I am not an athlete (unless you count power eating a sport – in which case – I am an athlete), but I don’t think I’m in too bad of a shape (round is very nice). So, I was surprised to find myself incapacitated by searing back pain last New Year’s Eve. A simple jog across the street became a game of crippled Frogger. Imagine my surprise when my back gave out after starting a slow sprint across the street on a yellow light. Needless to say, the light turned red, and I was the subject of ire for every car I blocked.
I was not disappointed with the lack of wine I had because of the ibuprofen I took or with my commute in serious back pain on the way home. I was most disappointed with my doctor’s reaction and assessment. I spoke with my friend via text regarding my situation. She’s an MD down in Philly, and she suggested I take two ibuprofen every 6 hours until the inflammation goes down and to see my regular doctor if the pain continues. I went to see my doctor after day 4. He told me to take 2 ibuprofen whenever I ate and that my back should be fine in 6 weeks.
I was surprised that he never touched my back but simply asked me the same series of questions as my Philly friend did. I paid my doctor his $30 copay, scheduled my next physical and went on my merry way (slowly since I still couldn’t walk, stand or sit comfortably – laying down was alright – but I wasn’t going to get anywhere lying down… I digress).
Just last Friday after one too many drinks at a bar with karaoke, I tiptoed home with the sun above my head. I don’t know if it was my slight inebriation (too many drinks = slight inebriation), but I manage to let my leg get out from under me on some black ice, and I fell hard in a seated position (most fun I’ve had in 2011 – for real) and my back pain started acting up. Luckily (I thought), this was only 2 days before my physical.
After seeing my doctor today, he has touched my back a grand total of 0 times and keeps telling me my back should be fine by the end of February. I hope/pray the doctor knows what he’s doing because these copays are killing me, and I can’t really afford a second opinion.
Meanwhile, will I ever be able to walk to my favorite athletic event (dinner) in comfort again? I don’t know, but if this is what getting old is all about – I want no part of it.
JJRC
