Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 05:33 AM Nov 2021

I'm in a lot of pain and trying to figure out if I should go to the ER

Been having bad low back pain for a little over a week...

Tonight I have been popping Tylenol like chewing gum and it's not letting up.
Supposed to work tomorrow at 1 pm and just got a verbal warning today for attendance / going home early when we have been slow ( and yet the boss was offering short shifts)

I can actually feel a lump on the right side of my spine.. should probably get an x-ray or something

But as you know when living with chronic pain it's easy to try and convince yourself it's ,"not THAT bad" and devalue how high your pain tolerance is.

Every time I think it's gonna be ok..it spasms again.
Guh, everything f-in hurts 🤕

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm in a lot of pain and trying to figure out if I should go to the ER (Original Post) FirstLight Nov 2021 OP
Pain for a week riverbendviewgal Nov 2021 #1
It's definitely muscle or joint related FirstLight Nov 2021 #3
Trigger points Claire Oh Nette Nov 2021 #11
I cant really do the floor stretches.. FirstLight Nov 2021 #13
Yes. this is beyond the scope of aspirin Tetrachloride Nov 2021 #2
Right? FirstLight Nov 2021 #4
And it's almost 3am here ... FirstLight Nov 2021 #5
go WestIndianArchie Nov 2021 #6
Go to the ER PJMcK Nov 2021 #7
Greaaat...woman in front of me just said she got back from s Africa FirstLight Nov 2021 #8
Needle in the back and muscle relaxers FirstLight Nov 2021 #9
Hope you feel better soon. CommonHumanity Nov 2021 #10
I dont know wtf... FirstLight Nov 2021 #12
Get a checkup IbogaProject Jan 2022 #14

riverbendviewgal

(4,331 posts)
1. Pain for a week
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 05:41 AM
Nov 2021

Indicates you need to see what it is. Call your doctor or go to a walkin or ER.

If you have to wait and can still work with the pain, go to work. Make sure that your supervisor knows you are in pain.

You could have an UTI.

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
3. It's definitely muscle or joint related
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 05:46 AM
Nov 2021

I've got psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia

Boss knows I'm borderline disabled, but ya

I've even got a CBD patch on as well 🥺

Claire Oh Nette

(2,636 posts)
11. Trigger points
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 10:33 AM
Nov 2021

Get a golf ball, or a tennis ball, and lie down so the ball presses on the knot in your low back. You'll know you're on a trigger point if it hurts. Works like acupressure.

My dysfunctional SI joint has taught me how to work the knots out and do a little self-adjustment.

Feel better!

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
13. I cant really do the floor stretches..
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 01:25 AM
Nov 2021

but I try and do some stuff in the bath and shower

wish I had a personal masseuse lol

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
4. Right?
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 05:47 AM
Nov 2021

I just don't want them thinking I'm shopping for drugs either...but it's not ok and I can't even try to sleep

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
8. Greaaat...woman in front of me just said she got back from s Africa
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 06:10 AM
Nov 2021

...she said two days ago
Fuuuuuuuuuk

I'm here now
Will keep you posted

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
9. Needle in the back and muscle relaxers
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 07:24 AM
Nov 2021

He felt the knot... didn't think it was a disc

Got a note for work

Still hurts, we'll see how it goes

CommonHumanity

(291 posts)
10. Hope you feel better soon.
Fri Nov 26, 2021, 09:23 AM
Nov 2021

Awww......Poor honey, you have my sympathy. It is so hard to concentrate or be aware of anything else when in pain. Be gentle and kind to your ailing self. This too shall pass. Hang in there and know that I relate and you have my sympathy while you ride it out. Sometimes it's hard to be a living being, but we're here for our time and do our best. A hug to you (probably better virtual in this case since who needs someone embracing them with a hurt back).

FirstLight

(14,313 posts)
12. I dont know wtf...
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 01:00 AM
Nov 2021

the shot of bupivacaine "kinda" helped? But the pain seems deeper than topical, even tho he was in there with the needle...

spent the day mostly horizontal, sitting up and standing is not fun

sent a msg to my own dr via email but everything is closed till monday and I live in a freaking hick-town with limited services....especially when on "medi-CAL"

so it's up to me to self medicate...tylenol, beer, epsom salts, ice, hot shower, whatever else I can find to numb this shit

supposed to work tomorrow @ 10am, I'm fucking almost 52 and surrounded by people more "ABLE" than me and Im sick of feeling like I'm 90 and i dont need to be shamed for this either.

I hope I can get an xray by next week to make sure it's not a disk thing....ugh
chronic illness means just fake it till the next breakdown

feels like my body is trying to kill me sometimes

IbogaProject

(3,801 posts)
14. Get a checkup
Sat Jan 8, 2022, 08:00 PM
Jan 2022

Get a checkup, had a friend in his early 20s had some kind of growth and it caused nerve damage, and he suffered mild but permanent injury.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support»I'm in a lot of pain and ...