On Monday, I wrote about the back and abdominal pain that made my weekend so miserable. Tuesday, I went to see my doctor to try to figure out what was going on. He ran some tests and was able to rule out kidney stones, a kidney infection, and any obvious gallbladder problems—though, as he put it, nothing could be ruled out 100%.
When I told him how my back pain started the week before, after standing and giving tour after tour to high school kids at the museum, he nodded knowingly. He felt the knots in my lower back (which I had already discovered myself), and then did a thorough check of my abdomen. After he finished poking around, his conclusion was that I strained my back during those tours and probably caught some kind of intestinal virus from one of those “little monsters”—his words, after I joked about losing the immunity I used to have when I taught high school nearly a decade ago. Apparently, years away from a classroom full of teenagers means my immune system isn’t as prepared for their germs anymore.
So the working diagnosis is a combination of back strain and a mild viral gastroenteritis or colitis. He recommended a probiotic, being gentle on my stomach, avoiding anything that would make my back worse, and keeping an eye on symptoms. He told me to call the clinic by Thursday if things hadn’t improved.
Well… it’s Thursday morning, and I can’t say I’ve noticed much improvement yet. Ugh. So I’ll be calling the office this morning to see if they can advise me or hold me over through the weekend since tomorrow is a holiday. Unfortunately, I’m the only person at the museum today, so running to the doctor might be tricky. But I do have a deep tissue massage scheduled for Tuesday afternoon—just couldn’t get in sooner with the holiday.
For now, I’m muddling through. The silver lining? My migraines have been minimal lately thanks to the botox and other meds, so at least that hasn’t been piled on top of everything else.
I’ll keep you all updated if there are any new developments tomorrow. Fingers crossed that a little more rest and care will start to turn things around.
Stay healthy, everyone—and if you’re around high schoolers, don’t forget: those little monsters carry more than just noise and chaos.
P.S.: I should say, though, that the students I gave the tours to were actually wonderfully behaved kids—attentive, engaged, and full of intelligent questions. They really were good tours, and it was a pleasure to share the museum with them.
Courage !
ReplyDeleteViral gastroenteritis? What other symptoms besides abdominal pain? Back strain from just walking around? I guess he has to tell you something. I hope he ruled out bowel obstruction. I hope this doesn't make your weekend miserable.
ReplyDeleteHe ruled out bowel obstruction. abdominal pain and cramping is the only symptoms I have. None of the other symptoms that would lead him to think it was my gallbladder or kidneys is present. I have always had issues with back strain when standing too long on concrete floors, which I was doing much of the time while giving the tours. Even where we have carpet, it's not well padded. I'm hoping the weekend will be just fine. I have no plans to do anything, so I should be able to just rest and relax, which is what I need the most for my back.
DeleteSounds miserable. Rest should help the back. Ginger ale Yogurt and Tums may help the GI. Also it can’t hurt. Better soon . Joe
ReplyDeleteDo you have a chiropractor? The right one can do wonders.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a chiropractor. I probably should look into finding one.
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