setBACK

After Mexico vacation and a business trip to Denver, I had to get back on track of the vision quest.

I started with a bike ride on Sunday. My first bike ride in many many months. It was a good 5 mile ride, not too crazy, I have to get used to riding again.

Then Monday I hit the gym. I did my usual Elliptical.  Tuesday AM I mixed it up, did the stair climber,  bike and treadmill.  Wednesday I did some lifting and Elliptical, Thursday I was tired, so I did a quick 20 min on the Elliptical.

Friday am, my back went out.

This was a bad one, one of the worst I have ever had. Nothing helped and my medicine was expired, but seemed to help a little.  I thought back to my discussions withe several doctors over the years on what I can do.  They never had any answers for me. No exercises, no physical therapy, nothing.

After two days of no relief, I turned to the internet.  Sure enough a wiki page on back spasms!  It said to use ice for the first 72 hours. Hmm, I had been using the heating pad so much I have blisters on my back.  One doctor thought heat and ice alternatively might help but that sounds like torture.  Ice for the first 72 hours.  20 min, then take a 1.5 hr break. Repeat as often as you can. I did this for two days, writing times on the white board.  It provided immediate relief!

The spasms were still there though.  Bronwen went and picked up some fresh pills.   As the 72 hour time frame was coming to a close, I hobbled into the shower. .Hey, that feels good! I felt pretty good after the shower.

the next day I used heat and some light stretching.

Finally, 6 days  later, I was ready to try to go to work. The back is still very sore and stiff but the spasms appear to be over. I took the shuttle to the water taxi, Walking has always helped and it seemed better than being in an overloaded bus for 40 min.  The walk was tough. I just can't get it loose. I am walking and standing crooked still.  I took a handful of ibuprofen this am, but really don't want to take the muscle relaxers today if I can help it.  I have a new chair and brought in the heat pad. So far so good. I  am taking a lot of standing and walking breaks as sitting is always a bad thing for my back.

I hope to be able to get back on track next week, but will take it a little slower. I can't push myself I guess.