Back pain!!! Going to make a doc appt tomorrow, but what can I do today?!
Question: I have no idea what I did to it. I've NEVER have lower back pain. Yesterday morning, I woke with severe back pain. I've been taking about 1000 mg ibuprofen every 4 hours, but I still can't sleep AT ALL. It's that bad. I tried taking a hot bath, but getting in and out of the tub (it's a big garden tub) was more of a strain on my back then the good the hot water did. I tried the Icy-Hot stuff. Didn't do anything but make me smell like cough drops. It hurts to stand, sit, lay down. Nothing seems to make it any better. I have to go to work tomorrow, but I will make an appointment with my regular doctor for after work. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight. I have a high pain tolerance (have had bone cancer surgery, childbirth, a broken wrist, and gallstones), but this back pain is disrupting my life!!! HELP!!!
Answers: I have no idea what I did to it. I've NEVER have lower back pain. Yesterday morning, I woke with severe back pain. I've been taking about 1000 mg ibuprofen every 4 hours, but I still can't sleep AT ALL. It's that bad. I tried taking a hot bath, but getting in and out of the tub (it's a big garden tub) was more of a strain on my back then the good the hot water did. I tried the Icy-Hot stuff. Didn't do anything but make me smell like cough drops. It hurts to stand, sit, lay down. Nothing seems to make it any better. I have to go to work tomorrow, but I will make an appointment with my regular doctor for after work. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight. I have a high pain tolerance (have had bone cancer surgery, childbirth, a broken wrist, and gallstones), but this back pain is disrupting my life!!! HELP!!!
You didn't give much information about the pain you are feeling; however, ice will help. Ice will always help with acute pain over heat. When using the ice, use it 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Don't just put it on and leave it there.
Try laying on your back, with multiple pillows under the knees. This will take the stress of the lower spinal joints. If that doesn't work, find the more comfortable side you can lay and put a pillow or two between the knees.
Try to slow down with the ibuprofen. Tylenol will most likely not help, although a lot of my patients do well with aleve. Back and neck pain are two of the most debilitating ills known to man. Go to your general doc tomorrow, take the day. Don't let it get worse. With your history of bone cancer, you will have to rule out some more serious issues. If it's not something other than 'normal back pain' (for which he will give you drugs) head over to the chiropractor. The chiropractor will help you FIX the problem, rather than medicating the problem so you forget it's there. Good luck, I've broken my spine twice and it's never fun. Take care.
Try alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen every 4 hours. Ibuprofen 800 is the highest recommended dose. If you take more, you are very likely to have severe heartburn or other gastric problems. Use a heating pad if you have one. Sounds like a pulled muscle.
If you're in a lot of pain then for now I would go to the emergency room if I were you.No sense in staying in pain if you dont have to.