What is the LC treatment for pain?
 

I know Dr. Atkins said ibuprofen is a staller. I started a cashiering job, I'm always leaning forward, since day 1 my back is in agony. I started taking 600mg couple times a day. Since the day I started the drug, not only did weight loss stop I gained on 30 carbs. Its impossible for me to lie down and sleep. The muscle spasms wake me up right when the pill wears off.

Today I took it before work, the pain is so bad, it made me so groggy and inept I went home after 15min.

No doctor, only an idiot would try any longer with this medical group.

Take it from an expert.

Use a heating pad, get those muscles to relax.

I use magnesium, potassium and sodium. small doses 3 times a day.
.
ALso stretching. Gently.

Not to sound rude, but it sounds like your muscles are out of shape. Just not used to the current demand. Needed more time to slowly work up to it.

This is the time to put weight loss on the back burner, and get your back taken care of ASAP.

For several days of burning pain, I am living with long term pain TWO YEARS LATER. So PLEASE nip this in the bud asap.

Pain causes more tightening of the muscles. Pain must be deminished until the msucles can relax.

WHen I had major surgery and truely needed oxycodon, I took it right on schedule around the clock. Without it I could not move with out screaming pain. My brother the pharmacist suggested breaking up the dosage to taking it every couple of hours so the doses overlapped and I was never without some on board. ALSO HE SAID OTC MEDS CAN WORK BETTER THAN THE SCRIPT MEDS-- so use the OTC stuff. One is better for muscle pain than the other and I cant remember which is which.

So if you are taking 600 mg. and IF that is for 6 hrs, take 300 mg every 3 hours. Yes you need to wake up to take it but at least the pain will be kept lower. He also said to run out is like starting over, dont miss a dose. Keep it up for several days.

ALSO drink water!!!

I realize this is not easy. But your back will thank you.

Hugs.

( I thru my back out today, and spent 4 hours on the couch with heating pad. At its worst, I was on the floor, not able to stand, and trying every stretch to get the spasm to lessen. ANd my breathing was like one uses during labor!!! When spasm decreased I stood up with great use of legs and arms pulling me up, then carefully made my way to a couch. Son got all my treatment stuff. )

Try the back doctors on utube. Do what decreases pain NOT increases pain.

Thanks Arielle great tips! No offense taken my whole body is out of shape. My foot is back in a walking cast and I injured iliac soas joint so I have a problem with forward bends on good days. Thanks for the GENTLE reminder.

I do stretches but I'll have to google the specific one for that injury. I'm in counseling about the awful medical care I've had. The counselor is the one good thing!

A few years back I had a horrible attack of some kind in my lower back. The pain was excruciating. A friend gave me Aleve and said, take this it works.
It was like magic, knocked the pain right out and after a few days of taking it the pain was gone.

~also a hot bath will do wonders to relax the muscles, with Epsom salts if you have any.

Hi, nawchem. :) I'm sorry about the pain.

I use magnesium malate. I find it helps a lot with pain.

When you are up to doing some kind of exercises for the muscles in spasm, I have found Callanetics and very easy yoga poses and stretches to be amazingly helpful. Small movements, mindfulness, conscious constructive control....

I hope your day is going well. :)

The last time I had therapy for my back, the electrical stimulation seemed especially helpful and the PTs recommended I buy one. They range in price, usually related to the controls and accessories, but a basic TENS unit is around $25. They said the cheap ones are fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Naipo-Stimul...words=tens+unit

In jobs where you stand in one place, it is helpful to have an 6-12" high step or block to put one foot on and alternate. It stretches the lower back.

Thank you all so much. I already take Mg but not very much so I'll add in some extra. I also have a tens machine. I never gave a thought to using it on my back.

deirdra what could I use for a block?

One of these would work, I think:

https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Step...m/dp/B014WOXB6O

Hi, nawchem. :) It's the malic acid in that form of magnesium that takes away the pain.

I wish you success in lessening the pains. :)

Get a note from your doctor to bring and use a fold up type of stool that you can take home every night.
In France it's against workers laws not to have a stool available for cashiers. We need that here in the US.

We actually have something that resembles that stool in our kitchen. Thanks, JLx, Meme.

SilverEM mine mag oxide so I will switch.

Yesterday I did some gentle yoga, put a pillow support behind my back and heat pad on my back for hours, had no pain after that. I stretched for nearly an hour before work today and made an effort to keep my shoulder back and not slump forward. I worked on pulling in my abs and having better form. No pain so far.

Hallelujah!!! I'd been contemplating going to Urgent Care, as always LCers know about the body.

Nawchem, I'm glad you are making progress. What a relief to know how to reduce the pain. I wish you a lovely day. :)

Glad you're feeling better, nawchem! On March 25 I sprained my calf muscle just crossing the street. I couldn't put weight on it except to hobble and needed to stay off of it for a couple of weeks. Sitting around caused my back to start hurting, so as my leg got better my back got worse. I was pretty miserable. I am back to feeling 100%. Here's what helped me the most along the way:

1. Rest. Fetal position, knees toward chin feels good.
2. Heating pad.
3. Extra Strength Tylenol.
4. Water, water, water!
5. Bending and stretching to alleviate pain and increase range of motion as I healed.

I also take magnesium citrate daily since starting low carb. It does a world of good in staving off cramps and helping me relax and sleep.

While you're standing there working, be conscious about changing positions and shifting your weight periodically. Try your best to unbend your neck and stand up as straight as you can for a few seconds at a time. I think that may help.

Keep feeling better!