Trucking and Back problems. Not "backing up"

BINGO, Jazz1, I've NEVER known ANYONE, except you, so far, that has had ANY success with back surgery. It only made things worse. Now today, may be a different story,,however,,,with my crappy health insurance now, I guess I'll just have to keep a hot pad handy.

 

But... But... But... You HAVE to sit on the floor peering over the dash like a disembodied head under your ridiculously low windshield visor. It's what all the COOL kids are doing! Don't you want me to be POPULAR? Why are you ruining MY life? I hate you! I hate YOU! I HATE you!

 

I've got two bad disks. I've done physical therapy in the past. What I have found is that daily NSAI (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory) like ibuprofen and naproxin help a lot. Not "when I need them" but every single day.

I cut up a tree that fell in my yard and picked up the pieces. This annoyed my back and I started getting sciatica. Doc gave me some steroids to take which fixed that.

When you have a bad back, it is often a game of whack-a-mole chasing inflammation. And inflammation allowed to become chronic can create permanent issues. So, don't make your back angry, and address quickly the issues that come up. That is my working theory.

 

Sitting low like the cool girly boys will eventually lead to thoracic outlet syndrome as the left arm and elbow is continually rested in a raised position at door ledge height. sitting proper lacks the cool factor,,,what's important to you?

 

After driving for 35 years, my back is trashed too .I drove mostly spring suspensions with cheap seats, I had to load and unload my truck several times a day, my neck sounds like gravel and it locks up then snaps at times.
I have moderate arthritis and at times been in bed for a week at a time crawling to the bathroom, once there , it's like now what do I do ? I have had 3 MRI's ,a Pet scan ,4 Cat scans with another one scheduled for Monday.
I have to be very careful not to stress my back in any way. Glad I made it to retirement without falling apart.

 

Have you had an MRI? I wish I had gotten one when I first had a major problem instead of thinking it had healed ok. I put it off for a year which turned out to be a major mistake. I think they normally want a CT scan and maybe an xray first.
Good Luck.

 

An MRI is golden for finding out what is up. We can compare notes when you get the results.