTLY, so that the weight of your, er, arse helps to stretch out your back muscles. It also ( if your really bad) might cause some "popping" in your back, but I've always found with me that that helps the pain tremendously. Get up and stretch this way every couple of hours, instead of just sitting.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

Has anyone else here ever experienced lower back pain? If so, I have the utmost sympathy for you. I hurt mine almost two weeks ago and, for a few days, could barely get out of bed in the morning without passing out. It still hurts like hell. Anyone have any tips other than stretching exercises and muscle relaxers?

I BROKE a disc in half when I was a Sophomore in high school. Freak accident. As a Sophomore on the football team we were required to carry equipment boxes to the practice field. I set a box down to change hands and SNAP! I literally heard and felt it. I finished practice and was in bad shape. I went home and told my parents but we decided to "see how it would go in the next few days." I ended up finishng the season and was IN PAIN. I finally went to our family doctor and he did NOT see the fracture in the x-rays. I needed to sit out my Junior year due to pain. I finally had a steroid shot directly into my back which reduced the swelling and herniation enough for me to play again.

I graduated HS and went to work in a factory. I suffered with pain for years. I moved to Cleveland to work in a foundry but failed my physical due to a broken back. I found another job in a factory that didn't have as strict of physical requirements. Finally, I couldn't walk without a cane. I was only 28. I went to see a specialist associated with the Cleveland Indians at The Clevleland Arthritis and Spine Center. I took my x-rays from when I was a kid and he popped them in the lights and took all of two seconds to find the fracture! He pointed it to me and I saw it easily. I asked him why the doctors all those years ago couldn't see it. He said that they didn't know what to look for.

I opted for surgery and my doctor Robert Biscup performed it. He sold me on his profesionalism and attitude. He said, "I can't cure anything. All I can do is create an environment for your body to heal itself. If you listen to me and follow my directions you'll never see me or another doctor again." He was right.

The arthritic, broken disc was removed and crushed into "concrete" which was packed around a carbon "ramp" that was used to replace the disc. Two steel plates were screwed to my hips and spine to stabilize the area for fusion. I feel like I have a brick in my back and still get irks of pain due to scar tissue, etc. however I can pretty much physically do whatever I want. One of the interesting things was that I was 5' 6" tall (or short depending on perspective) prior to surgery and came out my correct 5' 8"! For several months after the surgery I experienced what I would call a tingling sensation in my brain. I was previously in so much pain that I could never lean or bend over without irks so after the surgery I would lean or bend over and I would get a tingling in my brain as if it was saying, "Hey - this used to hurt but where's the pain now?" Also, I was literally taller so my balance was thrown and I found that I had to adjust things like chairs and the computer monitor, etc.

The process I went through that led to the surgery decision was extensive. For example my brain waves were tested in order to see how much nerve damage there was. I had problems with one of my legs and the test indicated that my brain wasn't communicating with it very well. Also, I went through a very thorough psychological exam which helped the doctor determine certain things about how I might respond to surgery and recovery. Back pain is a very debilitating condition that can result in sever emotional problems.

The point of all of this?
1. Back injuries are SERIOUS.
2. SEE A SPECIALIST THAT - YOU - TRUST AND GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS OF EXACTLY WHAT'S WRONG.
3. Select a treatment that will address the diagnosis.

[NealIsGod]

Wow, amazing story FYRE. Glad you are doing so much better.

[sadie65]

Now see mine was also a freak accident. I was a sophomore in high school. My school held over 5000 students. Many different staircases all over the building to get from one class to another. I was walking down a rather remote staircase. On the floor above me some students dropped a water balloon (not seeing me). It landed directly in front of me and down I went the whole flight of stairs. They hit the panic button and left. I knew I was injured. No one around. I laid there trying not to move (fear of paralysis) for the whole period until the bell rang. Finally I was found. Then, because my parents were out of town, they had to locate my grandparents. At that point, until they could locate them, even though the paramedics came, they could not do anything for me. Fast forward another 4 hours. Finally got my grandfather and he gave consent.

One full year in the hospital, many years of physical therapy, and the rest is history.

Shall we all break out our "Jaws" stories of horrific accidents?

[larryfromnextdoor]

Now see mine was also a freak accident. I was a sophomore in high school. My school held over 5000 students. Many different staircases all over the building to get from one class to another. I was walking down a rather remote staircase. On the floor above me some students dropped a water balloon (not seeing me). It landed directly in front of me and down I went the whole flight of stairs. They hit the panic button and left. I knew I was injured. No one around. I laid there trying not to move (fear of paralysis) for the whole period until the bell rang. Finally I was found. Then, because my parents were out of town, they had to locate my grandparents. At that point, until they could locate them, even though the paramedics came, they could not do anything for me. Fast forward another 4 hours. Finally got my grandfather and he gave consent.

One full year in the hospital, many years of physical therapy, and the rest is history.

Shall we all break out our "Jaws" stories of horrific accidents?

do we know who threw the water balloon?? its not too late for revenge!!!

[sadie65]

Now see mine was also a freak accident. I was a sophomore in high school. My school held over 5000 students. Many different staircases all over the building to get from one class to another. I was walking down a rather remote staircase. On the floor above me some students dropped a water balloon (not seeing me). It landed directly in front of me and down I went the whole flight of stairs. They hit the panic button and left. I knew I was injured. No one around. I laid there trying not to move (fear of paralysis) for the whole period until the bell rang. Finally I was found. Then, because my parents were out of town, they had to locate my grandparents. At that point, until they could locate them, even though the paramedics came, they could not do anything for me. Fast forward another 4 hours. Finally got my grandfather and he gave consent.

One full year in the hospital, many years of physical therapy, and the rest is history.

Shall we all break out our "Jaws" stories of horrific accidents?

do we know who threw the water balloon?? its not too late for revenge!!!

Sadly no. They were never found. I got over it.