Did I post this superlative link? [link] I love the looks and names of all of these people. And am surprised that there is a "Lynda" in the class of '43.

The final diagnosis from the doctor is a ruptured disc. Treatment is to leave it alone and let the body adjust to it. He says there will probably be intermittent soreness that I treat with ibuprofen and ice, but most of the time, that's enough. If it doesn't improve, the next options are steroidal shot to the affected area, and finally surgery.

He also said "no alcohol" while taking ibuprofen. I said okay, how long does the ibuprofen have to be out of the system before I can drink. He said ten days. Does that sound right to anyone else with experience, or knowledge, or an ability to talk authoritatively?

Is it OTC amounts of ibuprofen, or prescription? I've never bothered to not drink when on it OTC. But please don't model your healthcare after my habits.

Uh, mostly I'm just killing time until Steph shows up.

OTC amounts. I'd been taking 800mg twice a day to deal with the pain, but he said to scale back to no more than 400 mg two or three times a day.

Treatment is to leave it alone and let the body adjust to it.

That's a bitch. Sorry.

I thought it was aspirin and/or tylenol that were bad with the drinking. But I'd listen to the doctor.

OTC amounts. I'd been taking 800mg twice a day to deal with the pain, but he said to scale back to no more than 400 mg two or three times a day.

(1) That's crap. You can take 800 mg every 4-6 hours. Now, if you need to take such a high dose every day for a month or more, then something's clearly wrong. But you can totally take 800 mg at a time.

God, I have such issues with inadequately managed pain, and doctors who contribute to the situation. Feh.

(2) You can drink while you're taking ibuprofen, though it's best to not throw any keggers. A drink or 2 a day is going to be fine.

OK, Dana, I know you know how to google, but I swear everything I can find just says it's an issue if you have 3 or more drinks every day. Like this: [link]

The final diagnosis from the doctor is a ruptured disc. Treatment is to leave it alone and let the body adjust to it.

Seriously??? Oh Dana, I'm so sorry.

I've never been told not to drink when taking ibuprofen, or at least, not that it's medically dangerous. You're more at risk for an upset stomach, but Tylenol's the one that'll mess up your liver.

Oh geez, I hope you can adjust quickly then Dana.

See, this is why I came to you guys.

(1) That's crap. You can take 800 mg every 4-6 hours. Now, if you need to take such a high dose every day for a month or more, then something's clearly wrong. But you can totally take 800 mg at a time.

He didn't tell me I couldn't take 800mg at a time, but that 400mg more often would be more effective for reducing the inflammation. Which may still be crap.

(2) You can drink while you're taking ibuprofen, though it's best to not throw any keggers. A drink or 2 a day is going to be fine.

Okay. Moderate drinking. Which is probably no further than I'll get. I make big plans around cons, but I usually am pretty restrained. Unless there are those little chocolate bottles with different kinds of alcohol inside.

I know you know how to google, but I swear everything I can find just says it's an issue if you have 3 or more drinks every day.

I'm running around googling three or four separate topics right now, so more information is always useful.

Oh Dana, I'm so sorry.

I can't quite tell if I'm really not upset, or if I'm sort of subconciously depressed and not acknowledging it. I think I had already accepted that my back was never going to be perfect again. I guess I'll just have to see how it plays out, and how often I'm in pain, and how severe it might be.