So lately I’ve been having back pain. Randomly.
Some days I’m good, nothing no pain. Then other days I’d have sharp pain in my lower left side of my back.
I finally couldn’t take it anymore, listened to my husband and went to the doctor. I don’t go to the doctor, in less I’m mega in pain. I was nervous, my mind was being ridiculous and making me think horrible scenarios. Do you ever do that when you’re uncertain of things?
“What if I can’t run? What about my half marathon?”
“What if its a tumor? What if its cancer?”
awful. awful. awful.
I’m a glass half-full kind of girl, so if this gives you any clue how anxious I was about this.
photo source
The Doctor came in, asked me loads of questions. I told her about the random pain and the area of concern. She felt around, had me do some leg lifts and confidently said, “You have muscle spasms.”
and breathe.
Here’s the deal, I’ve always complained about my back, but ALWAYS contributed it to being overweight, and would shake it off, take some Advil and go on with life. Well since I’ve lost some weight, I’ve kind of ran out of excuses for the random back pain.
The Doctor is having me take some medicines, don’t lift anything heavy, etc etc. BUT I can still workout and I can still RUN! YEA! Half-Marathon is mine!
So my friends, what lesson have I learned? Listen to my body, if it hurts, consistently hurts, DO something about it. I have to work on not brushing stuff off so easily. Who wants to live with random back pain? With you can do something to help cure it? Sheesh. I’m a mess, I know.
Anyone else stubborn about going to the doctor? Please tell me I’m not alone? Could we start a support group? 
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Glad you finally went to the doctor! Even more glad that it isn’t anything life threatening or that will prevent you from running – I remember how terrified I was to go to the doctor about my hip and then I felt silly when he didn’t make me stop running.
I find myself less terrified about going to the doctor the more weight I lose. I used to hate going because inevitably I would get a lecture about losing weight. Now I don’t mind going (as long as my running isn’t threatened – ha!) because my doctors praise me – my how the tables have turned!
That half marathon is sooooo yours! Excited for you to get your Tiffany’s necklace! =)
Kimpossible recently posted..Labor Day Weekend
I am SO stubborn about going to the doctor. Yearly physicals I can handle, but other aches/pains/colds/etc I try my darndest to stay out of there. You are not alone!
Kely recently posted..Wordless Wednesday- September 8- 2010
Whew, so glad it is something easily cared for. Ugh, this age of WebMd makes for some scary moments. Have you noticed that nearly EVERYTHING on WebMd (or similar sites) points to possibly cancer? Which is why I need to stay away. Worry, no point. Not sure when I’m REALLY going to learn that lesson.
Take care of yourself, listen to your doctor and hopefully soon you’ll be pain free!
My dad’s a doctor so I never don’t like to go to docs. But, I was “diagnosed” with muscle spasms when I was 16. They’ve never gone away and I take flexiril when it becomes unbearable. They randomly come on and when I’m stressed they get really bad. The best treatment that doesn’t require pills but isn’t that friendly to your wallet; massages!!! It’s a great excuse to go get one! But, literally that’s the only thing that clams the spasm without pills. And bengay after runs. I also go to the chiropractor every now and again only b/c I worked at one so could go for free. My parents ended up getting me a homedic back massager thingy last christmas. Way cheaper than weekly massages and I can use it at home at first sign of back pain. Whew I’ve said a lot. Let me know if you want any more advice/questions as I’ve had these for 7 yrs.
Ashley recently posted..Chafing
Ashley thank you so much! Your advice is really appreciated. The doctor gave me flexiril too. So far I haven’t noticed that its help. Any advice you have, send it my way. Because this is all new to me.
No problem! Flexiril actually doesn’t help for me that much and plus it knocks you out. One time I took it, walked the dogs and over the course of 15min almost literally laid down on the sidewalk and went to sleep. The best thing I’ve found are legit massages and bengay. I will be a bengay consumer (or biofreeze) for the rest of my life prob. You have to keep the muscles loose at all times. Im sure you could con your hubby into making it a daily chore. Unfortunately, my bf lives an hr away so I only get them on the weekends and I can’t afford to go to the places. Sometimes, if I really need a pill I’ll just use tried and true advil. My dad really dislikes tylenol- something to do w/ it breaking down your liver so we always use advil. Another thing I do is try to immediately lay down when the spasm starts. I don’t know why but for some reason my muscle says okay, maybe I can relax a little bit.
Ashley recently posted..Chafing
Yay for nothing major! I’m glad you got some meds too! I hope they help!
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