Life is suffering

Complaining of back pain may lead to the following unsolicited advice:

• See a chiropractor
• Get acupuncture
• Have a lidocaine shot
• Apply ice
• Apply heat

I've opted for this strategy:

• Stay active by walking regularly. (I rode my bike a little and played softball this weekend. I'm not sure if I'll go to the gym for more vigorous cardio, but perhaps.)
• I won't lift weights until the pain subsides--then I'll go back to the old routine.
• Do some mild stretching if it causes no pain (did some this weekend; it was ok).
• Stand up and walk around at least once an hour (really helps).
• Ice at least once a day (ice feels good!).
• Take lots of drugs to ease the pain (better than not taking drugs, but pain remains).
• Get physical therapy (I have an appointment on 29 Nov.).

When I take the half tablet of Flexeril (muscle relaxant) at night, I sleep well, but remain groggy for most of the next day. I feel like I am wrapped in gauze. Last night, I decided not to take the Flexeril so I could be alert at work today. The consequence? I didn't fall asleep until 2am and I feel ill, exhausted and extra-gauzy. Guess it's back to drugs for me. None of this is helping me get work done. Things are starting to pile up. I'm chipping away, but the fuzzy-headed feeling and slight headache that seem to be my constant companions these days aren't helping.

Didn't I say I wouldn't complain about being sick? Whoops.

There is a point to all of this, though. This back pain makes me realize how lucky I am to be pain-free almost all of the time. I also realize how distracting it could be to live with pain as a "normal" part of one's life. It makes it hard to concentrate on other things and it also makes me grumpy. I tend not to take it out on other people, but it's probably a good thing I don't have a boyfriend. He might end up sharing in my suffering.

Grateful for: not making others share my pain (except for you who read this?).