379 thoughts on “For Kelly”

1. Take good care of yourself. Been there, done that, it’s awful but it will get better. And, at least in my case, a little gentle walking DID help. Stairs: not so much.
   Hope you’re better, and that Megan checks in, very soon!

2. I am so sorry. Hope you feel better soon. My husband has been having the same problem for the past week.

3. Back flat, pillow under the knees to raise them a bit (ask me how I know). Rest, rest, rest. Feel better soon.

4. When I did that my daily muttering were “Get me the ice pack and go away”. Somehow my husband is still married to me and my sons still speak to me.
   If good wishes are a cure, you will be feeling better soon. Meanwhile rest.

5. I so hope you are feeling better fast… Being in that much pain must be a terribly miserable situation. If only our yarn could somehow sprout legs and come to us when we call it… Oh, how beautiful the world would be… even on our worst days 🙂

6. I went through something like that a few years back caused by me twisting to catch a falling book and making it worse by opening the heavy cover of the hot tub. I could not move but somehow got myself in the house where my husband found me sobbing next to the bed. I couldn’t get in bed at all. 2 days later a very nice physiotherapist rubbed the problem muscle in my lower back with her thumb (for 10 minutes) and life was instantly better.

7. Stephanie:
   I so know what you are going through…… all of a sudden out of the blue, it happened to me. After being perscribed percs, which did nothing for the pain, my doctor said that the only thing that would help would be morphine and street drugs, which I refused of course….
   Try and alternate ice packs and heat, and don’t stay in one position (on your back) all day as it will make it worse. Joe could try to gently massage the area and I mean gentle……
   It will pass so keep the faith…….
   thinking of you!

8. My husband frequently throws his back out (and why do they say it like that anyway? It’s not like you toss out the old one and get a replacement). I hope Meg brings knitting soon and the meds have a chance to work.

9. Get yourself to a doctor and get a prescription for Anaprox or a Naproxen-type drug. They are anti-inflammatories with pain-killers built in. Not only will they make the hurtin’ stop, they will reduce the inflammation at the site of the problem. This will relieve that sensation that someone is sticking a large, blunt knife into your backbone.
   I’m recently coming off a horrible back injury. I am also one of those people who eschews drugs, passed on medication during childbirth (even with pictocin-induction) and is a “pain is natural and good” kind of person. Back pain, however, is debilitating, humbling and prevents you from doing even normal things like washing your hair, lifting laundry baskets and eating.
   Go. Get better drugs. You’re worth it and it will help you to heal more effectively and faster.

10. Might be time to start wearing a bra everyday. Can you get a house call like with UTI? I went to physical therapy and it stopped my spasms (and the good bra).

11. And while you’re there, get a referral to a good physiotherapist. The exercises suck majorly at first, but they work.

12. I am so sorry that your back is in that much pain. You gave me a laugh describing yourself getting out of bed. The only reason I laugh is because I have been there and knew excatly what you were talking about and the pain that you were going through. Get some rest and I hope you are better soon.

13. If I were there I would bring you tea and knitting, walk you to the potty, do the dishes and run the vacuum downstairs. (I might even put some clothes in the dryer)
    For some reason I’m convinced that these are the things that will make it all better. I hope Megan arrives soon and that you will have relief even sooner.

14. I live with chronic pain as the result of an accident years ago. Knitting keeps me sane and it is possible to knit while flat on ones back. Get drugs, rest more than you think you need to. Hot bath when possible. Audio books and pets are better companions than TV or the bedroom ceiling. Stay sane as this to shall pass. Love and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

15. Your back muscles are in spasm; every time they spasm, they cause additional bruising around the affected area, which causes additional spasms.
    Please call your doctor and get a referral to a physical therapist and a prescriptpion for meds. Don’t play with this.

16. I can relate! I once spent an hour and a half on the floor trying to breathe through a back attack, hoping something would change. Could NOT move! We finally called 911 at 4 am and they carried me down the stairs and out into a freezing February night. By the time they got me into the ambulance, my back clicked loose and the pain eased a lot.
    The relief meant that even though they had to take me to the hospital (required after a call), I was just glad the pain had lessened.

17. Hope you feel better soon. I’ve had that kind of pain. Not from my back but results of some necessary surgery and it’s not fun. I would have taken anything they would give me and I’m also a tree-hugging holistically inclined hippie!

18. Boy o..when u do it you go whole hog..keep it on ice, which shrinks the inflamation. No heat, which will make membranes expand. Find the nearest physical therapist or go to chiro for manipulation. Good luck.

19. I know this sounds counter intuitive, but lay on a yoga mat on the floor with a pillow under your knees (to get some curve out of yoru spine). Minimal or nothing under your head. I threw out my back as a teenager and spent 5 days like that on our living room floor. My Dad had to carry me to and from the bathroom. that was humiliating. I true catastrophe for a 12-3 yo girl.

20. Chiropractor. I didn’t ‘believe’ in them until I went through the same excruciating pain that you describe. I was in tears as I ‘walked’ into his office – he fixed me up in about 2 days, and it was heaven.

21. Hopefully you will have a speedy recovery. It must be serious if you aren’t even considering getting out of bed to get your knitting! I wonder if all that sitting at the eye doctor’s office the other day is what triggered the problem?
    Oh- you might want to go easy on the coffee if it is an epic journey to make it to the bathroom.

22. I have a catheter in my trunk (home health nurse), but I don’t think I can make it to your home from Washington state before you need to tinkle again!

23. Ouch! Wow – I hope you feel better soon.
    Crossing my fingers I never go through this.
    Back in university I used to get very bad tension headaches. Extra strength Robaxacet was the only thing that let me survive them.
    Get better!

24. My heart hurts for you – I’ve had pain from a low back injury since 1996. Surgery, drugs, PT etc. all have helped but it doesn’t take much for it to get ‘crabby’ and get me down. I did lose weight from the pain but now I’m eating for comfort so back to being fluffy. As for help, my husband was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. Oh a new body in Eternity will be soooo appreciated!
    I used to lay flat on the floor with my legs up over a chair – like being in a “Z” but with the center part of the Z straight; not slanted. Hope that makes sense. I could lay there and read or even relax with my arms straight out to the side. A PT guy told me that. However getting down to the floor and up is a challenge when you are in pain. I think rest and drugs are the only way to go temporarily – when it is better, it will be time to strengthen those core muscles to support your weak back in the future.
    Get well – we don’t want you in pain even if you can be funny in spite of it.

25. Second Katherine on the chiropractor. I had chronic lower back pain for years, holding onto the wall to get around, etc. The original xrays the chiro took were scary. I started out seeing him 3 times a week for a few months, and within six or eight months was down to just one visit a month and now I just go in for an adjustment every few months. Swear by it.

26. So sorry that this has happened – had a similar experience about 20 years ago when first living with my boyfriend, now husband, and I’m amazed that after *that* incident that he actually married me!! I was, like you, not too gentle with my words – I recall the DONT TOUCH ME — GET AWAY words with many colorful adjuctives added for empahsis. REST a lot and start with very gentle movements. Massage and chiropractor also a good idea.

27. I cannot believe that you are so productive while in that much pain. Go you! I vote for better drugs, too, to help speed your healing. I am hoping very much that you feel better soon.

28. Mental hugs and I agree with folks about time to call the Dr. especially if you are still laid up tomorrow morning.
    Also, like having a baby, this pain passes.
    But you’ll remember that this is one kind of pain that has no reward at the other end and you do not want to have another one.

29. Oof… Here’s to a plentiful supply of horse tranquilizer.

30. I had the same problem and could barely move but when i was still, the pain got worse. I ended up ringing emergency assistance and they got me some very strong painkillers. I took them, went to bed for 6 hours to sleep, then went to my gp who said I had a muscle spasm of the lower vertebrae. I guess the sitting and knitting for 5 hours solid didnt help the evening before. Never again, I will always make sure I move around every hour, (just to get a cup of tea). Glad to hear your feeling a little better.

31. Hey, you stayed on gauge for all 3 of your babies! Cool!

32. Steph, I send you love and prayers (one agnostic to another) for your quick recovery.
    I’ve been there. See a doctor for x-rays, MRI, whatever it takes to find out exactly what is wrong. Painkillers will help through an acute episode, but if you’ve developed a structural problem, such as a slipped disk or a spinal misalignment, you’ll need a specialist.
    Try to avoid surgery, assuming this is more than “just” a pulled muscle or a spasm, but don’t waste too much money on a chiropractor. Exercise is as important as rest, once you’re able to get out of bed; it’ll take some trial and error to learn exactly how much, and what kind, of exercise is best for you.
    Again, sending you much love. See if someone can fetch you something to knit in stockinette or garter stitch, since your meds are likely to leave you “legally blind” of the mind.
    And never, never mix muscle relaxants with any other kind of med that has sedative side effects. I did that once, taking a pill for my back after I had already taken a pill for my allergies. I fainted, fell, and injured another part of my back, as well as giving myself a fat lip. A day in the emergency room is not a good way to spend a vacation.

33. Additional advice from my painfully similar experience:
    Try using a back brace (mine was an elastic/velcro thingy by Flex Aid, purchased at Shopper’s Drug Mart) when standing or walking. It will help (mildly) on the trips to the bathroom. When you get to the stage where you think you want to try sitting at the dinner table (ha!), try an exercise ball or a glider footstool (side to side motion) to perch on.
    And hold this thought: recovery takes time. Don’t fight it . . . casting off eventually ends – so will the pain. Best wishes.

34. i have had my back go out on me twice in the last few years. the first time i stayed in bed for a few days and it finally went away. the second time (last year) i ended up in the ER. it started earlier in the day and by 2am i was in such pain that i had my friend drive me to the hospital where i spent the next few hours being insulted by a doctor who thought i was just there for drugs! if i had been able i would have given him such a kick. lucky for him i couldn’t move. the nurses were great and i was finally given a shot of muscle relaxer which eased the pain. the next few days i tried PT but it didn’t help. that hurt so much that now when my back starts to hurt – sends a little twinge – i stop what i am doing and rest it so it doesn’t happen again. and i admit that i keep a few pills with me (tucked in my knitting bag) just in case it happens while i am away from home.

35. Some days it’s just hard to be over 40, isn’t it?!

36. I have had several of these episodes involving various parts. Congratulations: the warranty on your body has expired. I recommend twice the recommended dosage of over-the-counter naproxen for a week, maybe two. Actually I recommend getting a medical professional to examine you and tell you that, although I’d be more sanguine about it if you could find one who would be willing to come to your bedside.
    I had both of my kids by c-section after they went into distress, which in both cases was many hours after I’d abandoned any pretense to bravery and screamed for an epidural. Was this cause and effect? We will never know. I will say in my defense only that they were both in excess of 8 lbs 4 oz. (8-12 two weeks late and 8-10 four days late, in that order. My daughter had a single umbilical artery, fortunately discovered postpartum, else I would have been lying on the bottom of the ocean twitching for the entire pregnancy. I shudder to imagine what size she would have been had she had the standard two and been as dilatory as her brother.)

37. What Vicky said – in both posts.

38. The real problem is caused from weak stomach muscles, they help support the back. When you survive this episode, start an exercise program.
    Aging begins NOW..

39. OMG! I am going through exactly the same thing right now, EXCEPT….I went into the chiropractor two days ago of my own valition, and and hour later, he was rolling me out to my car, stuffed me in it like a giant whimpering elephant, and told me to drive to the hospital Immediatly! WTF?! 3 x-rays, two very painful shots in the arse, and mri and multiple pain killers later…I still can’t stand/sit/walk w/out excruciating pain…I feel ya girl!

40. Gasp! I hope it loosens up soon!

41. I’ve got some chronic back problems, so I know whereof you speak. In my case, gentle stretching helps a lot, as do the right meds at the right time, and there is NOTHING better than a good therapeutic massage — but each back problem is different so don’t let us diagnose you! Get thee to a medical-type person, doctor or chiropractor, and get properly diagnosed to make sure you don’t accidentally do yourself more harm than good.
    In the meantime, soft surfaces are NOT your friend. Difficult though it can be, sitting up in the right chair with some decent, firm back support will do you more good in the long run than lying in bed. Seriously, they’ve found that more than 1-2 days in bed is actually counterproductive to the vast majority of back injuries.
    And ice. No heat for the first 48 hours. Ice on/off in 20-minute intervals. Until you see a medical-type person and get properly diagnosed, obviously!

42. Empathetic hugs from someone who understands. Take care.

43. delurking to say that when I went through this a few years ago, I found really useful those strap-around-the-waist one-use-only packs that deliver heat for up to nine hours — you can buy them from a drugstore, and they loosen up those spasmed muscles — although I couldn’t possibly have walked the first day, I walked a fair bit in subsequent days and it really seemed to help to have the heat along. You could obviously use those packs you heat up in a microwave, but they only last for half an hour or so — I found it really made a difference to apply the steady, long-lasting heat.

44. Youch, I’m so sorry to hear that. I tore a muscle in my back about 9 months ago (hmm, hope it doesn’t create children ‘cuz it means they’re due soon), and spent 4 agonizing days on the floor in my bathroom while my son pottered about around me. Luckily, it was at least during one of my more militant bathroom cleaning spates.
    I hope it passes swiftly, leaving you only a faint memory!

45. I don’t know your health history but are you sure it is your back? I had excruciating back pain once where I was praying for death and it turned out to be a kidney stone. Just sayin, you can get those if you drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of beans and a lot of other things that are normally good for you. If you have any sort of pain in your lower abdomen of the crampy sort, that is also a sign. There was no way to stand or sit or lay that relieved the pain. Cranberry juice and gallons of water finally did the trick but doctors do have things to make it happen faster. Just thought I’d mention it as it seemed to come on suddenly and I thought you might want to know about that possibility. I hope you feel better soon. I’ll light a candle to the gods and say a little prayer for your quick recovery.

46. Oh, Stephanie, I hope and pray you get better soon. As a pharmacist’s daughter, I never had the chance to be wholistic, etc.; my dad used to call up the pediatrician to get him to presecribe what DAD thought we should be taking! (I’m sure if the doctor objected, he wouldn’t have give it to us.) Even today, his first question if I complain to him about pain is, “Have you taken something?”
    Perhaps as a consequence of this, I have a high pain threshold and have endured two major surgeries without much medication and a quick recovery, amazing my doctors. That said, I have experienced the kind of pain you describe, not in my back, but in my mouth. I went to the dentist and he put a temporary filling in because it was infected. About 2 a.m. I woke up DYING of pain in that tooth because the filling had slipped. I thought I would die before it was late enough (7 a.m.) to call the dentist. Actually, I wanted to die; it would have been preferable. Even though it was Saturday, the dentist told me to come into the office. The relief when he removed the filling was incredible! The new filling worked fine. But I’ve never forgotten that pain. So much for my vaunted high pain threshold!
    I can only wish you as speedy relief for your back as I had for my tooth.

47. Get meds. NOW. Do not pass go, do not collect anything, get them. Anti-inflammatories and valium or some other high-powered muscle relaxant. I am dead serious. If you have had back pain before, you may have a herniated disc. You need an MRI, as soon as you can get one. Ask me how I know?? emergency surgery for same, six years ago, and I am now in PT for another flareup and am trying to find out if there is a FIX for me, like disc replacement. Please, Stephanie, don’t fool around with this. It is not just a garden variety backache. I had a morning just like yours, before my surgery, and almost passd out when I got out of bed. That day I went out to the hospital, on a stretcher. They eventually sent me home with demerol and valium. I spent the next month on my living room floor. The surgery came several years later. Sorry to rant, but you really do need medical attention. Please take care of yourself!

48. Ah, lambie, what a gigantic pain in the … more northerly region, as it turns out. Way to concentrate on a deadline, though — kudos to your subconscious (which has no nerve endings.)
    Does this mean I have to start situps? I hate situps…

49. Feel better soon, Stephanie! No wise words of wisdom here, aside from urging you to always keep an emergency knitting stash in a pouch attached to the side of your bed.

50. When I was a teenager my father had such back pain that he was crawling around on the floor crying. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. The doctors gave him some valium and I have never seen him so mellow before or since– despite incredible pain.
    That’s a long way of saying how sorry I am that you are in such pain. I think it is wonderfully flexible (sorry no pun intended) of you to allow your family to take care of you. It probably helps them cope with your infirmity by being able to do things for you. . . .

51. Oh, darling girl. One can never overestimate the horrors of back pain. The methocarbamol (Robax) is actually a good muscle relaxant because it doesn’t tend to oversedate. Be careful of the ibuprofen part of it. Lots of fluids even though that means having to struggle to the loo.
    Thank heavens you live in Canada, so you have health care coverage!
    Sending healing thoughts your way.

52. So sorry. I have been there. Silly discs. If you can make it, I found acupuncture to be very, very helpful, as well as Tiger Balm between ice pack sessions. If that doesn’t work, e-stim at the physical therapist’s office.
    Good luck and I hope you heal up quickly.

53. Nothing worse than back pain (well, ok, shoulder pain is bad too). Maybe a cortisone shot would help? Definitely better drugs, something like percocet. I found muscle relaxants just made me feel sick and woozy.
    Hope it improves soon!

54. Oh, so very sorry. I have not had back problems, but my husband has had severe problems. It was a difficult recovery. Chiropractor was the answer.
    I applaud those of you who can knit while flat on your back. Awesome.
    If you’ve never had Naproxen, be careful. Don’t take two until you’ve tried one. If I ever have it again, I will be in either the ER or morgue. Yikes, scary stuff for me.

55. the chiropractor I once worked for would say you probably have a herniated disk and ice is your best friend. Ice 10 minutes out of every waking hour. No heat, no matter how good it feels. The ice will help bring down the inflammation. Good luck!

56. Stephanie, if your reading gets down this far – the best advice I ever got on this was … to sleep in a recliner. By the time you get to the place where you’re having a pretty good day, a bad back in bed can make you feel like you’ve slipped back to square one. Sleeping in a recliner leaves just enough gravity to make it easier to move and live in the morning. And morning WILL come. I hope you feel better soon.

57. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. 3 parts dry leaf, 1 part alfalfa leaf, and 1 part comfrey leaf (excellent anti-inflammatory). Drink that all day, and cut out sugar (causes spasming by robbing your body of calcium), and caffiene (it robs your body of water–which is also vital to keep muscles from spasming).
    This works (I’m also a “hippy, (mostly-)vegetarian, tree-hugging, herb using, homeopathic remedy suggesting person”, with a history of back trouble (as recently as last week–not fun). I would not lead you astray. :o)
    Here’s to hoping that you’re feeling better very, very soon, and that you can find an excellent chiropractor in Toronto. (The only Canadian chiro I know is in Calgary . . . so sorry.) I would totally come to your house and bring you your knitting if I was anywhere even close.

58. This happened to me once too. Before that, I thought … Really? You can’t get out of bed?? and rolled my eyes a lot. Then, karma is a bitch.
    I saw a chiropractor, got some electrical current stimulation therapy, and it was like a miracle. No drugs! I recovered in about 2 weeks, I think, but I saw the chiro 3x/week.

59. I few weeks ago I had this kind of muscle spasm/pinched nerve “please kill me” kind of pain. In my neck. And I live alone. I ended up getting someone to take me to the ER where they gave me Valium. I was so bored. I couldn’t knit, cause I couldn’t move my head or right arm. I feel for you. And, so you know, this probably won’t have passed by tomorrow. Don’t push it.

60. I live in Maine, and everytime I’m over the border I get a bottle of Robax. You just never know.

61. Two words GONSTEAD CHIROPRACTOR!!!! you will be forever greatful you found one. You do not need pain medication.. just ice, ice, ice.. and a Gonstead Chiropractor. You should never put heat on an Acute Injury, only chronic (such as Arthritis).. go to http://www.gonstead.com, to find a Chiropractor in your area. (one that uses this method that is) Hope you feel better. the website also explains the methodology as well. I work for one that literally saved me about 14 years ago… been a dedicated advocate ever since.

62. Ugh! Get better soon.

63. Ouch! So sorry you are suffering with a bad back-I know that suffering all too well.
    My last bout, I did what was recommended-ibuprofen round the clock, alternating heat and cold, and it didn’t really help after 3 days. I went to the Dr thinking I’d get the usual-and I did a script for get some heavier duty pain med and an anti-spasmodic, but the thing that was miraculous was a shot of Torodol! It is not a narcotic, but a strong anti-inflammatory, and I was walking normally by the time I got to my car. I felt like going back and kissing the doctor-but I wanted to get home before it wore off.
    The upshot is that the pain was so incredibly better-and stayed that way.
    Hope you mend quickly (and ask about that Torodol-now I know why we use it for pain control after C-sections and it works so well).

64. Feel better soon! I have chronic back problems courtesy of being rear ended last feb. and they gave me a narcotic (that they’ve been increasing the dose on) and a muscle relaxer (neither of which do much but make me not care so much).
    have you tried laying with your legs up at a 90 degree angle propping your feet on something? I do that only use a balance ball so i can slowly (and GENTLY!) rock them from side to side and loosen up my back (sciatica and arthritis anyone? mimics spinal steonosis for the symptoms).
    Hope you’re better soon!

65. Sounds painful and I’m sure you know if it’s a muscle spasm or not but since kidney stones can also cause that kind of pain (along with other possibilities too wild to mention) you might want to get in touch with your doctor and make sure that you are on the right track for treatment!

66. I am so sorry to laugh, but your tweet “My back hurts so much that I feel like I should invent new swearwords. My regular filth isn’t meaningful enough” made me laugh.
    I know that feeling, just not from back pain.
    Please get well and take good care of yourself.

67. Emergency open back surgery 3 years ago and just getting on my feet and my head back from all the painkillers – yes you will take them and then some. Don’t go there…now yoga, physio from a homepathic doctor and a “wedge” under my knees in bed help immensely…try a pillow under your knees to release the back tension. I feel your pain. People thought I would be churning out knitted garments and reading tons of books…can’t do that with painkillers and takes years to get it out of your system. I do hope you feel better soon. Lots of rest and stress free days for you!

68. Backs – they are a pain in the arse when they go bad. In HS I injured my back in gymnastics to the point of traction for two weeks and three years of chiropractic treatments. Then 5 years ago a women rear-ended my car as I sat at a stop sign. She was going 60 in a 30. Threw out my entire shoulder and upper back. However, I thought I was ok – until the next morning when I could not move except by crane and help from DH. Off to the chiropractor and massage therapist – 3 x’s a week for 4 years. Some weeks more. To this day my back isn’t completely right.
    Yep – I would have taken the street heroine, too!!! The pain is so bad you cannot concentrate. I was working on my thesis at the time and was ordered by my doctor to take a full quarter off because of the pain and concentration thing. Total drag, man!!!
    Sending you some healing energy and peace for a full recovery. And if I find the heroine, I’ll send that, too.

69. We who have given birth always think that after that pain is nothing. Then your back goes. Mine was spectacular – it hurt so much I threw up on my husband. Fortunately, when he was younger he broke his back and understands back pain. It will get better but right now, rest and listen to your intuition as far as medication, etc.

70. Yep, been there done that, you have my utmost sympathy. Hot bath worked (temporary) wonders, and then a couple of months of regularly scheduled trips to a chiropractor and a masseuse did the rest of the trick.

71. Shucks, my dad has been experiencing the same thing lately. It’s been hard on him, so I hope you get better soon!
    PS: Whoa, that is a big pompom.

72. I was in the hospital a few years back, and I felt curiously peaceful and un-worried the entire time. I didn’t learn until I got home that they had me on a morphine drip. It’s nice stuff!
    Hoping you feel better soon!

73. just adding my wish to the mass’s. feel better lady.

74. Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your back. I have been having some sciatica and a pinched nerve in my neck issues for the past few weeks and in my case lying down and even sitting are a problem. My husband has had back issues for years and my dad had spinal stenosis, and until I started my own back and neck pain, I never got it. I apologized to them too.

75. when you get better – NOT NOW, not that you would – there is a Classical Stretch DVD that is VERY VERY good for back pain; you get it over at their website – http://classicalstretch.com
    the workouts combine yoga, pilates, tai chi and some ballet. they are short, they help a ton, and they got me through major pain from a car accident earlier this year. they are worth every single penny. and Miranda is Canadian! 🙂 yay.

76. Get yourself to the hospital. (Big sigh, shaking my head) The doctors will give you pain relief, figure out what the pain means, and lead you to recovery. This takes care of the acute. (Sorry, morphine is as close to natural as they have, I think, but it does wonders!) Then, when you can move, take yourself to a chiropractor, so the pain does not return. Just so it is said, drugs are only a temporary fix, but we all know that. Good luck, with prayers for a speedy recovery.

77. Please GO. TO. A. DOCTOR.
    You are young and vibrant. It would be a good thing for someone with training to tell you what the cause of this is.
    Doesn’t sound natural to me for you to be in this much pain without some awful medical history other than child birth.
    Thank you for reading this. Really thank you if you do go to the doctor.

78. You took up running recently, yes? You walk a lot, yes? You may have been neglecting stretching your hamstrings, and then you did something unusual, or not unusual, like lifting and twisting) and your back spasmed. Been there, done it. Ice, yes, for several days; ibuprofen, in moderation, ARNICA, homeopathic and topical, and THEN physical therapy and physical maintenance (the continued stretching). If the P.T. folks will use an ultrasound wand on you, go for it. Feel better soon — and, oh: welcome to your forties.

79. So sorry you’re going through this and I wish you speediest and quickest relief from this physical circle of hell.
    My back went out while ice skating years ago and I was miserable and in such pain for at least a week. Relief (finally) came while watching whatever skating competition was on tv in February of the year in which Ilia Kulick was wearing that yellow and black spotted giraffe shirt. That shirt is indelibly burned into my brain because while I was watching and lying on the floor in whatever position produced the least amount of pain something in my back shifted and went “click” AND THE PAIN WAS GONE.
    Get well soon. The pain just sucks.

80. Oh God. Been there. Really. I so sympathize because in my whole life, I’ve never felt anything that incapacitated me like lower back pain. Can you get yourself to an orthopedist? He gave me Diclofenac which I took for six weeks (like antibiotic, you take it until the prescription is finished, even when you start to feel better). I also did exercises, which at first were torturous but eventually helped.
    I hope you start to feel better soon because I know where you are now!!

81. HOly crap girl , you are too young to be having this problem at all. I too thought I had muscle spasz but when I had spent three days of misery just going to the bathroom DH took me to the hospital and I had xrays that showed disk degeration. This kind of pain should be looked into by a specialist and good luck — don’t move more that you have to –as if !!!

82. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE whatever you do, do not put heat on it. Honestly, that was probably your mistake. When something is inflamed, heat makes it more inflamed. ICE ONLY until it’s significantly better. No one ever listens to me when I say this, but it’s true.
    Then see a physical therapist, they are awesome and will figure out what you need to do to stop this happening again!

83. O Steph, I’m so sorry you’re in such a state. I’ve had two instances of my back “going out” on me in the past few years & there’s nothing to compare with the pain. I totally agree that it’s worse than childbirth.
    Sending lots of healing thoughts your way with wishes for a speedy recovery & cessation of pain.

84. Are you sure it’s muscle-related and not something else (like a kidney infection)? I ask because this seems to be a first for you and the pain is so extreme. Here in BC there is a phone line you can call and talk to a nurse – if you have that in Ontario I’d give it a try – see if she thinks you should go to the doctor.
    For back pain – extra-strength Advil works for me. Two of them right when I put my back out seems to stop the initial spasm. If I wait longer I’ll just be in pain longer so there’s no sense in trying to tough it out.
    When you can move and the pain has died down you might think about a chiropractor.

85. Yes, I have been there for most of 11 years with back, sacral joint and pelvic injuries that aren’t bad enough for surgery according to orthopedic surgeons. The pain has been bad enough to having me pleading to shot and grumbling how horses are treated better.
    If you don’t start feeling better in a day or two, I highly suggest you get to a dr. for tests. I sincerely hope it’s just a pulled muscle and not anything with discs or sacraliliac joints.

86. I’m not going to diagnose you because I’m not a doctor. My back went out about 10 years ago so I do know about the pain. No one could help me move at all because if they moved me incorrectly it would be worse and I would scream. My advice is to borrow a walker (or buy one at a thrift store) to put in front of the toilet to hold onto when you get up and down. You don’t realize how much you use your back muscles until you can’t use them. Good luck.

87. Oh my. I’m sending you all good wishes for a speedy recovery from this! I hope it passes soon.

88. Be careful…if it gets worse, go see a doctor – you may have disc trouble and it can get worse quickly. Laying on your side with a pillow between your knees takes pressure off the back if it is a disc. Don’t ask me how I know this – had full on sciatica with it too which has to be the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt. Do take care 🙂

89. Ouch! I’m sorry you’re in agony. Please get thee checked by a medical professional. Don’t lone wolf/wait this out. Take care!

90. I know you’ll get lots of suggestions. I’m glad you are “homeopathic remedy suggesting person”. So here’s one among many:
    Bryonia (worse from least motion), Arnica will help the pain. But if you have Bryonia, it is well worth the try. Three doses about an hour apart, 30C or 200C. Of course, there could be a much better choice.

91. What they said. Get thee to a doctor/chiro ASAP. I’ve never been there (slept through my C-sections with babies who wanted to land on their feet and wouldn’t be disuaded)…but I am a (former) nurse, and I urge you to see someone who knows about spines.
    Though I must admit, I got a chuckle out of Joe’s “forgetting” to bring you your knitting. Are you sure? I mean, you’ve been together for so long; he understands The Knitting. So…tell me it wasn’t some crazy motivational idea he thought up, to make you get moving and get it yourself… Right?

92. You have my full sympathies. I have been there myself.
    I will add my vote for the chiropractor. My father and his brother and I all have similiar back issues; they’ve tried cortisone injections, surgery, lots of different drugs in varying strengths and purposes, physical therapy – nothing worked even half as well as getting adjusted. You walk into the office barely able to move, stiff and rigid and spasming with pain, and you walk out still in pain but suddenly able to move more easily. The next morning you wake up feeling like weeks of bedrest and drugs have passed. I am a converted believer – after seeing tons of doctors and taking drugs that we hate, we have an effective and natural solution. It’s SUCH a relief to have an option when your back hurts – before there was no cure, but now I know the end of the pain can be in sight.
    As to the sources of my family’s back issues – we’ve had a rough few years with a too-young death in the family, and our back issues were significantly exacerbated by the stress. My worst episodes tend to come as part of a emotional denouement. Not the bad-anniversary, but a couple days after. Like getting sick the day after a deadline. So be kind to yourself.

93. As a veteran bad back sufferer, I suggest: Aleve, a heating pad, a chiropractor and a really good masseuse. If it is at all possible for you to stretch your legs and hips, that’s good too. All of these, except for the Aleve, to be used as much as possible.
    When I popped my disks two years ago, it was in similar situation to you – no injury just stress and a lot of on the go and not stopping to address why my back was aching. I did eventually, months later, go to an orthopedic surgeon in order to get physical therapy (which was helpful) and he yelled at me for not getting an MRI right when the pain first started because, apparently, they can tell a lot from that. So, just saying, if you want to know whether you have actually ruptured a disk, an MRI mightn’t be a bad thing to do.

94. Yikes! I know exactly how you feel since I went through the same thing last January. At physical therapy one of the things they showed me was to take a small ball (tennis)or rolled up socks, ect and lay on it right were it hurts the most. Sounds idiotic but it really works. Also ice is good for the first 24 hours then use heat. Hope your able to move without horse pills soon.

95. Be kind to yourself until you feel better. The rest can all be managed, and it sounds like you have a solid back-up team (Joe and Megan). I realize that you are probably itching to get those needles, but sometimes it is good to JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. Veg out today and you’ll be better tomorrow for it. The knitting and the computer will be there tomorrow.

96. You need ice. Often.

97. I’ve a form of spina bifoda that leaves me vulnerable to back pain, so I’m SOOO very sympathetic. And yes – keep moving if you can. But my comment is just this really: You are the only woman I know who could possibly consistently get gauge on a baby! YOU ROCK!

98. Yeas of Intermittent severe back issues have lead to some specific recommendations. ICE 10 to 20 min every hour for 24 to 72 hours after ‘injury’ occurs (no I am not a dr – but dau is a physical therapist who had drilled this into me and treats back injuries a-l-l the time.) Def see a Dr if no improvement is occurring. After improving see a physical therapist to strengthen your core muscles (will def help the back.) I did self diagnose one of my flare-ups only to pass a kidney stone and have pain disappear. Apparently severe flank ( in your back left and/or right side at waist level) pain along with nausea or vomiting symptoms may be kidney related. Lots of fluids in that case and meds to help pass the stone – but not cranberry juice -high in calcium which is what kidney stones from from!! Best of luck.

99. You so have my sympathy – I have been there. I fell down a flight of stairs and tweaked my back. Once I recovered, a few months later I threw it out again lifting my computer keyboard up, to see what was making it wobbly. The pain was more incredible the second time, to the point where sitting in the car to go to the doctor was excrutiating (the stops and starts where your body would shift). I hope you get better soon!

100. oh honey, I’m so sorry! When it was my husband a few years back and we finally gave up on ice, rest, walking around, everything else we could do at home and folded him (somehow) into the car and went to emergency, as he was passing out with the IV Demerol, he muttered “now I see why people get addicted to this stuffffff…”
     Take care and all good wishes!

101. Ouch! Hope you feel better soon. Sending good vibes your way.

102. i hate to tell you this.. you HAVE to get out of that bed, like yesterday.
     soft surfaces are NOT good for a back injury, you need to get onto a floor or hard pad, with a towel or pillow under your back arch and neck.
     you also need to go to a doctor or even better a phys therapist RIGHT AWAY.
     if you cannot do any of that you can try getting into a pool, if you have someone with you to keep you from drowning.
     you will not be able to get out by yourself either.
     once you can, muscle stretches like the back against a flat wall, pretend you are going to sit in a chair. that helps…
     pilates helps if you have a *competent* instructor, it was developed as physical therapy
     Robaxin is the muscle relaxant i took, along with crazy does of motrin, and yea…… space city.
     i did everything wrong and my back is damaged still…. trust me, get it fixed NOW

103. Oh, have I been THERE before… feels like your back is just going to shatter into a million pieces. The only good thing I remember about it is that a chiropractor told me I should avoid vacuumming, sweeping, raking and the like. I’ve seen and had better — not immediate, but better and longer lasting — results from a massage therapist rather than chiropractor for that problem over the past 20 years… and alternating hot & cold… pillow between my knees… and walking/moving (SLOWLY)… but, hey, whatever works. I hope you find some relief and feel better soon.

104. Ugh. Pain of any kind sucks and back pain sucks super bad. If I had some crazy street morphine I would totally give it to you. Hope you get better soon!

105. Sounds crazy but while you’re at your doc, get your gall bladder checked as well. Gall bladder pain has the strange super-power of referring itself to various other body parts. I’d opt for 30 hours of back labour with a 10-lb+ baby 5 times over before I’d have another gall bladder attack (and I know whereof I speak).

106. Hie thee to a doctor toute suite! You only have one back and you need it.

107. Well, that’s just crappy. Getting old is hard. I find it interesting though how a body just instinctively knows the difference between normal pain (childbirth) and not (your back, for example). There’s only been a handful of instances where I’ve felt so bad I didn’t even need yarn nearby to pet.

108. Hope you are felling better soon. I know others have mentioned kidney stones/infection. If you run a fever or throw up (even once), go straight to the emergency room! Kidney stuff is serious bad juju. [Very Gentle] virtual hugs going out to you…

109. Oh, Stephanie, you have all my sympathy. Back in the middle of October I stepped on one of the puppy’s stupid tennis balls and fell over, throwing out my back. I spent 3 days just lying on my back in bed hoping no one knocked on the door cause I could barely move. Of course, one of those days was the one the maintenance guy decided to send a snake from the toilet next door up and through the front of mine necessitating a new toilet. Thankfully, through a friendly doctor, I got some vicodin, and my chiropractor and acupuncturist got me back on my feet.
     Please take care of yourself cause backs don’t like it if you try to rush them while they’re healing.

110. Get better soon! The only good out of this is that you are now exempt from any snow shoveling.

111. How do you feel about chiropractic?
     It’s been a while but my back my used to “go out” semi frequently. It’s beyond awful (natural birther here too) and it makes you realize all the ways you use your back that you never realized (like breathing).
     Growing up my mom’s back used to go out too and I’ve found that when other people are hurt (besides my children)I tend to giggle. My husband can be writhing around on the floor unable to move from back pain and I’ll laugh so hard that I cry while I attempt to help him up.
     It’s the source of much embarrassment on my part and teasing from my spouse.

112. Wow, hope you get better soon. I was in a car accident a couple years ago and did something to my shoulder. Today, my shoulder decided to remind me of that fateful day. So I’m at work on painkillers with a thermacare wrap glued to my shoulder.
     Feel better, get yarn!

113. As to the back pain: I’ve been there. When I was in my 20s, my back went out once so badly that I was willing to consume ANYTHING, legal or illegal, no matter what the consequence to my liver, to manage the pain. I still remember that getting myself into a sitting position on the toilet took more courage than anything else I’ve ever had to do. I was screaming.
     After flexeril, advil, a friend’s marijuana, and icepacks did absolutely nothing to touch the pain, I eventually crawled into the kitchen (I still remember the worst thing about having to crawl is how hard it is on your knees: there’s no fat on your kneecaps to cushion the skin and it was just knee skin grinding between the kneecap bone and my hardwood floor) and found a year-old bottle of port (this episode occurred in July, and the port had been sitting there since a party I’d hosted the previous Christmas). I used the port to get through the day.
     I was amazed at how effective that port was. It didn’t cure the pain, but it did make me care less about it.
     Spending the day drunk in bed is generally a bad idea, but on that one day, it worked for me.

114. Oh dear. You are writing far too clearly to be properly medicated. Hope you feel better soon.

115. I feel for you and I can relate–literally. For you’ve done an excellent job of describing my condition last September, early October. I thought I had some how injured my back. So, I applied a heating pad. The next day–what I thought were–blisters appeared. Finally, I went to the doctor and she said, “You’ve got shingles.” Please take my advice, if you have had chicken pox, run don’t walk to your doctor. Months later my body still hasn’t forgiven my tardiness.

116. Like other readers, I have experience this type of back pain. In my case, it improved rapidly with some muscle relaxers and pain killers … but don’t wait … you can’t go this alone.

117. Clearly, this is a swift, karmic retribution for those evil receptionist thoughts . . . at least you don’t have to wonder when it’s coming any more. 🙂
     Seriously, though – hope it’s much, much better soon!

118. I have only one word to say…. “chiropractor!”.
     I did have a nasty back injury where I couldn’t walk (literally). Chiropractic treatment was the only thing that fixed it and I was a commercial fisher in Alaska at the time who went on to finish a very busy season.
     I really hope you feel better soon.

119. I had that last year! I used more Lamaze breathing in that trip to the ER than I did in all 4 childbirths combined. Took my knitting but DID. NOT. KNIT. This was how my daughter conveyed to my sons how bad it really was. Their response? – Woah. Rest. Rest. Rest. And good drugs. That’ll get you through.

120. I had that last year! I used more Lamaze breathing in that trip to the ER than I did in all 4 childbirths combined. Took my knitting but DID. NOT. KNIT. This was how my daughter conveyed to my sons how bad it really was. Their response? – Woah. Rest. Rest. Rest. And good drugs. That’ll get you through.

121. Dude! That sucks, been there, done that, and recently, too. I know heat seems like it would help, but a chiropractor I saw told me that cold is better. Heat swells, cold shrinks, basically. He said the best thing to do is to use a pack of frozen veggies or a smooshy icepack and ice yourself really well, and then, with the pack on, try to move around a bit. The inflammation will shrink with the cold, and the movement, while excruciating (and I’m so sorry; I know that sucks)will force the inflammation out. I hope you feel much better soon, whether naturally or by modern chemistry–I remember how it hurts even to breathe! Ach!!!

122. I am so sorry. One word – chiropractor. I couldn’t live without mine. Of course, he’s also my husband, but he was my chiropractor for about 30 years before he was my husband, so I really COULDN’T live without him. Good luck!

123. Stephanie,
     I hope you get better soon. I remember when I put my back out during a diy project and golly it hurt. There is no shame in taking medication to ease the pain. Also, check with friends and family for a really good physiotherapist.

124. For what it’s worth, an MRI showed a slightly pinched nerve in my back last year (found after excruciating pain). I’d tried physio, chiro & massage when a friend suggested acupuncture (from a highly qualified Chinese doctor – not someone who’d done a short course). Within an hour of the first session, the pain had lessened significantly, and I could begin to move. After a year of regular treatments I’m easily able to carry a 10 kilo backpack for extended periods again. At no stage did he pretend it’d be a quick fix which I really respected. Bliss.

125. Stephanie…long distance health care…make sure its not a kidney infection..didn’t you have one in the past?
     k

126. Pain sucks. I can totally understand how people get addicted to painkillers.
     I hope you feel better soon.

127. Been there. The first time I was literally unable to stand up, swearing and crying as I tried to figure out how to get to the bathroom, I didn’t really believe it. How could that happen so suddenly? I’m still not sure, but it took surgery to get me to a place where I can reliably get out of bed. Don’t advocate that for everyone, but know a lot of us literally feel your pain. Sending good wishes and maybe a friendly, neighborhood, street morphine pusher. (Crawling to the bathroom is overrated, and you still have to get on/off the loo.)

128. You mean that you didn’t have any knitting by your bedside? That is so un-like you.
     Hope you feel better soon.

129. I do hope you feel better soon.
     Carol in Stratford-upon-Avon

130. Gah. My back has done this a couple of times, usually resulting in me walking for a few weeks like my torso has to lean 45 degrees to the left. It is never pleasant, and all of the muscle relaxant pills in the world did nothing for the pain. I hope your experience is better than mine!

131. That sounds exactly like what happened to me about this time last year. My mother couldn’t cope, so I ended up in hospital where they proceeded to not manage my pain until it had started going away. >> I took everything but morphine and was still weeping at every movement. They don’t even know what the problem was, but they suspected a slipped disk.
     Anyway, get yourself on some heavy-duty painkillers, lie still, and good luck. At least knitting can be done with little movement. 🙂

132. Stephanie – As my good friend says: “You don’t get extra points for suffering.” Please get some good pain killer/anti-inflammatory and someone to fix it. In the meantime, have a beer.
     Cheers

133. I feel your pain. I’m glad you have that good medicine to help you. I hope that you are well today, and that you have no further troubles of this nature. It looks like you have plenty of advice 😉

134. All my good thoughts are with you. Lots of good advice written here, choose what is best for you. Virtual hugs!!

135. Aww… I’m sorry your in so much pain~ I treat people with back pain all day~ and as someone who’s been there I think the only thing thats worse is tooth pain! … just take it easy for a few days~ (then get acupuncture, but i’m supposed to say that since its what I do~)

136. Aww… I’m sorry your in so much pain~ I treat people with back pain all day~ and as someone who’s been there I think the only thing thats worse is tooth pain! … just take it easy for a few days~ (then get acupuncture, but i’m supposed to say that since its what I do~)

137. Hmmm. Nary a hint thrown to us, your adoring fans, on how this happened. We are left to suppose all sorts of energetic gymnastics that you and Joe may have gotten into (and at your age…)
     No matter…our imaginations can fill in the blanks.
     I hope Megan knows to use a long stick to push cups of tea to you. >:-)

138. What you’re going through sounds so much like what I dealt with when I had a disc herniation. Do you know anyone who’s a physical therapist? Those people are MAGICAL and can find a spot to massage or press or something and loosen things up for you. I needed an epidural steriod injection in my lower spine to get me moving again (sounds scary but no big deal, and REALLY effective). Hopefully a good anti-inflammatory along with PT will do the trick with you. Hope you feel better soon!!

139. As a fellow bad-back owner, you have my sympathy! Get some oxycodone from the M.D.; it’s WONDERFUL!

140. About four years ago I had an inflamed disc in my extreme low back (F5/S1 for those who know what that means–essentially right over my tailbone) and I was in horrible pain. I could lie flat, I could stand up briefly with some help, but sitting was torture. I did a whole summer of every sort of physical therapy I could get hold of, and nothing helped. Finally I got a cortisone shot directly into the disc. It was the most painful 10 seconds of my life, but after that I was pain-free for two years. It comes back occasionally, but not as badly, and I can head it off with therapy. Don’t know if that’s your malady, but if so, consider cortisone. Meanwhile, for pity’s sake, get someone to fetch your knitting! be well–V

141. In 2001, I hurt my back REAL bad and was on Percocet for a month. During that time I knit the most beautiful cashmere scarf in a frost flower pattern. When people ask me how I did that I say, “I can’t remember.” I really can’t. I know how you fee. Feel better, do drugs.

142. I just had knee replacement surgery and the pain didn’t even come close to what I experienced when I had back spasms. Hands down the worst pain I ever ever had!! My sympathy to you.

143. okay so I will offer my remedy as well. A good massage. Deep tissue sort. I know the very idea of pushing on those muscles is heart-stopping BUT it will help. Mind you getting ONTO and OFF the massage table is a bit daunting. It will cure you. You might want to score some of that street crazy morphine first!! 🙂

144. Get a doctor on the phone immediately. This is sounding remarkably like all three times my mother slipped a disk in her back. The last one (a few years ago, and the reason she got a spinal fusion) is almost word-for-word what happened to you. She got into the bathroom on her own two feet, with my help and a cane. She got out on a stretcher, with the help of two very nice paramedics who took her to the hospital for surgery. It’s not just an old-lady thing either. She was barely forty when she slipped her first disc.
     If you start to feel like you can walk, have someone drive you to the hospital. If not, call an ambulance. This is not something to be trifled with.
     I hope it’s nothing serious, and that you feel better soon, but it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

145. Bummer.
     I don’t usually like to heap my stories on someone else’s misery. Misery doesnt always love company. But…
     Samething happened to me this summer. Lower back. No idea why. Strong and relatively in shape. Couldn’t walk or move. You get it.
     I blew off all the advice for the better part of a week and then decided it was harmless since drug weren’t working.
     I you have one of those foam rollers, workout type thing, mine is roughly 6 inches in diameter, put it on the floor and get yourself there too. Roll it underneath your body weight. Back and forth, slowly (as if you could do anything different.) Repeat several times daily.
     I could actually bend over and touch the floor afterward. Great pain relief.
     Sorry for being one of those heaping on people…but I get it.

146. My back does that with fairly regular frequency, although less often now since I got a better chair at work. The thing that works for me is a visit to the chiropractor and alternating heat and ice on the area. Since I tend to be cold most of the time, I much prefer the heat part. Heat helps to relax the muscles and the ice helps the inflammation, but do whatever your doc tells you to do!

147. really, go to a chiropractor. I woke up a few months ago feeling like a horse had spent the night trotting all over my back and was coerced into going. It was the best decision of my life.

148. Steph,
     Get thee to a pool. Do some water walking in the shallow end. It will help immensely. I had 9 solid months of what you’re feeling and the only two things that helped were muscle relaxants and water walking.
     Feel better soon.
     Kathie

149. You poor thing! I hate to break this to you but you have buggered a disc in your lower back. Welcome to the club! I’m not tring to brag or out do you but I have 4 like that (arthritis in the bones and it sort of screws things up) I can recall sneezing once and ended up on the floor crying and then the ambulance came for me.
     Robax Platinum is great (best out of their assortment for sale) I take prescription Toradol daily to manage the ache and pain. I’m ‘opiate intolerant’ so no morphine or demerol for me. Hubby just put the squeeze on a disc in his back and the Doc gave him prednisone for a few days to get the inflammation down (yup, his one was worse than my 4 … go figger!)
     The best and only answer is to rest, rest, rest it and I’m sad to say that this is not a quick fix. It can literally can take some weeks.
     Once it does settle down ( and it will I promise) if it starts to tell you “I’m tired” listen and rest…. “hey, that was too heavy!” rest it… as the alternative is to go back to where you are right now. I sleep with a pillow under(or between) my knees all the time now and that will help you now as well. Physiotherapy in time helps to strengthen the core muscles that support the back and swimming is good. But physio won’t even touch you right now when you are spasming.
     I have no doubt that you are feeling low, so try picking up the needles and make something beautiful.
     Hugs, Susan and Bruce

150. You poor thing! I hate to break this to you but you have buggered a disc in your lower back. Welcome to the club! I’m not tring to brag or out do you but I have 4 like that (arthritis in the bones and it sort of screws things up) I can recall sneezing once and ended up on the floor crying and then the ambulance came for me.
     Robax Platinum is great (best out of their assortment for sale) I take prescription Toradol daily to manage the ache and pain. I’m ‘opiate intolerant’ so no morphine or demerol for me. Hubby just put the squeeze on a disc in his back and the Doc gave him prednisone for a few days to get the inflammation down (yup, his one was worse than my 4 … go figger!)
     The best and only answer is to rest, rest, rest it and I’m sad to say that this is not a quick fix. It can literally can take some weeks.
     Once it does settle down ( and it will I promise) if it starts to tell you “I’m tired” listen and rest…. “hey, that was too heavy!” rest it… as the alternative is to go back to where you are right now. I sleep with a pillow under(or between) my knees all the time now and that will help you now as well. Physiotherapy in time helps to strengthen the core muscles that support the back and swimming is good. But physio won’t even touch you right now when you are spasming.
     I have no doubt that you are feeling low, so try picking up the needles and make something beautiful.
     Hugs, Susan and Bruce

151. oops, sorry about the double post!

152. A year ago I was getting in the shower but remembered I needed to get something from downstairs so I went downstairs with no clothes on to grab whatever it was. Instead I ended up yelling at the dog for being on the table and as I was pulling him off my back just gave out into giant spasms and my legs would no longer hold me up. I fell to the ground buck ass naked and there I lied. I crawled more like wormed because I couldn’t get onto my knees, to my phone. I called a friend to come get my then 14 month old daughter and then called my husband who worked 70 miles away. It took him 4 hours to get home (had to finish up work first) and I lied on our hard wood floors naked with a blanket over me for those 4 hours. All in all a horrific experience and I too have had 2 natural births!

153. I know exactly how you feel.
     enough said.
     🙁

154. As someone that got whiplash the entire length of her spine at the age of 13 and at the age of 22 (25 now) was told her MRI’s were “normal for someone in their 50’s” I totally get what you are feeling. I actually learned to pea without sitting because it was just easier.
     As others have said get to a doctor. Some are more helpful then others. I will admit though that without the help of my chiro I would not be moving half as well as I am now. My hips tend to shift so one is further forward than the other and that pulls EVERYTHING out of line. Who knew when you neck hurt it was actually because your hips were screwed up?
     Hope you feel better soon. Lying on firm surfaces with ice nearby is good. I tend to lay in front of the freezer, makes the walk for more ice shorter.

155. Bless your heart. You’ve had a bitch of a week, haven’t you? Well, it’s Friday Eve, so that’s something to look forward to. Coming from someone who has been where you are today, my heart is aching for you–I really do feel your pain. Just be still for a day or two and you’ll be right as rain again. You might want to consider core exercises, though, to keep it from happening again. As we get older, those muscles need some help keeping up with our bodies! Feel better soon!! xoxo

156. You have neglecting the yoga, haven’t you? As soon as you quit spasming, go back to class! Pelvic tilt (with intercourse and subsequent endorphins) is also very good for back spasm (in case no one further upstream has recommended that yet). My “back thing” manifested first itself when I was 13. I am 50 now, and have tried everything non-invasive (e.g., non-surgical) and yoga is IT. Speedy healing to you!

157. No words of wisdom here — just heartfelt wishes for your speedy recovery.

158. I had that happen one morning a few years ago, after I went to bed with a slightly sore back and woke up like you. It was so terrifying. I tried to make my husband call an ambulance to the hospital and got hysterical.
     And I agree it was worse than labour. Worse than my 8lb10oz first baby having a transverse arrest in second stage labour, and being pulled out with forceps by a large man with his foot braced against the end of the bed, no painkillers. Not kidding.
     But unlike you, I took the epidurals the next two times!

159. Threw my back out at 19…. pretending to be sporty – never a good plan!
     Hard surface, towel beneath the knees, lots of tea, lots of painkillers and see an osteopath.
     Got lucky with mine, was a Doctor then retrained… I about floated out after seeing him!
     Good luck

160. So, so, so, so sorry to hear about your back ache!!!! I had my very first experience with it being to where I couldn’t move, too, only a little while ago. I was crying and laughing (totally know what you mean), all the while apologizing profusely to my husband for my “drama”, and he just gave me this look (God love that man) like I was some kind of idiot and said, “WHY are you apologizing?!”
     I try to never take meds, either, and I’m really into natural stuff. But I keep a bottle of Advil Liquigels on hand. I’ll also say that I’m not completely against meds. My thing with not taking them hardly ever comes from watching people much older than I am who have taken aspirin or ibuprofen for every little thing and eventually need to take a handful of pills for it to even register in their bodies. I try to make sure I only take it if I need it so that I don’t build up a resistance to it so that one day, if I NEED it, they’ll actually help.
     That day with my back pain, those little green gems saved my life. The liquigels seem to work so much better than hard pills. You make me laugh so hard every time I read your stuff, and I so appreciate the fun you bring to my life, especially when I most need it. I hate to think of you in any kind of pain. It might sound stalkerish (I don’t mean it that way, lol), but I’ll still say it. I’m a softie. I really, really hope you get better soon!

161. Sorry to hear about your back pain. BTDT!
     I’ll warn you, don’t go down the stairs unless Joe can carry you back up; it could be days before you can lift your leg high enough to get up even one step.
     I feel for you! You should get a lot of knitting done.

162. When I had back pain so bad that I could.not.move., it turned out to be a blood infection with staph that almost killed me. I concur with everyone who has said to go to the hospital. Blood infections are uniformly fatal without treatment.

163. When I had back pain so bad that I could.not.move., it turned out to be a blood infection with staph that almost killed me. I concur with everyone who has said to go to the hospital. Blood infections are uniformly fatal without treatment.

164. Oh my goodness, you described it perfectly. I had the the EXACT same thing about 4 months ago. I ended up in ER and the only thing that could stop the unbelievable spasm, pain, torture, was two shots of muscle relaxers and extra valium. It was sooooooo bad. I couldn’t get down to the toilet to pee, so I’ll let you imagine. I went to a specialist when a couple of days passed and I was moving more freely, although still hurting. They dismissed me and said these things just happen. Really? I got better and do not want to repeat the experience. I keep valium and skelaxin (sp?) just in case. You do the same.

165. What works for me is heat, not ice. I find ice just tenses everything up and that doesn’t improve things. So I use one of those stick-on heat patches (the neck/shoulder ones) on whatever muscles seem most like rocks. Combined with lots of ibuprofen/tylenol (or painkiller of your choice) and possibly a muscle relaxant, I’m usually right as rain by the next morning. For me, it’s clearly a tension thing that snowballs.
     Whatever you do, here’s hoping you feel much better soon!

166. Steph, what you are describing does sound like back spasms – but the thought occurred to me (a nurse, natch) are you trying to pass a kidney stone? That pain is beyond description – my daughter-in-law had one when she was pregnant and went to the hospital – the doctor said to her, “You are going to have an epidural, aren’t you?” Not at all sympathetic – and she is someone who can tolerate a lot of pain. HOpe you feel better soon!

167. In the last couple of years I had good and bad, and worst happen to me…
     But I found knitting club (kint-night) is a balm to a wounded soul… or body.

168. Gosh, I can’t believe how many readers have been in this condition! I’ll add mine – on about year 38 with chronic on and off pain, with a major set-back a year ago. Down for 4 months the last time. I don’t do well with drugs AT ALL, so I should own stock in Advil and heating pads. Ice is supposed to be the first application, then heat, but I hate being cold; thus heating pads all through the house.
     The cats loved it when I didn’t go out. Moved from bed to the couch and back to bed, and so did they. TIME, time, time to heal.
     (hubby believes in chiro, so will add my voice to that.)
     Unfortunately, no magic prescriptions. Breathe!
     Hope it goes away and quickly as it came on. It can………

169. Ouch. I’m sorry!

170. P.S. Trying to make that tam that you just made for your daughter (the brioche stitch one), any tips? This brioche stitch is kind of kicking my arse! If anyone else can help me please email me at jenny.linden.rk1e@statefarm.com….thanks!!!

171. I’m reading this from my bed because I had sinus surgery today. And I’m staying in bed all day tomorrow too. I hope you feel better soon, and know that you have at least one knitter doing pretty much the same thing as you!

172. Hope you feel better soon so you can get back (no pun intended) in the swing of things.

173. Oh Stephanie, my deepest sympathy! I went through this about 4 years ago. I was at a hotel for a work-related conference and ended up being taken out by ambulance from the 21st floor of the hotel. The nurse in the ER said: “I can tell you are REALLY in pain because we’ve shot you up with enough Valium to tranquilize an elephant and you haven’t relaxed one bit.” I was on a walker for a week and a cane for another 6 weeks. The spasms lasted 2 days for me and the pain was beyond imagining.
     Please take great care of yourself! You don’t deserve this (no one does, really). I wish you well!

174. I feel your pain. 2 Lower back injuries and 3 pregancies where they thought they should sit on my spine…I feel your pain! Arnica, and lots of tlc…and wool.

175. Having dislocaed my shoulder twice, and 2 babies (even a 10-lber) au naturale, I can say with out a doubt the pinched nerve in my neck was the most agonizing thing I’ve ever experienced. I cried like a BABY! The gratitude I felt to the chiro who applied traction (though I was terrified to follow his instructions at the time) can never be measured. I even cried a little, I was so grateful. Please PLEASE go see a chiropractor. I’m so sorry you’re in agony!

176. I am so so sorry. Muscle relaxants are your friend. Good luck. (And now my suspicions are confirmed that the pain I had when I blew a disk at not quite 23 years old is the worst I will ever have, thank somebody!_

177. Oh, Stef, hope it helps to know that you have all of us sending you healing vibes!! I’ve also been there, done that, recommend ample supplies of cookies & milk and rest, rest, rest…along with ice packs and pain killers, of course.

178. I second the possibility of a kidney stone. The pain can come on quickly, and it hurts like childbirth except there’s no respite from the pain. Consult a doctor.

179. Rest! I hope you feel better soon!

180. Please take care of yourself. I know firsthand how bad it can be (two back surgeries). Try not to lay in bed for more than a day or two…it can actually make it worse. And…no lacework when on muscle relaxers…try simple scarfs!

181. On the upside, looks like Robax Platinum is OTC for you folks. Those of us south of the border would need a prescription.
     (Been there and it sucks. So sorry.)

182. I can’t offer suggestions, as I’ve never been in that situation before. I can sympathize using painful things that have occurred with me medically before, and as such I feel very badly for you. Rest up, get some good meds and try to think good thoughts of wool and all the great things you can do with it.

183. I hear you on the not wanting to take medications bit. I’m just sayin’, my chiropractor makes a lot of pain and inability to move just disappear. I need to go often due to a chronic condition, but for the day of the adjustment and for a few days after, I’m really good. No drugs, just spinal manipulation and trigger point therapy.

184. Been there. Two words. Physical therapy. The exercises they teach you and the changes in posture that brings will keep you from being in this place again.

185. I hope you are sleeping and not reading this but if you are, just call an acupuncturist to come over to your house. Best painkilling, relaxing ever, no side effects. I just called some places in Toronto (turned out they didn’t do house calls) but got this website http://www.afcinstitute.com/. it’s the acupuncture foundation of canada, call them and see if they can recommend someone who makes house calls. If I was closer to where you are I would figure it out for you but being that I’m in Los Angeles I can’t really help much more than that. Feel much better soon! love and peace

186. Sending you all the good karma to feel better soon. Seeing a doctor is very good advice.I can’t even imagine what you are feeling.

187. There are MANY sources of back pain, requiring different treatments. Going to a chiropractor is NOT one size fits all. Last year my husband (in his 60s) broke a piece of his disk which lodged in the hole of the “donut” which is the disk, pinching a nerve and causing excruciating pain. Only an MRI revealed the problem and surgery was the only answer. (He ended up being discharged the same day – miraculous surgeon, amazing medical technology – although it took a year to fully recover.) I, on the other hand, many years ago had excruciating lower back pain whenever I moved but after about 5 different muscle relaxants/pain killers prescribed by an orthopedist who found nothing to explain this on the X-ray, suddenly was relieved of all pain. Don’t know even today which one was the magic bullet. If this happens to you again, GO TO A DOCTOR. Fiddling around with someone else’s remedies can do more harm than good. Hopefully, he won’t make you wait 5 hours — my husband had to wait 2 months for an appointment in his condition. These poor doctors are very, very busy. Good luck, Stephanie! I’m so sorry you had this happen, and hope you take care of yourself!

188. You are a wholeistic medicine kind of gal. I suggest that you see a Chiropractor ASAP. I jokingly refer to mine as a witch doctor, but let me tell you, I was in the same place as you a few weeks ago, and as soon as I got adjusted I felt 100% better. I went back 2 days later and had another adjustment, and I am perfectly fine right now. It would have taken weeks to get back to normal without those adjustments. Give it a try, you won’t be sorry.

189. Chiropractor! Or a naturopath who does chiropractic, can’t think of the form of chiropractic my naturopath uses but it starts with a B.

190. I hope you feel better soon Stephanie!

191. Well, I suspect that a lot of that sitting yesterday or the day before at the eye specialist was NOT helpful. Having had some back pain, I will say the following: ice, not soft-surfaces like your bed, anti-inflammatories/anti-spasmotics (inflammation/spasms are your body telling you something is wacko, but as a doc once explained to me, the body sometimes doesn’t know when to stop); orthopedist if you can get in. No PT until you have a diagnosis; pillow under your knees. I have vivid memories of my dad flat out on the floor in the living room unable to move with slipped discs.

192. Book deadlines + rage = pain
     Feel better soon!

193. Dude, I’ve been there too. . . . when it gets bearable, get a physical therapist to give you some gentle but effective core exercises. I hate doing them but they are the only natural thing that works! (I do this exercise called Deadbug and it looks hideous but the husband and the dogs think it’s great!)

194. I am so sorry. I hope it starts feeling better really soon.

195. Yowzah! I just threw my back out doing absolutely NOTHING two weeks ago and am feeling human again finally — like everyone else who made excellent suggestions, I have my own methodology, but you have to see what works for you.
     Assuming you’ve ruled out something more serious and it’s just a muscle strain (and it usually is), it’s the pain of the initial “injury” that causes the muscles to go into spasm, which is what hurts like hell. I take aspirin (carefully, with food) because my stomach can’t tolerate ibuprofen, but take whatever NSAID you can tolerate to reduce the inflammation, and keep it up for a while even after you start feeling better.
     Then I use a heating pad or one of those microwavable therma gel wraps for when I am sitting (keep an eye on the time and don’t overdo it) and slather on Ben Gay or whatever sports creme is handy (which is topical salicylate) for when I am up and walking around (shouldn’t be combined with the heating pad).
     Once I am up and around I change my position often because protracted sitting is the worst thing. Gently stretching your lower back and derriere muscles by lying on your back and hugging first one knee, then the other, gently stretching the muscles diagonally, helps too, as does moderate walking. If I’m patient and stick to the program, I slowly get better and stay that way.
     Also, consider taking a magnesium supplement — I’m not a big vitamin popper but I do take 250 mg of magnesium and a reasonable multivitamin with all the B’s, because those help with muscles and cramping. Feel better soon!

196. Steph- I think it is funny how normally everything you talk about is told in metric terms as your world is, but from out of nowhere, you had three 8lb 4oz babies. Not 3-point whatever KG, but 8lb 4oz babies. By the way, morphine has always been my drug of choice. The immediate sensation, like warm water flowing over your body and that “Aaaah yes” feeling that comes with it – oh yes, my drug of choice. I understand fully why people get addicted. plus it makes me sleep too much. (All morphine was administered in a hospital setting, lest you worry.)
     I’m sending you best thougts for speedy recovery. This is my first comment ever.

197. Stephanie, please consider that it may not be a problem with your back. Could be a kidney issue or a stone. As a nurse, I advise youo to get it looked at. Even if it is your back, that kind of pain could lead to a more serious incident.
     Peace.

198. Poor Steph, I’m going through the same thing right now. I got 4 hours of sleep last night despite popping Robax like Pez and was still spaseming and weeping into my pillow at 1am. FYI praying for both drugs and death are normal at this stage.
     Feel better soon, or at least enjoy the drug induced haze.

199. It seems that you have gotten your fill of advise,so as a fellow back pain sufferer who has on many occasions been exactly were you are, may I strike a positive note by saying that being flat on your back does not change your ability to knit. I believe that I have made at least a hat and a few washcloths during the times I was forced to be immobile because of my back pain. I’m sure something good can come of this and I bet that it is another pair of socks! Have someone hand you the remote and hopefully, you have a subscription to NetFlix, turn on your favorite movie to knit by, and try to make the best of it. I also think that this is a time to give yourself permission to eat all wonderful junk, I mean, comfort food your hubby can buy you!
     Oh yeah, my advise is to put on one of those support belts that the people at Home Depot wear, my chiropractor makes me put it on when my back goes out. It is an enormous help, and oh yeah,tightening the stomach muscles and telling yourself to use you legs to push yourself off the toilet ( while yelling like a woman giving birth)also helps. If you grab onto a towel bar to hoist yourself, all the better.

200. Is this possibly kidney stones?

201. If you can’t get to an ER tonight, I would take 3 ibuprofens and get to an ER or at least a doctor tomorrow. You should not have to suffer.

202. I’ve been there, too. Ended with a herniated disc.
     1) Since the heat isn’t helping too much, try ICE. There are soft gel packs you can keep in the freezer that mold right around your back. 20 mins. on and 20-30 mins. off.
     2)KEEP MOVING once the spasm starts to subside.
     3)Get a checkup with an Orthopedist to make sure nothing is structurally wrong then
     4)Get thee to a Physical Therapist and there receive a set of exercises that you will do for the rest of your life, to strengthen the muscles of your stomach and around your spine (your “core” muscles).
     I’ve been doing them for 15 years, and not only do they make me feel in control of the situation, I feel stronger every time I do them.
     P.S. Back up: Cortisone shots to your spine are a gift from God.

203. Have you considered seeing an osteopath? I have had ongoing problems just like you describe and thanks to my osteopath I’m able to function.

204. I’m 100% in agreement with you: I have had a baby, but nothing nothing nothing nothing NOTHING is like back pain.
     My favourite pat are the nights when I literally need to get OUT of bed in order to turn over.
     My 60 year old husband was in a very bad car crach when he was 27, broke his back, and was never supposed to walk again. Well, he is the stubbornest person I have ever met…..so six months later, he was playing soccer. Still, BACK ISSUES.
     About four years ago, he went through a terrible spell with his back, and I had to bring in an Adirondack chair from our deck for him to sleep in, sitting up. This went on for MONTHS.
     So this one night I went to bed and left him in the living room. Around 2 am I hear him crying, “Irma…Irma….”
     Stupid bugger had laid down on the damn couch (why, I wil never know), wnet in to spasm, and managed to roll himself off the couch on to his hands and knees….but was not totally STUCK that way, he couldn’t lie on the floor, he couldn’t push off his hands to stand on his knees, and he certainly couldn’t stand up.
     I watched him for two entire hours, and I finally I STARTED to say, “Babe, it’s been two hours, I’m calling an ambulance.”
     What I actually managed to say was, “Babe, it’s been two hours” before his stubborness kicked in.
     He replied, “Oh, sorry for keeping you up!!!” and managed to haul his ass in to the chair, just because he was so mad at me.
     Yeah….back issues….they SUCK.

205. Robaxin—embrace it.
     Massage–do it.
     Water–drink plenty before and after massage.

206. Yeah, my comment is full of typos. Blame it on my back.

207. My best wishes. I hope you get over this really soon.
     I’ve had this happen to me, and I would’ve taken ANYTHING to end it, even if it ended my life, too. Fortunately, I found other alternatives.
     Feel better!

208. it was the must humbling thing that I ever endured, when I hurt my back. Prayers to you and hope you improve every hour.

209. Oh you poor thing!! I’ve been there and it is hell. I would gladly have had someone shoot me. I call it the dark place. And I don’t ever want to go back there. But I keep a couple muscle relaxers around, just in case. I really hope it gets better soon.

210. Ooooooh, herniated disc, perhaps?
     Been there, done that. Have the neuroses to prove it.
     I’m much better now (praise be to God for the advent of yoga), but I’ll tell you – the slightest little hint of a twinge has me bolting up into a straight-backed position faster than most people blink. I’ve never passed humans through my body, but I do know that “ohmygod, breathing is impossible, I’m never moving again, someone PLEASE find me a hit of heroine so I can get up off the floor” feeling.
     Good luck with that.

211. I’m also one of the long-time chronic back problem crew. You’ve probably gotten all the good advice you want, but…Don’t be brave and avoid pain-killers. Pain is what is causing the body to create protective muscle spasms, so that you don’t move and make the pain worse. See a doc, get the pain killers and muscle relaxants. Then get thee to a physical therapist. They’re the ones who know how to make you comfortable, and who give you the tools/exercises to make you heal.
     Actually, you may be lucky this time, and the spasm may go away quickly. Go to a physical therapist, anyway. Get exercises. Be well.

212. Oh dear, I’ve been there and I feel for you. Please take my advice : get a back brace and when you are at the ‘my back hurts but I ‘m going to Knit-night ‘ stage start wearing the back brace and wear it when you sleep too. Advil can help too. But the back brace supports your back so it can heal without going into that ‘ I can’t move because my back is having spasms’ stage. Actually inactivity can make it worse which might be why it got worse when you were sleeping.
     Once my back was so bad I could not move at all and my DH had to call for an ambulance to take me to ER. Yes, I’ve been there.

213. Massage, do it tomorrow first thing. then do it the next day. Trust me on this. Been there. Done it. Like you I hope to god never to do it again and I too delivered my babies naturally.
     My sympathies.

214. Oh yeah, I am just recovering from an episode that started the day after Thanksgiving (U.S.). I bent over to pick up a box or raisins I dropped and whammo! I am so sorry. Balance Ball sitting and gentle yoga stretching was not doing the trick for me this time. Finally broke down and begged some muscle relaxer from DR. Whew…Do take care. It does get better but yeah, it’s sucky big time while you are going through it.
     Sending healing vibes your way……

215. People just don’t understand that no matter the pain of natural childbirth, there can be things that are worse. And you don’t get a baby at the end. I had twins, breech and natural, but that was nothing compared to sciatica. Hang in there, do whatever it takes to feel better.

216. Oh dear. That happened to me one time. The doctor told me to drug up till I could walk reasonably comfortably. And then walk (gets the blood flow going in the lower back.) I have since lived in fear of going more than 2 days without a 3-mile walk. It helped, a lot. And I’m still scared.
     Feel better soon.

217. Poor Stephanie! I know from bitter experience that there is no pain like back pain.
     Feel better soon!!

218. Oh yeah, been there all right, many times. About six years ago a wonderful PT guy taught me some great stretching exercises for my hamstrings that do not put stress on the back and a few other core strengthening ones and I have not had any of that horrendous pain since. I do this 5 minute exercise run through every morning-some I can even do before I even get out of bed—I swear by them!

219. I didn’t read through all the replies, so I don’t know if someone suggested this already, but I had horrid back pain like that once, and it turned out to be a kidney stone. Take care of yourself! Don’t let the back pain go on too long without getting checked out!

220. So so sorry. I’m with Liz in Missouri – I would bring you anything you need, help with anything you asked, then stay out of site doing whatever needed to be done. However not today…my back went out last night.

221. You poor thing, that sounds terrible. I hope you feel better soon. I was a massage therapist for years before quitting to stay home with my babies, but if I lived closer than New Jersey, I would gladly offer my swedish massage skills. Oh, and by the way, you are totally my hero, I lasted only a few hours of labor with each of my kids before begging for drugs. I never heard of anyone having three kids that all weighed the same, amount, that is so funny!

222. Oh Stephanie a bad back is a really bad thing. Lying down with a pillow under your knees does help and so does ibuprofen. But as soon as you can get up do try a good chiropractor. That has helped me… good luck and feel better soon. We are all pulling for you.

223. I LOVE Robax-Platinum! That and some tylenol with codeine should help. That these things are available over-the-counter is what makes Canada such a great place (among many other things, of course) Try ice instead of heat. And when you can, get thee to a Chiropractor, and quickly Madam! I lived with varying degrees of low back pain for 30 years!! Medical doctors just shrugged, “Hmmm, yes; Lots of people have that” Really? That is a diagnosis? A friend made me an appointment with her chiropractor and brought me to the office. My muscle spasms had been going on for so long, that my right leg was now shorter than my left! Quality of life has gone way up!! Please, take care. Ask for help. You need to receive as graciously as you give. That is a law of Karma. Feel better, sending healing vibes.

224. By the time you get to my comments, you will no doubt, be DONE with everyone’s suggestions but I have more experience than a person should on this subject….. ICE AND ALEVE. I know that the thought of heat sounds really good but, ice is the absolute answer. No pain med will adequately take away the pain. Muscle relaxants leave you like a zombie. 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Take the Aleve, 2 to start and 1 every 12 hours. Absolute magic!
     Thinking of you….

225. I had nearly the exact same thing happen to me a few days before leaving for SOAR. A day or two later (while on the muscle relaxants) I was sitting on the floor finishing up packing and spent 10 minutes attempting to get up off of the floor. I finally told my 4 year old “go tell daddy mommy needs help.” He trotted off and apparently only said “daddy, come here!” then returned and told me daddy was busy. I said “tell him mommy NEEDS HELP” and he finally told my husband that I was stuck. Then my husband helped me lie down flat on the floor, roll over, and get onto my hands and knees as a prelude to standing. All in all it was 30 minutes from “I’m done here, time to get up” to physically standing. *shudder*

226. Please. Avoid the ‘quack-opractors’ at all cost. They are just total BS. A waste of good time and good money. It’s not even a real science. Hie thee to a real certified physical therapist. More than likely, what you need to do are crunches, leg lifts, and heel slides (lie on your back, one knee bent, slide one heel to your bum, repeat. Then repeat with the other leg.) To keep your back from hurting, you need to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Period.

227. I second that on the exercise, but you need to get yourself to a doctor and make sure that it’s not more serious. Disks can be tricky things. Take care, get high, feel better.

228. Once, many years ago, I pulled a muscle in my back during a dance class. It was sore and annoying, but I could still function. The next day, midday, I had very, very bad menstrual cramps for a couple hours, and when they finally let up and I tried to get up from the couch, I found that the back muscle had tightened up so much from the other pain that I could not get up. Husband had gone somewhere for the afternoon so I had to lie there and wonder if I would ever be able to walk again and what if I had to go to the bathroom? and what if the house caught on fire? etc., etc., etc.
     Eventually the spasm let up enough — hours later — that I could roll off the couch and get to my feet. But it was awful. You have my complete and total sympathy, and are you sure you didn’t rupture a disk?

229. Could it be kidney stones. They are as bad as labor?

230. I am so, so sorry. My husband has that kind of pain very infrequently and it must be horrible. Please get thee to the Dr. and get some meds and exercises that might help strengthen your muscles. We want you up and out of pain!

231. You were naked?????

232. I have been there and I totally feel your pain. Ice, advil, and time are your best friends. Arnica gel and biofreeze help . Also the electro – stim pads of a good chiropractor can really help!! Remember its a muscle injury . If you sprained your wrist you would know just what to do… Do those things for you back. Also. Make sure you always have at least one knee higher than our hips…. Always. Standing on foot on a stool…
     Feel better !

233. I have been there and I totally feel your pain. Ice, advil, and time are your best friends. Arnica gel and biofreeze help . Also the electro – stim pads of a good chiropractor can really help!! Remember its a muscle injury . If you sprained your wrist you would know just what to do… Do those things for you back. Also. Make sure you always have at least one knee higher than your hips…. Always. Standing on foot on a stool…
     Feel better !

234. Ugh. I had back spasms once and right before they hit full-force I just about threw up. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. I had to immediately sit down and put my head between my knees which wasn’t easy considering what my back was doing.
     Then I started insisting the boyfriend take me to the hospital. It was so frustrating because everyone in the family just looked at me like I had sprouted a second head. I’ve never in my life asked to go to the hospital so I don’t know why they didn’t take me seriously. I still hate them all for that day. >:-P

235. Physiotherapy and chiropractic. That’s where it was at 2 months ago for me. Still going to physio every couple of weeks, but partly because the physiotherapist is sorta cute and way more sympathetic than anyone here at home.

236. I don’t know if this has been suggested, you have too many comments for me to read, but THIS IS THE ANSWER YOU NEED: have someone (RUN) get you the book by Dr.John Sarno, called HEALING BACK PAIN, THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION. By the time you finish reading it (it’s not very big,and it’s easy reading) you will be cured. Believe it or not. We have recommended it to countless people who were helped, like my husband and myself. To quote my sister-in-law who suffered for years and refused to read the book, but finally consented, “It’s a miracle”. It is a miracle, you can get it at Barnes and Noble, and similar stores. PLEASE TRY IT!

237. My thoughts are with you. As a 15 yr backpain sufferer, I want you to know that childbirth w/o drugs doesn’t even compare with what can come from back problems(I did no drugs twice).
     And if it gets really bad, Morphine doesn’t necessarily do the trick either.
     Get ye to the doctor and don’t mess around with this.

238. I share your misery – as a graduate student I was getting up for class and when I make a simple roll over to my side, I did something very wrong with my back. I cried and sweated in horrific pain for four hours trying to will the phone across the room into my hands. I was living in a convent (a different story) and I don’t think I’ve ever prayed more fervently in my life. My friend Nicole wondered why I hadn’t made it to class and dropped by. When she found me wracked in pain on the floor, she took me to a physiotherapist who spent three hours working on my back. He finally prescribed heavy duty pain killers – it took me three days to recover and just thinking about it reminds me of the pain. Fortunately, even spine surgery I had thirteen years later was not even half as bad as all that. Feel better soon. I’ll knit a few stitches in your honor tonight. 🙂

239. My dad used to have a lot of back problems. Finally he had surgery to fix a slipped disk. When he was in a lot of pain he adopted a kind of weird heels-together-toes-together shuffle in order to get to the bathroom. You need to get to a doctor as soon as you can, maybe get some good legal drugs, and get a referral to a physiotherapist. Please do not go to a chiropractor, they are not doctors. Do you have heated seats in your car, or a friend with same? They can be extremely soothing for sore back muscles. Have your friend drive you around for awhile. No stopping at yarn shops though. Your back must stay warm!

240. Oh, have I been there! Car accident when I was 21 (29 years ago)—and I periodically get hit with the pain, more frequently as I get older. Got out of my Suburban one day and it was like someone took a sledge-hammer to my lower back. It nearly sent me to my knees right there on the driveway! It was a chiropractor who finally took the x-ray that showed one of my lumbar vertebra twisted and pulled around by muscle spasms. His adjustments helped, but trigger point massage helped even more. I finally came across The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook (Davies & Davies), so can now do the massage at home. And I agree with everyone who said get off the soft surfaces. I’ve done a lot of time on a fitness mat on the floor—with my legs up over a therapy ball. Hard wood chairs and benches, and ply-board under the mattress are all good. Soft sofas are the worst! As Red Green says, “I’m pullin’ for you—we’re all in this together.”

241. I’m so sorry that you are having to go through this, my husband just went through the same thing 10 days ago and is just now starting to feel “normal” (and this after two emergency room visits with two morphine shots each time–the only way he got relief!). I don’t ever want to witness that again or go through it myself! Want us to send you our leftover drugs?? 😉

242. I hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!! I know how you feel, I get hip pain that is like that. I. literally. can. not. get.out. of. bed. when. the. pain. hits. (Dont even mention getting up to go to the loo or anything else that requires moving) Sending lots of healing energy to you!!

243. It’s great fun reding all the comments and advice – well not all but many.
     My advice is keep your back warm as some have said because your muscles will tighten up if you get cold and you will feel it again.

244. My sympathies. I’ve been there too. A strong course of steriods and then physical therapy worked for me. Wishing you the best.

245. Sounds like a back spasm, and there is lots of good back care advice above so — if you need new cuss words, try Klingon. Something about all those gutteral sounds and the spraying spit. . . .

246. That’s no Jen in a large pom-pom. It’s Marie Antoinette, as anyone can plainly see! But shhh, perhaps she does not want to be recognized. 🙂
     Hope you feel better soon.

247. Try 024. It’s a topical herbal anaesthetic spray, smells like warm peppermint, and it actually works quite well. Used to be sold at my local Shopper’s Drug Mart; also available online. Somehow it “freezes” the back muscles, makes the back feel cold, but works beautifully. But make very sure you wash your hands after you use it and don’t touch anything you don’t want anesthetized.
     Hope you feel better soon.

248. So sorry you’re hurting. When I was hugely pregnant my vertabrae were pulled out of alignment and I got relief by rocking in a rocking chair, a real one, not a platform rocker. President Kennedy did this as well. Of course, you need to see a Doctor, but rocking wouldn’t cause more problems. I hope this passes quickly.

249. Ouch … been there, done that … and finally ruptured a disc at the end of March (I don’t recommend that process at all!). That position everyone is suggesting — flat on back with pillow under bent knees — is pretty good for knitting, though. You’re in my thoughts — hoping you heal quickly!

250. I forgot to say, if you are taking an opiate then you will also need stool softener, but you probably already know that with your medical background.

251. Your muscles are thinking they’re helping you by remaining a tight as wires. They’re actually trying to keep your spine and discs in place. That’s why you have the pain.
     Lie on your stomach with your head to one side. Move your legs slightly away from the more painful side. Let your stomach sink into the mattress. Imagine it is sinking down to the floor. Stay that way for a while. The pain will stop.
     After you’ve done that for a day or so, try raising yourself onto your elbows after 5 minutes of lying on your stomach. Stay up on your elbows for a few minutes. But, as soon as there is any pain, stop.
     This is from a book by an Aussie, Robin McKenzie, called Treat Your Own Back. It is in its 7th printing and has helped me and many others.
     Best wishes for a quick recovery! (Hugs!)

252. Book deadline-induced tension, perhaps? I’ve experienced similar stuff (not writing-related), and I hope you’re feeling better soon.
     Elaine in NYC

253. This sounds*** like a classic case of quadratus lumborum going into spasm. This little muscle is often the culprit when people say “my back went out.” Ice, ice, and then get yourself to a good treatment massage therapist.
     ***not to be taken as medical advice!

254. Been there. Awful. Even reading about it makes me wince.
     I was hauled off by ambulance, shot up with morphine, imaged, poke, prodded, felt a little better, ducked a surgery recommendation, checked out against medical advice, and was hauled off to an osteopath (flat on my back, like a piece of cordwood, in the back of a station wagon, thanks to two really good friends).
     Thirty years later, I still do, every single day, the exercises the osteopath recommended, and have yet to have another problem.
     But it took six years to lose the numbness in my left foot.

255. I have been there – once in my early forties -moving a bookcase around a room – aspirin and sport creme,
     then once in my fifties after dragging a box from the back porch (it had an unfinished piece of wood in it) from the rain at midnight – went to work and and had to lie on the floor under the desk to relieve the pain – then went home and used the pain killers from a recent operation to get to sleep – was able to go to work – do NOT mess around with this – get some help.

256. Ummmmm….. have you thought about getting a urine test? Your symptoms sound like mine when I had a kidney infection.

257. you poor,poor woman!
     i know, i have been there, it’s horrific!
     sending best wishes,
     helga

258. Oh, I sooooo sympathize and understand your predicament. When I had a back spasm like that (when my youngest of four was a baby), I found that I actually could not get up AT ALL. I tried, and had never felt such severe pain. It took my breath away, I turned white and nearly passed out. My dear husband had to bring the 9×13 cake pan to me to use as a ‘bedpan’, and it was 24 hours before I could move. I NEVER, EVER, want to feel like that again and I don’t want you to, either. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I wish, like Bonnie I had done exercises regularly because I have some back troubles now and then, even after 33 years. Good luck!

259. Just recovering from a similar thing myself – got a spasm in lower back between L2 and L3 – pain shooting around my hip and down the front of my right leg – knee completely numb. I had to lay on my side for 2 weeks. Any angle in my hip or knee would make me literally SCREAM in pain. I will agree going to the loo was the most painful thing in the world – made me consider not eating or drinking anything for a few weeks.
     I will say going to the chiropractor (or rather being carried there in excruciating pain lying on my side in the seat) was the only thing that got me able to move at all.
     I did finally make it to the doctor and got some patches with muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory and painkillers that took the edge off.
     Sending you back healing vibes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

260. Yikes! I hope you feel better soon.

261. I can empathize with what you’re feeling. I’ve had those horrible back spasms, and I know there is nothing at all in the moment that makes them feel any better at all. I also know what’s it’s like to maneuver from the bed onto the floor while staying at a friend’s house in hopes of finding a way to get comfortable only to realize that her highly polished wooden floors are not at all helpful in this endeavor and the friend who is on the trip with you, sleeping in the other single bed in the room is going to a) wake up and want to know why you’re on the floor and then b) want to help you get up, only she can’t because you are afraid to move. And that’s when the manic laughing/crying begins. Sigh. Yep. Been there. But that was only my second worst back experience. Had the same thing happen when I was in Ireland with my two young kids and had to drive across the country with my back spasming, trying to stop and find a b&b late at night because the first one we were at was the Irish Bates Hotel of B&Bs. I was nearly a basket case at that point. Thank God for the lovely B&B owner who took pity on me despite the fact I showed up on her doorstep crazed and hysterical, gave me her last room without even asking my name or for payment in advance, and then insisted I have some tea. Back spasms never happen at good times. I second the recommendation of the chiropractor. That’s always helped me out once I was able to get there. Feel better soon!!

262. Somebody said that you could knit while flat in bed. I wonder if that works?
     Good luck, Stephanie

263. As someone who struggles with chronic back spasms(injured it in college and it never forgave me) and migraines, I have two words for you. Advil Liquigels. Take it with some the caffeine of your choice. With the muscle relaxant from your Doc, you should be good in no time. Also, lie flat on your back on the floor with your legs up on a chair or the couch(like you’re sitting and the floor is the chair back). Takes all the pressure off of those spasming muscles. Dang near makes me cry with relief every time. God bless your heart(and back) Stephanie, and I hope you feel better soon.

264. Hugs! Curl up and don’t move for a while, and keep an eye out for fever. My last bout of mysterious back pain was actually a kidney infection.

265. You could try acupuncture. My mum was off work for weeks with a bad back when her doctor suggested acupuncture. It worked really well.

266. Please, PLEASE don’t wait too long to see a health professional. Last year I, too, woke in extreme pain one morning and waited much too long to see a doctor about it, thinking it would improve with time. It didn’t. I wound up suffering needlessly for months. I’m sending good thoughts your way and hoping your feeling better this morning, but if you’re not, PLEASE call a doctor!

267. Been there done that and it really, really sucks! I developed an inflammatory autoimmune disease 13 years ago and after messing with the joints in my shoulders and neck, it went after my lower back. The first time I had a flare in my back I really thought I’d die, or I hoped that I would. Like you I had natural childbirth, (meaning no drugs) for my 9lb 2oz baby. Unlike you I was really overdue so my doctor used pitocin. I didn’t make a sound other than grunting during pushing. Fast forward 12 years later. I woke up and my back was totally messed up. I made it down the stairs to the bathroom and by the time I was out of the bathroom I had totally lost it. All I could do was crawl to the couch and cry. On the Suck-o-Meter it rated a 9.5. Fortunately, because of my other joint problems I had something at home that I could use to take the edge off because it hurt so badly that I could barely breathe. Eventually it got better but there was definitely a time there where I wouldn’t have been upset to have died as long as it meant that the pain would stop. It still gives me trouble but now I’ve learned the warning signs and can usually avoid my back totally going to crap as long as I pay attention. The thing is that this is not the time to avoid medication. Practice makes perfect and the more your back practices sending your brain pain signals, the better it gets at it. I second the sleeping in a recliner as long as it makes it less painful and easier for you. It was definitely the only way I could get some sleep, and it makes it a whole lot easier to get up and go to the bathroom. I hope you feel better very soon and that this is a one shot deal. I now have a very healthy respect for pain. While I still don’t like taking any more drugs than I absolutely have to and still have a really high pain tolerance, I take medication when I need to. I hope that you heal quickly and I’m sending good thoughts and healing energy your way.

268. Oh no! Hope that you are feeling better, best, soon. My only advice is don’t take any of this random, albeit well wishing, advice. 🙂

269. Get better soon! If it hurts too bad to get out of bed…it’s time to see a doc. But, you know this! You have to take of you! Hugs!

270. I agree with Pat, but will still give my own random advice:
     Get thee to a doctor and/or emergency room. Get diagnostic imaging on your back to determine what is going on. THEN, and only then, decide amongst massage therapy, chiropractor, osteopath, or whatever your modality of choice is. It may be a major back spasm (and I do sympathize, having had them myself), or a slipped disc. But do get diagnosed first by a qualified person before rushing off to whatever.
     I hope you feel better soon!

271. Go see a GOOD accupuncturist! It is drug free and after 2 treatments, I started to get use of my arm again!

272. What was it about back pain this week? I was absolutely miserable yesterday was lower back pain and had to go to work…..and dress in heels. I got through but barely. Hope you’re feeling better today!

273. Please see a doc before you see anyone else. Sometimes pain in the back is not caused by a problem in the back. If yours is, once you have the pain under control see a physio who will teach you what exercises you need to stop this happening again. Chiropractic may treat the pain but it will always come back unless you strengthen the right muscles, and the chiropracters sign you up for ‘adjustments’ every few months FOR LIFE. Been there done that, spent a lot of money I didn’t need to. Oh, and don’t EVER say homeopathic remedy again.

274. Like so many others of your readers, it’s “Been there. Done that!” It’s embarassing how many times I had to go through it before I learned my lesson. IF IT STARTS TO TWINGE, STOP!!! Better to lose a few hours not getting something done (a few hours that can be used for something else, like knnitting) than spend three days in bed!) And better to take one of the OTC anti-inflammatories than not. Pain is circular. The more you hurt, the more everything tightens up and increases the pain. Block the cycle and you get back together faster. Also, my preference is for heat, but that’s strictly personal. During morning sickness a spoonful of protein (cottage cheese) did more for me than a handful of soda crackers.) Do what works for you. Good luck, be well and be careful.

275. It’s terrible isn’t it? I hope you’re much better now. I’ve had the pain all week in my left leg (and butt cheek) and it makes nothing appealing at all. The only reason why I don’t completely shut down, I guess, is that it’s not in my right leg which would be the disc I had surgery on before. I am so for bitching and moaning right now!! LOL You are in good company. 😀

276. Yep, woke up, stretched and heard a “pop” in my neck. I knew I was in trouble. Two days later as I am in the emergency room, begging for someone to shoot me, an emergency MRI later, told them that I had ruptured the disc between C-6 and C-7, they shot me up with morphine until I hallucinated. I was kept in the hospital for 4 days while they tried to figure out the best way to bring back the feeling in my right hand. I could not feel my thumb or first or second finger…..
     I am a hair stylist, and a knitter. I need to be able to feel my fingers…. I’m just sayin…. I was out of commission for a month. It was one of the scariest times in my life. Speaking of epidurals… they used a series of those to treat me. I had one about every 3 weeks for about 6 months….
     My neck has been acting out lately too….. it always scares the bejesus out of me….
     Did I mention I have several ruptured discs in my thoracic region that I never sought treatment for… that I have three more discs bulging in my neck…. they determined that I have degenerative disc disease…. I was 36 then…. I am 41 now…..
     I feel for you and hope you find some morphine…..

277. Does it hurt to knit?
     Hang in there.

278. Two words – muscle relaxants.

279. About 35 years ago I herniated a disc in my lower back, it laid me up for about a week. Ever since them I’ve had to be careful, because it WILL go out again for no apparent reason! Once it was so bad I could not get onto the “throne” in the bath, and wound up using a handy container that would just fit under me. That was my toilet for 3 days. I seriously could not even lift my head from the pillow, and had more or less belly crawled to the bath. I totally understand the need for the crazy street morphine, or a bullet to the brain, whatever works! Take care, & take it easy! If it’s a pulled disc, your doctor will want you to have the pain meds & some steroids to take down the swelling; don’t be concerned about becoming too fond of the pain meds! It’s a lot better to use ’em before you’re in screaming pain.

280. there’s nothing quite like lurching about looking like Quasimodo, muttering dire things, tears running down your cheeks, all the while refusing the help of others. Yes, been there, so you have my complete sympathy. Take care of yourself & LET OTHERS HELP YOU!

281. You need to get yourself to a chiropractor. No drugs! He/she can work with you to get your spine in alignment and also may be able to recommend simple stretches you can do to help. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor for over 20 years. He’s definitely helped me overcome chronic back pain.

282. Oh you poor thing!!! I’m so sorry! I echo the others recommending muscle relaxants. Mildly safer than crazy street morphine! I hope that you feel completely better very soon!!!

283. I encourage you to take your own best advice.

284. Been there – I wish I could put my wonderful chiropractor in an envelope and send her to you…I know it hurts, but as a nurse, you want to decrease the inflammation and allow the blood to flow through the area and that means icing and walking. Immobility isn’t as good for the healing as you want to believe….So sorry you’re hurting!

285. As a person extremely experienced with back pain – lower, upper, middle, etc. I highly suggest you read and follow the methods in “Treat Your Own Back” by Robin A. McKenzie. After reading the first few pages you will be able to determine if this is appropriate for you. This is a method followed by most Physical Therapists who have treated me. I think PT’s are the best. They keep me going – hiking to elevations above 15,000 feet, going on week long treks throughout the world covering 10+ miles each day, back-country snowshoeing, etc. The McKenzie method works.

286. I have had this.
     I understand completely and feel your pain.
     A couple of years ago I spent two weeks on my stomach with my head hanging over the edge of the bed, laptop on the floor, playing Sudoku because lying ON my back hurt it too much and my brain was too frazzled to read a book (plus it’s uncomfortable in that position). And I couldn’t locomote at all.
     I sympathise and empathise and wish you a speedy recovery.

287. I haven’t read all the comments. I don’t know how you do it but I wanted to throw in : Could the back pain be related to whatever procedure you had at the hospital the day before?
     And I wish you the speediest recovery!

288. From someone with really bad back problems, I hope and wish you a speedy recovery. I also hope it is nothing serious. Mine are unfixable and it can suck be time. I am all for making up new curse words I know I have. Though the one surgery I had yesterday seem to be helping = ) So my fingers are crossed for you that it is quickly healed.

289. I laughed out loud reading your post. I’m sure my co-workers think I’m crazy! I can just imagine you out looking for Street pain meds. You are too funny. Get well soon!!

290. I am right there with you with back issues . . . go to a PT who uses the MacKenzie Method and your life will be so happy!

291. I know you’ve gotten a lot of advice, but when I injured my back one time, I tried regular doctor and meds, acupuncture, etc. and for 11 days I could not roll over in bed or get up or down from a chair without screaming. Finally I called my friend who does Reiki. Witchcraft, I thought, but whatever, witchcraft might work.
     She told me to go into a prayer/meditative state and ask my body what this injury meant. Ha, I thought, it means I tried to lift a television that was too heavy. But I did what she told me to, and the answer came to me immediately. She did Reiki on me twice, and the pain went away and never came back. Worth a try, perhaps? It always costs money for Reiki (part of the mumbo-jumbo of it), but cheaper than street drugs, long run.

292. Whatever you do Do NOT drive too soon? It makes for scaryness that others don’t enjoy & I personally cussed a blue streak after and during a speed bump. Poor old man I really didn’t call you names.

293. I feel your pain! Been there. I finally got relief from chiropractor visits. That was after the internest, muscle relaxers, pain killers; none of which did anything. The chiropractor had me straightened up & actually walking without assistance on the first visit. Hope you get much better real fast.

294. Good luck with that, Steph. I’ve had back spasms that have left me rolling on the floor in pain in that semi-hysterical laughing/crying place where I can barely breath. It sucks big time, so I hope you feel better very soon.

295. It probably hurts because a nerve is being pinched – you need to stop that from happening.
     When my back went out, muscle relaxants didn’t work. Adjusting the back did.
     If you had a dislocated shoulder, you wouldn’t expect it to be fixed by relaxing the muscles, or masking the pain with drugs.

296. I was afraid of this, Stephanie. Slow your life down, girl. Even you are not actually Superwoman. After 38 years of my indescribably bad back (which started with being rear-ended in a car wreck), 3 back surgeries, 1 “temporary” paralysis that lasted a year, and lots of physical therapy, I can claim some knowledge of back issues. Long-term, I recommend getting a nice “lift” recliner. They are motorized, fully adjustable, you can sleep in them -almost fully reclining, and they lift you to your feet with much less pain than people possibly can. Short term, you have to get a definitive diagnosis so you know what’s wrong and the right things to do to treat it. You are such a smart lady! You can handle this. Just do the common sense thing and get that diagnosis. We love and support you. Praying you feel better soon.

297. Same thing happened to me. I am a nurse practitioner down south in the US. I took the drugs…you are right, they make you high and care less…but still pain. I went to a physical therapist and she reduced my pain by 80% after the first visit. No drugs, no high, all better.
     I highly recommend it girl.
     Peggy

298. It’s impossible to truly understand severe chronic pain if you haven’t been through it. I am so very sorry you’re dealing with that, though. I would never wish that level of pain on anyone, not even my worst enemy.
     I had appendicitis for 10 years (8 of that was spent growing a huge kidney tumor, too, but that wasn’t as painful as them taking it out). I can’t take pain meds, so I developed some ways to deal with pain. First, moan. Yup, screaming, moaning, low deep yelling–all of that helps. It sounds crazy, but it helps. Second, heat. Have someone get you a heating pad and stay on it for a good long while. Third, visualization. Imagine breathing in blue, healing, happy stuff and breathing out all that red, angry pain.
     If you pass out from the pain, though, try to make sure it’s on the bed. It’s easier to come to there. If the pain ramps up high enough, you’ll pass out, so if it feels like it’s getting worse and worse rather quickly, get to bed and stay there.

299. I hope you feel better soon. I’ve had back trouble–but nothing as bad as yours! I’m going to sound like Pollyanna or (gasp) Oprah (do you get Oprah in Canada?), but be grateful for the pain. My BIL had a motorcycle accident, and now he’s paralyzed from the neck down.

300. Reading all the comments has scared the bejesus out of me! I hope I never have back pain like some described above. I’m thankful now that all Ive had to deal with lately was having a cyst removed from pinky finger. I do hope you are feeling better soon. I will send warm healing thoughts your direction.

301. What they said, all of it: drugs, doctor, physio, chiropractor, heat, ice, more drugs. My DH just had a episode similar to yours. Get well soon.

302. Stephanie, I’m so sorry that you have pain like that. I had back pain a few years ago and it was awful, but it usually goes away after a while. Take care.

303. This happened to me last year and it was brutal.
     I’m so sorry you have hurt your back.
     What worked for me was regular:
     Robax Platinum (it has a mild muscle relaxer), pillows under my knees to relax my back muscles, and an Osteopath.
     Check this site out- http://www.osteopathic.ca/
     I hope you recover faster than I did.
     Meditation can help too along with a glass of wine.

304. No remedies, BUT stay away from the knitting!! Bad backs and meds destroy… I mean, the next time you look, you’ll be ripping it out with a vengeance! I’m just trying to spare you a little more pain.

305. Sending lots of positive, healing thoughts your way. I have been dealing with chronic back pain for the last 6 years, since the birth of my son (the gift that keeps on giving). I had an episode like you’ve described just a couple of months ago – I, too, begged for an epidural (to no avail, given that it was the middle of the night and I was at home with no anesthesiologist nearby). The truly crappy thing about backs is they are not well understood and each person’s is unique, so it’s a real challenge to figure out what your particular problem is and what kind of treatment it will respond to. Best wishes that this episode passes quickly, and that Megan brings you your knitting shortly. Take care of yourself!!

306. Backs are tough for sure! I have had one episode like yours in the last 10 years and it sucked! Sitting didn’t work (I had to kneel at my computer to work!) but eventually I discovered all on my own that icing it is wrong! Warm MOIST heat (get a heating pad with a sponge). Then when you are able STRETCH … gentle stretches like pelvic tilts are the best. There are 6 I do religiously every day; I’m sure your doctor has the list. But right now, you just need relief so don’t push it and rest it as much as you can! Thinking of you …

307. Oh, I have been there and done that. So sorry you have to go through this!!! It will get better….really… also noticed in the back of today’s wild hair photo you can just see the word “Bitch” sticking out on the right.(looks like Stitch and Bitch book) Kinda went with the theme of the day. And rightfully so!

308. I experience this on a daily basis. Knitting and crochet are the only things that help. Yes, I fully understand why you went to Knit Night. I just saw your tweet about getting the massage. I say go ahead and schedule a few more. It gives you relief, if only for an hour.

309. Yup. Morphine, apologies, all of it! May your back do that amazing reverse that makes the pain disappear as quickly as it arrived.

310. Mine did that about 5 years ago. I was home alone and hurling from a medication reaction when my lower back seized. I thought i was going to be frozen bent over the loo for the rest of my life. Glad Joe was there and give yourself the time to heal up

311. Feel better soon! Maybe try a chiropractor — the same thing happened to my husband when my son was four weeks old (it really sucked for both of us) and a chiropractor helped reduce the spasming.

312. Nothing worse than back pain, I ruptured a disc some years back and was useless until the surgery. Hope you’re well soon!

313. I love the tweet about inventing new words. The days I feel like that are when my brain is jello and the least movement sets the pain off. If I’m around my friends 2 year old the word is Bugger repeated over and over, around adults who know what will come out. It was funny in a twisted way the night my friend and I were both hit like that and we were cussing in whispers and walking like geezers to prevent jiggling.
     Drugs that make you not care are very good, I hate taking drugs but I know they do help.

314. I hope you’re better soon Stephanie. I do “get it” — I had a back injury years ago, and could not believe how agonizing every little twitch was. It seemed it hurt even to move my fingers. I was told by ortho surgeons that I wouldn’t be able to rehab such an injury, but I ignored them, did the boring exercises the chiro and physio prescribed, and skiied again 2 yrs later. Also roller-bladed, so there is hope! But knitting without pain was impossible for me because of the extensive tissue damage I had; after abandoning knitting for almost a decade, your blog inspired me to take up needles again. I had to retrain to knit continental style in order to knit more than about 20 min without pain, but it was totally worth it. I had forgotten just how much I loved fiber, and although I’m still slower than before, I get so much satisfaction from it that I no longer miss the things I’ll never do again. Thank you for the ongoing window into your knitting world! May your aches be short-lived and never return.
     Marie

315. Hope I’m not breaking rules by naming a product, but I have periodic excruciating lower back pain. The biggest tools in my arsenal are a couple small (softball size) balls – come two in a set and they’re called Miracle Balls. I lie on one of those (comes with a direction book) and it eases my back like nothing else. I travel everywhere with my little green ball. – and the grandkids like it, too! Hope you feel better soon.

316. One word: Yoga

317. Been there. Massage is nice but I found physio FIXED it. I have an awesome physio gal who’s right on the subway so lemme know if you want her name. She’s fixed frozen shoulder, separated shoulder, periodic back seize-ups, and got my tragically broken arm fully functional again. I worship her 🙂

318. HOpe you get better soon. It must be really horrible to not be able to get around and be in such pain and so uncomfortable all the time. Prayers are with you girl!!!

319. Second post in as many days. Your back problem needs evaluation by a doctor.

320. It’s a nerve thing. Go to the nearest chiropractor for an adjustment. Trust me. I have experienced that paralyzing pain before.
     Best wishes! So sorry….

321. Two suggestions… 1) Chiropractor. (Was carried in once, literally, and walked out gingerly.) 2) Acupuncture. (Can shut down the pain receptor areas of your brain. Though it sounds like you’re experiencing a structural issue and should check with the chiro first and follow up with acupuncture.) Hope you feel better soon.

322. So sorry for your pain. Have had mid-back disc pain, monster migraines and fibromyalgia for years. Been the pill route, both over the counter and prescribed, without lasting or coherent relief. Prefer to stay as natural in my remedies as possible like you. Tried every creme out there, but each left me with “freezer burn” and red sensitive skin–until one day my husband brought me a bottle of Kwan Loong Oil, also generically called oolong oil, a very mild Asian over the counter remedy he found at the local international grocery store. It works like magic, especially if you can apply heat to the affected area too. Has a pleasant eucalyptus and lavender aroma–extremely soothing.
     And, no, I’m not affiliated with the manufacturer; just another knitter who has been there.
     Hope this helps you a bit…

323. My sympathies and good wishes. Been there in some form. It came on suddenly while I was driving. It was a near thing to decide if I should die from not applying the brake due to pain or die from the pain of applying the brake. Eventually, I lived. FWIW, it was stress that brought it on for me. You may have time to analyze if that is your source, lying there and all. Good health!

324. My niece’s sister in law, who trained in Canada, does both physiotherapy AND acupuncture, so she can decide which would help a particular patient most. Can’t send her to you easily, since she’s in Jamaica, but maybe there’s someone with similar training in Toronto? After you see the doc and she says it’s a good idea, of course.
     Rapid healing to you, dear lady.

325. Feel better!

326. Oooh! I’m so sorry! I hope the pain has eased somewhat and I hope you got your knitting!
     I think it must have been a bad back day yesterday ’cause I had that, too. But I was at work. Someone came in to say, “Oh, and Heather…” and I said, “Hold on.” as I was contorting my face in pain. I couldn’t even swivel my chair to face her!
     I thought it was worse than childbirth, too, (I had 3 – 7 lbs 6oz, 8 lbs 5 oz, and 10 lbs!) but was hesitant to say it out loud.
     Advil is my friend. It’s not just a painkiller, but an anti-inflammatory so it will help your back settle down. Make sure you take it 3 times a day to keep the anti-inflammatory medication circulating in your bloodstream for a few days.
     Good luck!

327. anyone with back pain has my total sympathy. i had problems for 20 years until i had surgery & have been pain free for 5 years. hopefully you’ll never have to go there. just carry small amounts of your stash at a time;-)

328. As a person who has suffered with degenerative disc disease in my lower back for several years, I know exactly what you’re going through. Light exercise would have helped at the beginning but now you need more. Ice packs help reduce the inflammation (no more than 20 minutes) than heating pad to get the blood flowing. Use painkillers as needed. I wouldn’t have survived without Vicodin.
     Follow your doctor’s instructions. If he gives you any exercises, do them faithfully. They were been such a help to me.
     All my prayers go out to you. kazbels

329. OMG I have been there done that many times.
     Once it happens you really do need to get thyself some ibuprofen quickly. Also a good layer of Topricin (completely homeopathic) works wonders on those spasming muscles. Use it once an hour. Also try some homepathic remedies for stress and take more vitamin B. There is no too late for any of the above.
     After that ice every 20 minutes and lie down with your knees up over some pillows to allow your spine to relax and stretch. Then when you can walk some go to a chiropractor several times.
     I also found that in the first week the whole thing can reoccur unless I treat myself with more respect than I usually do.
     I do feel your pain and wish it on no-one, not even Carl Rove (well maybe I’d make an exception there).
     Namaste and healing thoughts,

330. Please listen to those who tell you ICE. Also I second the recommendation about gonstead.com for a really good chiropractor.
     I had very unexpected back surgery a few years ago. Unfortunately it took me over a month to get to the doctor that could help me, drugs really didn’t help except to keep me from screaming and sobbing uncontrolably. The weird thing is that I could only lay on my stomach, so by the time I got the pre-surgery physical I could hardly blow into the machine (to prove that I wouldn’t stop breathing while under general anesthesia). I also have a 2″ (5cm) scar on my forehead from where I fainted (a first time for everything) in the bathroom and split my head on the edge of the sink on the way down.
     I really, really hope this is “only” a muscle problem and not something involving a disc. I have been going to a chiropractor every 2 weeks for several years now as a preventive thing. If anything starts to get weird, it will be spotted before I end up on the floor screaming or unconscious.
     Best best wishes for resolving this quickly.

331. My father said chiropractors were quacks. Mine sure has helped my back. Along with pain meds and physical therapy. But most of all, to keep it at bay after the intense pain stops, yoga. I feared yoga, the spiritual, chanting, sort of stuff, but it depends on the instructor. At age 60 I was more flexible than I’d been since I was a child, and my back had stopped hurting. Yoga.

332. Ice. Ibuprofen. Pilates. (the gentlest of the Pilates exercises/stretches, particularly variations on pelvic tilts).
     This trio has gotten me through several lower back pain crises. I had one incident like yours at age 24 (24! for heaven’s sake!) and it was terrifying! But fortunately recovered from the most acute pain fairly quickly.
     Best wishes to you for getting through this! You will!

333. Kudos to you if you can wade through all these comments. Not sure what others have said, but I had a disc removed in 1997, and have another one bulging that causes problems sometimes. Ice is your friend. You can alternate with heat, but don’t do just heat.
     The Mayo Clinic site has some very good back exercises for when you’re out of crisis. They help keep me from getting worse, or going into spasm.
     I hope it heals soon! So awful to have everything fun take back seat so suddenly.

334. Oh you poor darlin. Sounds exactly like what I went through in ’96 when I ruptured 2 disks. Long-short? Take your pippy-dippy self to an ortho dr and get an mri asap.

335. I am a PT and developed “personal” empathy for my back patients when my own back “went out” last Christmas eve. The only way I survived the holiday was wearing a lumbar corset full time for a couple days -even while in bed. It helped with the bed and chair transfers which were excruciating. I then began simple yoga poses – cat/cow and child’s pose and the pain and muscle spasms slowly disappeared. Good luck, girl!

336. I am 53 years old and I have had lower back issues for some years, and I have two suggestions for you:
     1. a good chiropractor
     2. Yoga three times a week
     I started practicing yoga 7 months ago at the suggestion of my chiropractor…best thing I ever did for my back. My back and core strength have improved so much that my back hasn’t bothered me AT ALL in 4 months. No more aches or stiffness when I roll out of bed in the morning, better flexibility, firmed and toned many “problem areas” and dropped a dress size without dieting. Even my golf swing has improved! In any case, I definitely feel your pain and I hope you have relief soon!

337. Been there, I hope it’s a short term thing. I’m a nurse as well, so I agree about ruling out ‘worse’ than a spasm. That said once the initial spasm starts to relax I found that gentle stretching as in child’s pose and particularly downward facing dog were very helpful. Enough with the advice, I just hope you’re feeling better soon.

338. While it is lovely and kind of all of us to give you our personal stories and solutions, what you need is a solution tailored to your own condition. See your doctor!
     P.S. I am very lucky to have survived to my advanced age without ever experiencing back pain(touch wood). Shoulder pain? That’s another story(lol).

339. Acupuncture. It was the only thing that fixed me up, and I didn’t need drugs. Nice herb tea didn’t hurt, though.
     Be well.

340. So sorry that you’re in such agony. As a Surgical nurse, the Best narcotic in the world is Dilaudid. (hydromorphone); more pain receptors targeted with fewer side effects to mental capacity. (You could knit/write in comfort. 🙂 Acupuncture has been used for analgesia. REST and BE.

341. feel better soon! I keep checking back to see if you’ve posted anything…a way to know if you are feeling even the slightest bit better!

342. Since there is lots of advice here, I’m going to throw in a little more. Ice ice baby. Heat feels good, but unless your doctor tells you to use it, heat applications bring in more inflammation and can make a bad back 10x worse. I’ve been in the “can’t walk” stage too;
     Ice at least 2x day, 10 to 15 min
     An anti-inflammatory with the approval of you doc.
     Massage and rest.
     If it doesn’t get better, see your doctor.
     2 cents worth from an LMP who hopes you’re up and around quickly.

343. Heal well. (Just sending that vibe out again, hoping it doesn’t take much effort for you to receive it.)

344. What is the issue with the chiropractor,dear?

345. Positive vibes and prayers for healing for you! I’ve had a few back spasms and understand at least a piece of your pain. No advice (you’ve gotten plenty) but I am wishing you well again!

346. Same thing happened to me 2 years ago, except I was out of the shower and getting dressed when the pain hit. I wept on the phone to the doctor on call at my office, who thankfully set up a way for my Mr. to pick up something at the pharmacy for me. It takes a few days, and lots of anti-inflamatories, but it will pass. Feel better soon.

347. Stephanie – I’ve been a nurse for 30 years, but when I was 30 years old I blew out 4 discs in my back. It was agony and I truly empathize with your situation. Having to crawl on your hands and knees just to get to the bathroom really throws one for a loop. I am now 57, and have a dodgy back as my permanent companion. I’ve learned a lot of back care tricks along the way; if I may offer those things that made a difference for me –
     1) keep those back muscles warm ’cause shivering can set off a cascade of muscle spasms that are wicked hard to break,
     2) when it flares up, assume what ever position is most comfortable for you – sometime elevating your feet makes it worse, depending on what’s wrong – expreiment and you’ll find what works the best,
     3) no twisting while bending at the waist – it’s the kiss of death (trust me on this one),
     40 take a muscle relaxant as soon as the spasms start, you’re early in this episode and it’s best to nip it in the bud. Tension and spasm results in increased pain, which leads to more tension and spasm, so more pain, so more….you get it. Don’t be shy about this – you won’t get hooked and your body will do much better overall,
     5)use ice and heat in which ever combination works best for you. It’s usually heat then ice, but every body is different and yours will tell you what it likes and what it doesn’t,
     6)make sure you get your back checked out with the basic diagnostic testing: CT, MRI, X-ray – whatever your physician feels is indicated. Once you know what you’re dealing with it makes treatment decisions easier. I was pressured into surgery by both a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon: I decided against it and went with intensive physical therapy, swimming, and polynesian dance (great mobility for the lower back and upper legs). At the time of injury I was told repeatedly that I’d probably never walk normally again, and would be limited to swimming for exercise. But at 57 I dance, do yard work, light construction, sew, knit, and write. I avoid jarring activities like bungee jumping, horseback riding, and parachuting, all manageable losses for me.
     And here’s the single golden rule : KEEP MOVING! The urge to lay down and avoid the discomfort is strong, but the back muscles start to weaken as soon as you let them stop working – atrophy sets in more quickly than one would imagine, so don’t let that happen to you. Take a pain reliever and a muscle relaxant, give them 30 minutes to kick in and get up and move. If they make you dizzy, get some help so you can walk to a chair or to the chesterfield. The combo may make you feel a little buzzy/goofy at first but your body will get used to it in a couple of days and you won’t gat that wonky feeling. Just use the meds according to the label instructions and you’ll be fine.
     Best of luck, take care of yourself, let others take care of you, and hope this “inconvenience” – as my astute neurosurgeon called it – will be of relatively short duration. I’ll be thinking of you and be keeping fingers crossed.

348. When my back went out, I had just put the infant in her crib for a nap. I played with the 3-year-old, stood up, felt this horrible pain, grabbed the wall and managed to get myself flat on my back. Couldn’t move. I had the three year old bring me the phone, climb up to the medicine cabinet to get mommy drugs, let in the babysitter (there was no way I could even get to the infant’s room, let alone get her out of the crib).
     Drugs, physical therapy and exercise have meant no problems for 10+ years, but what a day (and several weeks thereafter)!! I was just happy to be “well” enough to crawl to the toilet when I needed to pee.

349. I’m sure someone has posted it already but I’m supposed to be unpacking my house, not on the internets, so I’ll just be ‘that poster’ for now.
     Thermacare’s lumbar hot wraps are AMAZING. I live on them. they’re like the little iron oxide hand warmers, but in a comfy elastic wrap that’s grippy enough to stay put under pants. and they really do stay warm for more than 8 hours. love them. love.

350. Been there, felt that. You have much sympathy. Take all the help you can get, chemical and personal. Keep warm, inside and out. This too shall pass.

351. My gosh..hope you are feeling better soon. I am amazed by the comments as to how many people have gone through this too..I hope it’s not common to all knitters. Take Care!

352. Hope you are feeling better and are up and about! Good drugs and a good PT will probably do the trick!

353. All of the above–particularly the bits about doctors–by way of advice.
     But has anybody mentioned replacing your mattress? We sort of take a mattress for granted, once we have one in the house and on the bed frame. BUT it’s amazing how mattresses quietly die of old age much sooner than we’d expect and without our being aware of it. More amazing is the degree of back pain they cause as they go.

354. Dear Steph, I have had back problems since I was pregnant with Sally 18 years ago. I hope that you are feeling better. I suggest getting checked by a MD, and seeing a pain specialist if this does not pass. Flexeril, or muscle relaxants, are not good drugs for pain, as Tom Hale says( of Medications in Mothers’ Milk fame). Some ibuprofen WITh FOOD and some narcotics will help in the short term. A GOOD chiropractor, or osteopath, and a physical therapist and massage person (gentle) will help too. Be careful. Do what you can do, but get some PAIN MEDs, not muscle relaxants, and COLD is good. Heat makes it worse. Love you FEEL BETTER. Kathleen Bruce RN

355. So sorry to read about your dreadful experience with back pain. I hope you feel much better soon.

356. Oh no! and it’s been two days since you posted this. Hope it’s because you’re getting some good help and not because you’re laid out in lilies, so to speak. Kathleen Bruce has it right (I’m also an RN), although IF your pain is being exacerbated by muscle spasms, Flexeril will help–but it’s hard to determine this on your own)–you are dealing with inflammation of muscle and ligaments, most likely, so you want to attack that problem. If you use cold packs, you want to leave them on 10-15 minutes, then take them off. This will constrict blood vessels in the area; if left on indefinitely, the effect is to re-dilate the blood vessels. Ouch! (Though I can’t imagine leaving a cold pack on too long–I can hardly wait to get them off) Feel better soon.

357. I hope you are feeling better. I had the same thing happen this summer while on vacation. I am a distance runner and knitter. I wanted my back fixed without pills.
     I had one visit with a chiropractor (got me walking and standing upright!) Once home, I saw my massage theripist twice, iced my back and rested. I was back to running in two weeks.
     Good luck.

358. Not to be personal or pushy but… go to the darn doctor!
     he can give you stuff that actually works (I know what you mean about the pain still being there but you don’t care). He can likely also give you anti inflammatories which is likely what you need.
     I know where of you speak, having been in that position myself… the 56th hour of my back labour was as nothing in comparison.
     I certainly hope it all gets better soon, as nothing has nearly as much suckage as a back in that condition.

359. Back pain can be surprisingly incapacitating. I only have it very sporadically, and no way as bad as you do. For whatever reason, I resisted taking medicine for the pain figuring I could tough it out. Eventually the pain went away, right?
     Now I realize that the meds not only help in the (acute) short-term, but also in the case of anti-inflammatories, in the (chronic) long-term, too. So now I take the medicine.
     Hope you feel better really soon!

360. Oh my! When I opened the page I thought that Lady GaGa was joining you for knit night. I think that she’d wear that big pompom, but only for special occasions.
     Sorry about your back. Pain medication isn’t a bad thing. When your body is able to relax then it can heal faster.

361. I really hope that you are on the mend, and that the problem doesn’t recur

362. Back spasms – I used to work with domestic violence victims and abused children and I would have them quite often as a result of my emotional stress. Heavy pills and rest – which included keeping everyone away from me. Good luck, they are terrible.

363. Three weeks ago the exact thing happened to me. Sore back for a couple of days and then without much warning WHAMMO I had a paralyzed back. I couldn’t move, i could barely shuffle my feet to walk… excruciating is the word I would use. It was three days before I could do things for myself (visiting the loo being the one I looked forward to the most).
     I am still seeing a Physical Therapist to get over it, but the most important things she said were: don’t sit for more than 20 minutes at a time, try to make sure you walk around a bit, and she gave me exercises for strengthening my core which have seriously helped… I hope yours repairs itself quickly!!

364. Very sympathetic. Very sorry for the suffering. At least you got to go to knit night! Megan will bring the knitting and you can do that in short spurts. As dumb as it sounds, moving a bit will help…only a bit and infrequently..but it will help. May be your body’s way of telling you to get some rest, but also some exercise. Hang in there…if you need anything, call me and I will “make it happen” for you. I think Ken has my number…

365. I have suffered with the charmingly named “Bad back” for over 20 years. Rushing to catch a train, I twisted getting out of the car cause my handbag got stuck on the gear stick. Result = dislocated spine!! So trust me when I say I feel your pain.
     Now this is gonna sound insane (cause I thought so when I was first told, so I can see you shaking your head and thinking must block this nutter) BUT remember the 20 years ok?
     Now I am not a doctor but your pain may be from the sciatic nerve being squeezed causing your back muscle to be in spasm. So the trick (and trust me I have had some advice over the years) that always works for me (even tho I forget most times until I then feel silly when I remember it) is to get on your hands and knees and crawl for some distance. The length of your hallway should do it. Do this a few times a day and you should feel better soon.
     I know, I know, it seems silly but why it works is that it opens up the cavity spaces of your spine and takes the pressure off the nerve which helps the muscle un-spasm.
     Keep taking the really good drugs, muscle relaxants and anti inflamatories work best for me, get some massage if you can stand it and then yeah sorry to have to say it but it’s time to get the good bra and do the exercises. Anything that relaxes and strengthens – yoga is great.
     Oh acupuncture is also excellent!! and no it does not hurt (well not very much unless you are pre menstrual and then sheesh sharp!!)
     Wishing you a speedy recovery.
     Lush
     Sydney Australia

366. I hope you’re feeling better, but I must say how nice it is to have someone who has has babies au naturel validate that severe back pain is one of the most evil pains on earth. I have a herniated disc (which squishes the sciatic nerve and sends horrible pain radiating down my leg) and at one point ended up in the hospital with it (where they kindly pumped me full of sweet, sweet morphine… oh morphine, how do I love thee… let me count the ways). I get along okay most days (with the help of pain killers and a lot of stretching and exercise) but there are still days where it flattens me and I’d gladly cut off everything below my breasts in order to stop the pain. However, I have several friends (who have never had back pain) who just like to pat me on the cheek and say – “oh it can’t be as bad as childbirth.” Not that I’m sure childbirth doesn’t sting like a b&*#@ – but those days I’d like to cut off my lower body and beat them with it! So thank you for validating my pain – and as I said – I REALLY hope you’re felling better because I can commiserate – and if you can score some morphine – never hesitate sister!

367. So sorry you have such extreme pain. I hope there is, or will be, a positive prognosis for this not hapning again. Sending lotso best energy.

368. So, no word from you and it’s going on four days. Hmmm. Now you have ME worried. Are you ok?
     Kathleen in Vermont, wondering what is going on. If you got taken care of. If you are on the street scoring meds ( just kidding, maybe) and if you are feeling even a titch better.? In my experience, this could be a minor thing that is a temporary crisis, muscular or ligamentous in nature, or it could be a more serious thing.. involving disc issues… it’s hard to know, but be careful until you know. Whoever said twisting and lifting is bad, and knows from where she speaks. Wouldn’t mind a one line post today, Steph. Kathleen

369. Owww, that s*cks (pardon my french, but it does)! Trust me, I know, I’ve been there. It never lasted more than a day or two, but in that condition 5 minutes feels like an eternity. With you on the labour too, that’s a piece of cake by comparison. I regret being a very large ocean away, it makes it a bit hard to stop by with homemade chicken soup. Sending a little prayer for your back to get well soon.

370. OWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!! Been there, done that, really hated it. Do you have a good chiropractor? Some adjustments and maybe a lovely massage usually do wonders. Sending relaxing, pain-free thoughts your way!

371. Sympathy! Hot baths, hot tea, bedrest, and Ibuprofen is pretty good too. I agree with Jeannine- that sucks! Hope you feel better soon.

372. Hope that you’re feeling better soon. And it’s hard to know what to do, I’m reading through all the advice, hope that whatever you pick works for you. For my two cents — a combination of a doctor who can prescribe meds and a physio who does acupuncture can be very effective — acupuncture works amazing for pain relief and the exercises will work in the long-term to prevent recurrence.
     Wish you well.

373. I am also currently mid-spasm, and I can say that the only good thing about it, apparently, is that it is more painful than childbirth…this being said by someone who is intending childbirth, and was intimidated by the pain part of it. Thanks for the perspective! And I hope you are feeling better! Walking is the only thing that makes me feel better. And Ibuprofen. Valium doesn’t touch it, oddly.

374. Jen’s pom-pom hat looks like a traditional Georgian hat. In fact, that’s what I thought it was at first.
     http://www.travelswithsheila.com/on_the_way_to_gudari_hats_and.html

375. Please get checked for kidney stones, it sounds like this could be more than just muscle spasm… a little heartfelt advice from someone who has had both…ciao

376. Welcome to the most horrible club ever. We’re so sorry to have you as a member. :/
     A few days after my 32nd birthday I coughed while bending over and was suddenly in the most agonizing pain I have ever experienced. I waited for four days to go to my osteopath, telling myself that it would go off soon, that I could deal with this, it was just pain, damnit… She took one look at me as I inched my way in the door and ordered me a taxi to take me to my GP. 2.5 years later, I’m still recovering.
     Don’t wait. Go to the doc now. Yes, you may “just” have a muscle spasm (in which case, take it as a warning sign! Get thee to a physio!), but you may have ruptured a disc, or something else equally awful. If you have any numbness, difficulty walking, paralysis, or bladder or bowel problems, call an ambulance. You need immediate medical attention.
     Get meds. You don’t deserve to be in this much pain! Also, pain and inflammation lead to more pain and more inflammation. Interrupt that cycle as quickly as you can. I’ve been on various combinations of anti-inflammatories (diclofenac/Voltaren, naproxen/Aleve), painkillers (Tylenol, codeine, tramadol, morphine), muscle-relaxants (Robaxx, Flexeril, diazepam, clonazepam), and various home remedies including alcohol in large doses. If this episode lasts for longer than a week, you’ll have to see which work the best for you.
     My bf (the spinal physio) says to use cold packs for the first 2 days, then heat, but I have a friend who prefers cold all the time. See what helps you.
     Lie on something flat and hard. I lived on the floor in my living room on a yoga mat with a duvet for padding for 3 months. Put your knees up, or lie on your side with a pillow between them, or find the least painful position you can. Move a little bit as regularly as you can, even if that’s just a couple of inches. Try some very gentle stretching. The last thing you want to do is stop moving. Even lying still for 2 days will lead to increased stiffness, the beginnings of muscle mass loss, etc.
     See a physio, an osteopath, a chiropractor (my bf the physio would kill me for writing that, but hey), a masseuse, an acupuncturist, someone who does trigger point massage or needling, whatever. One thing works for one back patient, another thing works for another. Figure out what helps you. Personally, osteopathic adjustments, supported stretching, massage and trigger point needling are what helped me the most.
     Make sure you stay hydrated. I know that the temptation is to drink as much caffeine as possible to deal with the sleepiness caused by the meds, but resist the urge if you can. It doesn’t help and may hurt.
     If they believe that you may have a disc injury, do everything you can to get an MRI. I didn’t get mine for 3 months, and when I finally did, they took one look and then told me that I would never improve without surgery. What a waste of 3 months!
     That said, be very careful if they offer you surgery. Do research. I ended up with an overgrowth of scar tissue, thus my very long recovering time (I’d still have that surgery though – it definitely reduced the pain).
     You will have to strengthen your back and core muscles when you’re on your feet again, and you really need to become much more conscious of how you move. Don’t bend your back, lift with your knees, try not to sit in one position for more than 1 hour at a time, take regular walks, stretch every day. Watch your posture, and correct any imbalances you can see. Take up yoga, or pilates, or swimming, or whatever it is that helps you. My mother, who had a similar problem to me, exercises 4 days a week (aqua-aerobics) (and she’s 67!). She says that if she misses more than 2 days, she can feel her back starting to get agitated.
     One of the most useful things I’ve learned (from Pain Clinic sessions): when it’s bad, or when you think it may be getting bad, only do half of what you think you can do. You’re obviously an active person with all kinds of things on the go (me too), and it’ll drive you crazy to slow down and do less and not stress yourself out, but backs are tender things, and they need a lot more rest than we’re willing to give them in order to recover from something like this!
     If this is a longer-term thing than just a few weeks, consider getting some counseling. Pain is depressing, severe pain is severely depressing. Being stuck in the house is depressing, not being able to do simple things is depressing, having to rely on other people is depressing… And when you’re feeling depressed, you don’t take as good care of yourself, and you feel the pain more acutely. Also, ask friends/family to visit you. It’s awful to be stuck at home alone and in pain for months on end, and it’s really bad for mental health.
     I hope some of that helps. I put down everything I’ve tried in the hopes that something will help you. In the end, only you will really be able to tell what’s helping you. Recovering from a back problem is more art than science, as far as I can tell. I hope this is a short period that passes quickly for you. Good luck!

377. I truly feel your pain, my son came in at a meager 10lbs 10oz HAHA. Without the assistance of that epidural I finally agreed to take, because it didn’t work. Oh and my son likes to change things up so just for giggles he also turned and was delivered “sunnyside up” as they say. Oyyyy! seriously who knew babies came that big! I suffered for the last 3 months of my pregnancy with back pain that had me in tears more than I care to remember. I swear that his head was jammed up against everyone nerve in my back. Good thing he was cute!
     Wishing you a speedy recovery! My husband swears by all the exercises that the Physiotherapist gave him. He does them daily and has kept his back trouble at bay ,and when he does experience pain it doesn’t seem to last as long. They have worked for him. Take care and good luck.

378. Go to physical therapist. Ask for BIG icepack to cover entire back, then electronic stimulation. Later, when feeling better, take back pain exercise class, do exercises every day. No more problems, no repeats. This works.
     Love and happy knitting!

379. Carisoprodol. That is my one recommendation. Get a nice big prescription and keep it on hand.
     And I am a vegetarian tree-hugger. I kid you not, the stuff is miraculous.
     But don’t take any alcohol with it.

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