I'm going to try to tell this story without whining, but it's hard, so forgive me in advance. Theoretically, it should explain why I've been silent for almost a month now. It's kind of a pathetic story, but I did learn something very important out of it, so maybe it wasn't all for nothing. You might learn something too, so read on!
About 9 months ago, my back went from being "not right" to just plain painful. So I trucked on in to my doctor, who told me I needed to do yoga. I'm in pain, right? Lying in bed at night, my upper back and neck were burning and I kept thinking, "I'm 33 years old. This just can't be right." The yoga helped me clear my head and I really enjoyed it. But my back pain didn't go away.
On the first of March, I went back to my doctor. I had to lie and say it was an emergency, since getting in to see her would be a three month wait if I didn't. Anyway, she tells me to up my yoga to three times a week. I push back and say I've been going for three times a week. She sends me for x-rays, but won't refer me to a specialist. She says at my age, I don't need to see one.
Two weeks later I'm diagnosed with arthritis. Um. Okay. Can't do anything for arthritis but take Tylenal and deal with the pain. I'm crushed, but what can you do? A 33 year old with arthritis is rare and, according to the internet, means that I'll have serious problems later on. My stress level jumps, but I power on, trying to ignore it.
Months go by. My pain is steadily increasing. Then one day last month, I'm reading the mail and I see that Aetna (my insurance company) has gotten rid of the referral process. I can book my own appointment with any specialist I want. Marching upstairs, I call a friend who works in a physical therapy office and ask if she can recommend a non-surgical orthopedic. She does. I comb the Aetna site and see I can go there. I call and make an appointment.
The upshot of it all is that I was misdiagnosed with arthritis. What my doctor was seeing was not arthritis at all, but rather the gooey fluid in three of the discs in my back leaking out. Which explains the constant burn in my neck and upper back, since the tissue around my spine doesn't really care for that gooey fluid to be hanging around.
So for the last two weeks, I've been in serious physical therapy, traction - the works. Trying to basically untwist my spine and get my vertebrae off my discs. What saddens me is that while I can stop the damage, the discs that are damaged are damaged for good. The gooey insides aren't going back inside, although getting the vertebrae off the discs will allow the fluid to retract somewhat.
What caused this? Sitting at my PC. It's as simple as that. Because I spend so many hours here, writing without a break, I've jacked my back up for life.
What can YOU do to not end up where I am? Get up every 20 minutes and stretch. Keep the weight off and your posture correct. Staying at your PC long enough that you become tired and hunch forward is the beginning of the end, my friends. Keep your shoulders down and your head in alignment with your spine. Work out, concentrating on building your back and stomach muscles.
What did I learn from all this? I could go on a serious rant, but this has gotten too long as it is. The upshot is if you're in pain, get a freaking second opinion. I knew my back was jacked up. I laid in bed every night thinking "Jesus, I'm in pain." My husband said one day out of the blue, "I'm concerned about you. There isn't a day that goes by that you don't mention that you're in pain. Yoga isn't working." Listen to your body and if you're dealing with a doctor who won't listen, go to someone else. I was so afraid of being a "whiner" that I ignored my health. Because I let things go so long, the muscles throughout my back are a mess. I am riddled with knots and all kinds of complications. Yesterday in Physical Therapy, I cried. CRIED!!! I have a firm policy against that. Six months ago, things wouldn't have been anywhere near this bad.
Take your back seriously, ladies. Once things go down hill, it's hell to get them right again.
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8 comments:
Leigh,
your blog post is very timely for me. I've been spending long hours lately at the PC, trying to meet the deadline for HEART OF A SOLDIER, and have started having back pain and headaches. The headaches are unusual for me because they start at the back of my head (where it connects to the spine).
Granted I'm much older than you, but up until now I've enjoyed decent health. Your post has inspired me to 1. Take frequent breaks and 2. Get back to my exercise routine. Back when I jogged 2-3 miles a day, just 4-5 days a week, I was much tougher and had less pain (except for my old knees).
Hugs, and I do hope your health improves.
Nessie
I am so sorry to hear that you have had so much pain. I know I can't do anything to help, but it was so great of you to tell your story and post warnings. I know this sounds strange, but I will pray for you.
Nessie - if you can jump in a pool and do water aerobics or swim, you'd get that huge run-workout that you're used to. You've always been in such great shape!
That headache has been one of my symptoms as well. What's happening is, you're muscles are strained, and then they knot up in the middle - then the ends (such as where the muscle connects to the skull) are constantly in a state of strain. This leads to headaches.
Thanks Brady!!
And Paige - I'll have to check out the tempur-pedic bed! Sounds like heaven!
Back pain is the worse! I'm so sorry to hear of all your troubles. And I second that about second and third opinions. I had a doc tell me I didn't need knee surgery 'cus only professional athletes need them. But he couldn't tell me why I was in pain, and didn't even look at my MRI or ask me any questions. And don't get started on nurses who just follow charts- you have to watch them! (I'm labeled a "problem patient" can you tell?)
I hope the traction is working, but I'm so sorry it is so painful.
Cindy
Awwww I hope it does get a better for you.
Oh my friend! I'm so sorry to hear about your back! You need to give yourself permission to stay off the computer. But make sure you call me because I miss you!!!!
Take care of yourself chicky!!!
Ari
Try BIKRAM YOGA. I just got started. It's very different. Go slowly. It's done in a hot room, makes the joints more flexible. Better than physical therapy.. but takes time.
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