Then he recommended I call Texas Health Dispatch. I didn't know what this was, but apparently it is a kind of mobile urgent care that will come to your house, takes Medicare, and will evaluate your condition, treat it, or send you to the emergency room.
So I did this. They were great. Two ladies came out, examined my back, took my oxygen level and blood pressure, asked me a zillion questions, and then diagnosed Radiculopathy, Lumbar region - and after checking on my drug allergies gave me a steroid injection and told me to take the muscle relaxants the doctor prescribed.
The steroid helped as by Tuesday morning I could walk some again. But I think it's wearing off . I'm trying to walk around more today as my back stiffens up so bad in bed or sitting, but it's not fun. May try a half of the pain pill if no improvement by this afternoon.
I'm trying my best to accept this with a good attitude. After all, we have to expect life to throw us a few curve balls, right? I'll try the mantra "Breathe in, Breathe out, move on".... but its the moving on (physically) that's difficult at the moment.
Thanks for listening to me whine... so sorry for that. But it helps to vent.
I truly appreciate your taking the time to drop by my blog. It's not exactly a fun one, not even educational or full of pretty photos... but maybe I'll post a few of the cats to spiff it up. All 3 have been laying with me on the bed for days. Tux is so worried. Even when the Health Dispatch showed up, he wouldn't leave my side.
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| Tux and Julie in my pile of bedridden necessities |
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| Tux waiting for me to come back to bed |
Hugs,
Rian
Ugh, it sounds miserable, I'm sorry you're going through this. :-(
ReplyDeleteI had to Google "radiculopathy" to know you meant a pinched nerve. Very painful indeed. I hope you have improvement every day, at least a bit. Lots of hugs and healing universal Light to you.
My heavens, Rian. You have been suffering tremendously and not getting enough better to make me feel like I should relax my worry. Me, along with Tux, suffering vicariously along with you. Please post again soon so I can know if you're on the mend. It sounds serious. :-(
ReplyDeleteVent all you want, as you say it helps :) I do hope you are on the mend now. Try the pain medication, it may be just the thing that will get you over the worst of it. Take care,
ReplyDeleteDiana
I recommend some xrays, mri or cat scan, as every doctor I consulted when I had hurt my back numerous times said I just hurt my back that is was just a muscle strain, till I had a cat scan come to find out L4 and L5 discs in my back were protruding and compressed and the reason I was in extreme pain, till you have a look inside you never know what is causing the problems, hope you get some relief soon.
ReplyDeleteYour cats are such loyal nurse maids to stay by your side. I hope your back pain heals, that is a great service they have in Texas, to come to your house.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you, but still think you ought to go to the doctor, in the hopes of getting more effective and longer-term treatment. Anyway, good luck with it and hope you continue to improve!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your back pain. But, thankful you got some help and have loving kitty cats to see about you.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like terrible pain. Positive thoughts and prayers coming your way.
ReplyDeleteI hope you make your way to the doctor while you are walking for a definitive work up. Listen to Linda.
ReplyDeleteIt does help to vent. I'm glad you were able to get some assistance from the Dispatch. What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteHope the improvement continues and you'll soon be restored to full health.
I am so sorry for what you are going through. That Health Dispatch sounds like a great service, wish we had it. I'm like Tom though and think you need to get to see the doctor before the shot completely wears off. Surely there is more they can do to get you mobile again. Keep us informed. Sending hugs and prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou're not whining, you're just keeping us informed and it does help to get things off your chest (or in this case off your back). Sorry to hear that you are still in pain. That mobile dispatch sounds like just the thing when you really can't make it out of the house. Hope that the steroid injection hangs in there a bit longer until you get things loosened up.
ReplyDeleteTell those nurse kitties of yours that they needs to get right up next to your back and produce some good warmth to relax those muscles! They need to earn their keep!
Oh, I was hoping your 'back update' was full of much better news. The pain you describe sounds simply awful, and not being able to walk. I'm so sorry. Wonder why some steroid injections wear off so quickly. Hope it helps you a while longer. Hope that pain goes away soon. Vent all you want to.
ReplyDelete