Back Attack Returns

I put Riley to bed the other night. While I was hugging her for the tenth time my left arm completely crossed my body. That's when I felt IT. The evil, deep-in-my-back, horror show of pain that started the "attack" last week. I called Mike in my least panicked, but still stern tone. He came quickly and I greeted him with, "It's happening again." I made it back to my room without alerting my little Miss. It was time to test the new cream...

And speaking of...I spent an entire day in tears over that stuff. I went to the Ortho on Friday (the only day my back liberation squad hangs out at the office) and I was told I'd have it on Monday or Tuesday. On Tuesday instead of something that would help with my back pain I got a phone call. I was informed by a pharmacist that they can't fill "anything" through my insurance. Nice, huh? I said, "Ok" and hung up. I was stunned because the Ortho's office has always been on the ball. I called the Ortho and left a message. I had officially boarded the emotional roller coaster being in pain and frustrated lends itself to. Before I got a return phone call from the Ortho I called the pharmacy back. When I inquired what it cost out of pocket he replied, "It's very expensive." I'm not going to lie I totally flashed on the shopping scene from Pretty Woman.

So, here I am coming unglued about the whole situation because I only had to keep it together until Tuesday! Now it was Tuesday and there was no way to make it stop hurting without being less functional than the pain was already making me. After repeating that paying out of pocket was not an option without giving me a number he told me that they had a "Low Cost Option." He explained that it would have to be approved by the Ortho and I would only receive a 15 day supply for the bargain price of $60. I told him to send the Ortho the paperwork. Shortly after that the Ortho's prescription person called and I informed her the paperwork was coming. She told me that the compound I would get would have "fewer ingredients."

At this point I became concerned. I mean what the heck does that mean? I don't even know what he prescribed in the first place only what it was supposed to do. Hours of stress slowly ticked by before the pharmacy called to get my address. I insisted on hearing every ingredient in the original and modified prescription. I Googled as she explained until I was certain I understood what they were selling me. They told me to expect it within 48 hours. It arrived on schedule.

Which brings us back to the second back attack. Back in my room I told Mike that this time I knew exactly what triggered it. My left shoulder blade popped out. That first pain was identical to last time. I turned around and weakly pointed at my left shoulder. Mike made a grossed out sound and said, "It's not in the right place." He pressed on it while I cursed and screamed and then he applied newly the obtained cream. I was completely frustrated that this was happening again. I was also completely relieved to know the cause. Hopefully, a chat with the Ortho will help me prevent any more of these buggers. Obviously, I have to be fit for nighly hug duty!

Back Attack

Over the weekend I was typing and my whole left leg went numb. It didn't fall asleep. There weren't pins and needles, I just couldn't feel it. I stood up and after a few minutes I felt burning in the bottom of my foot. Mike rubbed my leg while I tried my best to stomp my foot. Stomping has never been easy for me, bad balance. It was a long time before the burning spread up my calf. Once the burning ended I had feeling in my leg again in time for it to be hella sore! After an hour or so I was fine and I almost forgot about it entirely.

Then on Tuesday night I was sitting on the edge of the bed helping Miss Roo turn her pajama shirt right side in when I was struck by the most intense pain. My eyes welled up with tears and I had to lay down. It was a deep spasm, somewhere in between my back and my stomach. I'm not a wimp. I've had back spasms tons of times, but these were serious buggars! They just keep going all evening, waking me up during the night and on into the morning hours.

My back was raw when they stopped. I always have pain after I've had spasms. I call it the "spasm hangover". After an involuntary 10 hour workout...sore doesn't even touch it. I sucked it up and got the kids off to camp, but by the afternoon it was clear my normal coping technique of ignoring it wasn't working so well. I called the orthopedic while I waited in the car for Isaac. To my astonishment, after a little financial business was concluded, they got me an appointment for 48hrs later! Unheard of.

Their concern and prompt appointment slot kind of scared me. Later that night I wondered for the first time if my leg issue over the weekend could be related. Pinched nerve? Had I broken something? Then again, maybe it was nothing. I was still hurting when I marched into the doctor's office with Isaac in tow Friday morning. I waited ten minutes past my appointment time, nothing serious. The x-ray tech was amused because not only was I completely metal-free in my attire, but I assumed the position for each x-ray without any instructions. "I guess you've done this before." Yeah, once or twice.

The ortho said everything looked good bone-wise. Phew. He said his "red flag was slightly raised", but for now I just needed to calm the pain down and let him know if it happens again. I sure hope not. There's a possibility of something else going on that wouldn't be visible on an x-ray, but he seemed happy which made me feel better. He gave me a prescription for something new. A topical anti-inflammatory/muscle relaxer cream. I don't take pills if it can be at all avoided. I don't like to feel dopey. I'm a mother of two I have to be alert. The idea of circumventing the conventional pill sending medicine soup into the bloodstream (and long term damage the kidneys or liver), but a cream that absorbs into the effected area is exciting. He assures me only 10% gets into your bloodstream. The downside is it's very new and has to be specially made so I have to wait for it to come in the mail.