I have lower back pain on my right side and it is a sharp pain. It hurts when I lay on my side and it hurts when sit up or move around. Could anyone please help me with my problem and tell me what's wrong with me? I'm a broke college student and I don't have the money to pay for an emergency room bill. Thanks!
131035
Hi Rettajean.  As you can see, the answers on this site can be quite 'diverse'.\n\nA correct diagnosis cannot be made from the limited information you give (and without a good physical examiniation).  Did your pain start suddenly or gradually?  Does anything (e.g. any position) make it better?  Have you had this type of pain before?  These are some of the basic questions your doctor should ask.\n\nAdditional questions include the following.  Did you injure yourself or do any excessive activity prior to the onset of the pain (sudden twisting or fall or lifting or sports excesses, ect.)?  Are you having any difficutly with urination?  Change in bowel function?  Menstrual problems?  Do you have a fever? Chills or night sweats?  Leg pains or numbness?  Any muscle weakness in the legs?  Does coughing or sneezing aggravate the pain?  These are just some of the questions that need to be answered to help guide your healthcare professional to a correct diagnosis.\n\nNote: If you answer 'yes' to any of the above questions, you really should see your doctor or Chiropractor.\n\nHave you tried ice (cryotherapy) to see if that will help the pain?  If you do not have an icepack designed for this, you can buy one at any drug store or you can use a large bag of frozen vegetables (corn or peas work well).  \n\nPlace the icepack or veggies in a thin pillow case cover and place that on your area of pain.  Apply the icepack for 20 minutes (if you are doing it correctly you will feel periods of cold, burning, aching, pins/needles and then analgesia/numbness).  Do not keep the icepack on more than about 20 minutes.  You need to give the area a 1 hour period without ice to allow for return of healing blood flow and to prevent frost bite (freezer burn!).  After one hour you can apply the icepack again for another 20 minutes.  Repeat as needed.\n\nBest wishes and good luck!
132583
Go to the ER and complain of back pain.  It will cost you $50 or more depending on your insurance.  Tell the doc that you've been in bed for 3 days after lifting rocks in your garden.\n\nHow's that for a lie?\nOn Sunday go to church and pray for forgiveness.
495498
It sounds like you have popped your back, to be on the safe side I would visit the Dr. If you hurt one of your disks, you would be in pain and it would not go away in one day. But it sounds like you are in good shape, which is a good thing. Good luck
544600
Just like charbar I have that pain in my feet when I get up.You might want to see a chiropractor for a check up.It could be poor circulation of blood, or possibly pressure on some nerves in your back.I have some back problems myself.
497120
I had back surgery a number of years back for a ruptured disc in my lower back.  The first thing I can tell you is, if you are having a problem with a disc, stop going to the chiropractor, that will only make the situation worse.  The second thing you should do is go see your regular physician and request that he refer you out for an MRI.  An x-ray will not help, as you can not see soft tissue damage on an x-ray, so an MRI is your only option for determining if indeed you have damage to a disc in your lower back. As for self help, sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees and take ibuprofen on a regular basis for a few days. I feel your pain.  Good luck!
333827
it is a pain in your lower back that's a little bit sharper than a regular muscle ache- almost like a burning.  it will also feel like it's deeper in your body than a muscle ache (obviously).  the symptom is the pain.  drink lots of water and fruit juice (expecially cranberry) until you can seea doctor.
525923
Did you get one of those back pain anesthetics? Those could be the cause.\n\nBut a pinched nerve in the back would be a different explanation. I would go see a doc, get referred to a specialist. Then they can give you an xray and MRI to determine if there is anything wrong. They will give you pain medication and probably refer you to a physical therapist. They will show you how to probably sit up, do exercises to strengthen that area of the back, etc.
583355
Seriously, take back pain seriously.\n\nFirst, you need to see a chiropractor, or other health professional to be sure your back is properly aligned.  These  people are not quacks, as they have restored my alignment a few times, especially following my car accident.\n\nIf your bones are ok, your nerves are next.  One could be hung up between your vertebrae.\n\nIf it's not your nerves, muscles or tendons could be overworked, or too weak for the work you do.\n\nIf a tennis player has tennis elbow, for example, he has to  \n1)  rest it \n2)  massage it\n3)  treat it - heat /cold, ointment, muscle relaxer, sauna/whirlpool,etc.....and once the pain subsides, \n4)  exercise  to strengthen it - including sensible weight training\n5)  stretch, stretch, stretch\n\nThese 5 points are routine maintenence for a lifetime.\n\nBy the way, contributing to the problem could also be your matress, or the way you sleep, or unsafe lifting practices.\n\nOne more thing comes to mind:  you can expect back problems to surface as your stomach muscles weaken.
527932
have it checked out and have some x-rays sometimes it will not show but if the bones are worn as you are getting old they will hurt but you might have pinched nerve and bad disks. try going to see a physical thearaphist as well and get back exersises to streghten your back sometimes it is weak muscles that weaken  the natural control of the joints allowing them to press on nerves. back pain is no joke have it checked out and don't stop til you get answers. also look at the matteress you are using. you might need to improve on your sleeping situation. that is also a big factor
459724
What did your doctor suggest it might be? It could be something inflamed and pressing on a nerve or muscle, or it could be a circulation problem. I have a herniated disk in my lower back that causes similar symptoms, it's called sciatica. You can read about that condition here. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=167\nRest is a good thing to let inflamation go down, and of course there are specific excercises to take the pressure off of particular area. Most important thing I can tell you is to talk to your doctor. If he doesn't answer your questions, ask again. You should be in control when visiting the doctor. Don't leave the office in the dark. Hope this helps.
159276
I highly recommend you see a doctor.  The fact that you have pain after you eat suggests gall bladder pain.  Gall bladder pain can refer to the left side.  You really need to have blood test, perhaps an ultrasound.  Very easy to determine what this is from.  GET TO A DOCTOR!
7724
Sounds like it might be a pinched nerve.  A pain center can give you better treatment than a regular doctor.  These are usually located at Universities or major hospitals.
402206
Does this pain start after you eat/drink? If so, it could possibly be your gallbladder (right side under ribs). Does it hurt in your back also? If it gets worse, contact your doctor and he can check it out for you....Good Luck!
357546
Your back could be out of alignment, it could possibly be sciatica from sleeping in a weird position or on a bad mattress. Do you have pain or weakness any other time? I think you should ask a doc cuz unilateral weakness can be a warning sign for something bad.
345414
Do you know what the cause of your back pain is? Sometimes if you lift something heavy improperly, it will hurt a few days later (not at the time of the incident). Or sometimes it is related to women's periods. It could also be your chest that is sore, but you feel it in your back. Find out the cause and then you can work on ways to make it feel better. Heating pads are nice if the muscle is spasming or tight. Ice pads are good for new injuries, but only for the first 24 hrs. And of course massages are great. If you have the money invest in a few massage sessions (assuming that the damage done to your back is minor). Massages are cheap too, only about 50 dollars for an hour. And it's worth it when you walk away feeling great! Of course Motrin will help with the swelling. But if you can't get the pain under control, see a physician for an examination, some X-Rays and some better pain medication such as Vicodin. Good luck!
464108
What can I do for relief when I've hurt my lower back?\nThe best position for relief when your back hurts is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, with your hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair, or just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back. \nIf you're resting a hurt back, you may need 1 to 2 days of this sort of rest. Resting longer than this can cause your muscles to weaken, which can slow your recovery. Even if it hurts, walk around for a few minutes every hour. \n\nWhat else can I do for relief?\nHeating pads can help to relax painful muscle spasms. Use heat for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Ice packs and massages may also give relief. \n\nNonprescription medicines that reduce pain or swelling include aspirin, acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis), and ibuprofen (brand name: Motrin). \n\n   \n Call your family doctor if:\nPain goes down your leg below your knee. \nYour leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb. \nYou have fever, nausea or vomiting, stomachache, weakness or sweating. \nYou lose control over going to the bathroom. \nYour pain was caused by an injury. \nYour pain is so intense you can't move around. \nYour pain doesn't seem to be getting better after 2 to 3 weeks. \n\nIs there relief for ongoing back problems? \nTreatment of ongoing back problems must be directed at the cause. This may mean losing weight (because being overweight can make back pain worse), getting your muscles in better shape, and improving your posture when you're sitting, standing and sleeping.
371005
depends on whether you are male or female..............\nbut could be: \nkidney infection\novarian cyst\nconstipation\nor a problem possibly with a disc in your back\n\nA lot depends on what the pain feels like, when you get the pain and how severe it is.\nSuggest you see a doctor for a check up ASAP.