OW. OW OW OW OW OW.

[primroseburrows]

Okay, so I'm in pain here--we're talking a ten out of ten, at least. I'm pretty sure it's sciatica, because it starts at my lower left back and radiates all the way down to my calf (and occasionally even my foot). I recently (as in, a few weeks ago) had X-rays so I know there's nothing bone/structural going on. I've been doing the bedrest thing today, but it's not any better. It hurts most when I'm sitting down, which, y'know, isn't very good for doing internet/computer stuff.

I'm supposed to work a double shift tomorrow, and then evenings on Saturday and Sunday. After that I have a lot of days off, but I was going to pick up shifts on some of those days.

I'll probably hit the walk-in clinic before work, but I have to do that closer to work because my insurance doesn't cover, well, anything near my house. So I have to wait until tomorrow, because there's no way I'll be able to drive a standard-shift car round trip twice (I'm worried how doing it even once is going to work out pain-wise).

Is there anything I can do to make it better, even a little? Lying down helps, but I can't exactly lie down while driving/working. I mean, this really hurts, you guys. Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen/paracetamol with codeine) and 600-mg Motrin combined aren't touching it. Help?

Also, what's with the dragon site? Woe.

Comments

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

I am not a doctor. I am a back pain sufferer. So consider this not medical advice but what works for me.

Yeah, don't lie down. Seriously. I have had several extremely bad back episodes, and the doctor really discouraged me from staying in bed.

Walking is good for you. Don't sit if you can help it; if you need to, kneel or sit on the edge of the chair with your butt, and your knees hanging down. This helps create the proper curvature in your back to relieve pressure on the SI joint (what I'm guessing is your problem) and the sciatic nerve.

There are a set of exercises called the McKenzie system that helped me a LOT, and I still do them daily. Lie on your stomach and relax your lower back muscles, thinking about making a curve (butt out, shoulders up, stomach to floor). Lie that way for a couple of minutes, then come up to rest on your elbows. (If it hurts, don't do it.) Again, think about bringing your lower back to the floor in a curve. If you can do that for a few minutes, try pushing up gently, keeping your thighs on the floor (the "sun salutation" yoga position). Really slowly, really gently, and don't do it if it hurts. Hold the position for a few seconds, trying to relax your back, and then drop slowly back to the floor. Do this ten times.

When I had this terrible pain the doctor prescribed me Prednisone in a decreasing dose pack: 6 pills day 1, 5 day 2, 4 day 3 etc. As far as pain relief, Aleve/Naprosyn is the best for back pain, and my doctor told me I can take twice the OTC dose (2 pills twice daily) safely. I need to eat when I take it, but otherwise, it works really well for me.

Good luck. Back pain sucks. Remember I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice, yadda yadda.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I'll try those exercises! Just the few simple ones I've done have helped a lot (I can sit down without screaming pain--it's still uncomfortable, but doable). I'm also planning on taking up yoga ASAP.

I usse Naprosyn for arthritis pain, but right now what I've got is Extra-strength Motrin (300 mg. per tablet--not available in the US, I got it last time I was in Canada). I know I have some Naprosyn somewhere, I just have to find it (or buy some more).

I'm actually somewhat better now, about a 6 out of ten. Hopefully the numbers will keep going down, not up.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

I have been recommended Pilates, which I keep meaning to sign up for. And two Naprosyn every 12 hours fixes me up real well.