What do you do when you get a flare up? - Back Problems Message Board

ala3 · 01-24-2007, 01:05 PM

Hi everyone ,
I was doing pretty good after my epidurals and radiofrequency. On the last visit with my PM he recommended streching my hamstrings. I did ,and now I am a little flared up. I am afraid it's going to get worse , I have same symptoms like before my horrible flare up last year. I am taking muscle relaxants and ibuprofen and some vicodin, I am icing ,I try to rest but lying down is uncomfortable. If you can reccomend anything alse I would really appreciate it. I don't want to and can't afford to get worse. Please help.

BlueAtlas · 01-24-2007, 02:19 PM

What do you do to stretch your hamstrings? Just curious if something my therapist said would apply to you.

~Emily

Arthr Itis · 03-10-2007, 08:34 AM

I like my recliner, it doesn't lay completely flat but just enough to take the pressure off my back. Then I take a vicodin and vegetate the day away!

ms_west · 03-10-2007, 09:04 AM

ala3, I am so sorry you are in so much pain. That stinks! First off, if you haven't I would stop all exercising and let you pain calm down. Second is to alternate between ice and heat. Maybe even take a bath if you can get in and out of your bath. If you are not laying on heat, try some bengay/arthritis cream. You have the meds covered, one for muscles, one for inflamation, and one for pain.

I too like a recliner. To sit with my back reclined and legs elevated.

Other than that no bending, twisting, or lifting and if the pain continues call your doctor.

I will be lifting you up in prayer today and listen get better soon!!

ala3 · 03-10-2007, 06:38 PM

Hi, thank you for your replies. I went to see my pm doc. last week. He said that my pain comes this time from lumbar facets. Originally, I had painin the lower back , buttocks , and legs. I have a small herniation in L5-S1 and SI joints inflamation. Now my pain is different . It went up and it hurts when Itry to bend backwards. He wants to do facets injections from L2 down. The epidurals and rhizotomy helped with my pain before so I am hoping they will work thistime as well. He also gave me percocet , it really helped with the pain for about 20 hrs. , but I got an upset stomach and nightmares. So for now i am staying away from it. The medrol pack helped reduce the symptoms. Did anyone have experience with facets injections? Is it about the same or more painful than ESI?
Hope you all feel better.

Alex