Back pain. Meds? Relief?

I had a back injury from a fall 6 years ago. Since once or twice a year it flares up and hurts pretty bad. This time I'm having a really hard time controlling the pain. It hurts more than labor. Iv cried for three days. At some point my left leg went out from the pain as well. The urgent care wanted me to go to hospital, but at the time I can't afford it, so I set an appt with my primary for Thursday. I got a shot of something that helped, but this pain will be waiting in the morning. I took Vicodin twice, and twice it made me dizzy. Friends say its a blugeing disc but nothing is confirmed. I'm so scared. I just keep cring. Any advice for back pain? This is something I will deal with for the rest of my life.

Jess: Sorry you're hurtin' right now. I deal with chronic back pain all the time. I don't think there's anyway to really know what's up with your back w/o an MRI. They are expensive but necessary with serious flare up. Until you can get to doc for pain mgmt. you might try a moist towel put in the microwave to heat it up and place on your back and lay down on it. Some people alternate hot and cold pack. Ice really never worked for me like heat. Jacuzzi, hot shower, etc. also help back pain. Trying to get your mind on other things also helps. Some are helped by lumbar injections, different durations of relief for different people. Don't be afraid of pain meds, stuff like what you have is the real reason they were made (I would steer completely clear of methadone). If pain is not treated, the pain kinda gets hardwired from your spine to your brain (don't know all the medical terminology for it) and can make pain worse in long run than originally experienced. Having a support system (friends, groups, faith community, etc.). Praying for you right now that you'll experience relief, comfort, an easing up of the pain, and the ability to get rest. -Mike