major back pain

[potatovixen]

I woke up at about 3 this morning with the most severe pain in my back that I have ever had. I can't even move my left leg without hurting myself. I called in sick to work (because, frankly, I'm not going to be any good to anyone today because I'm moving far too slowly) and rubbed a bunch of ActivOn on my back. I kind of feel lie my boss thinks I'm lying just to get out of work. I'm definitely telling the truth.... I'm not that great of a storyteller.

This pain wasn't brought on by any strenuous activity, so it worries me more than it normally would. I've been told twice already to go to the doctor, so I guess that's going to be the plan today.

Any ideas on what could be the cause? Is it normal to just have a serious pain with nothing leading up to it?

 

[Jdarg]

Go to the doctor!!!:nono1:

And feel better soon. I was going to ask if you went dancing last night.

 

[potatovixen]

Go to the doctor!!!:nono1:

And feel better soon. I was going to ask if you went dancing last night.

No dancing... Which is why this confuses me so much.

 

[NoHall]

I once knocked out my SI joint (lower back) and was in terrible pain for about 2 weeks. The orthopedic doctor I saw (apparently the best at Vanderbilt) was no help at all. I had no broken bones. He sent me to physical therapy, and they didn't know what to do with me. I literally woke up one morning and felt better.

Get yourself to a good chiropractor or at least to a good massage therapist. If you can pull it off, it's best to get the massage first and go straight to the chiropractor. I still have some issues with my lower back, and that's the only thing that helps. (Although I know that some physical therapists have lately adopted chiropractic and massage techniques for these issues...)

 

[DBOldford]

See a doctor, by all means. Also, a good idea to take a couple of Advil that will keep your muscles from going into a spasm. The things I would NOT do, which might seem a good idea are going to a chiropractor or having a massage. Your problem sounds like a spasm in your back that is effecting your sciatic nerve (thus the leg pain). These problems can be caused by stress alone. A couple of months ago, I had an unusually stressful event that I seemed to cope with okay. Later in the day, stepped outside and sneezed, and my back went out for a week. First time that ever happened in my life and it was very scary. After a week of R &R, it went away never to return. The holidays are always stressful, even when joyful. And it seems these things (like a cold) always happen once all the activity is past. I hope you are on the mend pronto. But be sure to see your doctor to make sure it isn't something that needs attention right away.

 

[Beach Runner]

You probably won't be able to get an appointment quickly at an orthopedic group specializing in back pain, so I'd go to the ER and they'll give you some muscle relaxers (like skelaxin) and pain meds (like hydrocodone).

This is the story of our lives -- both hubby and daughter end up at the ER several times a year with back pain from basketball injuries and the way they have really tight muscles that pull on their spines and put them out of alignment. The least little thing can bring on the pain. Daughter refuses to take the time for physical therapy, but hubby is tired of not being able to play golf, so he starts on PT next week.

In the meantime take some Advil (unless you are on Coumadin or have stomach issues) or Motrin (no problem if you are on Coumadin). Take these meds on a full stomach to avoid causing stomach problems. But make an appointment with a doctor (not a chiropractor at first) because all the ER will do is give you short-term relief -- they won't solve the long-term problem.

Good luck! You are not too young to be having these problems -- my daughter's started when she was 15.

 

[JUL]

Kidney Stone?

 

[ShallowsNole]

I was actually thinking gall bladder. But that tends to come and go.

There is a disk which affects nerves in the top of the left leg. Mine is pinched.

Hope this is temporary, PV. Let us know....

 

[Beach Runner]

PV, just go to a doctor or the ER ASAP, gull!!!!!

 

[JUL]

You probably won't be able to get an appointment quickly at an orthopedic group specializing in back pain, so I'd go to the ER and they'll give you some muscle relaxers (like skelaxin) and pain meds (like hydrocodone).

This is the story of our lives -- both hubby and daughter end up at the ER several times a year with back pain from basketball injuries and the way they have really tight muscles that pull on their spines and put them out of alignment. The least little thing can bring on the pain. Daughter refuses to take the time for physical therapy, but hubby is tired of not being able to play golf, so he starts on PT next week.

In the meantime take some Advil (unless you are on Coumadin or have stomach issues) or Motrin (no problem if you are on Coumadin). Take these meds on a full stomach to avoid causing stomach problems. But make an appointment with a doctor (not a chiropractor at first) because all the ER will do is give you short-term relief -- they won't solve the long-term problem.

Good luck! You are not too young to be having these problems -- my daughter's started when she was 15.

Advil and Motrin are both trade names for the generic ibuprofen...they are pretty much the sme drug