Should I be worried? (back pain)

[bekkiz]

Last weekend I really hurt my back. Basically, my husband fell on top of me, after I fell off the couch (we were having a tickle fight, and I was winning, until I fell!) Anyway, that night was awful, I couldn't stand, walk, lay down on my back. I layed in the fetal position for like 8 hours.

The next day it felt much better, and I figured I just pulled a muscle (I had back problems in college when I was an athlete). It was okay for the next few days until I had a cooking marathon on wed, and woke up thurs almost as bad as when I first hurt it. And now, there's pain down my back into my leg!

DH really thinks I should go to the doctor, but I think that there's probably not much they can do except give me pain meds, so I thought I'd just wait until next week to see if it gets better. However, DH thinks the pain in my leg means something more than a muscle strain is wrong.

Any experiance with this type of thing?

 

[helenabear]

I haven't experienced anything quite like that, but I recently went to the doctor for back pain (not sure of the cause). They did give me pain killers and muscle relaxants, but I also went to PT which actually helped me get my back healed up so I didn't need the meds. So I would go and see what the doc says. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[cuterlt]

I hurt my back several years ago when I fell as I got out of the shower and hit my back on the tub. So I get the same thing when I stand on my feet cooking for some period of time, pains all the way to the back. I use Doan's PM and get a good massage from my DH. So instead of him tickling you, get him to massage you. I hope you feel better soon. I hated taking muscle relaxants as they made me quite loopy.

 

[DocRafiki]

I would definitely go to the doctor. If you partially ruptured a disc, you are prone to complete rupture, and that could lead to paralysis. And don't underestimate the power of the meds they will put you on. Some of them can prevent nerve damage. In the meantime, I would try to remain as still as possible. (If you were a dog, I'd put you in a crate! ) Hope it's not that serious.

Oh, and if it's just a muscular problem, they might want to give you PT like someone said, to strengthen your muscles so you can prevent this from happening again.

 

[CEDmom]

I'd suggest seeing a doctor as soon as you can to rule out anything serious. The back can be a really tricky thing to treat. Until you're able to see your doctor try those heat wrap things to help keep your muscles loose. They really do work. Hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Try a Chiropractor.

 

[minniecarousel]

Yeah - def get your back looked at. If you know of a good chiro - try that. If not, your GP can refer you for x-rays & PT - you don't necessarily need to take pain killers. Probably best to not put off getting some kind of treatment.

 

[AZKathy]

See your doctor! Pain going down the leg could indicate a problem such as a herniated disc. It also could just be inflammation which is causing compression on a nerve to cause the sciatica. ICE ICE ICE!!! My docs won't let me do heat even though it feels better than ice. Can I say this again, ICE ICE ICE! Recipe: 1/4 part alcohol with 3/4 part water, put in ziploc baggie x 2, this will make the ice slushy in the bag and more comfortable to lay on. That will bring down the inflammation. Take ibuprofen, also. Call your doc and ask how much. Mine started me on 800 mg three times a day of ibuprofen.

I have been going through this for two months now. I had an MRI Dec 1. I herniated a disc and bulged a disc. Been doing physical therapy, traction, ice, and I am now seeing an anesthesiologist that specialized in pain management. I had an epidural steroid injection on Tuesday. (OUCH)

Don't take your back for granted. Right now skip the BLT's. That is bending, lifting, and twisting, okay? PM me if you have any questions, I will try to help. But, first call your doc tomorrow and get in. He need to evaluate you and see where you should go from there.

 

[bekkiz]

Thanks all. My DH is happy you all agree with him I'll make an appt. for next week!

 

[chell]

AZKathy gave you some wonderful information.

Hope the doctor can get you in quickly. There can be a number of things that are causing your pain. I went through something similar because my pelvis was tilted and causing pressure and pain.

I hope your's is resolved quickly!