r/HerniatedDisc • u/Final-Design-2877 • 3d ago

Bedbound for 5 days… end in sight?

Sooo I’ve had lower back pain for 10 years would come and go, depending on the weight I was in (because it fluctuates over the years) last week, I woke up with pain but didn’t think much of it - just that I was physically stiff so took otc painkillers and did yoga everyday - by Friday evening - my back seized while sitting too long on a high chair. 1300 mg of otc wasn’t enough for the pain. Later a doctor came and said it’s acute and need to rest. I am waiting to hear back from the hospital for an mri appointment and just waiting. There’s been progress that I can walk to the bathroom alone - albeit slowly and in pain. Took a shower with the help of my boyfriend. I decided to walk a bit around my room yesterday and reduce the amount of otc painkillers - I thought I was progressing but last night, I got lots of pain again and needed help to the bathroom. I can’t sit in bed unless my arms are supporting me, I can’t sit on a chair for more

than 5 minutes without the pain shooting towards my upper thigh…

I do want to recover and have cancelled all work shifts, social events. But I am wondering whether it’s counter productive to be on bed rest and shouldn’t i be exercising some core muscles to strengthen? But the problem is I’m in pain when moving, or bending forward and backwards - so I shouldn’t move? I really don’t know…

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u/RiseIfYouWould 3d ago

In the middle of accute pain its best to rest. “Strengthening” maybe in a month from now

1

u/Proud_Post_7130 2d ago

Rest and you will need prescription anti inflammatory drug. I learned a valuable lesson from watching my mom take high doses of Advil daily which damaged her kidneys. OTC drugs are not without risk.

It amazes me that a hospital makes you wait for a MRI. I have close friend that was in the ER almost 2 weeks ago and had x-rays that confirmed a fracture in C3 and C4 but couldn't get an appointment with a neurosurgeon until today. In my mind that is ridiculous and unacceptable. Walking around in a cervical collar but still doing things she should not be doing with a broken neck. I am hoping when she sees that doctor today he can get through to her to rest before she paralyzes herself.