rough night because of back pain, need advice

danger boy

A few days ago I think I tweaked my back shoveling snow. It didn't hurt till last night. I was in such back pain that was shooting up to the front of my stomach. The only thing that brought some little relief was taking an Oxxy pill. Then even that just mellowed me out, and didn't really take care of the whole pain. I don't usually take more than one Oxxy pill.... don't like the weird high I get from it.

So today I'm still in pain.. I have a doctor's appoint this PM. The pain is in my lower and mid back.. as well as sides and it radiates towards my belly button in front.

Anyone here ever suffered similar intense shooting pain from their lower and mid back? I'm thinking a pinched nerve or out of whack disc. I have never in my life experienced this intense of pain before. It's a real doozie. I'm taking the rest of the week off work because of it.

The pain is the same whether i'm standing, sitting, laying down or walking. Should I seek out a chiropractor?

this really bites.

ben62670

I'd stay away from a chiropractor when you are hurt. They can be good help when you are not in bad shape. I have 12 documented problems in my back and neck ranging from broken bones to herniated disc. If they can prescribe soma that really helps to loosen up the muscles. I was on heavy meds for 3 years and I really suggest staying away from them if you can. I only take Alieve now. I take up to 4 (880mg) to take the edge off. Take care Bro. I feel for ya.
Ben

bobman1235

Yeah I've been going to a chiropractor for some mild pain, and it's been great, but I'd get any serious injury taken care of before (or at least concurrently). A chiropractor will help keep your back in place and healthy so this kind of thing doesn't happen, and I'm sure they claim to be able to fix these types of things as well but personally I'd trust the MD first.

GSRBOB

I hope you get well soon. Back pain sounds unbearable and i wouldnt wish it on anyone.

danger boy

time to get the old caboose in for a tune up I think

trust me intense back pain completely dominates your life, whether awake or sleeping. Last night even breathing was painful.

and now i'm craving fish sticks LOL I think the oxxy pill is kicking in again.

CaligulaPolk

give your subwoofer something to do, sit behind it and feel bass as it massage your back? Get something worth out of your money

Shizelbs

My advice; keep your appointment with your doctor.

WilliamM2

Back pain sucks, and the results most doctors get is abysmal. Hopefully it's temporary, and you'll be back to normal in a week or two.

I've got one bulging disc, and two compressed discs up near my neck. The pain came on suddenly 1 year and two weeks ago. The back pain is slowly getting worse, but still bearable, but the discs are impinging on the nerves that lead to my shoulders, and the shoulders ache constantly, and make it almost impossible to sleep through the night.

I've lost all faith in doctors because of this. I have a $2500 deductible, and an 80/20 copay, with a max $5000 out of pocket. I hit that in June, and start all over on Jan. 1st. I'm thinking of just giving up after spending $5K and getting absolutely no results. I feel for ya.

snow

As odd as this may seem I suggest instead of asking advice here before you find out what is actually wrong with your back is since you have an apppointment with the doctor this evening is take his/her advice. By the time they get through with x rays and possible other test's they should have a pretty good idea whats actually wrong. Then ask for advice then once you know what the actual problem is if you feel you need too. The back is a pretty complicated thing hard to diagnose whats wrong with yours from my couch, even though the majority of problems related to snow removal is pulled muscles in the lower back it could well be something more serious. I hope it's something easy to fix and good luck to ya



REGARDS SNOW

danger boy

i'm just looking to see if someone else has ever had any back problems similar to what i am expericing right now. i plan to keep my DR. appointment. So I was just thinking if anyone here had any advice on seeking out a chiropractor as I've never been to one.

disneyjoe7

Heating pad, laying on the floor, some Advil and a nice hot bath can do wonders.

Hope you feel better, and hope you are able to use a snow blower next time.

george daniel

danger boy wrote: »

i'm just looking to see if someone else has ever had any back problems similar to what i am expericing right now. i plan to keep my DR. appointment. So I was just thinking if anyone here had any advice on seeking out a chiropractor as I've never been to one.

does the pain go down the front or back of your leg,, if so how far down.

Willow

Coming from someone who had two back surgeries and has been off work for the past year... What you need is an anti-inflamatory, ie advil or aleve, if nothing RXed for you. For pain, you'll need to take the strongest stuff you had.
I went to a chiro once, and because I was in so much pain when he asked me to relax I couldn't as I was affraid it may hurt.
Ice it 10mins on ten mins off.
I even had 7 epidurals of anti-inflamatories and direct pain killers right in my herniated disk.
If you are having muscle spasms you will need something to relax you, I found robax stuff just crap ! but that's me and my situation.
If you want more info or clarification let me know.

Fireman32

I know what your goinging through man. I live in pain 24/7 but most of the time its dull and it doesn't bother me. Aleve is the best and lie flat on the floor. Willows advice with the ice is great. Hope you feel beter.

shawn474

Keep the appointment and listen to what the doctor tells you. Thats the best advice I can give. After 2 surgeries, lumbar fusion and working in sports medicine for the past 12 years, I know what you are going through. Everyone has what works best for them; listen to the doctor to find out what is best for you. That and ask for an MRI!!!!!

WilliamM2

shawn474 wrote: »

Keep the appointment and listen to what the doctor tells you. Thats the best advice I can give. After 2 surgeries, lumbar fusion and working in sports medicine for the past 12 years, I know what you are going through. Everyone has what works best for them; listen to the doctor to find out what is best for you. That and ask for an MRI!!!!!

Good advice on the MRI. My damaged discs did not show on the x-rays at all. They were actually looking at my shoulders, as that is what hurt the most, but the MRI showed nothing wrong with them, and picked up the damaged discs.

billbillw

Advice: Take advil, motrin, or generic ibuprofen. Take up to 800mg every 5-6 hours. For normal over the counter pills, that works out to 4 pills every 5-6 hours. This will take down the inflammation and take pressure off any pinched nerves.
This is what my Dr. told me to do when I suffer from back pain or any joint pain. He said don't be afraid to take 4 pills. This is only a short term solution though since prolonged use of ibuprofen like that will cause stomach problems. It is usually enough to get you over minor back injuries though.

You could also try doing some back stretching exercises like these:
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article3120.html
The Hip Twist has always worked very well for me.

If the pain is so bad that you are unable to do any type of stretching, you should probably see the Dr.

brettw22

Personally, I love going to the Chiro......depending on the one you get, they will usually steer you away from the MD route (pills, etc) preferring a more natural method of treatment.

a Muscle relaxer is DEFINITELy a help to me whereas 800 mg of Ibuprofen makes me sick.......

John30_30

danger boy wrote: »

A few days ago I think I tweaked my back shoveling snow. It didn't hurt till last night. I was in such back pain that was shooting up to the front of my stomach. The only thing that brought some little relief was taking an Oxxy pill. Then even that just mellowed me out, and didn't really take care of the whole pain. I don't usually take more than one Oxxy pill.... don't like the weird high I get from it.

So today I'm still in pain.. I have a doctor's appoint this PM. The pain is in my lower and mid back.. as well as sides and it radiates towards my belly button in front.

Anyone here ever suffered similar intense shooting pain from their lower and mid back? I'm thinking a pinched nerve or out of whack disc. I have never in my life experienced this intense of pain before. It's a real doozie. I'm taking the rest of the week off work because of it.

The pain is the same whether i'm standing, sitting, laying down or walking. Should I seek out a chiropractor?

this really bites.

Shooting pain is from a pinched nerve or nerves. Something you're talking about could be from a slipped or ruptured disk(s). Definitely go to the MD first and get x-rays. Consider a chiropractor if the doctor says there's nothing broken and you got a 2nd opinion to that effect too. I was lucky to have a good chiropractor, and he recommended going to an M.D. after X-raying my back.
Ice it in the meantime. You can alternate heat and ice, but always end with icing it, never heat only.
The surgery for blown discs has really improved over the past 25 years or so, if that's what it turns out to be.
Although I broke a few vertebrae falling off a scaffold 26 years ago, that is controlled by moderate exercise and I use blue ice when I'm sitting to minimize that **** muscle expanding and pinching the nerve. Walking is not a problem.

The problems I get anymore are when for no reason in the morning, the back ligaments above my hip on 1 side or the other go out. Similar to what your problem.
I literally had to crawl off a job into my truck, and lift my legs onto the pedals once when that happened, but the good news is there's no actual medical damage. They go out of tune like a piano and it hurts like holy hell.

Good luck on the diagnosis & treatment.

FA - Q

-mri iz a must...you may have gradually damaged your back/ neck over the years

-chiropractors are to be avoided, unless your md says otherwise


-do not sleep on your stomach either




-back pain sux :mad:

george daniel

sounds like you may have a herniated disc,, possibly L-5 S-1,, diagnostic studies may be indicated,such as an MRI,, probabally treated with rest,pain meds and Soma for the spasms,,good luck,, see an MD.

F1nut

rough night because of back pain, need advice

Try a two bit ****.

Sami

FA - Q wrote: »

-chiropractors are to be avoided, unless your md says otherwise

Many times it's just better to go to a chiro instead of MD. Both will take X-rays, and a chiro will not do any work if he/she sees something wrong in the X-rays that require different treatment. If you get to a chiro who wants to get "straight to work", walk away...

I have a pinched nerve, many MD's unfortunately try to treat it is pain killers, chiro actually tries to fix the problem.

Willow

george daniel wrote: »

sounds like you may have a herniated disc,, possibly L-5 S-1,, diagnostic studies may be indicated,such as an MRI,, probabally treated with rest,pain meds and Soma for the spasms,,good luck,, see an MD.

That's what I had twice. Could not feel my foot completely numb spasms in my calf and hamstring all the time. What is weird is that peeps would ask how is your back, I'd say there is nothing wrong with my back it's my left leg.
I was on anti-inflams, percs Which didn't work after 1.5 months then on to Oxy 10mg and 20mgs. They also tried many muscle relaxers and nothing, well not true I got relief for maybe 30 mins. The best thing is rest and don't move too much, maybe a bath, the anti inflams and some pain meds until you can see the Dr, and do go. catch it early cause it might just be a little time of Rand R but in pain...

shawn474

X-rays won't show shite! They'll be ordered but only because its standard protocol. The only reason they do them is to bill for a procedure. X-rays show bones - that's it (no discs, etc.). So unless you fractured a vertabrae (highly unlikely), the x-rays are just standard protocol. Here is what's going to happen. You're going to see the doctor and he's going to ask you a few questions. He's going to say that he is getting x-rays. He will look at the x-rays and say that he doesn't see anything wrong with the bones. He will prescribe rest, a couple pills (probably an anti-inflammatory or pain reliever and a muscle relaxer), maybe a script for PT and ask you to follow-up in a week or two. Unless you push for an MRI, chances are he/she will not even bring it up. Why? Because they'd rather charge you for another office visit after conservative measures have failed before you get an MRI. It's just the way insurance and medicine works these days. I would push for an MRI and go from there. At least then you will have peace of mind that the discs are either herniated or intact. If the disc is intact, immediately ask for a script for PT and get in there to break the pain cycle. Muscle spasms can cause pinched nerves just as bad as disc issues - BIG misconception by the general public is that disc related issues are the main cause of radiating pain. I deal with these issues (rehabbing these types of injuries) daily and have been through 2 spinal surgeries and fusion myself. The other thing is to keep in mind who you are seeing. If you are seeing your general practitioner or orthopedic, most are not experts in the back. If any of the diagnostic testing is abnormal, ask to see an orthopedic spine specialist if your insurance requires a referral. If you are interested and want to talk more PM me and I'll give you my phone number. Good luck.

Also, seeing a chiro at this juncture is bad practice. You NEVER want to see a chiro until you find out the root of the problem. They definitely have their place, but in the acute and painful stage of injury = NOT A GOOD IDEA!

obieone

Go to an outpatient clinic, and they'll probably prescibe Flexeril/ Naproxen, and a pain med-Vicadin/Oxy. Good luck, and hope it's nothing that requires surgery.

george daniel

F1nut wrote: »

Try a two bit ****.

that'd be fiddy cent

ND13

Morphine DUDE!!!! Morphine!!;)

I know what it feels like to be down in the back. My lower back goes out every month or so and for about a week, I can't hardly get out of the bed without help. SUCKS!!!!

Steer clear of Tylenol, it'll **** your liver up badly. Aleve has been the best OTC I've tried, by far. Some Flexeril or Soma (Muscle relaxers) often help me recover by taking the tension off the problem.

Get to an ortho if the pain doesn't go away in a few days. Most Chiros won't work on you if they find something serious.

george daniel

Morphine will make you invisible.:eek:

engtaz

Muscle relaxers and Lodine will help a lot.

mantis

I use a invert table. It is a life saver. I have had back problems for a few years now. The older I get the worse it gets. It comes and goes with me. It's when I don't work out is when I have the most problems or eat to much sugar.

I would also suggest Yoga. It does wonders for all the joints in you body. I have a Jucuzzi in my masterbath, if you have one, I suggest using it. I usually sit in there for 30 to 40 minutes and I'm good for the night.

It's really hard to get a good nights sleep when your back hurts. I hate it.

Dan