[kirby777]

Hi-

This started last night. My lower back and "waist area" is causing excruciating pain. I have no idea wht I did to cause this. I cannot even bend over to tie my sneakers. I have placed heat on it which help a little. Rolling over in bed even was painfull!

WHat could be causing this??

Thanks in advance.

[Travelinglady]

So sorry, kirby777. I will suggest that you try to squat down in the meantime to do things like tie your shoes. Bending over is not good for anyone's back.

[MotownJohnny]

Could be a lot of things. Most likely a disk putting pressure on a nerve, but could be a sprain, torn muscle, etc.

[possum220]

Time to get yourself to a doctor. In the meantime heat packs may help.

[Travelinglady]

I agree, Kirby. If you aren't better now, then I think seeing a doc would be a good idea. A back is not something to take lightly.

How are you? Please let us know.

Do let us know how you are feeling when you are able!!

[possum220]

How is your back kirby?

[kirby777]

Hi-

Thanks for the responses. I was placing heat on it all day yesterday. This morning I HAVE to go to pdoc, and I would cancel, but I will not get in for another month, so he will just have to deal with me wincing. After that, I am going to the walk in part of my gp's practice. To get out of bed I have to roll a certain way and then push myself up with my arms. If I use any back muscles or ab muscles, I either wince or scream...I do think it is muscular, yet none of my saved muscle relaxers help w. the pain.

I may cancel T tomorrow. If I have this pain, I do not know how I can deal w/ her.

[Travelinglady]

So sorry you are still in so much pain. I am glad to hear you are going to a doc about it. Please let us know what he/she says.

[kirby777]

Thanks everyone,

Today must be "receive crappy medical care day".

After pdoc, I go to gp's office as a walk in...wait 1 1/2 hours, which was fine...They call my name and I can barely walk into the exam room. The physician NEVER touched me. I did not have an exam gown on, which was fine. I asked to watch me rise froma chair & showed her where it was painful...She said "you need to go to the ER". I HATE the ER. I ask why, she said "it could be x,y,z". I said I think it is a strain from what I lifted last week...and today I feel a little better than yesterday. She never checks my reflexes, if I feel things in my toes...nothing...If she is that concerned, then do some type of exam!!!!

So I asked her if she could give me some medication and if it does not dissipate within a few days, I will go to ER or ortho doc. SO she gives me some RXs...

I knew she was po'd, I also know that if she really thought I was THAT bad, she would have made me sign out AMA. But why not touch me, move me, make me do things to see what causes pain, test to see if I feel a pin prick in my legs?? What is up with this crappy medical care?

,
K

[Travelinglady]

I don't know, Kirby, but I am seeing more of this "don't touch the patients" thing myself.

I know what you mean about emergency rooms. Is there any walk-in emergency place where you live?

[kirby777]

What is this "do not touch" patient care all about? If this woman honestly thought I had the potential issues she stated, for me to go to the ER, she should have tested my teflexes,checked for a Babinski sign,,determined if I had sensation in my lower limbs, etc...NOTHING. Therefore, my interpretation was she did not want to provide any care. When she said, "I cannot do anything for you", I said "really? How many people come in here with back pain? I am a nurse and have hurt my back before. I have been to ortho guys who check the degree of flexion & extension of my back. If you cannot help me, I will find someone who is able to".

I Have to go to T now, woohoo!!

I may start another thread on "Do not touch" health care.

[possum220]

Sorry that the nurse was no help at all. Pity she did not know how to do her job. I hope your pain levels are lessening somewhat. Keep the heat packs up. Wish I could be of more help.

Originally Posted by kirby777

What is this "do not touch" patient care all about? If this woman honestly thought I had the potential issues she stated, for me to go to the ER, she should have tested my teflexes,checked for a Babinski sign,,determined if I had sensation in my lower limbs, etc...NOTHING. Therefore, my interpretation was she did not want to provide any care. When she said, "I cannot do anything for you", I said "really? How many people come in here with back pain? I am a nurse and have hurt my back before. I have been to ortho guys who check the degree of flexion & extension of my back. If you cannot help me, I will find someone who is able to".

I Have to go to T now, woohoo!!

I may start another thread on "Do not touch" health care.

I would have been SO ticked...she did nothing for you. It's not like when I went by one of those places and they felt my side and told me to go to the ER (it was my appendix, and the guy knew it was either that or my gall bladder). But heck, they never even charged me and I never even had to wait when I walked in holding my side (next time try that so you don't have to wait so long!) I don't get her purpose if she couldn't at least do a general exam (ie her job) and why did she get angry at you? Drs. can be SO frustrating!! I really do hope you are feeling better today!

[Amyscience]

Try using ice. Ice takes down the inflammation. You are supposed to use ice before using heat. Once the inflammation goes down then you can switch out. Never use ice or heat for more than 20 minutes.

[transientsoul]

Sorry to hear about your pain. I am so fed up with doctors anymore. It's like you have to do their jobs for them while they, instead of you, earn $XXX,XXX per year, right?

For your back - If you have a tub that allows you to stretch out enough to at least keep the area down in the water comfortably, please consider good old epsom salt. It is cheap, cheap, and works wonders on muscle pain. I realize you may have something worse than simple strained muscles, but it can't hurt. Did I mention it's cheap?! I would also suggest if you have routine muscle pain -or- just to have on hand for these strains and pains - get a good magnesium supplement. Epsom salt= magnesium externally. A good internal magnesium supplement is good for many things from muscle pain to mood. Do yourself the favor of looking into it - and a quality brand doesn't have to be expensive. The better ones usually range 6-7 bucks for a fair amount.

[bebop]

Originally Posted by kirby777

Thanks everyone,

Today must be "receive crappy medical care day".

After pdoc, I go to gp's office as a walk in...wait 1 1/2 hours, which was fine...They call my name and I can barely walk into the exam room. The physician NEVER touched me. I did not have an exam gown on, which was fine. I asked to watch me rise froma chair & showed her where it was painful...She said "you need to go to the ER". I HATE the ER. I ask why, she said "it could be x,y,z". I said I think it is a strain from what I lifted last week...and today I feel a little better than yesterday. She never checks my reflexes, if I feel things in my toes...nothing...If she is that concerned, then do some type of exam!!!!

So I asked her if she could give me some medication and if it does not dissipate within a few days, I will go to ER or ortho doc. SO she gives me some RXs...

I knew she was po'd, I also know that if she really thought I was THAT bad, she would have made me sign out AMA. But why not touch me, move me, make me do things to see what causes pain, test to see if I feel a pin prick in my legs?? What is up with this crappy medical care?

,
K

Normally if they see you in extreme pain like that they don't move you as it could be disk related and further injure you. I had that happen when I first hurt my back and I could not walk into the dr office. they had to get me a wheel chair. I have 3 torn disks. I can tell you from my experience it is probably not muscle related. I hope you have seen someone by now hon.