OT- just me complaining about my back again
I went grocery shopping today. Lately my partner has been doing most of the shopping because it bothers my back but he was sick on his day off this week so I said I would do it. But I am thinking I will not be doing it again until something is done to improve my back problems.
By the time I had everything on my list in my cart, my back hurt so much I felt sick. Like, breaking out in a cold sweat, feeling like throwing up, kind of sick. Just walking around the store is painful but bending over to pick up items on low shelves is really difficult.
By the time I had my stuff rung up and bagged, I was having painful muscle spasms in my back and my legs were shaking. I couldn't wait to get to the car to sit down.
Now I am home and have taken pain meds and at least the spasms have stopped. I only brought in the stuff that has to go in the fridge. My partner will have to carry in the rest of the groceries when he gets home. I haven't even put the stuff away in the fridge yet, though. I had to sit down for a while first.
I really hate that it is getting harder and harder to do things. I don't like feeling dependent on other people. It leaves me feeling guilty for not doing things myself and for having to bother other people about doing things for me.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
on 5/16/12 3:22 am
I had a point in my life where I could not walk, drive, or anything without severe pain in my back. I also hated having to be dependent on people, but I had no choice. The nice thing about most people, especially loved ones, is that if they know you really need them they don't mind reaching out a helping hand. So let them. I'm sure you will reciprocate in some way when, in the future, they need your help with something.
I really hope you get some relief soon.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
on 5/16/12 3:40 am
You help so many people on this forum and you seem to me to be a very good person, not that I know you personally. I hope you think good things about yourself on a daily basis. :)
I tried a back brace the last time I saw my orthopedic doc. He said it should provide immediate relief because it would support weak back muscles. Well, it did not provide immediate relief. I walked around the office, sat down, stood up, etc and my back felt the same as it always does. He suggested I go ahead and get the back brace and said maybe in time it would start to help. I decided not to, though, because he's already said it should help immediately and it didn't. My insurance would cover a portion of it but I would still have to pay $80 for it. I would spend $80 if I thought it was going to help, but at that point I didn't think it was likely to help.
I have an appointment with a new specialist Monday and I will ask about a brace and see what that doc thinks.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
As far as the guilt feelings, I also completely understand that. On top of the back issues, I have 3 forms of arthritis, fibromyalja, degenerative joint disease and restless leg syndrome. I am currently getting over a 10 week long flair up of my rheumatoid arthritis. At the peak of it, I could walk, dress myself and had a hard time feeding myself. If it were not for my husband I don't knoe how I would have gotten through it. He did it all and he always does. I find myself apologizing to him all the time. I just turned 50 and in my mind I should be able to take care of myself completely. Reality is that I can't always. A bout a week ago, as I was once again apologizing to him, he said "I married you for better or worse and who knows, someday you may be changing my diapers". I never thought of it that way before he said it. He does it because he loves me and know that I would do it for him. So try to quit beating yourself up so bad and except the help from thoese who care about you. They obviously do it because they care.
Okay, I shut up now, but agaian, good luck at the doctor!
As far as I know, all that is wrong with my back is degenerative disc disease in two disc in the lower back. That's all the MRI showed.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I know what you mean about the pain. It's about 2 months for me and I still don't know why and no treatment. They gave me Gabapentin but I didn't like it and I decided I don't want to be on it. I gained about a pound a day the 3 days I was on it. I refuse to take meds that cause weight gain any more unless my life pretty much depends on it. I was on medication when my 100 lb regain happened and I don't want to go through that again.
You are lucky you have help. I have my daughter but she is pretty useless. The best I can hope for with her is that she will give me a break and not make any demands on me when I am feeling really bad.
WLS 10/28/2002 Revision 7/23/2010
High Weight (2002) 240 Revision Weight (2010) 220 Current Weight 115.