Bad back/shoulder

[JennJubie]

On and off since Christmas, (literally hurt my shoulder Christmas day), I've been dealing with back and shoulder issues. I have a bad lower back, and I've ended up with a bad shoulder as well as a result.

I'm going through it over and over.... it will mostly heal, and then I will pull it again. I'm doing everything I can. I've been through this more times than I can explain. I've been to doctors, I've been given specific exercises, I don't put dry heat on it.... etc, etc.

My question is what do you do when you have no choice but to keep using the injured muscles? Just putting the kids into playpens, high chairs and stroller is enough to wear it out. Would it be insane of me to have the kids picnic on the floor during meal times?

If any of you have been through this, any advice would be much appreciated. Unfortunately, taking time off is not an option right now.

[mimi]

I think you should make things as easy on yourself as possible and yes if that means having picnic lunchs then do so. Why not stay in if you can so you don't have to put the kids in and out of the stroller. Have you seen a chiropractor? I see one for my feet and the relief is incredible.
Can anyone help you with the kids during meal and naptimes?
Sorry you are going through this, you must feel so miserable. I hope your shoulder is better soon.

[AmandaKDT]

I don't see anything wrong with eating picnic style, or maybe you can have booster seats on the floor so they can get into them on their own and it will keep them sitting nicely while they eat.

Are the kids too young to transition them out of the playpens? If not, maybe the mats from inside the play pens could be put on the floor too?

I feel your pain, I have a heel spur that developed during my last pregnancy and it hurts to walk, but I'm on my feet all day! I should be resting it, but it is very hard to do.

[JennJubie]

I have to do stroller at least once a day to pick my son up off the bus.

And unfortunately, as far as the cots go the kiddos are two and under.... and not very good nappers.

I think I'll give the chiropractor a try, though. Thanks!

[JennJubie]

I feel your pain, I have a heel spur that developed during my last pregnancy and it hurts to walk, but I'm on my feet all day! I should be resting it, but it is very hard to do.

Ouch! Is there anything that can be done about that? Pain in your feet is enough to make you batty.

[ttremble88]

I feel you! I am 7 months preggers and this pregnancy has given me really bad tailbone pain. But pushing a stroller through unshoveled pathways does not help! lol.

Anywho, in your case, I would suggest what others have. Picnic out (the kids will love it!), sleep mats, or look into hiring some really temporary help. Just enough to get you healed up!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have lower back issues (which spreads pain out to my whole body most days) so I feel for you sooo sooo much!! I see a chiropractor and also have recently started getting cortisone shots for the pain every 3 months. I have been bedridden for 2-3 weeks 3x in the past 5 years and it is the most unbearable pain I have ever had to deal with. Since working from home, it has actually helped and now I can take it easy when I feel my back going out whereas when I worked out of the home I felt like I needed to go to work and still do my duties 100% or risk being fired or being "that lazy coworker!!" I once dragged my ass to work everyday, cried getting in and out of my car, dragged my butt around work doing what I needed to do (I was in healthcare at the time and was caring for disabled adults) because my evaluation was coming up. My evaluation came and my boss told me that I could have taken the 2 weeks off and it would have been fine....umm you could have told me that when you saw me in pain you butthole!! Thankfully, I worked with a great shift who picked up a lot of the slack :)

Here are some things I do or would suggest...(my crew is 18 months to 2.5)

*I bought a coffee table from IKEA to use as a kitchen/art table and their critter chairs (I think thats the name). All the children can get themselves on and off the chairs

*I change diapers on a change pad on the bed (my spare bedroom is also the naproom/diaper change room) as all the children can climb up themselves and I don't have to lift them. If you don't have a bed or have kids who can't climb that yet, I would change them on the floor if you find that easier than lifting them up.

*Playpens suck but thankfully it's only once a day. If it's a really bad back day I will call my fiance down to put them into bed for me. You could also use a stool maybe and get them to climb on that and then you aren't lifting them as far?

*I don't carry any kids on the stairs. I walk behind them going up and in front of them going down. They all learn to climb the stairs fairly quickly here. This makes outside time a little more bearable. If it's a bad back day and my fiance isn't around to help than we stay in. None of the parents have an issue with this. They would rather me do this than throw my back out and not have daycare while I'm healing!

*The kids that ride in the wagon or stroller can all climb into it themselves or with a little bit of assistance for me.

*In the summer, I push them on the swing for 5-10 minutes at a time and than take a break.

*I take aleve in the morning and try to drink a lot of water. I use a heating pad or ice pack when needed.

I hope you start to feel better soon but in the meantime, take it easy!! Your back does not heal quickly if you over do it as I have sadly learned!

[Samantha33]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I know how hard it is when pain is involved. I screwed up my shoulder and it took a full year and 4 months to heal. I was on Aleve morn. and night and tried to make my duties as light as possible. I didn't take any time off due to the shoulder. 5 little monkeys has some great suggestions. I hope you feel better soon.

[AmandaKDT]

JennJubie - Lots of rest, using insoles, Advil (which I can't use because I used to have a stomach ulcer and ibuprophen is too hard on my stomach), applying heat. I was really hoping it would just go away, but it doesn't seem to be happening. I take it easy for a few days and it will stop hurting, then I back to my usual busy self and the heel pain comes back again. I think I'm going to have to find time for physiotherapist visits.

Having babies is just too hard on my body, good thing I am done with all that! Never again!! I could barely walk during both pregancies for all the pelvic pain, then this stuff happens afterwards.

[AcornsFalling]

I have been where you are several times and it is pure agony. It is just exhausting to be in pain all day.
5LM has a lot of great suggestions.
My chiropractor has helped me immensely. While the cost of frequent visits can add up quickly, it is better than living in pain. My chiro offers a lot of specials and prepayment plans which make the per visit cost a bit less so that is helpful. In my experience, younger chiropractors also have a more holistic approach and spend more time with you than those of the older school who just spend 2 minutes adjusting your back and then send you on your way. Hopefully you can find a good one.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with you on the younger chiropractors acorns!! I used to go to one, an older man, and would need to go 3x a week!! I moved to a different city and have found a great younger chiropractor. His technique is much much different and I now go maybe once or twice a month! I instantly feel better too whereas before, I was sometimes more sore! He also shows me stretches I can do at home to help and he sells myofascial (sp??) rollers. I bought one and will use that when needed and sometimes that helps so much that I don't have to go to the chiro!