bedrest mamas and back pain

shipoopiisforme

i am at the point now where i don't think my back can take another 3+ months of the position i need to lay in on the couch. the stiffness is gettin unbearable and i can't spend the day laying on my side as i work from home (and would seriously lose it if i had to stop working this far out).

i just put a pillow under my knees hoping this will help a bit, as well as an additional one under my lower back. i have a tempurpedic molded pillow for neck support already so i am not sure what else i can do. any advice for me?

miaomi

Does your couch have a pull-out?  That's what I've been on for the last month with a nice memory foam topper and it is wonderful.  It allows me to spread out, change positons more and bump laying down flat if I really have to. 

Talk with your doc about how bad the pain is.  They may be able to offer you something for some relief.  I know it's not ideal, but the stress and pain is not good for you either.  Make sure you are being vocal about where you are at and be an advocate for yourself.  Ask about seeing a PT so you can find out if there are any safe BR exercises you can do.   I think Lauren was going to take a pic of her sheet of excercises she's been doing in the hospital.  I know right now she's busy with LB, but I know she'd get you the info asap.  Remind me in a couple days and I'll FB her a message and ask her for the info for you!

Is your DH/SO giving you back/leg/ect. rubs?  I'd recommend having him pick up some oil and getting a different body part massaged every night if possible.  I love the lemon scented oil from Burt's Bee's and the massages help a ton.  Just explain to DH how much pain you are in...he will want to help you!

And most of all, when the pain is bad...don't be afraid to cry or vent.  This is a tough and difficult situation to be in without the pain, which is considerable.  And it's something people don't get.  They don't consider the fact that are bodies are slowly fading on us and our muscles are screaming...but it's hard mentally and physically.  So let yourself vent and cry about it.  You might feel a little better!  Hugs!!

shipoopiisforme

i am on the chaise portion of a sectional, this is in our tv room off the formal living room so no pull out in here unfortunately. right now it's more of a stiffness than extreme pain, but i am no stranger to back pain, i suffered with terrible lower back problems for years, and i know the stiffness is kind of the beginning of bigger issues.

i will definitely bring it up when i see my dr. i had asked about pt, but not my dr another one in the practice i saw once and he was kind of anti. when i see my dr. again i will ask him about it. and i would def love to see lauren's exercises.

i actually left a message for the massage therapist my dad uses this morning to set up every other week massage appts. he works in a medical spa and has magic hands so i know that will be a big relief. mh def tries but massages are not his expertise.

i am not really sure how i can make the couch more comfy for me and am actually contemplating renting a hospital bed if the pain worsens.

BeccaLandes

I am guessing since you're trying to work that this won't work for you, but for me, I try to switch positions, try to lie on both sides.  I am too big now to spend any time on my back at all, but when I was on my back, I used triangle pillows to prop my neck and my knees up.

shipoopiisforme

i just ordered these wedge pillows from amazon, so i am hoping they work better than the ridiculous concoction i have going on now!

tonjala

I know this might not be the route you want to take, but my OB prescribed me a small dose of a mild muscle relaxer (only 2.5 mg of flexeril). My leg pain was becoming so unbearable that I couldn't sleep at all and these have helped me tremendously. I would think if you did the exercises though that should help too.