What is going on with my back?

Ginzue · August 2008

So I was working stone masonry for about 4 weeks this summer- I'm not working any more but my back seems to have become very tingly and painful on the right side of the mid back, in the past 2 weeks the pain has crept up and continued into my neck. The right side of my neck feels like there is a big ball in it and my back continues to tingle. My back is regularly killing me.

Is there any thing I can do? How long does this last? I'm 19, thin, it good physical shape. I take Dexedrine 10mgs 4x daily, which I know amphetamines have been linked to back pain, but its never bugged me before until I 'pulled' my back working. Should I go to a masseur, doctor, wait on it?

Thanks folks for any help

Dehumanized · August 2008

See your doctor.

Ginzue · August 2008

Oh I should have mentioned, going to the doctor should be a last resort for me, I don't have health insurance, and only a couple hundred dollars to my name, so I would be rentless with a doc visit.

supabeast · August 2008

It could just be a simple spasm that can be relieved with muscle relaxers. You really need to see a doctor to figure this stuff out, though, so start looking for your local free clinic.

Dalboz · August 2008

Is it a constant pain, or does it come and go, or get aggravated with certain movement or positions? I thought I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder once, but it was sporadic pain that mostly seemed to occur with certain movements, and my doctor told me that if it was actually a pinched nerve that it would hurt constantly. You could try lying down for a few days, periodically ice your back and take ibuprofen in case my just be a muscle spasm. Bad news is that if that doesn't work, you'll probably have to go to a doctor and get an X-ray.

Entriech · August 2008

Depending on the associated costs in your area as well as guidelines regarding doctor referrals, a registered physical therapist might be able to help you. My wife did a number on her lower back earlier this year, and while the doctor was helpful in terms of getting some good anti-inflammatories and pain medication, we also elected to consult with a physical therapist. Cost wasn't too high (around 50ish dollars per half hour appointment) and the therapist diagnosed the cause of the problem and did a combination of helping to relieve the pain/swelling and prescribing exercises to prevent it from re-occuring.

Definitely see someone about it if it is persisting or worsening.

EggyToast · August 2008

I had something similar that turned out to be from bad posture. I went to physical therapy for a month, got on the right track, and, after more months of exercise and paying attention to the problem, I've been pain free for almost a year.

How's your posture?

Darkewolfe · August 2008

I'm currently staving off physical therapy from some muscle strain that's resulting in spasms in my back. The fact that you are feeling it only on one side of your body, and that it is along a long line is a bad sign though. Do you have any tingling/numbness/constant pain in one of your limbs?