I really messed up my lower back

abbycats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
I went to pick up a coat that was laying on the couch and I tweaked my back in such a way that my legs gave out on me with intense pain in my lower back. I have been in bad pain since. I went to the Dr. today and he gave me pain killers and muscle relaxers. I can't afford an xray or MRI as I don't have insurance. I have to update Dr on friday to let him know if it's getting better. Has anyone ever done this before? if so what caused it?
 

tierre0

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
7,256
Purraise
1
Location
on the shores of Georgian Bay
Sounds like a pinched nerve..I did the same think once bending over to pick up a scarf I dropped.

Hope you feel better soon sending along some feel better vibes..
 

calico2222

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
7,731
Purraise
41
Location
Over the river and through the woods...
I did it about a month ago unloading the dishwasher. It hurt so bad I couldn't move for a few minutes (straighten up, turn, nothing). I thought it was just a pinched nerve, or that I just twisted my back muscles because I've always had a weak lower back. The next day, I called my doctor to get a doctor's note for work and he decided to schedule a CT scan for the next day. To make a long story short, it turns out I have 3 bulging discs in my lower spine. They haven't ruptured yet, but are pretty severe. So, I'm in physical therapy now 2 days a week and it's slowly getting better with the excercises.

I hope it starts feeling better soon. I know how painful it can be! If it's at all possible, I would get it looked at to find out exactly how to treat it, but I know how it can be without insurance.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

abbycats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
Originally Posted by calico2222

I did it about a month ago unloading the dishwasher. It hurt so bad I couldn't move for a few minutes (straighten up, turn, nothing). I thought it was just a pinched nerve, or that I just twisted my back muscles because I've always had a weak lower back. The next day, I called my doctor to get a doctor's note for work and he decided to schedule a CT scan for the next day. To make a long story short, it turns out I have 3 bulging discs in my lower spine. They haven't ruptured yet, but are pretty severe. So, I'm in physical therapy now 2 days a week and it's slowly getting better with the excercises.

I hope it starts feeling better soon. I know how painful it can be! If it's at all possible, I would get it looked at to find out exactly how to treat it, but I know how it can be without insurance.
Oh my goodness! Sending healing vibes to you! I really do need to get an xray or CT scan done. It feels like there is more wrong with my back than a pinched nerve. I also have a weak lower spine caused from poor lifting habits when I was younger.
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
I'm willing to bet it's bulging or torn discs, too.

Originally Posted by calico2222

To make a long story short, it turns out I have 3 bulging discs in my lower spine. They haven't ruptured yet, but are pretty severe.
Do you know if you might have a small tear in any of those discs? It would be something that a doctor would have to have a very keen eye to catch. The radiologist that looked over my MRIs never saw the annular tear, but another doctor did. After she pointed it out I wondered how anyone could have missed it on the scans.
The good news is that it's not a complete rupture, but the bad news is that disc fluid can still leak out of that little tear and onto a nerve. When I get a bad spike of pain it will cause the leg on whatever side the pain is to give out - though I do not have sciatica type pain.

I'm currently dealing with my back acting up right now due to the fact that I don't know when to stop - lifting and running back and forth too much at work, then running around the state fair on Saturday, then back to running around at work again.
I'm back to taking my anti inflammatories as they do help.

Painkillers will only do so much, muscle relaxers are useless if it's not muscle related or if you're not having spasms. They can actually cause more problems, as you need your muscles strong and working to help your back recover. Physical therapy and, despite how much you want to, not spending too much time laying and sitting down can help.
 

calico2222

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
7,731
Purraise
41
Location
Over the river and through the woods...
Originally Posted by strange_wings

I'm willing to bet it's bulging or torn discs, too.

Do you know if you might have a small tear in any of those discs? It would be something that a doctor would have to have a very keen eye to catch. The radiologist that looked over my MRIs never saw the annular tear, but another doctor did. After she pointed it out I wondered how anyone could have missed it on the scans.
The good news is that it's not a complete rupture, but the bad news is that disc fluid can still leak out of that little tear and onto a nerve. When I get a bad spike of pain it will cause the leg on whatever side the pain is to give out - though I do not have sciatica type pain.
I went to a back specialist who took one look at my CT scan, said I wasn't a canidate for surgery, and handed me a list of back exercises and told me not to bend over.
Well, he was a neurosurgeon, so I guess he's just waiting for me to need surgery before he would do anything. I got PT orders from my primary care doctor. Luckily the therapy is helping so hopefully I don't have anything leaking. (lord, that just sounds so gross!)

Abbycats, when mine went out it felt worse than just a pinched nerve or muscle strain. I actually felt like my lower back was on fire. I couldn't breath for probably 30 seconds...I was afraid to move at all, and I felt it all the way down my legs. It was something I had never felt before. I've twisted muscles, pinched nerves, etc...but this was something complete different. I first thought I tore something it hurt that bad. I spent the rest of the day hunched over, walking around like a 92 yr old grandmother. My back usually feels better in the morning but as the day goes on, it sometimes gets to the point when I'm almost in tears. For me, it's actually less painful to stand up than to sit or lay down.

I don't want to give you any advice on exercises that might help until you find out what is wrong, but laying with a pillow under your knees takes pressure off the spine (this works for me for pulled muscles, pinched nerves or any back problem). Also, you can try laying on your back and pull your knee up to your chin (or as far as you can get it...don't push it!). That helps stretch the back muscles out and it shouldn't make anything worse and give you a little bit of relief from the pain. But, like I said...don't push it. Just bring it up as far as you can.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

abbycats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
I've been waking around like a hunched old lady since this happend too. When my back does this it knocks me to the floor. My legs go out and I can't get back up with out a lot of pain and assistance from my husband. Then I get leg spasms. It hurts from my lower spine all the way around my hips. The Dr asked me if I'm feeling any kind of pain going down my legs now and I'm ok there. He was concerned with the sciatic nerve. What ever this is it hurts bad....
 

kittkatt

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
6,108
Purraise
14
Location
Online
Originally Posted by abbycats

I went to pick up a coat that was laying on the couch and I tweaked my back in such a way that my legs gave out on me with intense pain in my lower back. I have been in bad pain since. I went to the Dr. today and he gave me pain killers and muscle relaxers. I can't afford an xray or MRI as I don't have insurance. I have to update Dr on friday to let him know if it's getting better. Has anyone ever done this before? if so what caused it?
My back has "gone out" on me so many times that I've lost count. It's gone out while sneezing, blowing my nose, bending the wrong way, lifting my foot - you name it. But I have a deteriorating spinal condition, so it's progressively getting worse. I've tried just about everything to help the condition - including surgery, physical therapy, you name it - but nothing helps anymore.


I have no insurance either, so I know how you feel. It's difficult to get the help you need, when you can't afford to pay for it. I hope your condition isn't as severe, and you can find a way to relieve it. Is there some kind of medical program in your area that you may be able to qualify for that will help pay for your medical bills?

I hope you feel better soon! A bad back is no fun.
 

kluchetta

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 5, 2005
Messages
11,023
Purraise
30
Location
Golden, Colorado
I've had a couple episodes with back pain that made my knees buckle. It wasn't nerves or a disc, so the first time (about 15 years ago) I used crutches because if I needed to bend over just the slightest bit it would put me on the floor. And my doctor at that point put me on prescription strength aspirin. I was disappointed with this diagnosis, but, frankly, the aspirin totally did the trick until I healed. I think it was 750 mg of aspirin.

Then, a couple of years ago, I did it again and diagnosed myself and took 2 valerian root pills and 4 aspirin every 4 hours, even through the night, and I was ok in about 48 hours.

I hope this helps!
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Originally Posted by abbycats

I've been waking around like a hunched old lady since this happend too. When my back does this it knocks me to the floor. My legs go out and I can't get back up with out a lot of pain and assistance from my husband. Then I get leg spasms. It hurts from my lower spine all the way around my hips. The Dr asked me if I'm feeling any kind of pain going down my legs now and I'm ok there. He was concerned with the sciatic nerve. What ever this is it hurts bad....
I've been dealing with that sort of pain since I was 14. Mine has progressed (degenerated) and is worse now. I get the pain around the lower back/pelvis area, too. In my case it's L4-L5 (I never have to worry about L5-S1 thankfully, as that's fused together), but anywhere from L3 to S1 can cause that sort of pain. Mine is actually worse in the morning or anytime I've been sitting or laying down, standing provides relief until I move. I also have arthritis in my right SI joint along with SI joint dysfunction - which, when inflamed, feel much worse then my back problems. Back in December of 2006 it was actually so bad I couldn't really walk for 18-19 days - I had to have people hold me up or pull myself along by hanging onto the furniture.

The doctor that initially realized I had DDD and DJD did so just by looking at x-rays of my lower back.


Be careful trying high doses of aspirin or other NSAIDs, these are very rough on the stomach. You can try icing the area, it make help numb it a little. Don't use heat though as it's very likely you have some inflammation.
 

carolpetunia

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Messages
9,669
Purraise
17
Location
Plano, Texas
I have chronic back pain from two old injuries myself -- but reading your stories, I feel so incredibly lucky. The worst I have is an occasional nerve pinch that would knock me flat if it lasted long enough, but it's over in a split second and I don't actually fall.

I'm sending a big blanket of vibes for all of you!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

abbycats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
Unfortunately I don't think I would qualify for medical assistance because both my husband and I work. My company offers really bad insurance and my husbands Company takes care of their employees but costs a fortune for the spouse to be added.

To add to the misery of the lower back ache I have a chronic neck problem(arthritis). They are two different pains and honestly I think if I could order a new spine I would feel a lot better!!!


All the aches and pains my grandmothers would complain about I understand now.

When I was younger I used to pick up the 50 lb computer paper boxes with high heels on and I never followed proper lifting techniques
. This is where it all started.

I aggrevated my lower back this summer when my husband and I were climbing on ladders painting a building to make extra money. My lower back was aching and just waiting for the right opportunity to tweak out.

Calico2222 Thanks for the advice on stretching. My sister just emailed me and she has awful lower back problems and she said that stretching really helps her too.
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
^Chances are, if you have it in your neck already, that it's just going to be more of the same elsewhere. You probably have some arthritis along with possible disc problems.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

abbycats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
My sister was telling me she uses a belt with magnets in it and it is helping her. She has tried everything to relieve her pain. I'm beginning to wonder if this a hereditary thing.
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Mine certainly is. My mother has a very bad neck and some back problems. I have a defect that caused L5 to fuse to S1 called a transitional vertebrae. I also have a narrow lopsided pelvis, along with unstable joints elsewhere and in my neck (hypermobility).

I don't know about magnets... they work on the idea that blood has iron in it and that iron is magnetic.
If blood was really magnetic could you imagine what an MRI would do a you?

In other words, it probably only helps her because she thinks it is helping her. A supportive back brace, on the other hand, would help some - at the very least it would help keep you from moving wrong.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

abbycats

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
Originally Posted by strange_wings

Mine certainly is. My mother has a very bad neck and some back problems. I have a defect that caused L5 to fuse to S1 called a transitional vertebrae. I also have a narrow lopsided pelvis, along with unstable joints elsewhere and in my neck (hypermobility).

I don't know about magnets... they work on the idea that blood has iron in it and that iron is magnetic.
If blood was really magnetic could you imagine what an MRI would do a you?

In other words, it probably only helps her because she thinks it is helping her. A supportive back brace, on the other hand, would help some - at the very least it would help keep you from moving wrong.
Yep! It probably is the belt support that is working for her, not the magnets
Bless her heart she also hurts so bad that she will try anything to stop it!


I wish I could take some lessons from my cats on how to streeeeetch my back. It looks like it feels so good!
 
Top