OT: Add Me To The Injured List, Advice Needed - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Add Me To The Injured List, Advice Needed

Claudia

Veteran

This is a first for me so I'd really appreciate any tips from others who have been there.

I threw out my back this morning changing a bed's fitted sheet. Pain so bad I felt like I was going to pass out and throw up. Couldn't stand up straight or move, never mind walk. The pain was instant, gripping my lower back and radiating like a vise around my lower stomach.

Best position was standing still, bent over and resting my elbows on a hutch to take weight off my torso.

I've taken two Advil, and have an ice pack velcro-ed to the small of my back. I've tried laying in bed on my back, but have to keep my knees bent or my back spasms.

I am laying there thinking of all I have to do for Christmas and completely stressing: cook, clean, shop, and this evening drive to the airport to pick up my daughter.

What can I do to not make this worse? What helps make it better, faster?

Thank you guys.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Honestly, I'd get to a GENTLE chiropractor asap. So sorry.

EDIT: Some use the Activator method as shown here - http://www.safeandgentlechirop.....or-method/

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Oh no! Go see your doctor as soon as possible. You'll probably end up with some stronger pain meds, which would be good considering the amount of pain you are in. The ice pack is probably a good idea and rest is going to be a must.

The other thing you need to do is realize you just aren't going to get all those things done that you had planned on taking care of and it's OK. You are only human, after all. Can you have a friend pick up your daughter from the airport? You probably shouldn't be doing much driving in your condition.

You need some serious TLC. I know how it is being a mom and wanting to care for everyone else, but this time, you need to let your family care for you.

Rest up and feel better soon!!!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Oooo that sounds awful! My father used to have terrible back pain also. It's no joke!

Your health is a priority - I think your family will understand if you are low-key with the errands right now because...hello? Back spasm! I don't think driving is a safe idea at all. If the pain doesn't subside, I would call a taxi or a family member/close friend to pick up your daughter for you at the airport. Will she have a cell phone that you can inform her of the situation?

I agree with the others that you should see a doctor pronto. Can you call a trusted person to drive you, or make it into a taxi? Advil is great for pain - hoping it works in the meantime!

rute

Veteran

awful.. I would go to the doctor!
Hope you get well soon!

Makrame

Veteran

Based on my experience, if this is just a muscle spasm (which it might be), the doctor will prescribe a muscle relaxant that will almost immediately make you feel better. The downside is that it will make you very drowsy for a long time (so if you end up taking one, try not to drive for about 24 hrs). The muscle relaxants make an enormous amount of difference (for me, one tablet is enough to completely resolve the acute problem). Of course, the underlying back problems that may have caused the spasm will not disappear.

I personally would suggest not going to a chiropractor but that's just my opinion, because I know people whose back issues got worsened after intervention from a chiropractor. When I had a bad muscle spasm, my GP suggested that I see a chiropractor after I get better to take care of any permanent issues that may be causing muscle spasms. Instead, I ended up seeing an orthopedic surgeon who gave me a precise diagnosis of the problem based on the X-ray and advised against going to a chiropractor.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

The best thing you can do is get to the doctor today - perhaps you might need to go to one of those urgent care clinics if that's easier.

I put my neck out once, and my doctor's office had good advice. Medicine, but also a handout of neck exercises I could do to loosen things up, which ones to try first, and even some which were crossed out, as in, "Don't do this one..." etc. The neck stretches and exercises I was given helped a lot. If you can get to see a doctor this morning, perhaps he or she might have some very helpful tips and advice like this?

Go today, because we're into the holiday weekend, and it will be to your benefit to have the right medicine on hand, not to mention a 'plan' to heal this up sooner, rather than later.

One other thing I can share is that I didn't want to take the pain medicine during the day at the time, because I also had lots to do, but I found that taking it at night helped a great deal - it meant that I woke up feeling much less pain etc. I was given anti-inflammatories and a muscle relaxer type of medicine. Only had to take it about three nights. The gentle neck stretches were extremely helpful - loosening up what had suddenly gone wonky.

Is there someone around who can take you to the clinic or doctor?

Hang in there! Clear the decks (mentally) and first priority is getting to the doctor today so you have any needed medicine and a plan for how to treat your injured back over the holidays.

Mochi

Veteran

Oh, no, Claudia! Doctor, perhaps--I can't tell how bad it is for you, but I have had sudden very painful back issues and went to a chiropractor for that. Please get this looked at immediately, and forget about that list of things you wanted to get done--you need to do what's best for YOU!

Sona

Veteran

try mosit heat and some anti-inflammaqtories like you are. just recovering from some bad back issues- threw my back out 2 days ago. you might need rx muscle relaxants so might be nice to go to your doc.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Claudia, I'm hoping you are at the doctor right now! SO sorry this happened. Based on my experience it is probably a spasm and will go away, but in the moment that does not help.

It's so frustrating when stress levels are already high. Big hugs and hope you are on the mend soon.

Lisa

Veteran

So sorry to hear what happened. Hopefully you are going to see a Doctor for some relief.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chiming to say that I hope that you feel better soon. Take care.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, Claudia! How frustrating. I did something very similar just bending over to unload the dishwasher last year, right before a plane trip. Honestly, what helped me was going to the doctor and getting a shot of ibuprofen straight into my lower back muscle. It was almost instant relief, and once the pain was gone the muscle relaxed and never seized up again, even on a 12 hour flight.

Inge

(website)

I vote doctor (and maybe chiropractor too), Claudia! It does sound like a spasm (can be excruciatingly painful, I know from experience), but you need to be sure to get the proper treatment.

This always happens at the worst times, doesn't it. I hope the pain is a little more manageable by now and that you'll be able to enjoy the holidays regardless of this. Let your family and friends pamper you some extra over the next few days!

Take care and feel better soon!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I have no experience or advice, but I'm sending my wishes for a quick recovery your way.

Claudia

Veteran

Thank you all for your great information and the concern and well wishes. It all helped.

All of yesterday was agony. I had a few positions that I found relief in from the spasms and spent all day in bed with ice packs and Advil.

I couldn't sit and my brother drove to the airport to pick up my daughter thankfully, and she's home here.

Last night I was able to sleep and today my back feels a lot better and I can stand up straight to walk and the spasms are less intense. I just need to not aggravate it any further and let it heal.

My goodness, previously I had been very lucky and never had any back issues. I can't believe how totally debilitating something like this can be. I am sorry for those who have experienced this and may suffer from chronic issues.

Thanks again!

Mochi

Veteran

Awwww....so so sorry for your discomfort! People have no idea how back pain can strike suddenly and unexpectedly. I have gotten debilitating pain from simply sitting on the sofa for a few hours with a laptop. Stand up eventually, and realize my spine is completely compacted and I can't stand straight (and this always seems to happen on a weekend, too).

Please follow through on whatever care you get--I ended up not only seeing a chiro one time (she did give me good emergency treatment), but for a number of sessions till I felt more like myself again.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would still see a good chiropractor to see what is going on and get some help getting back into alignment. Hope you are feeling all better soon!