Do I or don't I?

Tux loves my heating pad

For the past 2 weeks I have been unable to walk without pain... and have been taking Rx muscle relaxers and Hydrocodone. Now I'm able to walk again with a soreness, but thank goodness not the spasms I had before.  So... what caused this?  Will it happen again? Am I doing something I shouldn't?

The steroid injection I was given as well as the medications helped, but it seemed to me the condition had to either heal on its own or run it's course. 

My Primary Care Physician sent me for an x-ray of my lower back as well as a MRI. We were thinking pinched nerve(s), bulging disc, etc. But apparently nothing unusual showed up. Now he's referring me to a Spinal Specialist. 

I'm walking OK, but that soreness in my lower back remains. And I have to admit that I fear whatever it was might come back again.  Do I sweep, mop, dust? How can I not? Christmas is around the corner and there's so much to do. Is it age? I find that hard to believe. Age may slow me down, but surely I can still perform these simple tasks?

Well, that's about it. I'm not sure where I'm going with this. Wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them I suppose.
And if so, any suggestions?

cats sharing my sick bed

As always, thanks for dropping by.  I don't really expect any miraculous answers, but thought it wouldn't hurt to put it out there.

Hugs,
Rian

Update on back condition...

Well, it's Wednesday now... 5 days running... still in pain, but lessened due to steroid injection and muscle relaxants. I haven't yet taken the pain pills and am still trying to get by on Tylenol. I can walk with my mom's old walker... still hurts, but at least I can walk.

What happened is that it got so bad on Monday afternoon that I could no longer walk at all. I tried... spasms shot up my back so bad that I broke out in a cold sweat and thought I would pass out. So I called my family physician. He said to come in to the office. Said that I couldn't do that as I couldn't walk. Told me to call 911. Said that I didn't want to do that for as bad as it was... I didn't think it was life threatening

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.

Tux and Julie in my pile of bedridden necessities

Tux waiting for me to come back to bed

Hugs,
Rian