So My Back is Screwed...

[Quaidis]

Thread update on this post: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/538.385750-So-My-Back-is-Screwed#15597842


Two years ago I piffed a disk in my spine while terraforming the backyard. This happened because I was trying to lift a stick that turned out to be a small tree. It was bad enough that I had to drag myself back to the house. I had called my parents for help to a doctor or hospital. They told me that people pull out their back all the time and that I'll be fine in two weeks - my father even went so far as to tell me his stories from when he was back on the farm.

Trusting them, I didn't call a doctor and, instead, lay in bed for that time until my back did indeed heal. Thinking it therefore wasn't serious (I'm part of a very robust family line, I should mention), I never seeked medicinal attention.


Two years later and I've been having random reoccurring back pain in the same area. It's been more fierce lately, and there's been this sharp pain shooting from my pelvis down to my foot and back up.

Knowing this wasn't good, I went and saw a doctor.

"Does this hurt?" *Poke*

"No..."

"Does this hurt?" *Poke*

"Nope..."

"Does this hurt?" *Poke*

"Little bit..."

"Does this -"

"OWEJFO:WEMFOESMFOEWIJFOSEFJSOFIJE!" *falls off clinic table and writhes on floor in agony*




Long story short, I piffed a disk in my spine two years ago and it never healed properly, as well as tearing the muscle to the left side of that area (also apparently never healing properly). I'm going to see a spine specialist to get an MRI on the thing and I have to go through a physical exercise program now to help it... do something... Fix itself, I guess? If it doesn't I have to opt for surgery.


I also never trust my parents anymore. They're cheap-skate assholes who feel money is more important than my health. And it's even more stupid as I have healthcare. What runs through their heads is beyond me, but this isn't the first time they've done this to me. I ripped a rib a few years back and had to go through the same thing, followed by months of rehabilitation.



Two things:

What should I do to limit back pain or any steps to alleviate it? I'm currently on some pretty heavy anti-inflammatory and pain pills until I see the back doctor. But sleeping has been an issue for a while now and I have to do things like keep the yard looking good, do my job (painting and sitting at a computer for hours on end). I also don't want to get flabby and neglect other exercises at the gym, so I don't know what I should avoid doing.

The other problem I'm having is that the meds are really killing my urge to do things. I have to take the pills morning and night, and in between that I tend to have a few hours where I can accomplish things sanely. All the rest of the time I'm out of it or drifting off into half-sleeps. Don't know if I should just wait it out or force myself in some fashion.



Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[Quaidis]

Updating to put down that I'm going to the back specialist on the 4th of Sept. So I really just have to hold out until then, I'm hoping.

 

[Pfheonix]

Look, I understand the thought process of maintaining your figure, but if you do, and you keep exercising in ways that stress the back, along with performing yard work, you may well aggravate an injury that has been aggravated by improper healing, due to aforementioned cheapskateitude. So, get flabby. It sucks, but it happens. Alongside that, you should do your job to the best of your ability, though I can't see what painting and hours at the computer is related to... Aside from house renovation and digital modeling. So, take it easy. Do what you can, but if you get sore, do slow, measured stretches, not until it hurts, that's for the healthy muscle, until you feel a tautness that you feel is adequate to relieve the problem, without aggravating it.

MAJOR DISCLAIMER OF GIANTITUDE: I am not a doctor. I am in no way trained for this stuff. I am only using a fair bit of common sense which seems to apply. If you feel the need to disregard my words for a more professional opinion, DO SO. Don't take my word over someone who is confirmed to be trained in this field.

 

[wabbbit]

I had a similar issue over about 14 months - Extreme back pain where one afternoon I actually struggled to walk. Getting much better now with trips from the Chiropractor and a new memory foam mattress (Also got a better work/home desk chair)

At first the doctors just kept recommending anti-inflammatory's and various painkillers coupled with more exercise. Doctors are retarded when it comes to anything other than dishing out pain killers I swear.

I ended up paying for the chiropractor myself (about 40-50 quid a time every 2-4 weeks)as the doctor refused to believe the pain was anything. Turns out that my spine was ever so slightly out(Pretty much trapped a nerve) and now 6 months on(about 8 trips) it's 10x better and I stopped going. Still hurts sometimes, but that's as I have a habbit of slouching at work.

Good luck dude.
P.s. I feel you about the pain at the doctors, mine tried moving my leg so it was 90 degree's to "see if it hurt at that angle". Hurting would be an understatement.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

DISCLAIMER I'm not a doctor, nor have a ever dealt with any major back issues or known anybody that has, so take what I'm about to say with a massive grain of salt.

Anyway, I have to agree with Pfheonix on this one, if keeping your figure and making your yard look pretty is being detrimental to your health, then stop it. Remember, you can always clean up the yard later and get back into shape, but you may be at risk for fucking up your back permanently here, I wouldn't push it if at all possible.

That's not to say that you can't do any exercise at all. I don't think going for a quick walk will cause any serious problems. Just remember, take frequent breaks at work, don't try to push yourself too much, and don't do anything that makes your back hurt.

Remember, you only have to wait two weeks to see a doctor. I'm sure you can adjust your schedule for that long.

 

[Quaidis]

Another random update. The spine-ologist appointment was moved to Sept 18th.

I also apparently now have this throat-cold-virus that's going around, which is making life a little bit more fickle. However I'm sure it'll blow over in a day or two. This isn't something like strep, it's more like heavy congestion and a warm feeling about the pallet.

Good luck dude.
P.s. I feel you about the pain at the doctors, mine tried moving my leg so it was 90 degree's to "see if it hurt at that angle". Hurting would be an understatement.

I had to do the leg thing, too. They popped that left leg up and that about sent me for a loop. Right leg wasn't so bad, but it did make a pop sound in my back when they put it back down. Back also pops when I do full situps. So I was told to not do that.





I wanted to put in (randomly, at that) that sitting still for hours on end (the computer desk portion of the job) staring at a screen with intensity can really tense up the back muscles. I slouch all the time, and I'm sure it's something the doctor will put an end to after I go see him. I'll take the advice to stretch it out leisurely in case it gets ugly. The Painting part isn't so bad. It just involves painting. And standing for hours with breaks in between.

My job involves art, conceptual design, character design, etc. That's how the painting and computer part are related.

Will consider cutting down on yard work and exercise... But only the heavy duty stuff. I can't just not mow and trim. Of course, if it gets really bad, I'll hire someone to mow.

 

[Quaidis]

Going to pop this thread back to life instead of making a new one. Thread recycling is healthy sometimes and recommended on advice-thread basis.


I went to the hospital a week ago for my back issues. They pressed the magic button back there, found I had muscle weakness in my leg, and took x-rays. The doctor suspects a herniated disk in my spine.

The next day, I got a call from a smaller clinic. They told me that the hospital doctor popped them a call and wanted me to go through an MRI at the clinic. Doing that tomorrow.

The last MRI I had was in '92 and I was unconscious at the time. Has anyone in the Escapist had one before? Should I prepare for anything? Going to be wide awake for this one.

 

[IndomitableSam]

Just lay still. I think they can pump music in in some places, too, so if that'll calm you down it's all good. You're justin a tiny little tube with lots of noises going on around you. Unnerving, but if you're not claustrophobic, you should be fine.

 

[Quaidis]

I had the MRI done. You're right, they supplied me with headphones and the person before me had to go through the thing extra-long, so I got to sit around destressing with a book in hospital pajamas.

MRI lasted a bloody 30 minutes. I have been successfully microwaved.