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I Am 65 Years Old Rarely Had A Back Problem

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Posted on Thu, 26 Dec 2019
Question: I am 65 years old
Rarely had a back problem
Took,a 4 hour ride in sports car yesterday
When I got out
My lower back down through my left thigh is very painful.

Last night I thought felt better after 2 excedrin and drank a good amount of alchohol

I woke up in same terrible pain

Worried, we have to,drive 4 hours to,get home tomorrow

More worried that this is going to cause me future problems

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I am 65 years old
Rarely had a back problem
Took,a 4 hour ride in sports car yesterday
When I got out
My lower back down through my left thigh is very painful.

Last night I thought felt better after 2 excedrin and drank a good amount of alchohol

I woke up in same terrible pain

Worried, we have to,drive 4 hours to,get home tomorrow

More worried that this is going to cause me future problems

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Avoid physical activity for a couple of days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query.

You need to avoid any fatigue or physical activity for a couple of days, since you experienced those symptoms that point towards pinched nerve.

You can use heat pads on your lower back and ibuprofen.

After you get home you should get evaluated by your Doctor if these symptoms persist or get worse.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Avoid physical activity for a couple of days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query.

You need to avoid any fatigue or physical activity for a couple of days, since you experienced those symptoms that point towards pinched nerve.

You can use heat pads on your lower back and ibuprofen.

After you get home you should get evaluated by your Doctor if these symptoms persist or get worse.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)
I have the same ride back

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Melanie
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I have the same ride back

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Melanie
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Some advice below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

It is too risky to get back riding because of the possibility of worsening of the symptoms.

Anyway, you can use ibuprofen before the ride.

You can also use a waist ( lumbar ) belt/ corset/ support, in order to minimize the problems.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Some advice below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

It is too risky to get back riding because of the possibility of worsening of the symptoms.

Anyway, you can use ibuprofen before the ride.

You can also use a waist ( lumbar ) belt/ corset/ support, in order to minimize the problems.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Glad I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Glad I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 minutes later)
Thank you

Have no choice but to go on ride

Going to drugstore now!

Thank you
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Thank you

Have no choice but to go on ride

Going to drugstore now!

Thank you
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (24 hours later)
I was feeling better

Just was lower back.

But did go out to dinner really felt pretty good

But they took so long to serve us I got pain again

Then took 4 hour ride in sports car again

Just got home . Now lower back and pain going down my leg

Should I lay down and relax?

In car could not put my legs out
To small an area

What to do?

Thanks











Sat in car with “brace support”

Got out walked a little

Then heated pad

Is it especially from small, low sports car?

Did it do me damage that will stay or hopefully go away.

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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I was feeling better

Just was lower back.

But did go out to dinner really felt pretty good

But they took so long to serve us I got pain again

Then took 4 hour ride in sports car again

Just got home . Now lower back and pain going down my leg

Should I lay down and relax?

In car could not put my legs out
To small an area

What to do?

Thanks











Sat in car with “brace support”

Got out walked a little

Then heated pad

Is it especially from small, low sports car?

Did it do me damage that will stay or hopefully go away.

default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 minutes later)
The heating pad I bought said for lumbar and didn’t help don’t think heated up enough

I just ordered what one I think will be better

Taking Advil

Just got on couch with legs up feels better now since I came into house and got on couch

Thanks for all your prompt replies

Melanie
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
The heating pad I bought said for lumbar and didn’t help don’t think heated up enough

I just ordered what one I think will be better

Taking Advil

Just got on couch with legs up feels better now since I came into house and got on couch

Thanks for all your prompt replies

Melanie
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 minute later)
Can I drive my comfortable car tomorrow?

Thanks again
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Can I drive my comfortable car tomorrow?

Thanks again
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Best thing is to rest for few days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Good to hear that you did not had serious problems on your way back.

The best thing to do is to rest for a couple of days, this means that you should avoid driving a car.

Hope I helped you.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Best thing is to rest for few days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Good to hear that you did not had serious problems on your way back.

The best thing to do is to rest for a couple of days, this means that you should avoid driving a car.

Hope I helped you.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)
Thank you!

Very helpful

Melanie
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Thank you!

Very helpful

Melanie
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Glad I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Glad I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)
I thought getting better. Slept with back comfort comfort compression support that says it provides compression to sore lumbar region

Woke up pain worse

Taking Advil.

I guess need good heating pad? I returned the one I had wasn’t doing anything. Barely heating

I’ll try some exercises?

Right now excruciating especially down my left buttock and thigh

Although there were times in last few days when it almost felt perfect

Is this unusual ?
the pain going away then coming back.

I also have major stress in my life. Sometimes at extremely upsetting situations with my family I can feel some pain in my back but

minor and goes away quickly by itself.
But this 4 hour car ride really destroyed me.
Couldn’t even put my legs straight and bucket seats.


But this is definitely car related and your diagnosis of pinched nerve is same as sciatica?

Looking forward to your reply to know what to do.


When you say rest do you means sit with legs up all day? Sitting upright?





default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
I thought getting better. Slept with back comfort comfort compression support that says it provides compression to sore lumbar region

Woke up pain worse

Taking Advil.

I guess need good heating pad? I returned the one I had wasn’t doing anything. Barely heating

I’ll try some exercises?

Right now excruciating especially down my left buttock and thigh

Although there were times in last few days when it almost felt perfect

Is this unusual ?
the pain going away then coming back.

I also have major stress in my life. Sometimes at extremely upsetting situations with my family I can feel some pain in my back but

minor and goes away quickly by itself.
But this 4 hour car ride really destroyed me.
Couldn’t even put my legs straight and bucket seats.


But this is definitely car related and your diagnosis of pinched nerve is same as sciatica?

Looking forward to your reply to know what to do.


When you say rest do you means sit with legs up all day? Sitting upright?





doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Bed rest and a position that is not causing pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

It may be sciatica, and its causes are several ( slipped disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolysthesis, muscles spasms in the buttocks or lower back).

Since you had the long bike ride muscles spasms are very likely causing your symptoms.

By rest I mean bed rest for a couple of days days, the position should cause no pain ( for example laying in a side with a pillow between the legs ).

Stress is a known factor that may exacerbate the pain, so, try not to worry about, yours seems a condition that should improve with simple remedies.

If the symptoms persist more than a week you should see your Doctor.

Hope this helps.

Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Bed rest and a position that is not causing pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

It may be sciatica, and its causes are several ( slipped disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolysthesis, muscles spasms in the buttocks or lower back).

Since you had the long bike ride muscles spasms are very likely causing your symptoms.

By rest I mean bed rest for a couple of days days, the position should cause no pain ( for example laying in a side with a pillow between the legs ).

Stress is a known factor that may exacerbate the pain, so, try not to worry about, yours seems a condition that should improve with simple remedies.

If the symptoms persist more than a week you should see your Doctor.

Hope this helps.

Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4501 Questions

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I Am 65 Years Old Rarely Had A Back Problem

I am 65 years old Rarely had a back problem Took,a 4 hour ride in sports car yesterday When I got out My lower back down through my left thigh is very painful. Last night I thought felt better after 2 excedrin and drank a good amount of alchohol I woke up in same terrible pain Worried, we have to,drive 4 hours to,get home tomorrow More worried that this is going to cause me future problems