Old Age The Hits Keep on Coming

[pharmer]

After 50 straight years of good health (up till Covid last Summer I haven't been admitted to a hospital since 1972) I got more bad news today. While recuperating from the Covid I decided to do "vehicle maintenance" as in rotate tires on my truck. First pull on the lug wrench and "Pow!!" in my lower back, laid on the floor for awhile. Wife got home from work, saw me and found an "Orthopaedic Emergency Doc-in-a-Box" and away we went. They said "Xray shows nothing to be concerned about." Pain lessened from 10 out of 10 to maybe 6 out of 10. Wife made appt for today and yep "Burst fracture of the Lumbar spine. It's healed, sort of. All those steroids to treat the Covid probably weakened the bone." All kinda tests ordered, bla bla bla. I am used to taking care of business, whatever it takes. Lately I walk around with a blank look on my face, like I've got all my **** in one sack. The pain is "exquisite" sometimes causing "sparkle vision. Pain meds are out also. Unlike a vehicle there ain't no swapping out parts. I'd trade "young and stupid" for "old and experienced" any time. Experienced means damaged most of the time. If'n I was a horse, I'd already be in a can of "kibbles and bits." Joe

 

[Sikiguya]

Lower back pains are forever….it will subside eventually. But you will always feel it from time to time. Ibuprofen helps but only a little. Heating pad and those stick on heating pad does help manage it day to day.


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[SMSgt]

Been fighting a bad back since 1973 when a quick movement put me on the ground in pain. Grown worse over the years until I finally gave up working in 2012. Docs no help, drugs and pain procedures no help. Bourbon does help. L-4, L-5, S-1 shot to hell.

Hope yours works out better than mine did.

 

[arjay]

Lower back is the worst! I got good news today (thank god) they were testing for peripheral artery disease,but my numb feet and calves are probably nerve damage from my sciatica-whew! I think…

 

[islamoradamark]

When my lower back is hurting real bad a ice pack on it really helps while i'm in my recliner

 

[walkin jack]

Pharmer, prayers up for a speedy and complete recovery. I can relate to your comment about taking care of business no matter what it takes. I've been doing that for about a year and a half now.

Actually I'm in a lot better shape that I have been for years. But I'm a LOT more active now and some of the things I do cause pains in places. So far I've been able to recover every time. I'm very aware and trying to be careful, still, I gotta do what I gotta do. I guess it's comin' but I am determined to go until I can't

Let us know how it goes.

 

[pawncop]

Prayer for your healing and recovery. Tramadol is a fair pain reliever you might consider.

 

[pharmer]

I wish I could have a Bourbon without it ending me. And the pain pills cause way more problems than relief. I'm mostly mad at me because I caused this. I got so bored after 2+ months on the couch after the hospital, I just wanted to be "busy." Life always extracts a "penalty" when you don't pay attention to the signs. Joe

 

[walkin jack]

I wish I could have a Bourbon without it ending me. And the pain pills cause way more problems than relief. I'm mostly mad at me because I caused this. I got so bored after 2+ months on the couch after the hospital, I just wanted to be "busy." Life always extracts a "penalty" when you don't pay attention to the signs. Joe

Lemme beat Wayne to the punch here, "Keep on chooglin!" I hope you feel better.

 

[robrossk]

Lower back problems are the absolute worst. Many times I have had to drop to my knees and then flat on my face and then crawl to a place to try and get up or back in bed. Had a chiropractor show my a couple exercises and I have been good to go for several years now. Hoping for your quick recovery.

 

[pharmer]

I hope you feel better.

Truth is, if I sit and do nothing, there's hardly any pain at all. I'm still "green" in this "doing nothing" business. Joe

 

[Kenna]

See if physical therapy will help, that's where I'm at now for lower back issue. Therapist has me doing all sorts of stretching and strength work outs. 2nd session last night a little sore today. Back to the terrorist tomorrow then my green beer or scotch!

 

[Onomea]

Sorry to hear of it, Pharmer. Best wishes for a rapid recovery from the pain.

 

[LVSteve]

I wish I could have a Bourbon without it ending me. And the pain pills cause way more problems than relief. I'm mostly mad at me because I caused this. I got so bored after 2+ months on the couch after the hospital, I just wanted to be "busy." Life always extracts a "penalty" when you don't pay attention to the signs. Joe

Hope you get better soon.

There is a lesson for all of us here. Boredom, liking to be busy, and forgetting you're not 30 anymore can lead to injuries doing the most mundane tasks.

This isn't likely to affect me. Work fascinates me so much, I can just sit and look at it for hours.

 

[Chubbo]

Back pain

pharmer; You've got a bitter pill to swallow, a long row, to hoe, and you're just getting started. The worse thing about your condition; Seemingly there's no solution.

Back pain is a rip -snorter, but consider yourself fortunate if yours hasn't been supplemented with the many maladies that ad to the discomfort of it. i.e., arthritis, torn muscles, and ligaments, pinched nerves, Phlebitis, ulcers, nausea, vertigo, etc.

Hang in there, I fear you will, spend, many nights, and days, just as I do, in a reclining chair, seeking comfort, using a heating pad, and a bit of good bourbon, or other good liquor.

Chubbo

 

[ZGrand]

Back pain is a bi*ch. Hope yours subsides quickly.

 

[twodog max]

Never had back pain in my life until last May. Wham out of no where and for no discernible reason excruciating sciatic pain for 6 weeks until I had a lumbar injection that helped the awful pain but going on 10 months with leg numbness and burning in my right foot now starting in the left foot. Doing PT and it helps a little but not much. I am seeing a neurosurgeon April 12th. The pain Clinic doctor who has seen the MRI thinks it may be arthritis impacting the nerves. How fun! I guess April 12 I will find out more.
I feel your pain literally.

 

[Abbynormal]

Lose as much weight as you can. Get a Tenze unit, hot pad and ice packs and muscle relaxers

 

[CouchPotato]

Go to the mattress store and get a medium-firm mattress, or whatever you like, but get a head and foot adjustable base under it.

Sleep on your back with the head and foot inclined 2-3inches each.

This will take the pressure off the lower back

Anyone who has lower back problems needs to do this.

Stop sleeping on your side or on your stomach, and stop sleeping flat. All of it, any position on a flat mattress, is horrible for your back. There's no such thing as a mattress that's good for your back.

Get an adjustable base ASAP.

 

[pasound]

I need to get a new mattress.