Ok mama's need to have some relief here. I was doing laundry on wednesday. I have front load washers So I am moving stuff from washer to dryer and drop a washclothe. NowI know to bend with the legs etc. But I had a handful of stuff and just leaned over sideways to grab it. Felt my back go "scrunch" pain got progressivly worse as the day went on. By night I couldn't move. So early Thursday I got up moving like a crotchety old man lol. Can't stand up straight can't reach down to tie shoes etc. I went to the local clinic where the doctor diagnosed it as a back sprain. I have an appointment today with an orthopedic doctor. Now for the question.
Does anyone have any tips for getting in and out of the chair. I have it down for getting up and down in the bathroom as I can brace an elbow on the sink but I try to get out of the chair and am in tears by the time I get up. I'm here alone all day long as everyone else is at work.
It's been 4 days since it happened. It is better today than the last couple. I did go to the doctor as the pain was so bad I couldn't stand it. I have muscle relaxers and antiinflammatories and pain pills. I have only taken 2 pain pills but will take one again tonight at bedtime. I did get up and around some today as I had grandchildren to take back and forth to their camp (hence the no painpill lol) but we are all in for the night now so I will be taking one soon. Thanks for the tips ladies they have helped.
Whatever you do, do not stay in bed. Years ago that was the advice. Then someone realized it did not help, only made things worse. Get in the shower and stretch slowly. Keep moving. I blew a disc and the first few weeks were indescribable, but eventually things go better. NEVER took to bed.
Sounds like your sacrum might be misaligned. Anytime my husband's sacrum "goes out", he has these exact symptoms. One or two chiropractic adjustments and he's perfect. The orthopedic is going to give you muscle relaxers and painkillers and have you take them for a week. Your back might feel better, but down the road, the pain will reoccur and dysfunction will eventually make you miserable. Just get it taken care of properly. Also, not all chiropractors are created equal, so get a referral from a friend.
No tips on the chair but use ice! The ortho will only rule out any fractures then you need to see a chiropractor. The ortho will probably only prescribe meds (doesn't heal the problem, just masks it) or prescribe PT, which will only strengthen muscles in an area of misalignment, setting you up for further nerve problems later.
I just did this too on Sunday. Scoot to the front of the chair and put your hands on your knees as support. It is going to hurt in the area of the sprain. I felt much better after doing some yard work, I was able to bend backwards and stand up straight. I did go to my doctor to make sure I didn't slip a disc or something. I am taking 800mg motrin and a muscle relaxant.
Do you have an arm chair you can use? Or sit next to a table that you can use to support your weight...
You might alos be able to put a second chair next to the one you are going to sit in and use that for leverage when you get up.
Hope you feel better soon!
Hopefully it's just a muscle strain and not a herniated disk! Best thing to do first is stay laying down as much as possible with a pillow or two under your knees. Switch back in forth with a cold pack and a heat pack and take some advil/motrin. You have to baby it for a few days if not longer.
If it's still excruciating in a week, I'd go to the doc, but they will ultimately tell you to do what I just said anyway. Took me about 3 mos to get my herniated disk to go back to normal a couple of years ago, it requires total bed rest pretty much.
I layed on the couch or bed, and just sort of rolled off sideways, there was no way I could get up like normal from a laying or sitting position and all that does is aggravate the injury more.
Good luck. You might call a friend to help with the kids for a few days if it's at all possible.
Use a chair with arms. Get all the way to the end of the chair. Squeeze your butt and pull your belly button towards your spine using your stomach mussels. Use your thighs to lift while feet are shoulder with apart.
It's still going to hurt but once you start getting out of the chair properly you won't continue to make it worse.
Be prepared when you have to get up. If you think you may need something before you have to use the restroom again get it before you sit down.
I hate when this happens. I have to be really careful when I bend over or this will happen to me. There have been times when I get stuck on the toilet and can't use my back to get up. I have had to have hubby come and help.
There's really nothing that can be done except resting it and learning to do stretches to help strengthen the muscles.
I think spending money on a doc is not really necessary unless it is something you feel needs a doc to say use ice or heat and rest. The only other thing the doc might do is send you to Physical Therapy for massages and learning the stretching exercises.
Anti-inflammatory drugs will help too. I can't take them due to breathing issues. I take muscle relaxants when I am hurting.
You HAVE to have a chair with arms. Scoot your but as close to the front of the seat as possible, legs apart and sturdy, place the palm of both hands on the handle and push up with your arms. You can do this also with both hands on one arm if needed. If they suggest ice, I am sure they will with this injury then take a dixie cup (paper 3-5oz) and fill it 75% with water - freeze cup. Then tear away the top of the cup revealing about half inch of the frozen water and use it to give the injury an "ice massage" OHHHH my phyiscial therepist did this for me when I had strained my back and it felt OHHHH so good. Massage for 5-10 min, do not allow it to hurt from the ice pain and pressure (someone else doing it obviously) is a good thing, but not too much.
