I woke up with lower back pain a few days ago (could barely move out of bed). It got better after exercise, and didn't go away completely, but was better.
It came back again yesterday, so I exercised and better but not totally gone. Do you think it's a muscle issue, cancer, or lymph issue? It's better today, but can still feel it.
My lymphs do get clogged a lot, and exercise seems to help, so I'm wondering if part of this is just from clogged lymph system.
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Hi Catgirl-- I don't think it's cancer, don't go there.
How about an Epsom salt bath? Perhaps you unknowingly strained it. Your too on the ball for me to ask if it's your kidneys/ drink more water to flush-
About the water tho, I realized I decreased my water intake, and got aware of it, increased, it's helping.
Heating pad? Take care--
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Catgirl-I'll just run through things that make my lower back seized.
-New shoes? Have you changed from your usual footwear?
-did you bend quickly recently to pick something up, and didn't feel right?
-have you been eating mineral rich foods? I find if I keep a green and red veggies diet with good protein sources and fresh seasonal fruit...just thinking minerals and vitamins.
-sleep in an unusual place? Like sofa sleeping bag etc?
-increase in your usual walking? Have you been walking more?
-is it nearing your period?
-regular bm's?
Swimming helps to limber up the muscles in a low impact environment. And the hot tub after feels nice too!
Hope you feel better soon.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Thank you Surprise and Greta!
I guess it could be water. I forget sometimes. Greta, you might be right about the minerals too.
One of my practitioners told me to get either an xray or MRI (said that back pain is often cancer). Yet I know lyme loves the back. I wonder if I have a slipped disc too. I think it's lyme related, but unsure. I will drink more water and take some minerals today.
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
sleep on a flat surface as flat as u can.
Posted by Kbone (Member # 43682) on :
Do you have any kidney pain or discolored urine. Perhaps kidney or uti?
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Thanks Droid. We do need a new bed. Maybe that is it. I am usually great at seeing things on others, but often so clueless at identifying things on myself.
Kbone, no kidney pain or discolored urine. No uti symptoms either.
I'm starting to feel better after taking some minerals though, so I'm hoping it lasts through tomorrow morning, as mornings are when it hurts the most. Maybe it is our stupid bed.
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
Hi Catgirl, glad you are feeling a little better after taking minerals. You must have strained your back somehow - and perhaps it is time to change your mattress.
There are some very good stretches I do to help my back. Some of the poses that help me are standing hamstring stretches, 'child's pose' and 'pigeon'. I will try to post links to all below.
Don't do anything that doesn't feel right to you. Hope you find some relief!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Thanks Dbpei! I will do those poses today (they look good).
I must have done all of the above. My lower back got better last night after minerals, and it's the same this am. I am thankful, thank you Greta! I will take more minerals today. I have to be careful with my minerals because of proto (makes it way worse).
Geeze, I am so clueless sometimes. I have been trying saunas lately (gym,etc) to see if I can tolerate them. I guess I should have replenished my minerals afterwards. I never knew a lack of them could cause such pain.
Also we definitely need a new mattress, but I have multiple chemical sensitivity and need to find one without flame retardant. It seems next to impossible to find one without it, as some stupid law passed in 2007 or 2008 to add it to beds.
My doc gave me a prescription for a non flame retardant mattress, but we don't know where to go to find it. Any suggestions? Sleepys was clueless.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I teach Pilates and many of my clients initially chose to do Pilates because of back pain. I have people who have had it bad enough to have surgery, and those who are just trying to manage it.
Dehydration can contribute. I know a chiropractor who said that the parts between the bone are really affected by not drinking enough water. He said that in some of his patients, just drinking more water is enough to make them feel better.
In my work, I see weak core strength and improper posture contributing. As we get older and our stabilizing muscles get weaker (not the big superficial muscles), we can be more prone to spasm and our back "going out." I work on balance and stabilizing muscles for this reason.
I got my mattresses from www.designsleep.com .... both my mattress in Ohio and my mattress in FL. They do ship. It's all organic/natural materials.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Thanks Six! I have been drinking more water since Surprise suggested it. I'm surprised it affects the back too (no pun intended Surprise). Thank you for suggesting it too Six.
I need to tape a drink more water sign on our fridge. For some reason the humid weather makes me feel like I don't need it, but I'm sure I do.
Pilates would be good. I do some pilates moves for my core every other day, so I'm not sure if my core is part of the problem, but I guess I can always do more. Maybe my exercises are not enough.
Thank you for the sleep link. I will check them out. I'm surprised there aren't more places on the east coast. They are hard to find.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
"For some reason the humid weather makes me feel like I don't need it, but I'm sure I do."
Me too catgirl! Me too!
Posted by mlg (Member # 35383) on :
What medicine are you on? This was one of my first symptoms. Extreme back pain with not being able to move. Or move very slowly do to the huge back pain.
Things that helped. Zithromax with Mepron and art, pulsed with crypto.
Infrared sauna.
Heat pad. Epsom salt bath.
Posted by farraday (Member # 21494) on :
I have a few tricks after 24 yrs of coping with back pain. You have my greatest sympathy. 1. Epson salt cream from WalMart. Rub in and then use heating pad 2. Hot bath with 1.5 cups (at least) Epson salts 3. First thing in am put ice pack in your underwear to cover lower back, use for 20+ minutes 4. Get very firm wedge pillow (ask phys therapist) to put under knees when lying fairly flat 5. Find GOOD acupuncturist 6. Take plenty of magnesium tablets 7. Get back injected with Botox/steroid combo every 3+ months 8. Strengthen core: String stretchy band through eye bolt or on door knob. Pull with both hands straight back to pull it tight. Repeat 10, 20, 30 times etc. Stand straight with feet slightly apart. 9. Wear shoes that help balance. Walk regularly outdoors or inmall. But go very gradually. Wear back brace if it helps.
Good luck, keep us posted!
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
Farraday, all good suggestions. But number 7 I'm not sure about.
Back brace is great suggestion. Helped me for yrs. Need a good one again.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
If you sit a lot, that can also have an affect on the back. The psoas muscle goes from the top of the femur to the lowest vertebrae and shortens when you sit. When you sit, that muscle can become tight. And I have to be careful personally not to bend over too much during the day, which I sometimes do when I teach.
When you do your core exercises, be sure to stretch your hip flexors and try to relax those muscles. Also stretch your hamstrings.
You'll love Design Sleep's beds! They changed them after my first one and I love the new ones even more! I have the one with no springs. It's a full on a lower bunk bed, so I couldn't get the slats for it, but it's still the most comfortable bed!!!
I'm also guilty of sometimes not drinking enough, especially if it's cool out like it's been this summer.
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
I am going to ditto Sixgoofykids. I'm only about a month in to Pilates and yoga and it has been a game changer. I feel better in general. Back pain is down to minimal....and I've only just begun. Imagine how I will feel in another month? Two months, etc?
I've been doing mat, reformer, and yoga. All wonderful and life changing for me!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
You guys are awesome. Great advice, thank you very much.
I took minerals and felt better yesterday, but woke up and back hurts again. It's crazy. It must be my bed. Mlg, maybe the meds are doing it too, I'm not sure (alinia, art, teasel).
Six, I want to go there (bed place), but I have to get my back better as I'm a few states away (catch 22). You are so right about sitting too (hurts).
I am going to get some of this stuff today (thanks Farraday). Also set some apts.
Thanks Koo and Six. I need to find a place that offers pilates. I do a few yoga stretches but I must need more. I don't know what mat, and reformer are though.
Did you guys have xrays to rule stuff out? I am 99% sure this is lyme related and hate to get the radiation.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Alinia! Yes! Read my mind!
Same thing to me. Then I had mass exodus and back pain went away.
Didn't want to say it earlier because it is unpleasant to talk about let alone read.
But maybe a coffee enema is in order?
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Funny you should say that Greta! No worries, mass exodus is no big thing. ---- happens (lol)! It makes sense though--toxins, dead stuff (massive die off).
Did your pain go away while on alinia or once off of it? You are spot on about the coffee enemas (helps reduce the pain).
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I forgot to mention, I got this really cool tool at the relax the back store (theracane). It is heaven!
Catgirl, if you want help finding a pilates studio, PM me where you are and I'll help you find one. Pilates is a generic term, so anyone can open a studio, I can help you find one that has good training and can work with your needs.
Reformer is a piece of equipment that assists the workout. There are other pieces of equipment as well. Mat refers to a workout done on the floor on a mat.
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
Just a thought Catgirl ... do a little research on a herbal called cramp bark. It is antispasmodic on the lower intestinal tract / kidney and blood cleanser.
My suggestion is to clear it with your doctor but use it to test if it is a muscle tightness issue. It should help further diagnose the problem.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Thanks Six (sent you a pm)!
Thanks Bob! I had no idea it was good for muscle spasms and more. I will check with my doc.
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
I believe there is more to cramp bark than uterine cramping. I believe the use of cramp bark is to loosen stiff muscles or to relieve spasms.
quote: The cramp bark's antispasmodic constituents can lower blood pressure through the relaxation of vessel walls. With large dosages, it can eradicate muscle spasms, leg cramps, and pain associated with a stiff neck. The bark is prepared by peeling it from the roots, and then it is dried for decoction. Otherwise, in can be made into a glycerin or alcohol tincture. The dosage is typically thirty to sixty drops in an hour for use in acute muscle spasms. When used for painful menstruation, cramp bark should be taken frequently. The starting dose would be a half-dropperful in the first half hour and then gradually increased each hour thereafter until there is an effect.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I love my Thermophore moist-heat heating pad! Feels wonderful on my back when the muscles cramp up or ache during my monthly cycle.
A blend of essential oils called Aroma Siez also can be helpful for muscle spasms (contains basil, marjoram, lavender, peppermint, and cypress essential oils).
Yes, dehydration can cause terrible muscle pain (experienced this first-hand when I couldn't eat or drink anything for almost 5 days...went to the ER in severe muscle pain from the dehydration).
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
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Great advice, thank you very much.