Some of you know that i broke my toe. that seems to be healing okay and i can wiggle them around a bit and put some pressure down on the foot.

however, i guess i've been walking on it in such a way as to injure my back and i've been having excrutiating back spasms all morning. i cannot bend down to sit on a couch, so driving to get pain medication is out of the question (besides it's my right foot anyway and i'm not sure i'm able yet to drive)

does anyone have ANY relief ideas at all? the strongest medication i have is ibuprofen (which is upstairs haha, along with the bathroonm for a hot shower) and regular tylenol (i've taken 4 since i've been awake).

thanks, i appreciate any help i can get. once it gets later in the day, i'll ask my parents to drive up and get my prescription for tylenol 3s.

Well if you can get your hands on a towell, wet it under hot water and wring it out and apply it to your back. You might have to be able to do that several times, but it is short term relief.

And despite the fact that you want to rest the back, movement is actually better.

thanks. that's what telehealth (a ministry phone-operated health line) nurses told me as well.

they also suggested ointment to numb it (i tried that yesterday but it didn't do much)

haha rest? i can't even sit down. *crosses fingers i don't have to use the bathroom today*

the problem with the movement is that i still can't put proper pressure on the foot, so i'm certain that the way i'm walking is exactly what caused the back pain in the first place

*might ask robin to purolate some percocet*

Magnesium, is a muscle relaxant, as well as a laxative.
500 mg twice a day.
Be very careful if you have any heart conditions, chronic use can cause changes in heart rhythm.

I have chronic back pain and muscle spasms.
I have been told by doctors to use both ice and heat alternating between the two. This therapy can be very effective in reducing swelling and relieving pain. I put a ice pack on for about 15 minutes, then switch to heat for about 15 minutes. I do this for about a hour.
Careful with the ice, wrap it in a towel do not apply it to bare skin.

http://www.1backpain.com/backmusclespasm.htm#Ice%20Packs
From website above:
Ice can be used in the initial 72 hours of an injury to reduce inflammation and numb the pain associated with Muscle Spasms. One potential problem with ice is that temporarily it will tighten the musculature even more. Also it should be noted that ice should not be used for longer than 20 minutes to an area, as it will cause a reversal reaction which will allow the tissue to become more inflamed. For low back inflammation we recommend using a combined brace and ice gel pad to put a more firm pressure over the irritated area. This will also provide support over the injured area while providing ice therapy. Patients we surveyed feel that the brace and ice gel pad combination below works extremely well (see Soft Back Brace section for more information on bracing).


Hot packs are useful for increasing circulation and thereby loosening up the muscle tissue. Waiting to use heat therapy until three days after the onset of when the initial irritation first occurred will give the swelling a chance to go down, as heat increases the inflammation to the area. It is believed that moist heat is better than dry, as there is less possibility for dehydration to the musculature.

yeah they suggested that too. my 'mother's helper' broke yesterday (those bags with scented herbs and rice that you sprinkle with water and heat). haha there was rice everywhere!

i will get another one but the drug store is almost open and my father is driving over now so relief (hopefully) will be quick.

thanks everyone.

i take a daily vitamin/mineral and there is magnesium in it. but i think this is the result of an injury rather than a degenerative thing.

speaking of that, will exercises to strengthen the back help reduce the re-occurance of regular spasms? i never want to go through this again.

This will be no help whatsoever BUT .. when I routinely throw my back out EVERY Summer playin SLo-pitch ... its Robaxecet and 2 beers, works every time

But seriously, good luck with that .. I feel your pain :)
TTO

There are a lot of exercises and stretches you can do for back problems, although not all are right for all conditions. Back pain muscle spasms are altogether a different condition. I would consult your doctor to determine what exercise treatment is right for your particular situation before trying them at home. I have been to 4 doctors, 1 physical therapist, have tried various exercises,and stretches, bought a inversion table and I still have back problems. Back issues are a tricky problem to resolve.

I can only offer my sympathies. Sorry and I hope you feel better soon.

thanks

i've got 1 tylenol 3 in me, with another to go in just a few moments. and a heating pad. and i just might wash them down with that beer that was suggested.

no doubt it's been the way i've favoured my right foot when walking and it will get better, but knowing that doesn't make me feel better right now.

enjoy the day everyone.

also dont take if you have a bad cough. i`m just saying

Hummmmm it almost sounds like a pinched nerve to me I actually pulled a muscle in my back a few years ago by just picking up 2 empty trash cans. Yeah I said empty trash cans picked up one leaned over to pick up the other one and pulled a muscle. Then during that time I ended up bending over and grabbed a bucket of ice at work turn to throw it in the bin and it pinched a nerve within the same area hurt like heck. Had to take muscle relaxers and pain meds for a few days to let it relax then I was good to go again........

Take it easy and hopefully the pain meds and heating pad will take care of it within a few days....

My back goes out but I found that by walking everyday I've built up those muscles around it to keep it in line and it hardly goes out but when it does, it's for a very short time. Don't sit! the worst thing you can do is to sit while healing. It's a pain in the a$$ but I had a very good nurse tell me this when she asked what had I been doing and told her just sitting around, because it was soo bad that couldn't even hold a cup. Lay down or walk around but also don't stay down too long. It really works. 3 vitamin I (ibupro) are equal to one prescription strength, make sure you have something in your stomach. You can do that 3x a day. Natural muscle relaxers- kavakava, Or RX- Flexerill which is really effective and non-narcotic so your md can call it in over the phone. Hope some of this helps.

You're right in your suspicion that your altered gait is throwing the rest of your body out of alignment. That, more than anything else, is probably the causal factor for your spasms. Your back muscles are probably being stressed more on one side than on the other. Have you tried 'body mechanics' to ease the pain? I still deal with an injury I got on a trampoline at college in '62 that makes my back spasm every so often. Best thing I can do then is to be VERY careful about how I displace my body weight and how I move. If y' listen to your body's pain signals, it'll tell you when it increases (don't do dat) and decreases (do more of dat). Medication will help you thru the short-term pain, but being able to walk properly again is the real solution. Be careful with any minerals (like magnesium). Remember - all 'medications' have only two dosage levels: (1) Therapeutic, and (2) Lethal.

thanks everyone for your suggestions.

the back pain is totally gone now and i'm even able to put quite a bit of pressure down on my foot.

i went for another xray and this time they suggested a boot. THAT really helped with the walking, so much so that i was able to drop the 5 lbs that i put on since laying on the couch! it was pretty embarassing when i'd sit down at work and my button would explode and zipper come down . i was taking to wearing extra long shirts to work haha.

in fact, i think today i just might manage to put on a pair of flip flops. after that big boot (and my granny slipper) i just might feel a little bit feminine and pretty. (but still miss my 3" pumps!)

awwwww I missed this

I recomend a long soothing backrub from someone who loves you and a glass of wine or six