Oct 10, 2009

It's a Miracle

I have been plagued with a bad back since the age of 10, when I broke a vertebrae in my back that healed improperly. As I get older (and older and older), my back has gotten worse (and worse and worse), to the point where I had to give up my beloved job at the public library and, for the past year or so, where a good day of housework would be followed by two or three days of pain. I've been to physicians and chiropractors and massage specialists and more, and these visits have 100% of the time ended up with me in more pain than before the visits. Six months or so ago I decided I'd had enough and I would just learn to live with the pain. Two months ago I started having problems with my upper arm. (Keep reading - honest - this isn't a whining session). I went to my physican who sent me on to an orthopedic doctor. He diagnosed some inflammation of the tendons in and around my shoulder, gave me a cortisone shot, and put me on high-test anti-inflammatory medication. The result? MY BACK IS BETTER!!!!!!!!!! My back is 100% better! My back doesn't hurt! At all! AT ALL! No aches, no pain, no weak feeling - nothing! My back has not felt this good in 20 years. All this time, I was an anti-inflammatory pill away from having no back pain. It didn't take surgery, it didn't take deep tissue massage or acupuncture or any of the other stuff I've been through or feared. It makes sense, because a chiropractor told me that the broken vertebrae had been pushed forward and was rubbing against the nerves in my back and sometimes causing inflammation of the nerves to my hips. But she didn't catch that it was also causing inflammation of the nerves in my back. I don't care who did and didn't catch what - I just know that I had no idea how MUCH my back hurt until I felt what NO pain felt like - and understood the difference. For the past couple of days, ever since it dawned on me that my back didn't hurt (my back doesn't hurt!!!!), I've been cleaning house like crazy. For the past few years, I haven't been able to vaccuum and wash a floor on the same day. I could only clean any one bathroom in one day. Not now!!! Wooo Hoooo! I'm a cleaning dervish! The other great thing? Mr. B. noticed. Normally, when we go outside for him to ride his bike or just play, after 10 or 15 minutes, I have to sit down because my back would start to hurt. A few days ago, he asked me if I needed to get my chair, and I said no. He looked confused, and said, "Umma, doesn't your back hurt?" and I said, "No, I think my back is all better!". His response? "Umma, what will you do with all your Motrin now?" LOL Bless his heart.

3 comments:

The Calico Quilter said...

It's wonderful that you found something to help. While I am thrilled that your back pain is gone, I am concerned enough to add a comment: Keep tabs on your blood pressure. I tried two different prescription strength anti-inflammatories for my chronic arthritis-like joint pain and while they worked like a charm, both sent my blood pressure through the roof. Some people have this problem, some don't. Just a suggestion from a blogger that cares!

Barb said...

This sounds wonderful. I would add though, a couple things. Please tell your orthopod, everything you have said here, in case he did not know. And as with everything else, make sure any doctor prescribing a medicine knows your complete medical history and every other (prescription and over the counter) med that you take.

Lisa said...

Joan, I can imagine what it would be like to be free of back pain after suffering all those years. Are you able to take this anti-inflammatory pill long-term? I'm not sure what you're taking, but I do know many anti-inflammatories can have serious and long-term side effects - I'm sure your doctor must have said. Anyway, not ever having lived with back pain (and experiencing it every so often, it is the worst), I don't know what kind of relief you must be feeling now. I'm very happy for you!