No new patients :(

[EMCE Hammer]

When we start to debate the pros and cons of Obamacare we're straying from toyboard hobby fun and entering the political arena. Ben's issues with his provider would have happened before Obama took office; they're unrelated. Let's focus on why we're here - the brotherhood of Mego - and support Ben without turning this into a political debate. Mego collectors sit on both sides of the aisle.

[Random Axe]

No problem. Have a good night.

[Zemo]

And there you go again. First off, your opinion, even if it's shared by nine doctors, is not the truth. It's an opinion. Please stop posting your political opinions on the toy board whose rule at the top says "no politics." I don't know how it could possibly be more clear.

I would argue, you saying his opinion is not the truth, is just as much of a political statement, that's anything that's been posted. Now you can lock the thread.

[wayne foundation 07]

Wow that stinks, maybe they can refer you to another doctor? How does your back hurt? Does it feel like muscle pain sore, stiff, or is is nerve pain like shooting pain down your legs? If is is muscle they can give you a muscle relaxer or a quick shot and then Physical Therapy.

good luck, I have back problems so I know the pain.

Its seems like inside, maybe a muscle. Its weird how it comes and goes, when its bad it makes me sees stars. Its just an ache sometimes, then others a throb or a pulse , then its like nothings wrong at all. Sorry to hear about your back aches too.

[wayne foundation 07]

You probably need some rest and/or rehab. It sucks getting old!

Man that's the truth!!!!!!!
And whats this rest thing your speaking of?

[EMCE Hammer]

I would argue, you saying his opinion is not the truth, is just as much of a political statement, that's anything that's been posted. Now you can lock the thread.

Better yet, rather than lock the thread it would be better if members who have had similar injuries would chime in with their perspective. Personally, I needed a muscle relaxer and rest the last time something similar happened to me. I was chasing one of my sons in the park and stepped awkwardly in a hole. By the end of the day, I could barely move. If I tried to move too much, a shooting pain went up my spine and stopped me in my tracks. It ended-up not being serious, but it hurt like crazy.

[torgospizza]

So I ask if I could have an appointment as a new patient.

First off, my sympathies, man--back pain is a killer. I hope you get that fixed pronto. Secondly, if you'll take some free advice, get a new doc as soon as you can and see him once a year like clockwork. If they know you, it's amazing how well they'll treat you. When my gall bladder attack happened, I went straight there without an appointment and told them I need to get in. I was talking with him within half an hour. When my acid reflux was making my nights miserable, I asked him to write me a script for omeprazole, since I could get a higher dosage for a fraction of the cost of the OTC stuff like Prilosec. BOOM, done. Lastly, I'm not sure how you sleep, but try doing it on your back or side with a pillow between your knees. It's the only thing managing my back pain, and works pretty well. If I fall asleep on accident and wake up on my stomach, my back's toast the next day. Once again, sorry you're going through this, because it's rough.

[Random Axe]

Here's a tip since of course Sandy has had back problems from numerous falls do to seizures. Lyrica is an amazing medicine that is non-narcotic that works on the nerves. I'm pretty sure it would be generic by now, but she showed major improvement when used. It would be my drug of choice since I don't tolerate pain medicine well.

[Zemo]

Better yet, rather than lock the thread it would be better if members who have had similar injuries would chime in with their perspective. Personally, I needed a muscle relaxer and rest the last time something similar happened to me. I was chasing one of my sons in the park and stepped awkwardly in a hole. By the end of the day, I could barely move. If I tried to move too much, a shooting pain went up my spine and stopped me in my tracks. It ended-up not being serious, but it hurt like crazy.

You are the ultimate mod!! Well, back pain is weird, it can be diff in so many ways. Mine is lower, near the Sciatic Nerve. Stretching and Aleve help me most of the time.

[Mr Mego]

Sorry to heard that sucks bro!!!!

I still have 5 worse back spine arthritis since 2004.... went to new Doctor and she helping me out and ordered stronger pain killer medicine that helps me to ease my pains and sometimes I can't think well to saying because of that med. I fell off the porch and hit my back spine on the hard flat square bricks while I tried to reached so damn tall tree to trimmed off my fence on the next door!!! That lady is crazy planted too close to my Mobile Home and that gigantic tree's roots ruined under of my Mobile Home steel belts (can't remember what's the name of it) and it turned slight the Mobile Home to right side, VERY difficult to rid it's roots by myself and it busted as hell on my back again!!! I lay down for 2 weeks, not healthy.... This year is getting pretty better....

.

[z3zep]

Try some icy/hot and or salon pas patches. Or the icy/hot role on. Advil to reduce inflammation.

Here are 2 lower back stretches that I found helpful. I do them before I get out of bed and sometimes before bed.

1) Knees to Chest

Lie on the back with arms extended to the side.

Bend both knees and carefully pull close to the chest and take a deep breathe.

Hold to count of 5

Exhale gently as you lower both knees to the ground


2) Basic Twist

Lie on the back with arms extended to the side.

Bend both knees and carefully pull close to the chest and take a deep breathe.

Exhale gently as you lower both knees to the ground on the right.

Repeat the exercise to the left.

Do five reps and take a gentle rest.

[mikeMc6]

Kudos from me also for keeping this thread going in an informative manner. I'm learning a lot. My dad had two hernias before he left high school and he always drilled into me to never pick up anything heavy if I don't have to. I still don't. He also taught me to sit in the back of a restaurant and face the entrance in case some crazy comes walking in with a gun*. As a kid i remember tensing up while dining out when he leaned under the table to pick up a napkin or dinner roll.

*I'm serious

[HardyGirl]

I suffer from back pain as well. For awhile I saw a chiropractor, but it really didn't help, but he did give me some good advice. For lower back pain, it's good to exercise your core. Also make Hyoloronic Acid a part of your daily vitamin regimen. I still have pain, but it isn't nearly as bad as it was 2 years ago, and it's getting better all the time. But remember, don't do exercises that hurt too much, you'll do more harm than good. See if a chiropractor can recommend exercises you can do, or look them up online. Good luck to you.

[HardyGirl]

My chiropractor told me to carry my wallet in my fron pocket. It works!

Ben, I would also suggest a chiropractor. I've always thought they were con men/quacks, but my wife goes to hers whenever she has a weird pain. Her doc always wants to just dope her up but this guy tends to fix her without alot of return visits. I got off a ladder wrong a few years ago and had a pain shooting up my back for days. She forced me to see him and he said I basically shoved my leg up into my pelvis. He pulled my leg literally and the pain went away. He also said some mumbo jumbo about how I shouldn't carry a wallet to keep my spine straight which I ignored. I have a George from Seinfeld wallet...can't let that go I just straighten myself in a chair on the other side with napkins..

[LadyZod]

Back pain can be tricky... sometimes it's something you'd never think.

Lower back pain could be a sign of an urinary tract infection.

Upper lower back pain-kidney stones.

Sharp upper back, almost shoulder? Possible signs of an acute MI (heart attack).

Many times it's a muscle strain, which believe it or not, most docs will tell you to take motrin for. (one clinic strength motrin=3 over the counter motrin)

Pinched nerve is a possibilty. Like the sciatic nerve. That will radiate to your butt, down a leg usually. Lyrica is perfect for sciatic nerve issues, since it scrambles your pain receptors. But that's a temporary solution. You use it to cut the pain, while you stretch the area and unkink the pinch. (Sport massage/physical therapy works for this.)

Whatever you do, don't go to the emergency room and claim back pain and ask for pain killers. You'll be bookmarked as a "drug seeker" by the triage nurse, and your actual pain will be ignored and treated as a lie. It's a shame, but with so many abuses to the system, healthcare providers have gotten cynical.

If you do go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic. Be forthright and honest. You hurt your back. You don't know how. Your doctor dropped you which is why you've found yourself at the emergency room. You want to know WHY your back hurts, and not treat the pain. If they ask you how bad your pain is on a scale of 1-10, don't say 10. 10 is reserved for a limb hanging from body and the pain is so bad you passed out. 6-7 is average for backpain, 8 if you put pressure on it. They'll see you're serious and not a drug seeker.

Just advice from the other end.