Back issues injury

nebula · May 23, 2012

Hi Everyone

So this past weekend I went on a trip and was cooped up in a tiny car the whole time, and somehow threw my back out.

The Dr says its probably just spasms, Gave me Cyclobenzaprine (Flexiril), and Tramdol (Ultram) - As well as Meclizine for Nausea (the pain meds always make me nauseous)

Well, I'm throwing up either from the pain meds or the pain, not sure which-

A heating pad helps, but not alot-- Anyone dealt with back issues and what helps you?

nerdrock · May 23, 2012

Do you like tea? If you do, try some camomile (for mild nausea) or ginger tea (for stronger nausea). If you add a little cayenne to it it helps digest it better.

For back pain, I always have to take codeine, so I'm not much help in that department.

Winchester · May 23, 2012

I have four blown disks in my lower back and the back spasms are very painful sometimes.

What I have found to work the best? Walking. I'm serious. I don't take pain meds, other than Advil or something like that. And even now, I can't take Advil or any other NSAID anymore.

My doctor says that most people with bad backs have a lot of trouble walking period, let alone going out for a one-hour walk. But that's what I do and that's what helps me the most. I can usually walk off the pain.

When you're lying down, put a pillow under your knees. That flattens your back out a bit and should help to relieve some of the pain, too. If you have to lie on your side, keep the pillow between your legs.

nebula · May 23, 2012

I do walk, well I have some trouble with it due to the osteoarthritis in my knees.

I can try the pillow thing, and I do drink tea- and know that Ginger is a natural antiemtic, but I have Ginger Altoids that seem to work great in addition to the meclizine (Which I think is just a fancy Rx version of Dramamine)

catsallaround · May 23, 2012

Tramadol makes me puke 1-2 times and get sleepy as can be. I go for codeine for any pain though it keeps me up at night so choices are limited then.

swampwitch · May 23, 2012

The miracle that works for me is core stretches. http://www.bigbackpain.com/back_exercises.html (scroll down for illustrations how to do). They are easy and feel SO GOOD while you are doing them. Sometimes I find myself doing the leg stretches while watching a movie at home and it also helps with restless legs. The "basic spinal twist" is the BEST for lower back pain.

When I get busy or lazy and don't do them for a few weeks I can really tell I need to do them again! Hope you get relief.

nebula · May 23, 2012

SwampWitch said:
The miracle that works for me is core stretches. http://www.bigbackpain.com/back_exercises.html (scroll down for illustrations how to do). They are easy and feel SO GOOD while you are doing them. Sometimes I find myself doing the leg stretches while watching a movie at home and it also helps with restless legs. The "basic spinal twist" is the BEST for lower back pain.

When I get busy or lazy and don't do them for a few weeks I can really tell I need to do them again! Hope you get relief.

Wow they are helping... even just doing them makes me feel better!!

THANKS

natalie_ca · May 24, 2012

Nebula said:
Well, I'm throwing up either from the pain meds or the pain, not sure which-

A heating pad helps, but not alot-- Anyone dealt with back issues and what helps you?

I'm sorry you have a sore back!

Instead of heating pads, use ice packs. It will help decrease inflammation to the area. Apply for no more than 20 minutes (you will get frost bite if you use it for longer), several times per day.

Antiemetics should be taken 30 minutes prior to meals or other medication, especially pain medication.

Is Tramdol a narcotic (prescription?) If so, stop taking it. You don't need narcotics for a back spasm.

I'm not familiar with Flexeril. Is that Ibuprofen? Or does it have Ibuprofen in it? Does it have Aceteminophin (the stuff in Tylenol) in it?

If the pills you are taking don't have Ibuprofen in them, add 600 mg Ibuprofen or 400 mg Alleve (Alleve/Naproxen is better) 4 times per day. It will help decrease inflammation. But don't take it if the Flexeril or other things you are taking have Ibuprofen in it.

nebula · May 24, 2012

Natalie_ca said:
I'm sorry you have a sore back!

Instead of heating pads, use ice packs. It will help decrease inflammation to the area. Apply for no more than 20 minutes (you will get frost bite if you use it for longer), several times per day.

Antiemetics should be taken 30 minutes prior to meals or other medication, especially pain medication.

Is Tramdol a narcotic (prescription?) If so, stop taking it. You don't need narcotics for a back spasm.

I'm not familiar with Flexeril. Is that Ibuprofen? Or does it have Ibuprofen in it? Does it have Aceteminophin (the stuff in Tylenol) in it?

If the pills you are taking don't have Ibuprofen in them, add 600 mg Ibuprofen or 400 mg Alleve (Alleve/Naproxen is better) 4 times per day. It will help decrease inflammation. But don't take it if the Flexeril or other things you are taking have Ibuprofen in it.

Tramadol is a "narcotic like synthetic analagisic". Not a narcotic, but yes a Rx

Flexiril AKA Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer.

I have been adding 800 MG Motring as needed with it (also have a RX for that)

I can't add ALEVE to Motrin, they are both NSAIDS.

stephanietx · May 24, 2012

I have chronic low back pain from herniated discs. It's not fun when they decide to act up!! I have found that staying mobile (walking) as much as possible helps. I also get a deep tissue massage every other week or weekly if I need it and the pain is really bad. Once I start to feel better, I move to every 3 weeks, then once a month. I also go to the chiropractor as needed. I also do some yoga stretches especially for low back and some core muscle stretches. For pain, I take Midol. It has an anti-inflammatory in it which helps. I also take Bromelain, an extract of pineapple that is a natural anti-inflammatory, 1000mg twice a day. Lastly, I take Valerin http://www.wonderlabs.com/leg-cramps-muscle-cramps-natural-340-total_i6062 to help alleviate muscle spasms. You can take as many as 2 tablets every 3 hours. It takes about 15 mins for them to kick in for me and than I'm doing great.

swampwitch · May 24, 2012

I'm glad the stretches helped! I don't do the lunges or squats (probably should but whatever); just the ones at the bottom called back stretches; my physiotherapist gave me a sheet of these core exercises to do and I never had to go back to him, lol!

margecat · May 26, 2012

I have sciatica and sometimes lower back pain--I get muscle spasms after straining my back.

I find that some yoga poses REALLY help--I'm talking immediate pain relief. I do the Bridge, the Downward Dog, and the Serpent (that's the best one for me).

I also have a full-body length heated massage pad, with adjustable controls. It has shoulder, lumbar, thighs and calves massage, low or high speed, and heat. I put it on the sofa, grab a blanket, drink and the remote, and spend hours on it, watching tv. You're only supposed to spend 20 minutes at a time, but I've had no ill effects from it. I think it's HomeMedics brand; got it 1/2 price after Christmas at WalMart a few years ago. (About $15 on sale.)m You can also buy a similar, but much shorter, one for a car seat. It plugs into the lighter. (I knew DH really loved me when me rigged a splitter for his, so I could use mine AND he his in his Jeep, to warm our seats!) I think we got ours at Amazon.

stephanietx · May 26, 2012

I use the "Back in Shape" dvd by Mimi Solaire to learn the yoga poses and stretches. I don't do the whole dvd (because I'm just not that limber or skinny), but the first part of the DVD really has helped me tremendously. I got mine from Amazon.

nebula · May 26, 2012

All of these are great suggestions, my back must be on the mend.. For the first time in a week, I was able to get IN the tub- and not just take a shower

krazy kat2 · May 26, 2012

If you sit a lot like at a desk for work or something, try and always sit with your hips and knees at the same height. This will pull your back into alignment and create good posture along with stretching some of the smaller muscles along your spine, between your shoulders, and in your neck. It may even cause a little soreness at first, because you will be using your muscles in a different way. If you can train yourself to do it, though, it is well worth it.

Kitties make great heating pads. Pepper seems to know where I hurt, because after her regular cuddles at night, she will snuggle against my lower back. It feels wonderful.

I hope you feel better soon, there are few things more miserable than back pain.

nebula · May 26, 2012

krazy kat2 said:
If you sit a lot like at a desk for work or something, try and always sit with your hips and knees at the same height. This will pull your back into alignment and create good posture along with stretching some of the smaller muscles along your spine, between your shoulders, and in your neck. It may even cause a little soreness at first, because you will be using your muscles in a different way. If you can train yourself to do it, though, it is well worth it.
Kitties make great heating pads. Pepper seems to know where I hurt, because after her regular cuddles at night, she will snuggle against my lower back. It feels wonderful.
I hope you feel better soon, there are few things more miserable than back pain.

Thanks, yes th the pain is right up there with an abcessed or impacted wisdom tooth.

stephanietx · May 27, 2012

Mentioning the tub helped me to remember that soaking in warm epsom salt water helps, too. I add a couple of handfuls or two to my warm water and soak for about 20-30 mins.

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