Go ahead. Say it. I know you want to. You know you want to. Let’s hear it. All together now:
I TOLD YOU SO!!!!
Yup, I should have done something about my fucking back when I first posted and you all told me get thee to the doctors.
But, nooooooooooooooo, I figured it’d start getting better any minute now.
Any minute now is long past, and my back has been getting progressively worse.
WTF back?
Nothing helped.
It occurred to me that I hadn’t tried ice. I needn’t have bothered. Did not help at all.
The only time it doesn’t hurt is when I am laying still in bed (on my back, on either side – doesn’t matter – as long as I am not moving) and I can pretend that my back is fine.
Sneezing and coughing are not to be thought of – they are an experience of fresh hell on earth.
But I finally made an appointment for a teleconference with my doctor, who sent me for x-rays (which is another WTF – the pain is clearly muscular – I’m pretty sure bones don’t spasm!).
Which I went and did immediately (and found out that I really shouldn’t be driving when experiencing frequent and unannounced back spasms) and now my doctor is supposed to have referred me for physical therapy, but they haven’t called yet.
If I don’t get a call from PT in a day or so, I’ll be contacting my doctor again because I’m not doing this.
This fat old lady is fucking done.
While out for the x-rays, I also did the grocery shopping. Thank God (TIDBI) for social distancing … no one was close enough for me to frighten them when my back would spasm and I’d semi-collapse into my cart with a gasp.
HOWEVER, I did discuss pain relief and my doctor gave the okay for me to take a handful of ibuprofen (a handful in fat old lady land = 3 (200 mg) gel caps) up to three times a day, for the next two weeks.
She’s not happy about it, but I’m allergic to most muscle relaxants and I’m not willing to go for anything more serious med wise – OTC is just fine with me.
And right now, that handful is just a little piece of heaven. For the first time in days I am not screaming intermittently as my back constantly spasms for no apparent reason whatsoever.
WTSF back?
I didn’t want to take pain meds for fear of making it worse, but right now the relief is so welcome that I don’t give a flying fuck if I make it worse – I mean how much worse could it get (please God (TIDBI) that is not a challenge)?
So here I sit working away (okay, not working, nothing is going on right now, so I’m writing today’s blog instead), and my back is in the background letting me know that once the ibuprofen wears off – ooooooooooooh, am I going to get it.
But for now, I’m okay – barely – but okay – and I’ll take that!
Thoughts from a Fat Old Lady 
My lower back was ailing for a long time and I resisted going to a doctor because of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). For a while, the only thing I did consider was a chiropractic adjustment. However, the pain relief was temporary. Eventually, I was on prescription muscle relaxers and it seemed like my back was “going out” frequently and pain level was worse.
I know how difficult it can be to break out of a routine and seek the proper care for back pain. I was a living example for a long time. And, I also know how awful and debilitating lower back pain can be.
I’m not here to say “I told you so” because I’m not going to judge you. All I really want is for you to get the right care that makes sense for your particular situation.
Right now, if taking OTC medication fits your needs then continue. Otherwise, take a look at other options to manage the pain. Become aware of the frequency and intensity of your pain. Chiropractic care and OTC medication are usually the primary methods with lower back pain.
At a certain point, you might need stronger prescription medication and I can understand your reluctance in going down this route. Many of the opioids are addictive and have undesirable side effects like constipation, dry mouth and upset stomach; long-term use is simply bad too.
So, what other options? You might consider getting pain injections for pain relief. Cortisone or steroid injections are commonly used and you might enjoy relief anywhere from 3 month to 1 year. However, pain management options are really just masking the problem and delaying the inevitable.
I was told by my orthopedic friends, our backs are subject to “wear and tear” and the toll is the reduction of space around exiting nerves around the vertebra. You can blame genetics to some extent but it also comes from the environment. For me, genetics and lack of exercise to strengthen my lower torso eventually made me pay the price. Essentially, I sat in poorly supported chairs and ignored the early warning signs of lower back pain until it was too late.
Eventually, I got minimally invasive spine surgery but use an ergonomic chair for better lumbar support, take breaks from sitting too long and have a daily lower back exercise to strengthen my lower core. It’s simply but works for me.
Please get the care you deserve. Living with lower back pain is a serious quality of life issue.
The OTC is working quite well (although I am technically taking it at prescription strength). If PT doesn’t work, I’ll check out chiropratic care – but I find chiro works initially and then it just seems to be re-irritating healing tissue. I have spinal stenosis in my lower back. This pain, though, is mid back and to the right side. If the OTC stops working, I’ll check out options. I got cortisone shots in my knees for years, and now my knees are good without the shots. But if the knee pain comes back, I’ll go back and get shots again. I was foolish to put off getting this taken care of before it escalated to this point, but glad you understand why I didn’t get it taken care of sooner. Thank you for your kind words and advice.
HEYYYYY i found your blog surfing on internet and i love you!!! i’m already a fan!!! greatings from Southamerica, Chile! ❤ 🙂 ❤
Hola! (Yo estudio espanol con Duolingo – no se mucho – pero yo “try” (no se como dicer “try” en espanol!) Thank you for your kind words!