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Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 7:10:55 AM

lovingpet

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Before it even gets said, I have already been to the doctors (yes, plural) and it wasn't terribly helpful (not new to my world unfortunately). I went because of these back spasms that started with my stomach tightening up with cramps during the shorter of two delicate times in a woman's month. It stretched all the way around the front of my body, through my right hip, into my lower back, and down into my right leg. I literally felt it happen little by little. That was about two weeks ago now.

Since that time I have awakened extremely sore and stiff every single morning. It will loosen up some if I can get through the (literally) sickening pain to get up and move a bit. That being said, if I do too much (say 10 minutes on my feet or my ass at a time) the muscles just ball up and I get shooting pain down through the whole area. I have been running errands getting ready for a trip this weekend. There is a lot to do. I have already been knocked on my butt twice today and so have come home to rest and try again in the afternoon. When I say "knocked on my butt" I mean it. I crumbled to the floor with the intensity twice in the middle of a department store.

Never fear! I won't lay down and let it stiffen up on me more. I will try to do some things that don't require me to remain in one position for too long. Unfortunately, I do still have some things to get done that will not allow me that luxury and I am running out of time to do them in. Any suggestions? Any armchair diagnoses beyond the very uninspired "pulled muscle" I was diagnosed with by the docs? I have to be able to be on my feet! Thanks!

lovingpet

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 7:29:49 AM

came4U

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I feel for ya lovingpet, I had a similar situation with my back years back. I too had no cysts or lumps or medical reasoning for it which frustrated me even more. I had that experience of crumpling over. I couldn't get out of bed without rolling, it was like I was hit by a Mac truck but I had no recent trauma to link to an injury. I worked at a school where 8-10yr olds would jump all over me or push me around playing basketball..I feared going to work. I thought omg, if anyone touched me, I'd snap in half. I went to work, walking like I was 108 with a cane lol. At that time I was under immense stress, I handled it, but psychologically my back literally broke -- not my mind. My mind's way of telling me to slow down. Is it perhaps stress?

quote:

I have been running errands getting ready for a trip this weekend. There is a lot to do.

Is someone there with you to check you while you are sleeping to see if your muscles are fully relaxed? If so, and then you wake up in knots, then you can distinguish if it is actually in your mind or not. Are you tightinging up also in your sleep? If you are rolling about and sleeping like a baby and no pain is waking you, it is definately psychological. Do you feel fully rested? Are you grinding your teeth during sleep?

It also sounds like you have symptoms of sciatica. THAT hurts like hell as in the leg pain you describe.

Have you tried the old tennis ball relief? http://www.healthynewage.com/sciatica-pain-relief.htm

If your symptoms do not improve, I'd suggest an acupuncturiest or have someone help you with a few chores to relieve you of a lil stress (for now).

< Message edited by came4U -- 3/17/2010 7:35:49 AM >

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 9:42:46 AM

HisSub1213

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I'd suggest an acupuncturiest, massage therapy or even a chiropractor. My chiropractor fixed a neck problem that I figured I'd just have to live with.

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 9:56:38 AM

BoiJen

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Ask for a PT script. Seriously...that or yoga...sounds to me like a pinches something or other that was irritated by your cramps.

Also, check into seeing a chiropractor. If your pelvis is out of alignment, it'll only make the problem worse. And please, if you cross your legs, even at the ankle, stop now.

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 10:01:57 AM

came4U

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I agree with Boi Jen, about the cramps. I often (7/12 months of the year) get cramps so bad, it was worse than back labour..wayy worse.

Dysmenorrhea http://adam.about.com/reports/000100_6.htm

or http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=225&channel_id=16&relation_id=55900

The doc told me, not much I can do about it, since the pharma remedies are not covered and are very expensive (per tab)., so I didn't bother to look into it further.

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 2:53:53 PM

Lockit

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Loving, do you feel any bumps/lumps? There is a sister illness/disorder to fibro or cfs that can cause lumps where I believe the muscles are bunching up. I was told to leave them alone, but that doesn't help! I do a very painful massage/pushing and they will go away.

I use menthol rub or something to warm it and massage and sometimes you do need to rest as you have not just a pulled something, but maybe a ripped something.

When I get a lot of the spasms, I check my calcium intake and if it is low. I hope you feel better and can have a great trip!

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 3:32:41 PM

lovingpet

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Thanks for the insights everyone!

I can tell right now that it is partially stress. I have an overwhelming schedule and no help even though there is someone that most certainly SHOULD be helping me. It is just more stress to try to get that person to assist, so I suffer on. Further, this trip is for a in law family affair and the primary in law and I do not remotely get along and just the thought of it upsets me terribly. I don't really want to go, but as is the case with family stuff, you do what you have to in order to keep the peace.

I am hoping to have enough time for a good massage tomorrow with some deep tissue work, but I don't know if I can manage it. I have been using my trusty tennis ball to keep me from losing it completely and have a light yoga program I use at times like this. I can barely do it, but it beats sitting or laying and letting myself get almost completely immobile. I might ask a relative to help me with some things tomorrow. As per the usual I am getting slammed with way too many things right before a big trip. Anything and everything is hitting the same weekend making it even more hectic than it had to be already.

Thanks everyone again and of course, any further suggestions or insights are greatly appreciated!

lovingpet

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 3:57:03 PM

opposingtwilight

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BoiJen is right about the pelvis thing. I was hit by a car several years ago and if I'm not aware of how I hold myself, my pelvis gets out of alignment and I have all kinds of back problems as a result.
Crossing your legs just makes it worse.

The only thing that really helped me once it got going was to do the stretches for sciatica sufferers and then once the pain finally went away, I worked on strengthening my back and stomach (core) muscles with the Fluidity fitness bar. It wasn't cheap but it really REALLY helped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eR2fZE67ps
stretches that might help you out

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 5:49:56 PM

peppermint

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I have a muscle that goes into spasms regularly. It doubles me over wherever I am. Only thing that stops the spasm and keeps it stopped is some cream I buy in Mexico. Everything I tried from the states didn't do a damned thing for it. What's great is that the tube costs $1.87.

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/17/2010 7:06:07 PM

DesFIP

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Sounds like sciatica. Have you seen a chiropractor?
Buy a theraband, used for yoga and pilates, and stretch out the hamstrings. You put the theraband across the ball of the foot and use the ends to pull the leg up as high as it can comfortably go, then point the toes away from you and towards you, also use the band to pull the leg as far to each side as it will comfortably go. Don't over do it, gentle stretching is the key here.

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/21/2010 8:32:53 AM

DomBlade64

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quote:

ORIGINAL: lovingpet

Before it even gets said, I have already been to the doctors (yes, plural) and it wasn't terribly helpful (not new to my world unfortunately). I went because of these back spasms that started with my stomach tightening up with cramps during the shorter of two delicate times in a woman's month. It stretched all the way around the front of my body, through my right hip, into my lower back, and down into my right leg. I literally felt it happen little by little. That was about two weeks ago now.

Since that time I have awakened extremely sore and stiff every single morning. It will loosen up some if I can get through the (literally) sickening pain to get up and move a bit. That being said, if I do too much (say 10 minutes on my feet or my ass at a time) the muscles just ball up and I get shooting pain down through the whole area. I have been running errands getting ready for a trip this weekend. There is a lot to do. I have already been knocked on my butt twice today and so have come home to rest and try again in the afternoon. When I say "knocked on my butt" I mean it. I crumbled to the floor with the intensity twice in the middle of a department store.

Never fear! I won't lay down and let it stiffen up on me more. I will try to do some things that don't require me to remain in one position for too long. Unfortunately, I do still have some things to get done that will not allow me that luxury and I am running out of time to do them in. Any suggestions? Any armchair diagnoses beyond the very uninspired "pulled muscle" I was diagnosed with by the docs? I have to be able to be on my feet! Thanks!

lovingpet

It could be the area you sleep on...Try getting a softer bed.

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/21/2010 3:15:46 PM

lovingpet

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Thanks for everyone's input!

I hope to get with a chiropractor soon and get in some massage therapy if I can get a script for it. I will have a softer bed when I move, but for now I will have to deal with what I've got.

I am still having trouble, but I can say some of the suggestions here have helped at least keep me reasonably functional, so I am very grateful.

lovingpet

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RE: Back Spasms - 3/21/2010 9:25:12 PM

takemeforyourown

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When all other complementary therapies fail, I would try Rolfing or Reiki. I know your pain. I was in a back-destroying crash at 18, have been lifting heavy patients as a nurse for over ten years and have had two c-sections because of a malformed pelvis. I think any alternative to drugs is a better treatment than the pills they try to feed you. Oh, and you could also try a nerve-stimulating TENS unit. That works for some.

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