A few days ago, I awoke to a completely "locked" lower back. I could not get out of bed, nor bend, nor twist, nor lift anything, or really even walk for 48-hours. Yikes!
The first day I was curious because while I have known people this has happened to, I was lucky to have escaped this condition to date. The second day I started to panic thinking about how I would endure 6-months of this while traveling. Or worse, have to seek serious medical help or even cut our trip short. Thankfully, on the third day it was about 20% better and I limped down to a walk-in back clinic and saw a doctor who could speak a little English. There was no admittance process, no forms and no inquires as to previous conditions, medical history, allergies, etc. Although the leather sofas and decor were very nice. :)
After lifting my legs a few times on the examination table, he said that we should give it a week to see if it goes away by itself, and he would give me a prescription for some pain pills ($8.30 U.S. Dollars!). And if not, he would order an MRI! He then went and handed me a "free sample" of something, and said if it really hurt, I coud inject myself with this - a cortisone shot ("make sure it is in muscle"). Wow! Seriously? We still have it, and maybe I'll do my sore throwing-shoulder instead!
And then we talked about comparing Argentina's Mendoza wine country (where he grew up) to Napa Valley (which he visited after a medical conference in SF).
Thankfully the next day, it was 70% better and now 90% back to normal (just a little stiff in the mornings still). My condolences to anyone who has lower back problems and I am hoping that was a one-time fluke from a perfect storm of lifting too much luggage, walking too far on cobblestone streets, and a too-soft mattress.
Here's to avoiding as many medical emergencies as possible while traveling.
- Mike
The first day I was curious because while I have known people this has happened to, I was lucky to have escaped this condition to date. The second day I started to panic thinking about how I would endure 6-months of this while traveling. Or worse, have to seek serious medical help or even cut our trip short. Thankfully, on the third day it was about 20% better and I limped down to a walk-in back clinic and saw a doctor who could speak a little English. There was no admittance process, no forms and no inquires as to previous conditions, medical history, allergies, etc. Although the leather sofas and decor were very nice. :)
After lifting my legs a few times on the examination table, he said that we should give it a week to see if it goes away by itself, and he would give me a prescription for some pain pills ($8.30 U.S. Dollars!). And if not, he would order an MRI! He then went and handed me a "free sample" of something, and said if it really hurt, I coud inject myself with this - a cortisone shot ("make sure it is in muscle"). Wow! Seriously? We still have it, and maybe I'll do my sore throwing-shoulder instead!
And then we talked about comparing Argentina's Mendoza wine country (where he grew up) to Napa Valley (which he visited after a medical conference in SF).
Thankfully the next day, it was 70% better and now 90% back to normal (just a little stiff in the mornings still). My condolences to anyone who has lower back problems and I am hoping that was a one-time fluke from a perfect storm of lifting too much luggage, walking too far on cobblestone streets, and a too-soft mattress.
Here's to avoiding as many medical emergencies as possible while traveling.
- Mike
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