This past Saturday was a tough day in that my lower back just hurt. In reality, it started Friday night and, between some Percocet and Optalgin, I slept OK.
But late Saturday afternoon, my back was really hurting, so after popping another Percocet, I decided to try to lay down on the floor a bit. After a few minutes of that I got hungry, so I got up, made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and then, lo and behold, my back pain lessened.
In discussing this with my son the scientist, he postulated that we can’t really know what, in fact, led to less back pain: Percocet, laying on the floor, or the PB&J.
Lab coat? Check. Clip board? Check. Safety goggles? Sorta.
“We need to conduct a study,” said he. And he immediately set out to develop a hypothesis, a questionnaire, and other things I assume sciency people need when trying to figure out how stuff works.
(“Do you know the difference between science and screwing around?” my budding researcher asked. “Writing stuff down.”)
And so, I am happy to report, I am part of a non-randomized, micro-study unencumbered by control groups, management oversight, or grant applications (Though he DID try…).
I look forward to reporting results as soon as they are published.
The author. F---ing cancer since 2011.
It's all about the Parking 
Love it.
I definitely see a future in research for this young Einstein.
Worth repeating.
Dear Alan, We actually know exactly what you are referring to! It was so good to see you and Tammy Saturday night! Hope the pain is manageable by now remember peanut butter and Percocet great combination !
In a jam I see.
strawberry or grape. We all know grape is sooooo inferior to strawberry.
You’re even ASKING?
How wonderful to have a budding scientist in your family. I too am looking forward to the results of the study, as I too have lower back pain.
Doesn’t look good for PB&J…
Without a doubt it’s the PB & J, #1 Comfort food! Thinking of you, and wishing you to continue to always see the humor in every difficult (also the not so difficult !!) situation! Your posts always bring a smile to my face, thanks!
Avigail
I am glad your pain got better. I hope you find some answers so you’re able to manage it, if it happens again. I am dealing with some mysterious hip pains — have done the Xray, PT and MRI. No answers yet.
I’ve been dealing with back pains for more than two years (once I hurt my back at work). For me they feel like spasms, really bad ones, to the point where breathing hurts. Muscle relaxers make me feel better but I can’t take them regularly. I could only take them for two days before they started to lose their effectiveness. Anyway, I think I’ve found the answer to my problem — bad mattress! I’ve noticed the pain happens more frequently in the morning, after I get up. Now I need to find the ‘right’ mattress.
Sometimes, it’s the simplest explanations. Alas, not in my case. I am happy to report that I’ve been taking some narcotics and just started with cannabis. 🙂 Let’s see what happens next!