Back pain

[WITHTEETH]

It feels like a have a pinched nerve that shoots down my right side below my behind. And also the chronic back pain that comes with it, I have a hard time sleeping just trying to find a comfertable positions, which is usually the Fetal position.

 

Well I've been having back pain again, but this time its worse then ever. I was picking up a bottle of shampoo from the grocery store and ZING! A shot of pain rain through my lower spine! The pain was so much to bear, and then I could barely walk upright. It lasted all night, it died bown a bit. Yes a bottle of shampoo kicked my ass :">

 

Yesterday I was still filling it but not as bad, I'm a painter during the summers so I'm constantly strectching it. I started to feel it again, and held out somehow till it was over. This morning I'm feeling it already, screw it im calling in one of my imaginary paid sick days .

 

Anybody have any suggestions? I'd go to the hospital, but I have no healthcare, I've tried to get it, but I don't qualify for special programs that are suppose to be affordable becaues supposedly I make to much, $22k a year <_< (part time for school ,except in summers). Parents are non-existant, I've tried.

 

THanks!

[LoneWolf16]

Warning, I have no clue what I'm talking about, just trying to help:

 

Try just going to a doctor, not necessarily a hospital, just call into a local one and ask for an appointment for a checkup or something. Complain about backpains, they'd run tests, then hopefully tell you what the problem is. Going from there would be up to you.

 

Whatever you do though, I'd make sure to do it quickly. In your line of work, a potentially severe back problem isn't going to get any better.

[WITHTEETH]

A local docter? I've never heard of such a thing except in hospitals. I thought doctors and and hospitals go together like Kool Aide and Water.

[astr0creep]

I would start with a chiropractor, the spine specialists.

 

You must pay of course but I think it would be less expensive than going to the hospital without medicare.

 

Here in Quebec, Canada, for 25-30$CAN(+2-3$ in US dollars) they can at least tell you what's wrong with your back.

[Moose]

Personally if I was in your position (and I recognise this easier said than done) I would give up the painting job and find any other means to earn my bread.

 

The old advice doctors would give to a patient with back pain was absolute rest. Apparently this advice did more harm than good as it lengthened the healing time. You're supposed to excercise gently in order for the back to restore itself.

 

I guess the ideal first step would be to see a chiropractor. Perhaps in the u.s you get a better service when you go to see a doctor seeing as you're paying up front, but in England they'll simply tell you what I have without doing a proper examination.

[LadyCrimson]

There are general practictioners and specialists who don't work out of hospitals (they're the ones some HMO insurance programs use) but they won't be cheap either. Some places will accept a payment plan of some kind if you tell them you have no insurance.

 

The cost of the office visit/consult usually isn't too horrible, it's the tests and things. But I wouldn't mess around with it....if it's interfering with work and ability to function, see someone. Such things could be anything simple from some years long casual habit that's finally throwing things out of whack (posture/sitting habits, bad mattress etc) or something more severe - I'd probably start with a chiropractor too.

 

If even that's not affordable, perhaps you could ask some doctors if there are any low-cost clinics around your area that could at least be a starting point.

[SteveThaiBinh]

Diagnose your own condition with NHS Direct. Who needs a medical degree? Actually, it's a pretty useful and reliable site, but no substitute for actually going to see a qualified doctor, which is of course what you need to do. Your back pain threatens your livelihood, so money spent diagnosing and treating it is a worthwhile investment.

[Moose]

^ Health encylopedias... if you're anything like me you'll read them, find something you don't have and develop the symptons for it anyway

[LadyCrimson]

^ Health encylopedias... if you're anything like me you'll read them, find something you don't have and develop the symptons for it anyway

Hahaha!! That's why I stopped reading general healthcare books...read enough of them and soon you'll think you have every disease & abnormality ever discovered.

[astr0creep]

A few months ago my father was very sick.

I did a search for his symptoms and I got very concerned as it was like cancer or something.

One day I drove him to the hospital and as the doctor was talking to him and not making much sense to us I panicked a bit and as my father was getting dressed after the examination I had a chat with the doctor and told him what my concern was about what I had read on the websites.

Apparently, although my information was vague, I pointed out something to him that gave him a reason to try something else and it saved my father's life. There was something wrong with his liver that was giving him symptoms of severe flu or something and it turns out it was a form of hepatitis.

 

Health websites also allowed me to go see the right doctors and they gave me enough info to answer the doctors' questions in a clear and informative matter. I went straight to an Endocrinologist when I discovered I was diabetic.

[Walsingham]

If only the same were true of cookery books!

 

No useful advice, except hope it gets better soon. Which isn't any use.

[Moose]

I went straight to an Endocrinologist when I discovered I was diabetic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Kinky!

[astr0creep]

Here we go again <_<

[LadyCrimson]

Not to say such readings aren't useful now and then...I looked up 'not breathing while sleeping' which is why hubby finally knows he has sleep apnea - but they can also turn people paranoid, or worse, into self-diagnosers that keeps them from actually going to a doctor.

 

But I'm glad it worked out like that for you...always feels great when something you learn actually helps someone.

[Atreides]

It could be there's pressure on your nerves in your spinal chord. Not sure what can be done. Get it checked out. Not really much point delaying a checkup to several years down the line - might as well start the relief/treatment now.

[kirottu]

I pretty sure this calls for anal probing...

[Walsingham]

That was your answer to the Iranian nuclear crisis, as well, if I recall correctly.

[WITHTEETH]

Diagnose your own condition with NHS Direct.  Who needs a medical degree?  Actually, it's a pretty useful and reliable site, but no substitute for actually going to see a qualified doctor, which is of course what you need to do.  Your back pain threatens your livelihood, so money spent diagnosing and treating it is a worthwhile investment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You may have pressure on the sciatic nerve.

sci

[WITHTEETH]

I pretty sure this calls for anal probing...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[tarna]

WITHTEETH - That really sucks about your back. I feel your pain .

Actually I do. I've been a pipefitter for nearly twenty years and rather than fully explain what that means, suffice to say that it is a very physical job. I've blown out my back several times in my earlier years and have had chronic lower back pain for abut 15 years. One of the best things you can since you work on a ladder and swing stuff too far from your body is some simple stretching exercises. Little stuff like touching your toes with your legs locked and standing upright with your arms extended out to your sides a twisting will help you out dramatically. Nothing obnoxious since that will only cause further damage ( and PAIN!!! ). The only real time I was without pain to my back was when I was taking martial arts lessons. I could put the flats of my hands on the ground with my knees locked. I've never been able to do that before or since. I'm too lazy to do the stretches now so my back hurts fairly constantly. You can get used to it or do the stretches a little each day. I'm now 44 and unless you get your muscles to work together instead of against each other, you're going to have years of pain to look forward to. Heating pad works but makes you look like an old man. Drinking helps but your painting will look like you used a toilet brush to smear crap on someone's house <_< .

Stretching's better.

[Atreides]

Drunk yoga ftw!

[Kor Qel Droma]

Atreides has a valid point. Yoga can cure a lot of the little aches and pains that go with daily labor. Although after reading WITHTEETHs posts maybe he should try it after going to a doctor.

 

Plus yoga classes are an excellent way to meet the honeys.

[LadyCrimson]

I have fairly bad back issues too, although mine's upper back, between the shoulders, so it's a bit different. I work a lot on my arms and upper torso for muscle support around the neck/upper spine. Tai chi type movements and such. Definitely help...every time I slack off for too long I end up spending a day or three in bed.

[tarna]

Yoga would indeed be a huge benefit. It's cheaper than a doctor but I would try it first. I'm not real big on going to a doctor obviously so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. I personally like to try everything I can before seeing a doctor.

Kinda like reading the directions before I start a project . Why the hell would I need instructions? I'm a guy. I can handle this .

 

Then again, he 'is' asking for medical advice on a gamers board .

[Musopticon?]

Then again, he 'is' asking for medical advice on a gamers board  .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, it's not like we are all human with similar experiences. Stupid Witteeth.