Question about back pain

[BEG]

I fell up the stairs (yes UP) in the garage on Tuesday. I swear at first I thought I broke my knee. It hurt like hell. I was talking to my mom at the time and had my hands full. I caught myself with my elbows. I thought for sure my knee was going to swell and bruise big time. My knee was a little sore for a couple of days and today I only notice it if I push on the very small bruise where I hit it.

Fast forward to about an hour ago. My lower back started hurting.......bad. I'm talking when I bend slightly at the waist I can hardly catch my breath. I'm wondering if it could be from the fall or has it been too many days for it to be from that? 

[Lord Undies]

Yes, it can be pain caused by your up fall.  You may have a belated slipped disk......or it could be unrelated nerve problems.  

You know how you are!    Unpredictable.  

[MrsSmith]

I think Undies is right...though I also think it could be more muscular than disc related.  Try 2 things...ice on your lower spine for 15 minutes and heat on the muscles on either side (but not on the spine itself.)  This will reduce swelling of the disc and loosen cramped muscles.  If you still hurt by Monday, see a DO or chiropractor.

[BlueStateSaint]

I think Undies is right...though I also think it could be more muscular than disc related.  Try 2 things...ice on your lower spine for 15 minutes and heat on the muscles on either side (but not on the spine itself.)  This will reduce swelling of the disc and loosen cramped muscles.  If you still hurt by Monday, see a DO or chiropractor.

Having thrown out my back a few times, the last being a week ago while hoisting The Heiress, I've got to add this to your advice--I'd go with strictly icing the back for the first 48 hours to reduce the swelling in both the affected disc (if that's what it is) and the affected muscles.

To go back to the reason for the latest back issue--I was picking up our daughter to sit her on my lap and start to dry her after her shower (she was in there with my wife).  I leaned forward a tad, and wham!  A bolt of pain across the lower back.  I iced it twice, but didn't go to Urgent Care like I should have.  Spent Sunday morning into the afternoon at a local hospital's ER.  I've seem my chiropractor three times in the last week, and have to go again Monday afternoon.  Contrary to what the ER MD wanted me to do, my primary care MD didn't order an MRI.  His actual words were, "Not just yet."  I've done a bit of research into lumbar pillows since then . . . and I'm trying to stay off the hydrocodone and Flexeril that were prescribed.  (It's tough to do that.)

[thundley4]

I've had back problems, and I've found out that large doses, 800mg, of ibuprofen also help.

[MrsSmith]

Having thrown out my back a few times, the last being a week ago while hoisting The Heiress, I've got to add this to your advice--I'd go with strictly icing the back for the first 48 hours to reduce the swelling in both the affected disc (if that's what it is) and the affected muscles.

To go back to the reason for the latest back issue--I was picking up our daughter to sit her on my lap and start to dry her after her shower (she was in there with my wife).  I leaned forward a tad, and wham!  A bolt of pain across the lower back.  I iced it twice, but didn't go to Urgent Care like I should have.  Spent Sunday morning into the afternoon at a local hospital's ER.  I've seem my chiropractor three times in the last week, and have to go again Monday afternoon.  Contrary to what the ER MD wanted me to do, my primary care MD didn't order an MRI.  His actual words were, "Not just yet."  I've done a bit of research into lumbar pillows since then . . . and I'm trying to stay off the hydrocodone and Flexeril that were prescribed.  (It's tough to do that.)

If she did originally hurt it Tuesday, I'd think heat would work better on muscles by now.  I definitely would not heat the spinal area, though...

[Thor]

I'd use some ice and find a chiropractor. Just make sure that they are a good chiropractic office. You don't need someone adjusting you with a bulged disk.. They'll take x-rays to ascertain your problem.

[debk]

Just to be on the safe side....besides doing what everyone else suggested.....drink some cranberry juice just in case in could be kidney related. Also if you start to run a fever....go to the emergency room or an urgent care place. Kidney infections or stones, can start as wicked backaches.

[Thor]

Just to be on the safe side....besides doing what everyone else suggested.....drink some cranberry juice just in case in could be kidney related. Also if you start to run a fever....go to the emergency room or an urgent care place. Kidney infections or stones, can start as wicked backaches.

I'll second that. Back in June 2007, I almost died from a kidney infection.

[BlueStateSaint]

If she did originally hurt it Tuesday, I'd think heat would work better on muscles by now.  I definitely would not heat the spinal area, though...

Maybe.  I can ice or heat my back now, and ice seems to quell the pain more.  'Course, hydrocodone does the same thing, but that's not where I want to go right now . . .

[debk]

I'll second that. Back in June 2007, I almost died from a kidney infection.

They can go from insignificant to horrendous in a very short time.

I've only had one....knock on wood.....I went to urgent care in the morning before going to work, and there was nothing but the doctor gave me those little pills that make you pee orange. Three hours later, I had a high fever and doubled over with pain. What was probably a minor bladder infection turned in to a raging kidney infection. The horse pill antibiotic, while good for the infection, made me sick as a dog.

I always have cranberry juice here, and make sure to drink it while traveling.

I don't ever want one of those again.  

[djones520]

My wife has had bad back issues almost her whole adult life.  She's finally been getting it taken care of with a combination of Chiropracty, and Acupuncture.

The chiropractor showed her how her muscled are pulling her vertebrae in differant directions.  It was kinda freaky honestly.

[BEG]

I'd use some ice and find a chiropractor. Just make sure that they are a good chiropractic office. You don't need someone adjusting you with a bulged disk.. They'll take x-rays to ascertain your problem.

I can't use a chiropractor per my rheumatologist because of my stents.  When I took a shower this morning it made it feel better for a little while then the pain is back.  If I sit still and don't move there isn't any pain.  If I take a deep breath it hurts.  When my husband was rubbing the area I felt kind of an electrical "jolt" (for lack of a better word).  Could it be a pinched nerve? 

[BEG]

I've had back problems, and I've found out that large doses, 800mg, of ibuprofen also help.

I can't take ibuprofen right now because I am scheduled to have surgery on thursday.  I had to stop fish oil and anything that thins the blood, ibuprofen is one of them.  I have taken tylenol but it hasn't helped. 

[debk]

I can't take ibuprofen right now because I am scheduled to have surgery on thursday.  I had to stop fish oil and anything that thins the blood, ibuprofen is one of them.  I have taken tylenol but it hasn't helped. 

Are you getting your foot done on Thursday?

[thundley4]

I can't use a chiropractor per my rheumatologist because of my stents.  When I took a shower this morning it made it feel better for a little while then the pain is back.  If I sit still and don't move there isn't any pain.  If I take a deep breath it hurts.  When my husband was rubbing the area I felt kind of an electrical "jolt" (for lack of a better word).  Could it be a pinched nerve? 

A pinched nerve might also cause pain in an arm or a leg.   It could be just a strained muscle in the lower back, which is what I've had several times. It may not sound to bad, but it is debilitating when it's bad.  Most of the normal painkillers didn't work for me, just time, a few days to almost a week of sleeping on the floor.

[BEG]

Are you getting your foot done on Thursday?

no, my right eye.   

[debk]

no, my right eye.   

Oh no! 

How come?

[BEG]

Anyone know if vicodin will help back pain (since I can't take ibuprofen for awhile)?  My doctor called it in this afternoon.  I have taken it before for other reasons and it kind of makes me sick but if it works for back pain I will take it. 

[thundley4]

Anyone know if vicodin will help back pain (since I can't take ibuprofen for awhile)?  My doctor called it in this afternoon.  I have taken it before for other reasons and it kind of makes me sick but if it works for back pain I will take it. 

It did, but I didn't follow the label directions. 

[BEG]

It did, but I didn't follow the label directions. 

What did you do?  Does it make you sick too?  I find the first 30 minutes after it kicks in I feel all happy and loving towards everyone, want to read to my kids and play games with them then I suddenly feel sick.  Like throw up sick. 

[BEG]

Oh no! 

How come?

He is going to fix some scar tissue on the inside of my lower lid. 

[thundley4]

What did you do?  Does it make you sick too?  I find the first 30 minutes after it kicks in I feel all happy and loving towards everyone, want to read to my kids and play games with them then I suddenly feel sick.  Like throw up sick. 

I was doubling the dosage, but it did nothing whatsoever for me. It helped the pain only somewhat, enough to allow me to walk,  but that's it.  I don't seem to get much from painkillers, but muscle relaxants help with the pain more.

[BEG]

I was doubling the dosage, but it did nothing whatsoever for me. It helped the pain only somewhat, enough to allow me to walk,  but that's it.  I don't seem to get much from painkillers, but muscle relaxants help with the pain more.

I have taken muscle relaxers before for mid back/shoulder pain and it helped.  I wonder why he didn't give me muscle relaxers?  I didn't get to talk to him, his assistant just called and said he called in vicodin.  I guess something is better than nothing.  I thought I was getting better yesterday so I sat in my computer chair for over 4 hours yesterday working on our taxes.  I think that was a mistake, today I'm worse than I was yesterday (but not as bad I was on sunday). 

Oh and have I said yet today that I hate the money grabbing DU'ers?  If we owe what I think we are going to owe we will have paid a shit load of money in taxes this year.  The most we have ever paid....more than anyone here can imagine.  It makes me want to puke all on it's own, with out the vicodin. 

[thundley4]

I have taken muscle relaxers before for mid back/shoulder pain and it helped.  I wonder why he didn't give me muscle relaxers?  I didn't get to talk to him, his assistant just called and said he called in vicodin.  I guess something is better than nothing.  I thought I was getting better yesterday so I sat in my computer chair for over 4 hours yesterday working on our taxes.  I think that was a mistake, today I'm worse than I was yesterday (but not as bad I was on sunday). 
 

When my back has went out, I've always avoiding for sitting too long. Lying down was much comfortable, even when it was on the floor.