So I went in to the specialist this morning. I was lucky that I had a Korean friend with me. We got me to the hospital and I had been sitting for nearly an hour when we got to the area (I had gone in to get my stitches looked at), and all the sitting finally got to me and it was so painful that I started crying. Seeing my tears they decided to get me in to see the back doctor ASAP.
This doctor spoke English and he was WONDERFUL and HELPFUL. He asked what had happened, asked me specific questions about the pain, then had me lay down on the medical bed, where he raised my legs, pulled on my feet, asked me to flex my leg muscles, etc.
He showed me my original x-ray and at first said what the ER doctor said – that my vertebrae are a good distance from one another. However, he noted that my lowest one is much closer to my hip bone and that it was VERY possible that the exercise I did had put pressure on the nerve and caused it to swell, and was causing the pain. He directly recommended an MRI and talked about possibilities. Yes, one possibility was back surgery, HOWEVER, he said that it was not likely, and that it can often resolve on its own. He said likely what we would do would be to inject the area with something that will bring the swelling down, and went on.
So I have an MRI scheduled for Friday at 7am. Holy crap they’re expensive. It cost 790,000 won – around US$700. Yikes. Then I have a consultation with him afterward. Also, he prescribed much stronger and better meds. In fact, he gave me a big ole bag o’ pills. No joke.
It came in a plastic bag. hahaha
So I’m on a pain patch – I change it every fourth day. I’m on a big Tylenol, a valium, a “blood purifier” and a stomach pill – because apparently some of what I’m taking can cause stomach issues. I thought this picture was funny because in Korea they don’t just give you a bottle of pills. They separate them out for you with plastic by dosage. This is great for a few days worth of pills – but for 30 days? Ridonkulous.
Speaking of . . .
reruns are nice, except when they’re being held by your stomach.
Yesterday I felt FINALLY comfortable and pain free. I was ABLE to lay down for an extended period of time WITHOUT having to shift because my bones felt like they were crushing each other. But that evening I was feeling nauseated. All night. So much so that I went and bought ginger, sucked on it, and even went to sleep with some in my mouth. When I would drink water my stomach felt too full. Then, waking up this morning I had a dinner flashback, so to speak. I did notice that a pill had not fully digested.
Yuk.
So I’m happy to report that the new pain pills actually work. Huzzah. And I have a doctor who knows more about back stuff than the ER doctor. And again, comfortable and pain-free.
Well you wouldn’t be a real BJJ student unless you suffered some kind of injury. Keep your head up, and stay involved somehow even if you can’t train right now. Show up at your school and watch classes if you have too, keeps your mind fresh. I’ve been doing this for a long time now (lost track actually), and literally can train once or twice every week to two weeks or so. When I do train my right hand is locks up, my elbows shoot pain to my shoulders, and my knees are constantly hurting. BJJ is super hard on my body, and I’m an older dude now (38) so it takes it’s toll, but it is well worth it when I’m healthy. Fortunately I teach five nights a week so I am able to stay involved. Sucks to now be able to roll, I know the feeling. Stay medicated and try to not let this bring you down. Oh, and keep blogging!!
Hahaha I’m just glad the injuries happened simultaneously so that I didn’t have to wait double time.
Right now I can’t go in to BJJ because sitting is painful and I”m laying down all the time (well, almost all the time). Once I get my MRI and things figured out from the back doctor I’ll take it from there.
Thanks – I think that this week shows I am redoubling my efforts to keep blogging! Even from my “death bed” hehe
I’m glad you finally feel better! I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the fentanyl patch that made you queasy. Out of curiosity, do you know what the “blood purifier” is?
The “blood purifier” is called Opalmon (Limaprost a-cyclodextrin clathrate). Not a clue what it is.
Yes, the patch and the purifier made me sick. I feel certain because today it’s out of my system and I feel fine.
Your MRI cost 790,000 won? That sounds awfully expensive. Do you have insurance?
Without insurance here, the MRIs are $1,500. $700 for you is a ton of money!!! So glad you finally saw a doctor who knew something that could help you. Will you have to cough up the money all at once, or can you make payments? The important thing is to get well. I will talk to your “Banker” about some money for medical things. Hang in there, and keep us in the loop. Love you!
Hi mama! Thanks for your comment. No, here you have to pay for everything up front. So the MRI went on the credit card. What I’m worried about is that I’ve had to dip into my rent money that I’ve been saving up. 🙁
MRIs are not covered by the Korean National Health Insurance.
Good to hear things are improving: hooray for science! 😀
Given that you’ve been training BJJ for a good while now, I’m confused that this has never happened before, if the position of your hip bone means you’re susceptible to it (unless your schools don’t include squats during the warm-up). Or did the earlier surgery to remove that lump knock something out of whack? Or just one of those 1 in a 1,000,000,000 type things?
It was a totally unrelated thing. We don’t do a lot of squats, and I was doing this at home. The stitches are healing nicely and are in the middle of my back. My horrid squats hurt my lower back. Again, completely unrelated.
Hey, if you get really nauseous again try sucking ice instead of drinking water, it’s a lot less harsh on your stomach. Hope you get better soon!
[…] an x-ray and couldn’t find anything wrong, but they gave me pain meds and sent me on my way. I went to the back doctor and he gave me stronger meds and scheduled me for an MRI. The following day I had a strong, […]