temporarily nonable-bodied

[alphacygni]

So this weekend my back fought with piles of carpets at Building 19, and the carpets won. I started out just sore, and progressed by Monday to full-fledged impaired mobility. I can walk, but only in a slow, hobbling manner. On Monday, I discovered that if you walk slowly for no apparent reason, people will shove you and push you and do the body language equivalent of growling at you. So on Tuesday, I got out my cane.

I have this cane from the first time my back went wonky (almost six years ago? yikes), and I've always held onto it just in case. In addition to providing me with a visual cue that says "I'm not walking like this for no reason, people", it also gives me handhold to lean on when my back spasms. This prevents me from feeling like I'm about to fall over for a split-second, which therefore prevents me from gasping horribly, which scares people.

Commuting to work today with the cane was a real eye-opener. My findings, in short:
In the morning rush hour, the cane worked great. People refrained from pushing me, occasionally even stepped out of my way, and even said "excuse me". In the afternoon rush hour, it made no difference at all. People zoomed around me. It took three stops worth of travel before anyone offered me a seat on the T, even when I was wincing in pain every time the train jerked. It was especially good that someone offered me a seat at that point, because someone else had just shoved me aside with their arm in order to get at the handrail.

I have also have a whole new loathing for revolving doors. Ever tried to hobble and push a sticky revolving door at the same time? At least most (but not all!) revolving doors have a non-revolving door next to them.

Comments

[jbsegal.livejournal.com]

Would you like some methacarbamol (Brand name: Robaxicet) — an OTC-in-Canada muscle relaxant that's particularly good on backs? I have it with Acetominaphin, Ibuprofin, or Codeine…

[alphacygni]

You know, I actually have tried that before. Sometime after the first back incident, I popped across the border while visiting my parents and decided to stop by a drug store. I recall that it made me queasy. But thank you for the offer!

I actually still have some Flexeril from the one time I tried to see a doctor about this (lesson learned: they will hand you pills and tell you to go home and stay in bed - not very useful), and even that doesn't seem to really knock out this pain. But it knocks me out sufficiently that trying to get work done would be a problem. So I've been limiting muscle relaxant use to the evenings.

I have put in a call to my miracle chiropractor and am waiting to hear back.

[kenjari.livejournal.com]

Owie! I hope that you feel better soon, and that your chiropractor calls you back (and has an opening) quickly.

[xauenmurph.livejournal.com]

wrt the public transport bozos: you need ELBOW SPURS.

[dcart.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry your back is hurting. I've been there and I know it sucks.