Terible , lower back pain. Not sure what to do...

[martin086]

Hello. The other day I had somehow twisted the wrong way, this being 3 days ago, and my lower back is in such horrible pain. I can not stand to sit for more than a few seconds before it begins to hurt, or even lay down for that , matter, unless on my side. For some reason that helps alleviate a little bit of the pain. I went to the ER to be safe and the doctor asked me some simple questions, such as if I felt tingleing , or anything at all down my legs , etc. I did not, it is just the lower back I told him. He then told me it was "just lower back pain". This surprised me, does it always hurt this badly? And for 3 days? I was wondering WHY they would not have at least done an MRI or something... am I wrong to wonder this? I am about to leave one job to start another. Mostly because it is so very, very expensive to get any decent help in case of being sick, or just hurt. Anyway, this happened at work so I was covered by "workmans compensation". Well, now after going to the hospital and being sent home with NOTHING but best wishes and some muscle relaxer (Flexeral?), I am in such agony. Perhaps I am exaggerating this a little?Possibly. Then again, I have never had such pain in my lower back.  

Ugh, sorry for all that. I suppose I did have a point.. at some point. I guess what I am asking is ... what should I do? I do realize that theres no set time for pain, especially in such an area as the lower back. I am just so worried that I am seriously hurt here, and now that I have gave my 1-week notice to leave one job for another, I will not have proper insurance for a bit. When I say a bit, even just a few days seems like pure hell. I know I could probably ask for help, and get some sort of ... free care. However, and this comes from experience, the care you get is ALWAYS in-and-out, unless you have insurance.

[Shancard]

Hey Martin I hope this note finds you in less pain and good spirits. I just got back from visiting my mother and we talked a lot of my pain issues and what the future may hold for me as far as pain management and so on. On my drive home I thought of you.

How are you doing? How is the new job going? Have you had any luck with pain management? Living day to day in pain is the pits, I can't type what I really want to say. I unfortunately can't waive my magic wand and make us all better but I can at least say that In am here and I understand your pain and frustration. Just know that you are not alone and if you just need to vent or even to share good news, I'm here.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shannon

[martin086]

Hello, Sun.


It is just my lower back, I can pinpoint exactly where it is. I have been doing a bit of reading, and think that perhaps it is herniated disc? It hurts to cough/sneeze. When I bend at the hips, it hurts. Though today I managed to lift 2 air conditioners without a problem, probably just because I lifted properly, no bending. I get a LOT of pain if I have to drive, as in getting in/out of my jeep. If I lay down on my side in bed, it is not so bad. Or even if I lay on my tummy. It does however begin to hurt if I lay down or too long. Like now, I am at my pc and it is now just starting to hurt after 10 minutes. So I will try laying down on the hard floor, maybe get some relief that way. Oh, and it hurts to get dressed as well. Taking off my shirt I need a little help. It has been about 6 days since this happened. Not sure if I mentioned it, but... I was given a "lidoderm" patch and placed in on my lower back, no help. Been using the muscle relaxers, same... no help. A doctor gave me instructions for work, said I could take 1 day off and go back to work, and only do "light work" for the 2 days following. But Ive been in pain and have not returned to work since going to see the doctor. So I am thinking that I am screwed as far as having workmans comp pay for another visit. Doctor told me to give it a few days and it could heal up on its own. I am thinking the doctor did not take it as serious as should have, and because of this I will be stuck paying until I get proper insurance.

[designgyrl]

I'm so sorry your having to go through all of this.  It's agony to have pain and not know exactly where it's coming from.  My question to you, are you having any pain in your stomach, or is it just lower back? Any kidney pain, etc??  The reason why I'm asking is because I was just admitted last week for back pain, stomach pain and kidney pain and they found out it was kidney stones, and a hernia.  I was thinking that it could possibly be something else, especially if they didn't run any type of tests.  

As for the hospital, I agree about as long as you pay something.  I'm in KS and owe the local hospital about 2,000 but pay 20.00 a month out of my checking account every month and they never give me a hard time about the bill.  Just try and explain about your finances and they usually are ok...

Good luck and keep us posted!

Sunshine

[martin086]

Oh, and I am in Massachusetts.

[martin086]

Hello, Shan. Good afternoon to you. I've been looking online for some ideas on how bad lower back pain can be. And let me just say I feel foolish after reading all kinds of stories of people, such as yourself, who live with pain for years. But I suppose that is not actually fair, because we all have our own experiences and should not really be put up for comparison. I do wish all felt this way. Anyway, what I am trying to figure out is how long this could go on for. I mean, even the simple act of pulling a shirt off, or even coughing, gives such great pain. Yes I know that it is a case-by-case basis, and can only really be judged by a qualified person, ie doctor. I guess I am just hoping that I do not have to go to a doctor, and the body will just heal, or whatever. RIght now I have on a Lidoderm patch that someone gave to me, who got it from a doctor as a sample. So far, after 2 hours, nothing. I will , if it does not feel well by tomorrow, force myself in to see a doctor. Hopefully I can get some help with billing, that is my major concern right now. A few people tell me to just go and dont worry about billing for now because it could be worse than I think. But as I said before, the whole billing thing scares me. I do not wish to get another 1k + bill in the mail. I am also concerned iwth going to a doctor and having the doctor think I just want pain medication to get *high*, which is rubbish. I just want to be able to do simple things, and not feel like my body is 90 years old. =P

Haha, OK... I am off now. I hate complaining, really. Thanks once again for *listening*. And I do hope your pain is managed.

[Shancard]

As long as you are paying something, weather it is $5.00 per month is more then what others are paying. Don't get yourself down because of the inability to pay for care. There are urgent clinics that go base your payments on scales.

You are in pain and it is effecting your quality of life and interfering with your ability to think and preform your job to the best of your ability and that too can be quite depressing and lead to feelings of less self worth. When your physical being is pain free your mental well being will follow. May I continue too offer words of support for you to get the best quality care that is available to you.  

I live in Wyoming but my Doctor is in Loveland Colorado. If I can be of further help to you, even just to talk, email me.

Best of Luck to you

I am not sure of where you are

[martin086]

=) Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, for the time being, I do not have insurance, due to the fact I am about to start a new job. So I guess my only hope is to , well, hope for the best. I thought that maybe , because all the ER did was , basically, ask me a few questions and let me go, they'd .. and I hate to say it, take pity and allow me to come in once again. Im not even thinking straight right now. It stinks to work so hard and not be able to afford proper care. And yes I know there are ways to get free care, or even help, but my pride causes me to be rather weak in this case. I don't know, suppose I will sleep on it (or rather try to), and come to my senses tomorrow.

Oh, what also makes me feel bad about going to a hospital is because I owe my local hospital over 2 k, for 2 trips I made in the last 3 years. I have paid up little by little , but still owe. Eh, a little too much info, my apologies. But thanks again, I do appreciate the kind words.

[Shancard]

I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. It's not abnormal to get up the wrong way and strain or pull muscles that we use everyday. You were correct by going to the Hospital to seek treatment after 3 days of pain. Unfortunately, when you go to the hospital the Er Doctors main jobs are to Stabilize and treat and release. In your case, my personal opinion with my own experiences, I feel the Doctor should have done an MRI or a CT Scan or even a few x-rays at the minimum. If at that time the Doctor could not determine the cause of your pain he/she should have referred you to see an Orthopedic Specialist who specializes in orthopedic care for spine issues. I would suggest that you make an appointment with your family doctor and ask him/her to refer you to see and Orthopedic Surgeon/Specialist. I would also say that a couple of weeks of Physical Therapy with ultrasonic heat therapy may help as well. I know that every Insurance Companies act and refer differently but your quality of life is what is most important.

I hope that I was of some help to you. Good Luck