I'm sorry about your husband's cancer spreading. Just FYI, though - a specific type of cancer doesn't "change forms" when it metastasizes. If prostate cancer comes back elsewhere (in the bones, soft tissue, etc.), it's still prostate cancer - just in a new location. Same for any cancer that spreads from its original location. For example: a friend had breast cancer, and it spread to her brain. The cancer cells in her brain were breast cancer cells.

Wow, that sounds difficult. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. And your back. I have not ever flipped my mattress and managed to spin it only once. No one could manage to help me flip it.

It sounds like you need to rest your back to let it heal. I have had that kind of back pain after over-doing things in the garden. It is sort of chronic but gets worse in humid weather and from bending over and lifting. And cooling rather than heating feels better to me. When my back hurts it's already hot. I have one of those cooling pillows in bed that helps. Maybe try a frozen bag of something? Hope you feel better soon!

I am sorry to hear of your husband's illness. Flipping a mattress is not as easy as it was when we were younger. I use ice on a sore back too. And Motrin. I hope tomorrow is better for you.

Oh so sorry about your hubby... I always have better luck with ice..even a bag of frozen peas works. Roll on Biofreeze really helps also...good luck!

I'm sorry your hubby is going through this, and I know you are as well. Ibuprofen has helped my aches and pains. I try to not take it every day, but sometimes I have to. I would lay on the heating pad. I have done it often. I guess that is a warning to keep you from putting too much pressure on it and getting burned.

I am sorry about your husband. I lean against my heating pad when I use it. I think the best way to deal with the injury is rest/heat/Tylenol, but it may take from a few days to a few weeks to get better.

Going forward, could you look into interviewing for an assistant who could come over periodically to help you with heavy jobs? Back pain injuries are cumulative.

I'm sorry that your husband's cancer is causing more problems. Try Aleve for your back, my husband says it works much better when he has strained something in his. I guess it is an anti-inflammatory instead of a painkiller.

Oh, that's so frustrating when you try something and end up with back problems. I'm so sorry you are hurting. For me it's overnite laying on the heating pad on low, and I am better the next day, but everybody is different. You have your hands full. Prayers for strength and comfort for both of you. Vent away....

Have you tried one of those pain patches? I had very bad back pain one night a few yrs ago and I put one on and I was able to sleep without pain. I can't guarantee it but its a $1 at dollar tree, worth a try. You can also try a hot epson salt soak.

I am so sorry your hubby is having so many problems. He is in my prayers.

Ask the doctor for lodocaine patches for both of you.

The Salon Pas patches are great, too. Hope you feel better real soon. I've been following your story about DH so his cancer situation was no surprise. I do hope they have it under control..........thoughts and prayers are with you both. In the future, ask your neighbor to give you a helping hand with the mattress. We have a King size bed and DH and I turn it from time to time. It is not quite the ordeal as flipping, but you must have turned your body in such a way that you got something out of whack. I remember once you saying that you don't like bath tubs, but if you do have one, a soak with epsom salts works miracles.

Jasdip -- I'm sorry to hear of your DH's ca return, pain, and now your strained back and muscles. Perhaps some of the blue ice packs (ACE, for example), wrapped in a tea towel or pillow case, for 15 minutes at a time. Also can you take any anti inflammatory medication like Naproxyn sodium or ibuprofen? Sometime a short course of structured steroids with some low-dose narcotic if you don't get relief from rest, ice and heat. Those hot packs are safer than lying or sleeping on an electric heating pad. (I had one catch fire.)

I wish you both the best and healing comfort. Go easy!

I am sorry to hear about your husband's cancer. And please rest & take care of your back.

When I have back issues ice only makes it worse. Ice is only for bringing down swelling. Heat helps (me) FAR more for pain. Don't forget about the "old tech". The old hot water bottle was used a lot around here. And yes, Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory and my spine doctor suggested/prescribed it and a muscle relaxer when things are bad and they really do the job for me.

You can also cuddle up with a cat! They DO crank out the heat at times!

Hoping for the best for both of you, make that all of you!

Yesterday was our monthly trip to the hospital where hubby gets his bone strengthening injections. I'm planning to give it to him at home, to save going to the hospital, and yesterday was my day! After him only having one, and they showed me how to do it, I was surprised that they thought I was 'ready' to do it.It goes in his stomach, alternating in 4 locations.

Evil laugh......he knows to be good when I've got the needle in my hand!

I do take Advil, and I have the T.E.N.S machine on now, giving me voltage :-)

The good news is, I have a doctor app't on Monday for my paps, and this is definitely going to be the main topic. Poor thing, she's a new doctor for us, as ours recently retired, heck of an introduction.......a paps!

could be the gluteus maximus muscle. There are exercises you can do to stretch it. Also stand in the shower as hot as you can stand it and let the water fall on the sore area. Moist heat is very good. Glad you are going to the doctor. Maybe even a muscle relaxant will help.

Aleve and a heating pad may help. You need to look into getting some help - odd jobs, yard work, cleaning etc. My husband had prostate cancer, too. Your job is to look after hubby. Get help to do the rest. You won't regret it.

I chose not to reply to this thread before.... cause I know, you are not cripples, but just a bit under the weather... body wise.

I hope, things are working themselves out, and you both feel better.

Moni