4 weeks ago i fell and got a compression fracture at my t9 and l1 vertebrae. i was in the hospital & care facility for 2 weeks. now i am home alone.today i sat on the toilet and almost fainted w/pain. i am taking the max hydrocodone i can, but the pain is

Compression fracture: Compression fractures of the spine may take up to 12 weeks to fully heal. Have you tried a back brace? If you are in severe pain and especially if you're unable to stand or walk safely, you should go to the er and then a rehab unit unless you have a lot of help at home. Injection of a cement may help also.

Call on-call Doctor: The on call doctor may be able to send a visiting nurse to the home to evaluate you and you can get a new regiment for pain control. Going to the er could be a long wait if all you need is more pain control. In fact some ers will not even fill long term pain meds.

Call doctor: I believe that a simple phone call to your physicians office or to his nurse on call maybe all that is needed as opposed to going and sitting in an emergency room for anywhere between 4 and 12 hours. You are already being given potent analgesics. What may need to be added from your description is a stool softener or recommendation to increase fiber in your diet. Good luck to you.

Emergency room: You should go to the emergency room right away, specially it's a sever fracture and no one to assist you with normal daily activities, being dizy from meds. Is very dangerous when alone.

See details: Have you seen an orthopedist? Has bracing been considered? While it is somewhat controversial, kyphoplasty may be another consideration. See an orthopedist.