Around my 30th year on this planet, I got out of the shower like every day (or nearly every day) before it and leaned over to pick up my socks off the tub edge. Suddenly it felt like an AXE had just cut a deep gash in the center of my lower back. "Huh? What was that?" I stood for several moments in confusion.
I was able to walk for awhile... but it was like a crecendo of pain - it just kept getting worse. Somehow I made it to work (which required a lot of walking), but left before lunch. Apparently sitting didn't help either.
On the long walk back to my metro stop an old lady *passed* me with her walker. I made it home just before I passed out due to the pain. I was in bed (in AGONY) for nearly a week. Any movement at all caused pain... and walking was nearly impossible.
Bottom line, my back felt like every muscle simultaneously detached and was swimming around just under the skin. Now about every 6months I hear a pop, my back says "Surprise! You're 6mos older!", and the cycle begins anew. Isn't the body a wonderful thing?
Rory, it's good to have someone that can help you through it. I was completely alone - not even a roommate.
