Okay, so you know when you hurt yourself......

[Miss Mary]

and then make things worse, not better, all the time?

I hurt my back a few weeks ago and it's finally getting better, but I keep dropping things - all the time! And down I go again, doing the knee bends to pick up that little thing I dropped.

It's as if my body knows I can't bend over anymore!

I am seeing a chiropractor and he's helped me a lot. But it's expensive......my copays are $30 each and he'd ideally like to see me 8 times each month, twice a week and then drop down to 4 or so visits a month and from there, possibly one. I cannot afford that. So I've agreed to 4 visits for December. And I'm doing stretching exercises here at home.

But it kills me how all day long something that usually won't fall to the floor, does. Or the dog's water bowl is dirty or the dishwasher needs to be emptied (our utensil basket is on the door and it's 3 inches off the floor! So I almost have to kneel to unload it!)

Okay, just whining and all.....wish I had a maid to do all of this right now! LOL

I think I just need more ibuprophen......and a new body! LOL

[Stephanie]

I wonder if you are dropping things because of your back. Perhaps you damaged a nerve as well? It may be all related.

[JonathanBelles]

I wonder if you are dropping things because of your back. Perhaps you damaged a nerve as well? It may be all related.

That was my first thought when I read it.

[CajunMama]

Mary, i know you don't want the expense but you need to get your back checked out by a doctor. I know i waited too long for my shoulder. I'm into my 3rd month of PT and unfortunately back before i started my PT our ins. deductible doubled. Ouch!!!!!!! But it's been worth every penny i've had to spend. I've only got about 1 1/2 weeks left and i feel so good.

[Miss Mary]

Huh, I'm dropping things because of my back.

I never thought of that before!

He did say the middle part of my back is tight and very tense. I know it doesn't feel normal back there. I am lifting every single thing that's low - very, very wisely. Oh believe you me, I am!

What did it this time was leaning over and down to pick a carton of 24 can soda/case up off a skid, that was about 4 feet off the ground. I didn't bend my knees but that specific position did it. I felt the pull in my lower back. The chiro took 2 xrays so nothing is broken, just irritated. And this injury can be traced back to 1990, the last 2 weeks of my last pregnancy was extremely painful. My OB said my daughter was in the birth position already and resting on that nerve that begins with an S? I had shooting pains down my legs. But she came 3 weeks early (after I prayed she would come on time!) so once she came, the pain was over. Until years later.

What I really need to do is look into another line of work, long term. I love my job (middle school cafeteria) but it is physically demanding. I am more suited and used to clerical work. We do a lot of lifting. Odd things you wouldn't even think were strenuous, such as a deep pan of pasta, kept in a warmer/oven, that's low, and the pan is stainless. Very heavy. 15 lbs I'm guessing.

Hubby keeps saying look for another type of job that is easy on my back.

But for now I am hanging in there. My boss knows my back is a mess. I don't have to do ALL the heavy lifting.

I just never realized what goes into a food service type job until I took one!

I honestly expected to be ~just~ be standing along a serving line, dishing up food! LOL You all can stop laughing now.....

Thanks for the input everyone. I will find a comfy chair and read my days away now....he he (no not really, he said to keep active and walk, exercise, etc.).

[Stephanie]

My OB said my daughter was in the birth position already and resting on that nerve that begins with an S? I had shooting pains down my legs. But she came 3 weeks early (after I prayed she would come on time!) so once she came, the pain was over.

It's the sciatic nerve.

I did something fun/silly/unwise for a women of my age, 46. The four Harrah's casino properties have started an annual Casino Olympics. This past September was the 2nd year. They have men's and women's tug of war, which I participated in both years. Last year I messed up my right knee due to the angle I had it bent at. This year, while coming in second place I might add, I must've pinched a nerve in my back. It wasn't until about two weeks later that my left leg started to tingle, feel numb and ache. I did see my doctor and we gave it a little more time. I started to notice a pain that ran down the back of my leg from my butt and I knew that it was my sciatic nerve. I have several friends that have sciatic nerve problems that they see a chiropractor for. Anyway, the leg's better now. You should've heard my mother when I told her about my leg and it was from the tug of war!


I think I'll still sign up for it again next year.

[Pburgh]

"What did it this time was leaning over and down to pick a carton of 24 can soda/case up off a skid, that was about 4 feet off the ground. "

Sounds like a Compensation claim to me. Even if you had a bad back previously, this incident should be reported and your treatment would be covered by Compensation.

I'll put on a pot of Earl Grey and you can snuggle in and relax for a while.

(I pulled my back out last Sunday by coughing really hard!!!) Now that's when you know you're getting old. LOL

Take care