I'm injured a lot lately. I'm due for knee surgery in about 3 weeks (torn meniscus...3 years ago), and now this: A few weeks ago, I bent over to pick something up (a chair with a box fan in it), and upon lifting it, something in my back (I'd say my mid-back, right where the thoracic spine ends and the lumbar spine begins) like cracked. Now, I've had that happen before with no side effects, but this time, when it did, my back went numb over that general area. I also had some pain associated with it. Ever since then, I've had sort of a dull to moderate pain (nothing horrible, mostly annoying), and lately, I've been having what seems to be muscle spasms in my back. The spasms are kind of painful, but they don't kill me or anything. Sitting for a long time is really uncomfortable, and unfortunately, I sit for 8 hours a day three days a week (school). When I'm at school, I have to shift around a lot because my back gets way too uncomfortable. I get up and walk around most chances I get, and that seems to help a bit also. Lately, though, it seems like the pain has gotten a little worse, and the spasms a little more frequent. I don't think it's anything horribly bad, but I have no clue what it could be. It could be a herniated disc, but I don't have any numbness in my legs or anything (besides the pain associated with the meniscus, lol). Basically, I'm just wondering if any of you guys have ever had any problems like this, and what you did to relieve it. I'm stubborn, and I definitely don't want to go to the doctor before my surgery (I don't like seeing more than one doctor at a time), but if the pain keeps up until after the surgery, I think I'll have to go in. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.
I get something like this, although i've never injured my back. Every once in awhile, I'll get these weird stabbing pain type spasms near my spine and it hurts to breathe, actually I dont think I breathe at all when it happens because its like, immobilizing. But after a few seconds it goes away and I forget about it until it happens again. Unfortunately, I have no idea why. It's never been a problem for more than a few seconds and not frequently at all. I thought it was just normal??
I am very sorry to hear about your upcoming surgery and the back pain. But you really have no choice but to see a doctor about your back immediately. To do otherwise is irresponsible. I'm not your father, but do it! It's really that simple.
Well, when I tell myself that I'm not gonna see a doctor until after surgery, I think that's just me being me(I feel stupid because I'm young and shouldn't be having this many problems...that sort of thing). I really am thinking about calling a doctor soon. Especially if it gets worse.
I've done that before, a couple of times. The only thing that healed mine was time. Pain pills and muscle relaxers helped some, but not really. My doc told me to strengthen my abs, so I did and haven't had any back problems since.
Thanks for the advice. Yeah, the only shape my abs are in is round. I really need to strengthen them. I think I'll try strengthening them. I think I'll make a list.
Don't you like work in a hospital? The fact that you know what the crap "the thoracic spine ends and the lumbar spine" means makes it likely that you already know more about back anatomy and possible ailments than the majority of the people opening the thread.
Don't be a wuss..go see a doctor...I have had lower back problems and without drugs, its painful...It's about pain manangement, with stretching and knowing how your body works... Advice, well, heat and ice packs, alternating of course...Alleve to dull the pain, until you get the good stuff...Soak in a Spa everyday to help relieve your back...
I know somewhat of a good amount of anatomy and pathology and that sort, but by no means do I know as much as a doctor or something. Someone who has had back problems probably knows more than me (which is what I was looking for). I go to school in a hospital, but it's basically like working. I have about a year and a half before I can officially start "working." It's awesome work, though.
I wish! It's a 300-something bed hospital up here where I live (Southwestern New York). Serves a population of about 160,000. Someday, I would love to work at a large hospital, and if I make my way back down to Houston, I would love to work somewhere like that.
Damn, some ppl have all the luck. Ok, jk. I've never been to the hospital, except on the day I was born. No kidding.
I have bad back problems for years with a couple of slipped disks. I just went through another spell a couple of months ago where I could barely walk for a few weeks. Stretching is what works for me. (I just don't stay with it when I feel better). You will feel like a dork but get one of those Yoga for dummies videos and do it daily. It works.
If you work in a hospital, just run down to the ER and tell the Doc you are having back spasms. Get scripts for Flexeral and Soma. You will be very mellow for the first couple of doses and probably shouldn't drive. But you get more use to them. Then get on an ab program like doing 50 crunches every morning... when you can bend your knee again.
