follow up about my back

First of all, thank to everyone *****plied to my post the other day about back pain.  The only down side I have experinced to RNY is not being able to take NSAIDS; and it took 2 years before I had an injury to make even that matter.  And yes, I still love my RNY and would do it all again in a heartbeat.
So, I went to the doc yesterday because the back pain from a slip in the snow over a week ago was not significantly improving.  In fact, the day before I called the doc it seemed to be getting somewhat worse again, which was just plain scary.  So, now I have Orphenadrine Citrate (Norflex) a muscle relaxant twice a day as needed and Percocet as a PRN if the pain gets god-awful again.  I'm hoping that with the Norflex regular Tylenol might manage the pain without having to step it up to using the Percocet.  But, if I do need it I have it available.  I also have a referral for physical therapy 1-3X/wk for up to 6 weeks.  So that's where I'm at.  I've got a weekend to see how I react to the muscle relaxant.  
So, that's my story up to this point.  Again, thanks so much for your support.  
~Donna 

Swinging lizards for you, Donna. I hope the muscle relaxant works for you.

--gina

I hope things go improve! Muscle relaxers tend to knock me out.  I can only take them at night or on my days off.  Back pain is not fun.

Kay

Donna - did they take x-rays or do an MRI to make sure you didn't fracture something or herniate a disk?

Donna, I am glad to hear that you got some tools for managing the pain. I echo Jody's question. I was hobbling around with a knee stress fracture for two months before someone got the bright idea to do an MRI. Also, you might want to start with a half pill of the muscle relaxer. I find a little dab will do me!

Swinging away for you!
Amy

Hi Donna! So glad u got some meds! I am prescribed a muscle relaxer (flexeril) 2x a day also. I can only take one at night because it makes me so drowsy so you may need to play around with that.

If the tylenol doesn't help maybe ask about the tramadol...it is not a narcotic but is very similar and pretty strong. It may help without having to resort to the Percocet.

Physical therapy will be great...I still do the exercises I learned there daily. The TENS unit they usually use is WONDERFUL! See if your insurance will cover you having a portable one to use at home.

I use a stability ball to do alot of my back exercises and it is alot more comfy than doing them on the floor...and it increases balance. I got a gold's gym version at walmart...get the weighted ball or it will roll around and you will be chasing it around the room :) They are $17 last time I checked...I use mine daily.

One you have a back injury you will be prone to more...so build up your core and do back strengthening exercises daily. You will be fine!!

Oh...and please take Jody's advice and insist on a MRI if the pain increases. I went 6 months before they did mine and then I found out I had 3 HNPs and my spinal canal was compressed!

 Donna, I hope these meds work for you and allow you to recover quickly.  I go to PT for a back injury that I sustained last October.  We just work on Pilates Core exercises and I think it's helping me a lot.

Back pain sux!!

Thanks again ladies.  You all really are a wonderfully supportive bunch.  They did not do an xray or MRI on my back. However, the pain is not constant or severe enough at this point to make me question their diagnosis of "lumbar strain."  I had an ileo-lumbar strain several years ago and this honestly feels about the same as that did.  Without the NSAIDs it's just gonna take it a little longer to get it all turned around.  I'd say the muscle relaxant is helping.  I was a bit worried about it at first as many years ago I had a back injury and had taken Flexeril... and that med had basically put me on another planet!  I'm doing fine with this one and will keep in mind that I can half the dose if need be.  It's kinda ironic.  I had gotten a set of Pilates DVDs just before I got hurt.  Didn't have a chance to try them before this happened.  However, once I get back to normal they might be just the thing to strengthen my core so I can avoid having this happen again.  
~Donna 

I'm so glad you finally got something that might help!!!!!