I haven't peed myself or anything (something my chiro told me to look for)

That just means severe nerve involvement -- though I had insane levels of pain, I had no problems peeing where and when I wanted to pee.

but all I want to do is lie down. I've been icing and not taking any meds for it.

I recommend 800 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours until you see a doctor.

I wonder if I should go to the chiro again or actually get myself either to an ER and get some x-rays or get a GP and get some x-rays.

Do you....not have a GP?

Because, yeah, you need to see a Dr., sweetie. The good news is that some incredibly high percentage -- 80%, I think -- of patients with back pain can be cured w/o surgery. A doctor would put you on antiinflammatories, possibly steroids (if there's a lot of inflammation), and probably send you to physical therapy. And that's probably all you need to fix you right up.

Memory problems, hm? Hell, I'm having them now without the drug. I'm losing track of what day it is a lot more often than I used to. We shall see what we shall see. I'm tired of the paralyzing anxiety attacks.

Do you....not have a GP?

I don't. I've relied on my OB/GYN. I'll get one.

My chiro is nice and good, but for chronic stuff I look to my PT (my GP was a bit useless).

The good news is that some incredibly high percentage -- 80%, I think -- of patients with back pain can be cured w/o surgery.

Wrod. People like Hubby, with his multiple scars, have inflicted massive amounts of physical damage on themselves, far beyond normal wear and tear. Unless you've been jumping out of helicopters into burning forests without telling us.

Do you....not have a GP?

I don't. I've relied on my OB/GYN. I'll get one.

Get one ASAP, honey. And take ibuprofen.

As always, having learned from experience, definitely don't fuck around when it comes to your back.

We shall see what we shall see. I'm tired of the paralyzing anxiety attacks.

I'm surprised your doctor didn't also give you something like Ativan or valium. Because while ADs are good for the underlying depression that can lead to panic attacks, they don't offer immediate relief.

I'm tired of the paralyzing anxiety attacks.

I can imagine. I've only had a couple and that was enough for me.

Oh, that reminds me. I'm supposed to call my shrink after I moved, he went on holiday, I went on holiday, etc., but I haven't, and I don't really want to. I think I have to not see him, anyway, for logistical reasons. I'd need to find someone either in Cambridge or Salem. But I feel like I should wrap up, but I don't want to deal with breaking away from our work.

I think he'll be understanding and supportive, and I'm in a better place (because of the external forces of work easing up, but I was able to use some techniques to get through the stress, most days, back when work was a bear). I just don't know what to do, and when I feel like that, I get all inertia-y.

My chiro is nice and good, but for chronic stuff I look to my PT (my GP was a bit useless).

Oh, yeah -- that was going to be my next question -- will your insurance let you just go to a PT without needing to be referred by a GP? Because, if so, you should still find a GP, but in the interim -- since finding a GP you like and then actually scheduling an appointment can take weeks if not longer -- you can go straight to the PTs, who can start to fix you up.

It's a weird question for me to have to ask but how does one find a new chiro?

Mine is way to far from work so I can't really go to him. I don't particularly feel comfortable asking him for a rec because he'll feel bad and try to get me to come to him instead. Which even if he keeps his office open late for me, would still add about twenty to thirty minutes to my commute to get over there and add a couple of hours to his day. Also I am bad with disappointing people so I don't want to tell him that I need to find someone by my office.

Pretty much I just need to know how to find a new chiro. And perhaps a therapist but that is for another post, another day.

I'm surprised your doctor didn't also give you something like Ativan or valium. Because while ADs are good for the underlying depression that can lead to panic attacks, they don't offer immediate relief.

This. Xanax was my crutch until my AD's kicked in. I almost never use them now and never used them extensively even at my worst, but they really saved me a couple of times.

Aims, I'm so sorry about your back, love. I need to find a GP as well. Maybe we can find one together! Also, I need to get your chiro's name when you get a chance; I want to make an appointment before my insurance runs out.