Showing posts with label back problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label back problems. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Princess And The Pea

My weekend away with my hubs was very relaxing, but not as restful as I had hoped.  That is the super short version of events.

Ever since I was a teenager, I've suffered from back spasms on and off.  Because of my bone disease, all the bones in my body, including my spine, aren't formed the way they are supposed to be.  This causes my muscles to want to protect my bones when they move a certain way that my muscles don't think they should be moving (can't we all just get along?  Apparently not).  Before I was put on my current medications, the spasms used to happen 3-4 times a year, as opposed to the once or twice a year now.  But even if it's not in full on spasm (meaning I can't move for days), there are many times that it is achy and annoyingly bothersome.

In general, I usually have a hard time sleeping in any bed that isn't my own (I have this all natural latex mattress at home and it's awesome!).  I've had better luck with high end mattresses, like the few Tempur-Pedics that I've slept on, and even air mattresses have been good when traveling (well, good enough).  If I don't have any of these, I end up with back pain, sometimes for days.  It makes for very uncomfortable traveling.

This past weekend was the third time that we've stayed at this particular bed and breakfast.  The past two times we stayed in two different rooms and both were very comfortable.  Since it's such a beautiful house to stay in, we've tried to stay in a different room each visit.  Well, the room we slept in this weekend had the softest bed that I think I've ever slept in--ever.  It was so soft that we just sunk into it.  I imagine that many people would feel like they were sleeping on a cushy cloud and would enjoy the entire experience.  I did not.  

Luckily I travel with an arsenal of medicine (just in case) and so after waking up Sunday morning, completely exhausted from getting hardly any sleep for the second night in a row, I started the muscle relaxer routine.  I took 2-3 Flexeril pills a day for the past 3 days. Today is the first day that I'm Flexeril free.

My back is almost all the way eased up...I can still feel where it's a bit tight in one spot.  Thankfully I didn't have any appointments in the beginning of this week and so I was able to stay in bed while my back worked itself out.  And many thanks to my husband...for, once again, picking up the pieces while I'm stuck I bed feeling like crapola.  I love you Jason!

What kind of mattresses have you found to be helpful for problem backs?

 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Going For A Road Trip

My stress level has been pretty high over the past few weeks...with dealing with my plateaued progress with my ankles, and some upcoming family events.  But this past weekend I noticed my anxiety getting markedly worse than it's been.  This upcoming weekend we are going out of town for my brother-in-law's wedding and I'm really dreading the whole trip.  Don't get me wrong, I love my BIL, and my future SIL, and I'm happy to attend their wedding, it's all the other stuff that's a problem for me and my medical state these days.

The only long trip I've made in the past year was when I went to visit my parents in Delaware back in November.  Visiting them is a 3 hour car trip each way, and although it took a lot out of me, there was nothing expected of me.  We didn't go anywhere...I could wear my sneakers...I could put my feet up when needed...and I knew that if I didn't feel well, I could always go and lay down and rest.  Bottom line...I didn't have to pretend to be happy and well if I really wasn't.

 Most people don't realize how much pretending, or putting on a happy face, goes on when you are a chronic pain sufferer.  Even the simple question of, “How are you?” is a difficult one to answer.  Are they just making conversation? “Okay, and how are you?”  Do they want the short version of the truth? “I've had better days, but things could always be worse.”  Do they want the whole truth? “I want to go home and load up on pain meds until I fall asleep and don't have to deal with the pain any longer.”  By the way...I usually go with the short version answer so I don't have to freak people out and make them feel uncomfortable.  Aren't I nice? :)

This weekend allows me a limited amount of options.  Not only is it a longer car ride, but I can't wear my sneakers, I can't put my feet up, I have to go about things on my own (without my husband's help since he's in the wedding party), and I can't just leave and lay down if the pain gets too much.  Not only will I be bringing all my pain meds along with me for this trip, but my Xanax for the stress of it too.  It's amazing how much more anxiety I get when I feel like I'm backed in a corner and have no plan B.

Say prayers for me my friends!  I have a feeling the anxiety is only going to get worse.  Hopefully the pain will be less than the anxiety, although I have a feeling it probably won't :(



Sunday, May 11, 2014

Celebrate The Small Things...May 9th Edition

I'm Celebrating The Small Things!  Celebrate The Small Things is a weekly celebration where some bloggers have decided to post about something worth celebrating...no matter how big or small it is.

This week has been a rough one for me, which is why I'm posting on Sunday instead of the usual Friday.  See, I threw my back out Tuesday night and have been in bed popping muscle relaxers ever since.  Today is the first day that I've come downstairs to sit.  Through all of this yuckiness, I'm thankful for a few things...

  • My wonderful supportive husband
  • My helpful (most of the time) kiddos
  • My comfortable bed
  • Muscle relaxers
  • Heat packs

Without any of these, I may still be lying in my bed!

What are you celebrating?


If you'd like to Celebrate The Small Things, head on over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, by VikLit, for more information.