October was a really stressful month for us. My parents were on holiday in Germany, and my brother was due to go to London for his Masters. The little boy was sick again, and I spent one night twisting my back and reaching down to sponge him all night.
The next morning I woke up with my back feeling a little sore. I didn't think much of it, and went about the house as usual. As I crouched to load my laundry, there was this sudden sharp pain in my lower back and I collapsed! The pain was excruciating. I cried out for help- fortunately my brother was at home and came to my rescue. I could barely walk and struggled to make my way to a chair. When I got there, I realised I could not bend down to sit at all- my lower back was too painful. My brother rushed me to a clinic where the doctor diagnosed me with muscle spasms. He gave me some painkiller and muscle relaxants, and sent me on my way. The next few days were dreadful. I struggled to do so many things. I could not get out of bed (now that was really scary), even simple things like brushing my teeth, sitting down and using the toilet, bending over to flush the toilet, etc required monumental effort on my part. I never realised how important my lower back muscles were until I hurt them. :(
I visited the doctor a few times over the next few days. After a week, I couldn't take it any more. My usual GP finally referred me to the hospital, where I saw an orthopaedic surgeon, and had a proper check up. I did an MRI- another scary experience. My heart was racing as I lay still in the 'tunnel', unable to move an inch (moving would blur the images). The noise was deafening and I did not dare to open my eyes. It was a horribly stressful, claustrophobic experience!
The scan showed that I had a slipped disc at L5 that was pressing on a nerve, hence the pain. I underwent physiotherapy over the next 2-3 days, and had to stay in hospital. There was the ice therapy and the electrical therapy, and in general, plenty of bed rest.
I manage to avoid having surgery, but I may not be so fortunate as I age. I really really need to take care of my back. After that episode, my back is definitely not the same as it used to be. It is a lot weaker and it stiffens up very easily. Yet another reminder that are is catching up.
The whole saga resulted in us not being able to celebrate our little girl's birthday properly. I need to make it up to her next year....
