Ouch!

Dear Lord, my back is killing me today. I think I only slept about 2 hours last night, and that was fitfully between tossing, groaning, turning, moaning, and getting up to 'walk off' the pain about every 45 minutes. I've found that the more stationary I am the more it pains me. After nearly not making it out of bed this morning, barely being able to shower and dress (dressing with severe back pain would be a totally humorous thing to witness if it weren't so darn painful), and not being able to lift a 16.9 ounce bottle of water without cringing, I went to the doctor today. My doctor said I have strained muscles in the area where three muscles meet and connect to the pelvic girdle. This almost certainly happened on Easter morning when I was getting out of bed, of all things.

Everything I've been doing is right. That is, it was good that I continue to exercise. Exercising was doing me more good than harm (in the long run). What's happening at nights (or when I relax) is that my other muscles are relaxing and the ones that are strained are ironically tightening up even more to compensate for the other muscles that are at rest. This causes strain, cramping, and overuse of the muscles which perpetually worsens the condition. My Dr advised me to continue exercising (lifting and cardio) but has given me muscle relaxers and prescription strength pain relievers. She tried to give me Vicodin but I can't take that crap. Makes me feel like bugs are burrowing and nesting in my skin. With my knee surgery, I determined the pain in my knee was more tolerable then the side effects of the vicoden.

She's hopeful that the muscle relaxers and pain relievers will allow the strained muscles to relax and heal. It may take a month for it to totally heal but I should notice improvement soon (a few days). Since it's 67 and sunny today, I think my exercise for today will be a nice walk. If I can stay awake, that is. Between the lack of sleep the last couple of nights and drugs, I'm super sleepy!