RYL Forums - Back problems and sudden loss of stamina

What would you say to someone who told you this? It's pretty urgent & really worrying... (A friend of mines)

Okay, I'll start from the beginning, which is last week... Wednesday

I happened to be playing with my 3 year old first cousin once removed, was a pleasant time, I was sitting on a hard wood floor for about an hour or so, and after getting up I noticed a distinct sharp pain in my lower back, towards the center. This is not the first time in several years I have felt such a pain, but I would say it is the longest it has ever lasted.

Although, it has been varying in intensity and frequency; it has been uncomfortable to sneeze or cough for the last week and a half.

It can be difficult to walk and I sometimes require support. I am unable to stoop, and must crouch down on knees to acquire things in lower cabinets in the kitchen.

Today presented something unusual for me, I went down to shops to acquire some food and drink items, and I pushed the cart back to my apartment. Past experience shows that this is not usually a physically taxing activity, and I am usually able to go there and come back without requiring a break.

However, this time on the way home, I had to stop and take 4 breaks. Each of them at least 10 minutes in length, and not resulting in comfortably catching my breath. I finally got to my apartment and unloaded the cart onto my stairs, and moved the cart to the back lot.

I proceeded to walk back to my door, but was so completely drained that I felt heavy as a boulder and quite as weak as I must say I have ever felt.

I got inside, and it was a struggle climbing the stairs; I managed to in a minutes time. It would normally have taken only 15 seconds at best to do this. I left my groceries at the bottom of the staircase, and I poured myself a glass of milk after a brief period of rest.

I drank down the milk, and rested some more. After about 20 minutes rest, I got up and moved the groceries upstairs, and I felt again entirely drained from this activity.

Shortly thereafter I returned to resting, My breathing was very heavy. My chest was burning, and my heart was pounding excessively.

I was also scarcely able to move a limb for very much distance at all.

Eventually I mustered the energy together to return to my bed, where I am now laying with my laptop and typing this out.

My back pain has varied throughout the week, on Sunday, April 27th, I used a cane to support my back whilst walking and took 2 Tylenol twice that day at a 5 1/2 hour interval, to little relief.

Otherwise I have taken Aspirin, 2 Tablets at 375mg each at 6 hour intervals on most days, again to little relief.

My back pain at this very moment is dull and consistent whatever position I am in. It feels as though it is just to the right of my lower spine at the small of my back, and somewhat on the spine.

I am currently on no medication for medical or psychiatric reasons.

I do not drink, or take other drugs.

I have no history of personal alcoholism, and no history of drug use.

Last check up was in January of this year.

Current Temperature is: 96.7º F