My back :(

[Lindsey]

For being 23 years old and already having this many back problems, I don't even want to think of how I'll feel at 50, 60, or 70
2 years ago I worked in the lab at the company where I currently work. I was on construction sites all day, hauling around heavy testing equipment, 5 gallon pails of wet concrete, pails of asphalt, etc. and my back was always in pain. Then last year, I was DROPPED on the pavement in the winter, and landed on my tailbone and shoulders. My back hurt for weeks but I didn't go to a doctor. Later on in the year, out of nowhere, the pain came back right in my lower back and sometimes it was so bad I couldn't walk. I went to the doctor and she got me to get x-rays right away. Ater 4 x-rays I waited for a week and heard nothing. I called the doctor's office and they told me "If we haven't called you, there was probably nothing wrong." and eventually the pain went away.
Last night I was walking around grocery shopping, getting ready for a big camping trip this weekend, when I felt something in my lower back go funny. It felt almost numb for a bit but by the time I got home it was hurting. I could still move so it wasn't a big deal. I slept well and this morning I was moving around in bed with no problem, I completely forgot about my back. As soon as I tried to sit up I started bawling. It hurts SO bad. I can stand up straight or lay down. Any pressure on my lower back at all basically makes me burst out in tears. I'm going to the doctor this morning instead of going to work.
I really don't want to ruin everyone's camping trip They won't go without me because I'm the one person everyone knows.

[Tink]

How about going to a chiropractor instead of an MD? My Dad and dh have both had back problems and give the credit for them being able to walk upright to chiropractic care. An md only offers pills or surgery... a chiro can often snap things back in place so you don't need what the md offers.

Good luck!

[Lindsey]

I'm not sure if I'm able to go to a chiro without a doctor's referral... but maybe. I doubt I'd be able to get in today though. I talked with my cousin this morning (she works in a hospital, wants to be a nurse) and I told her the whole story and she thinks I may have gotten a loose disc from my fall last year, and it keeps pinching the same nerve. When it started last night it almost felt like something shifted in my back. But that SHOULD show up on x-ray so I'm hoping they'll do x-rays today

[DianaB]

I'm sorry that you're in pain, Lindsay. I think that I'd get the x-rays before I went to the chiropractor. You need to make sure that there's not a problem that wasn't spotted from before. I hope that you find relief soon.

[Lindsey]

Well, I just got back from the doctor. After describing what happened, and how the pain now seems to shoot through my hips and down the top of my left thigh, he was sure I just pinched a nerve. I got some anti-inflammatory painkillers. He said I might not find releif today but it will start to subside. He gave me enough pills for 10 days. Since even sitting hurts, I've decided to take the afternoon off work too. Time for my heating pad!

You may want to ask them to do a MRI with contrast of your complete spine. The contrast will show far more than xrays ever do.