Heather Haddad

For over a year now, I’ve been having a dull pain in my upper back, just on one side. It was annoying, but bearable. For the last two weeks, the pain has also manifested in my hip on that same side, and this pain is sharp, shooting and crampy. For the last two to three days, it’s been constant and nearly unbearable. I can’t stand up at work for long periods of time, I have to keep sitting down, and at times the pain hurts so much I want to cry. Last night I made my husband go with me to walgreens at 2 AM to get icy hot and heating pads. I don’t know what to do about this! Is it muscular and therefore I need an acupuncturist or masseuse? Is it skeletal meaning chiropractor or an actual doctor?

I did try a deep tissue massage on Friday and the therapist said my entire right side was in spasm. My back felt better for most of the day after my treatment, but started hurting again that evening. Obviously daily massages are not in the budget. Chiropractors and acupuncturists are sort of hokey, I’m not sure I even believe in either of those things, which leaves a real doctor. Unfortunately I don’t have health insurance and I don’t want to establish a pre-existing condition since, as a small business owner, I won’t be a part of a group plan once I do get health insurance.

So my current plan is to take ibuprofen daily and to go on a diet. I think that losing some weight will help my back feel better as the pain seemed to start when I gained some weight. Hopefully this will work as the pain is making me incredibly irritable. Every single thing has pissed me off today. Now leave me alone while I drink my coffee and sulk.