Ok, here we go, and Peter moves in on Monday. I went too hard for the training and I have myself to blame, but what a week. I am doing this MMA training and I will of course do it 100 per cent as usual and I always think I am 26 years old, haha.
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ShareIt started with a series of blows and I dislocated my vertebrae and then when I jumped straight down to the floor and up again on one leg, it was STOP. What do I do now on a Sunday (last Sunday) with a back injury?
Table of contents
Back pain after exercise
I stayed seated and immediately told Helena that it's over. I couldn't get up so she had to help me and that alone was difficult because she has no idea when it hurts and when it doesn't. It got worse on Sunday evening and there was no way to get into bed, so we pulled the mattress down to the floor because it's easier to crawl.
It took about 30 minutes before I found a way to even crawl down. To have a proper back injury is that if you bend even 2 mm wrong, someone puts a knife in your back directly into your nerve pathways.
Help
I took my phone to call my naprapath that I have had for 20 years on Monday morning to get a quick appointment and set the clock to 06:30, nooooooooooo, it was not that easy. He has an appointment on Wednesday, noooooooooooo. Ok, what do I do now?
All my life I have been saying: What do I do now? Think, think, think. First to get up and start stretching, ok, here we go. To even try to get up in a crawling position from lying down with a knife in the back took at least 15 minutes, then we live in a car. houseboat, yes! Handicapped accessible? Nooooooo.
I crawled to the narrow staircase and thought of getting up with the help of the stairs, noooooooo. And in addition to the pain, I can say as a man, that some mornings the bladder is very large and I needed a mobile toilet, NOW. I did not come up from the lower deck because it hurt too much. What luck that you have a person in your life who has run in the paws, so a bucket was delivered to the "lower deck" so there would be no flooding.
Two heavy days
Monday and Tuesday were not fun and I haven't crawled this much since I was 6 months old. I relied heavily on the fact that on Wednesday my naprapath breaks my vertebrae and I leave happy. When you can't walk, sit and barely crawl, you also understand what my toilet visits looked like, hmmm, if you got to go, you got to go. This was worse than starting a business. The toilet seat is in the completely WRONG HEIGHT, who has come up with this height, I demand a quarter number with the manufacturer!
It took me 30 minutes to even get down and sit with my arms stretched and then came the next shock! How will I get my underwear and trousers up, think, think. The broom is on the same level and it was my rescue and what a hassle because I couldn't even lean forward. Pull up one side and then the other and the first side goes down, it's not true! Is this a Disney film? Ok, problem solved after another 30 minutes.
Standing room in the motorhome
I called my son Robin for HELP because I realised that in our little Renault Clio I would never fit. Now it was the BIG motorhome that applies and there I will fit. I tried to squeeze myself into the passenger seat but it was not possible, so I had to kindly go into the living room and stand up the entire journey of 30 minutes to the naprapath and my son Robin drove as kindly as he could. I couldn't walk on my own so I held onto him the whole time. My naprapath Rolf welcomed us with a "wow, it looks very serious". NÄÄÄÄÄHE.
He immediately told me to just take off my shirt and there were three vertebrae that had twisted in different places at the same time, so I had never been so tight in my back ever. "Lie down on the bed," he said, and I tried but it just didn't work.
He massaged me standing up and said he could not help me because I have to lie down when he breaks the vertebrae back, THAT IS NOT TRUE. I don't have time for this, I have work and lots to do! I had to travel home in the camper van and thought that the next visit to the toilet will not be fun. Lena Philipsson got a whole new dimension, "It hurts".
Focused on Friday
Since I'm writing now, I survived but I'm going to skip the toilet visits. I charged for Friday and there are only two more hellish days in my life, and I also thought of "Happy Friday" which I want to convey to all the wonderful readers. There is a lot going on in my brain. Thursday came and I was very sick and still crawling with enormous pain. What do I do now? What choices do I have? I have been eating double Codeine every four hours and it doesn't help and I need to get down on this divine seat with the naprapath.
CHOICE? Should I stay home for 4 weeks and heal this in peace and quiet, NO. We are going to a blog meeting on Monday evening and we are going to a Malta on Thursday, so what is there? ALCOHOL should help and I have to. I texted Helena to buy a box of white wine and I started drinking on Thursday night, about half the box to try to sleep better than I had all week.
I set the clock to 06:30 because I had time at ten and started drinking for breakfast with codeine to succeed in my mission. Damn wine with breakfast! My son Robin drove me standing and wobbling in the motorhome to the naprapath after the rest of the box and I came down.
I never told my naprapath that I had drunk a lot because I don't know if he can see me then and he shouldn't get hurt, but he fixed my vertebrae. I was unusually flaccid, he said, haha. Oh how bad I felt on Friday after all the wine and that charge but "mission complete and Happy Happy Friday". Sometimes desperate measures are required for emergency situations.
I have my back and Helena has her migraines that we have to deal with in life. Please tell us what gets in the way in your life.
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OnTrip.com says:
I'm glad you're feeling better. Wow, what a bad round. Can almost feel how much it must hurt when I read this post.
Hope you are soon fully recovered and that you have a wonderful trip to beautiful Malta.
/Annette
03 October 2016 - 6:55
Diana's dreams says:
Haha, wine for breakfast for back pain, crazy 🙂 nice that it is better now ....
03 October 2016 - 6:59
Lennart says:
Terrible, I say.
I am super happy that, so far, I have been spared both back pain and migraines.
The age sometimes reminds on the mornings with sciatica.
03 October 2016 - 7:08
åsa in åsele says:
OMG
That sounds absolutely bloody awful.
Wine for breakfast with painkillers... never in my life 😉.
But yes, I understand you, I have chronic pain... I know it hurts.
I keep my fingers crossed and hope for a speedy recovery.
03 October 2016 - 7:22
Alexandra says:
So I really feel sorry for you, sounds awful!!! But I still can't help but laugh a little at your story...you tell it well anyway. And wine for breakfast...well, all ways are good except the bad ones! 😉 Hope you feel much better now anyway.
03 October 2016 - 7:34
Lanclin-Linnea says:
Do not know what to say Peter 🙁 Seventeen guys so boring... I grew up with a father who gets back pain from time to time at the most inconvenient times so I recognise the hassle 🙁 I have no recurring hassle but had migraines that let me see everything as if through a kaleidoscope when I was pregnant. Terribly impractical in fact 😉 Greet everyone at the travel blog meeting, unfortunately could not come due to celebration of Germany's national day 😉.
03 October 2016 - 7:58
Ulrika Ahlgren says:
Terrible about the back pain, fingers crossed you avoid it and migraines on the trip.
03 October 2016 - 8:01
Cecilia says:
Peter, I'm laughing so hard I'm crying!
Sorry!
????? So I'm off!
Wine breakfast and "I haven't crawled that much since I was 6 months old"... this was a hilarious post, although I realise it's been hell!
❤️ have a great time in Malta!
Hope to see you soon!
03 October 2016 - 8:24
Emma, sun like sun? says:
That's strange, you think that you just have to suck it up and do what you have to do, put up with the pain, go to the toilet, lie down on the bed... But no, that's not how the body works! Even if the brain says BIT IHOP, the body ignores it and refuses. I have not had back pain but I have had inflammation in my back that made my husband have to lift me out of bed, could not get up no matter what I did. I now recognise the pain when it is happening so then I just have to take it easy, do something else.
Champagne breakfast! You should have had bubbly instead, asked Helena to buy some strawberries or something. Lemon and lemonade, you know!
It's good that it's better and you know we won't do that again.
03 October 2016 - 8:51
Peter Bergström says:
ONTRIP.DK: Hi Annette! It has been awful when the nerves get squeezed. I am going to the naprapath again tomorrow because it is still not good but not like it was last week. Thank you for writing and I have read that you will start writing for others. What fun with collaborations and greet your husband.
Diana's dreams: Wine with breakfast was the only anaesthetic I could think of because spring tablets did not help. I can tell you that it took its toll and it's not something I recommend. How crazy life can get sometimes.
Hi Lennart: I have had back pain for 20 years and it comes every six months. Now it was extra bad because three vertebrae jumped at the same time. Wine for breakfast tastes like cat piss, to be honest, but I saw no way out.
Åsa in Åsele: I thought of a thousand options and it's urgent, so this was the only way I could think of. It may be tough to write about it and be completely honest, but I'm like that for better or worse.
Alexandra: It is better but not great so I have to get better tomorrow at the naprapath, so I can do the job in Malta. At least I get warm. Thank you for your concern.
Lanclin-Linnea: If you've seen back pain before, you know what it does to people. I'm going to get to the blog meeting tonight and it won't be easy, but I'll be there. I will say hello to everyone from you. Have a nice German day.
Ulrika Ahlgren: Thank you for your words and they are warming. As usual, we have a programme from eight in the morning to twelve at night. We get to see a lot and we have fun, but it is extremely stressful to see everything from another country. You have to be in good shape, so we need to feel good.
Cecilia: Haha!!! I have to see the tragicomic in this to be able to move on and see everything positive. Burying myself is not for me, but damn how tough it was. I looked up "Life of Brian" and listened to Always look on the bright side of life on Youtube just to cheer me up when I was in pain, absolutely crazy. Thank you Cecilia.
03 October 2016 - 9:15
Comsi Comsa says:
Ow ow ow ow, back pain is terrible, hope you have become well now and that you do not get hungover on the purchase. 🙂
Hugs ♥
03 October 2016 - 9:25
Peter Bergström says:
Emma, Sol som sol: Haha, yes you know how it affects the body. you are right I could have done it with class and champagne. Strange that it is more accepted than drinking wine. It would have been very expensive and I was looking for a painkiller. I will take it easy with some exercises but it will be difficult because I always go 100% in everything I do. Thanks for your nice message and take care of yourself too.
03 October 2016 - 9:26
Peter Bergström says:
Comsi Comsa: I am not completely well and will go to the naprapath again tomorrow but it is better. Drinking and taking pills was only an emergency and I think you all understand that. I am a doer and get things done so sitting and waiting is not for me. Hugs back and take care of yourself.
03 October 2016 - 9:32
Goatfish says:
I don't know whether to laugh or cry, when I read about your suffering 😉 you tell with such empathy, so I almost stand next to you, haha.
No, I understand that it was hell.
Usually I don't have pain anywhere, but my crooked back can haunt me, but it's not even close to a backache, thankfully 😀.
Get well soon and get well to Malta!
03 October 2016 - 10:00
Ditte says:
Bad, really bad! But it's good that after a few trips to get rid of the evil. I hope you also received advice on how to try to avoid this happening again.
I run a perfect back training programme a couple of times a week, a programme that my father once developed for those who were in the army and had rather weak backs, "BRAK" abdomen, back, arms and knees. Perfect as a warm-up and you take as much as you want and can increase as you go along.
It hurts terribly with back pain, herniated discs and the worst part is that you can't even move.
Take care of yourself! Because starting with white wine for breakfast is not a good idea!
03 October 2016 - 10:38
Lena & Jan says:
My goodness what a struggle, get well soon! Poor you (even if self-inflicted).
Realise that Naprapaths need to have a mobile bed AND an emergency service, a new way of thinking is clearly required, it is not wise that you/all MUST go to the clinic so inhumanly painful!!!
03 October 2016 - 10:51
åsa in åsele says:
Lucky, if I may say so 😉 that you live so centrally,
now it was not x number of hours in the car to get to the naprapath.
Sometimes it is very good to live in a centrally located city.
I hope you get in shape for your Malta trip,
hopefully warmer there and the heat will help soothe your back.
If you have a heating blanket, it can be good to lie on it,
or a carpet of nails...
03 October 2016 - 11:16
Anette Åhnbrink says:
Get well soon! All ways are good except the bad ones! Hope you get some relief, so you can go to Malta, because we want to read about your trip there and everything else too!
03 October 2016 - 11:24
JoY says:
You tell your story in a "funny" way so we also laugh while we suffer with you, Oh what a miserable misery you had/have.
Yes Why are there no naprapaths who make home visits, it would be easier.
Fingers crossed that you can get away to the warmth.
Hugs
03 October 2016 - 11:25
Marie says:
I have to say that I feel sorry for you while I sit here laughing at your wonderful storytelling! What a pain in the arse! I really hope you get away to Malta, as it sounds like you are well worth a luxury trip after this. Great big hug
03 October 2016 - 11:42
Peter Bergström says:
Hi Gerd! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and then the boat was rocking too, so it wasn't any easier. I'm going to Malta so it's only one way or another and preferably not with alcohol. We're going there to work and that's many hours a day. I have to be careful.
Hi Ditte: My basic idea is to stay in shape as I get older. After 50, the body doesn't react as it should so it needs help. Now I have a bad back since many years ago, and I try to train my lover back but I need to step down a few steps in my training. Have a good day Ditte.
Lena and Jan: I don't understand the mindset either, but naprapaths are never really approved in an insurance context, strangely enough. I think it is an excellent business idea to have a home run, haha, I mean home naprapath who came with a folding bed and helped. When I still pay SEK 750 for each visit, I might as well pay another SEK 500. I still had to ask my son to drive and the car costs and parking. Take care of both of you.
Åsa in Åsele: I asked my son to buy a weightlifting belt after the first visit and it has helped a lot laterally. I do certain movements as recommended by naprapaths on a daily basis. The difficult thing is that you get so tired after an hour of standing up and you dread going to bed, because then it hurts the most and the toilet of course, haha. It's a bit crazy but we're going to Malta and that's just the way it is.
Anette Åhnbrink: We will go and we will write because it is 28 degrees there now and 22 degrees at night, and I love the heat.
Joy: We go and I also want home visits. What a relief it would be to have that service. Thank you for writing and take care of yourself.
03 October 2016 - 12:00
Peter Bergström says:
Marie: Thank you Marie for your warm words and all the hugs. Not many people put into words how they feel sometimes, and this is a bit crazy. You don't know whether to laugh or cry, but in the end I just think that I have to solve the situation, because only I can. One more visit tomorrow and then I will be fine, I have decided. Many hugs back.
03 October 2016 - 12:05
Mr Steve says:
It almost hurts to read about your pain. It is cruel to not even be able to cope with the most obvious in everyday life, but as usual, you solve most things.
I had recurring back problems in my 30s (in the 80s) for a number of years. After meeting and being treated for a time by an older female chiropractor who was a questionable innovator at the time, the problems disappeared and never returned. You can always hope for the same.
If not, try Jameson for breakfast. It should scare the worst back into action.
Now it's time to recharge for Malta and try to remember that you're well past 26. Have fun and enjoy the return to normality!
03 October 2016 - 12:34
Deciree says:
Ouch, nothing good about back pain and back pain. You get nowhere !!!! and work and pain it is. I have had huge problems in my back also because of the motorhome bed !!! Now it will be another cushion, I can say. Since you almost do not get out of bed because of it ... Too bad you live so far away ... so you could have come to my chiropractor. He rolls all the offices back to the right place. Super skilled. Hope Peter that you will start to feel better so you take you to the heat:-)) Get well soon. Hugs to you both
03 October 2016 - 13:13
Annika says:
Doesn't sound like fun. USCH and bad,
Hope everything is better now.
Sitting and laughing a bit at your storytelling anyway.
BUT now I hope that it is so much better 🙂 .
03 October 2016 - 13:40
Dryden - Traveller's Edition says:
So. I want to apologise for laughing my way through this post. It wasn't as mean-spirited as it sounds. Will explain tonight. 😉
03 October 2016 - 13:49
Imelda says:
Sorry, but I had a good laugh at your story. You write funny! Understand how damn painful it is because I also have a shitty back that hurts. If you have not had back pain, you do not know how damn it is .... hope you feel better now and enjoy Malta!
03 October 2016 - 13:57
Peter Bergström says:
Haha Steve: I thought about Jameson but am afraid it would take too much and lose some control of the body, and that just makes it worse. I really should get better and remember that I'm not 26, right?
Deciree: It sounds like you know what I'm talking about and we have a 10cm bed mattress in the motorhome. We have a similar one in the boat but it is on the floor right now where I come down. Thank you for your warm words.
Annika: It will be better after tomorrow and I'm glad I could give you a good laugh on Monday. Hugs from me.
Dryden-Traveler's Edition: Hi Daniel! It was a crazy week and it was just writing as it was. Glad I could make your Monday happy. See you tonight.
Imelda: I think we understand each other. It is always difficult to explain pain to others no matter how it is, but if you have had back pain, you know. Hugs
03 October 2016 - 14:36
Ama de casa says:
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch... But half a bottle of wine for breakfast and crawling on all fours... Are you sure you actually had a backache? 😉 Sorry, couldn't resist 😀.
I have had sciatica in my younger years and back pain is really hell, and I suspect that my problems were not even close to what you have suffered.
Then I stayed healthy until a few years ago. Since then, I've kind of had a card at the hospital, if I show up there, they sew me in... I guess age takes its toll 🙂 .
I hope your back is getting better!
03 October 2016 - 15:14
Peter Bergström says:
Haha Ama de Casa: I know exactly what you mean and it looks bad in pictures and text, haha. I will probably have a vertebrae surgery one day, but until then I want to exercise. Exercise in the right way is the only thing that helps when you get older. I want to be able to move as much as possible and have fast muscles, but now it was too fast for me. I'll get my act together.
03 October 2016 - 16:41
Ulf says:
Bye bye bye!
03 October 2016 - 16:42
Lena - good for the soul says:
Hahaha, sorry, but that crazy story sounds so fun. Of course, I understand that it must have been insanely hard and frustrating! Glad it's better!
I have had migraines for a number of years. Once I figured out what triggered it, I got rid of that monster. My migraines were triggered by ascorbic acid, vitamin C, sort of. Removed everything I could think of for a few years, so now I can eat pretty much anything again. Lime, lemon, strawberries, kiwi, raspberries, store-bought bread, store-bought juice (there's ascorbic acid or other preservatives in an insane amount of stuff you buy). I can still sense lime. And certain cakes/baked goods that people insist on buying from the freezer counter at ICA, like that. There must be so much "shit" in those things. Maybe my tips can help someone, but there are so many different causes of migraines.
Hug Lena
03 October 2016 - 19:24
Matts Torebring says:
Poor thing! The body is simply a strange phenomenon. If it says stop, then it stops, despite Peter's iron will. Get well soon!
A little sunshine story to comfort you, perhaps...
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I had to brake the car. But I couldn't move my foot without lifting it by hand. I held on to the walls and hurried a metre a minute to the doctor's room. I refused to use a wheelchair. There I was given an injection in my bum. The doctor said, "In six weeks you'll be back to normal. In the evening of the same day, I ran the light trail.
03 October 2016 - 20:21
BP says:
So here I shivered through the whole post. Poor Peter! But then I marvelled at your "wine medication". Quite rightly thought! I mean - I remember when I had to go down a black ski slope in the Alps (without back pain) and I became soooooo much smoother and softer after a few glühwein, I can say. Brave of you to write it on the blog. Like your grip there:-)
Cramps at my age - hahaha! Just like Helena had migraines before, but as I wrote to her once - you get migraines much more rarely after menopause. But she has a few years yours unfortunately. Like you, I have problems with my back. I chickened out of a planned operation in 2011 and have to take my chances. But if you want, you are very happy to email / comment here your naprapath's phone number. Would need a reliable naprapath again. 1000 thanks in advance!
03 October 2016 - 20:37
4000mil says:
Have you seen this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iVZlpVc6G8
(exercises to prevent and relieve back pain)
I myself use yoga for my back problems (not back pain though) and it always works.
03 October 2016 - 20:39
Cia says:
Same here - I have migraines and Magnus gets back pain. It's been a long time since I was as bad as you because we start with anti-inflammatory as soon as there is a tendency to back pain.
Take 50 mg of Voltaren three times a day for a week and move around as much as possible. One year when Magnus' back started to hurt, I gave him Voltaren and put him in the passenger seat of the car with full seat heating on. Then I drove him for several hours (it was a trip to Åland actually). You have to trick the muscles so that they don't start cramping.
You can buy Voltaren 25 mg without a prescription, 50 mg is prescription only.
Hope you get better quickly
Cia (who is a doctor)
03 October 2016 - 20:40
Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:
Good to hear that you're feeling better - I hope you're fully recovered by the time you travel to Malta, so that your trip doesn't turn out differently than planned!
03 October 2016 - 22:40
Elisabeth says:
Pain is limiting! Sometimes the spinal cord takes over, both when we forget to engage the brain or to communicate pain. All too often we forget that 20 is now a number and not our age, even if it feels that way inside.
04 October 2016 - 9:31
Peter Bergström says:
Ulf: Absolutely right and it was not a funny story but it was probably a bit funny anyway, haha, afterwards.
Lena-Good for the soul: Good to have new ideas because we have become better at finding certain causes, and as you say, there are lots of causes. We will do some research on what you are saying. She knows she can't party and certainly can't drink red wine. She got glasses way too late in life. She takes birth control pills all year round without interruption, and she sends in her permit every night at 9pm to have her condition analysed. She has also started Botox so we will see where it goes. Thanks for the suggestions Lena.
Matts Torebring: Scary when it happens while driving and what a great ending to the story. I will go to my naprapath in 20 minutes and get the last lubrication but I will not run tonight. Bye Matts.
Hi BP! His name is Rolf Snören tele 08-583 509 17 in Kallhäll C. He always softens the muscles before he breaks if necessary, so that the muscles are not stiff, and I have been going to him for 20 years. Recommended!
04 October 2016 - 11:31
Henny says:
Wow, what a misery, hope you are well before travelling to Malta. I think I know something of your experience. My husband also had a bad back and got back pain from time to time. I remember on one occasion he was lying on his stomach in bed and I was sitting on the floor below feeding him. The toilet visits were also a misery, but they had to be done one way or another.
04 October 2016 - 14:08
Peter Bergström says:
4000 miles: Hi! I have seen the video and it helps to keep you soft. I also do a kind of yoga in my training even though it is extreme, because everything is extreme in the sessions I do. Once a week you have to let your body rest for all the kicking and all the craziness in the Tapout classes. Thanks for all the info and it's very sweet of you:-).
Hi Cia: I understand the whole concept because Voltaren is well blood thinning and getting blood into a cramped muscle should be really good with heat. This happened this time in one second and it was three vertebrae at once. I need to learn to soften more, but Voltaren I will keep in mind. Thanks Cia for good info. you are welcome to come here and drive around me too because Helena has no driving licence :-).
Marianne-Glimpse of the World: Thank you please and I just came from my naprapath and my back was still a bit crooked, so it will be better now. Now we should still get to enjoy Malta and write about all the nice things we get to experience. Take care of yourself and have a great week.
Elisabeth: Exactly right, so I need to be careful not to hurt my body, but I will start training again as soon as we get back from Malta. I will just be a little more careful. hugs.
04 October 2016 - 14:36
Peter Bergström says:
Henny: It's a strange feeling when you can't move because it hurts too much, and you feel so powerless. I hate asking others for help with things that I usually and should do myself. I have just been to the naprapath again and there was a little more to adjust, so now I hope everything is ok for this time. Thanks for writing and have a nice week.
04 October 2016 - 14:40
Lena - good for the soul says:
Saw that you answered that red wine does not work. I can add that I thought I noticed that the Cabernet Sauvignon grape did not work for me. Maybe the same for Helena. It's sad to miss all the red wine if you can only avoid one grape, I mean 😉.
Hug Lena
09 October 2016 - 7:47