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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to take sick leave over a bad back?

61 replies

Ormirian · 06/07/2011 16:41

I know it sounds really naff and the worst sort of cliche skive but I am in agony. Going to the chiro on Friday but I can't get an appointment before then - I am getting so tired by the end of the day because of the pain, and bad-tempered.

Problem is it I know it won't hurt any less at home so I feel like a bit of a twat ringing in sick.

OP posts:

kittybuttoon · 07/07/2011 12:28

I know how you feel, and I hope it soon starts easing off. If you alternate a dose of ibuprofen with one of paracetomol, this can be very successful. Try to keep moving gently - but you really need to be at home so you are not stuck in one position for too long. Also, if you have to travel at work, you risk wrenching the existing injury.

When you're better, maybe think about Alexander Technique or chi gong (sp?) classes to stop that hunching happening again?

Grockle · 07/07/2011 12:33

I'm off with back pain but having struggled for 2 days and hobbled around, I thinks it's been clear that I couldn't manage very well. I have meloxicam and cocodamol but they don't do anything. In desperation, I took exPs tramadol this morning. back still achey but I have been asleep for 4 hrs

Smellslikecatpee · 07/07/2011 12:39

when ever I take tramadol I'm like the teacher in South Park Druuggggggggggg are gooood no baaaaaaaaaaddddd.

great stuff, I'm still in pain but boy do I not care, not really suitable for work though, would help the day pass quicker

Grockle · 07/07/2011 13:24

I feel really weird and spacey. I should not take meds that are not mine Am very glad I waited til DS had gone to school before I took it but he'll be back in 90 mins and I'm not sure I'm ready for him! Definitely not something to take at work. I need to snooze some more.

willowstar · 07/07/2011 13:29

if your back is in spasm (which if you are able to get about I am not sure it is, when I have had it I literally couldn't move an inch) then a high doze of diazepam and lots of painkillers is the only thing I have ever found to treat it.

otherwise relaxing (easier said than done), heat, cold, painkillers, whatever works for you is the way forward along with some gentle gentle stretches. I found the book 'The Back Bible' really helpful.

oh and of course you should take time off work, sitting all day in an unnatural posture is rubbish for your back.

Insomnia11 · 07/07/2011 13:34

When you are better try pilates instead of yoga. Having good core stability prevents back pain.

www.pilates-back-joint-exercise.com/exercise-for-bad-back.html

Insomnia11 · 07/07/2011 13:42

Have you got a foot rest at your desk?

Even though I'm reasonably tall I have a foot rest as it puts my legs more at a 90 degree angle and makes my back press up straight against the back of my chair so the chair supports it properly. I used to get really tight shoulders from sitting at work but now my back is better supported it doesn't seem to happen.

If you feel your shoulders getting tight at work shrug them up as high as they will go and hold for 30 seconds. Then roll them individually and reverse. Then roll your head around. Does wonders!

HellonHeels · 07/07/2011 14:37

Check your workstation set up. A search online should give you a guide to how it should be set up, positioning of the monitor etc. You might need to raise the level of your monitor if you're tall.

Using a laptop is especially bad for back/neck issues, makes you hunch forward even more so if you're on a laptop pay extra attention to posture.

Also, check where your mouse is on the desk - you should not have to reach forward to use it. Mine tends to creep away from me and this puts my shoulder and neck under strain. Your upper arms should be relaxed and near your sides, not reaching forwards.

Just a few things to think about on top of getting some pain relief and treatment. Hope you feel better soon.

HellonHeels · 07/07/2011 14:40

oh and to answer your actual question - NBUatAll to have time off.

I had time off recently for a completely immobilised neck. The pain was incredible, even turning over in bed or brushing my hair was agony. There's no way you can carry out your work when you're in pain like that.

Insomnia11 · 07/07/2011 15:45

I had to get wrist rests for the keyboard and mouse recently as my hands were going numb. Sitting at a desk can be quite bad for you!

dreamingbohemian · 07/07/2011 15:47

Yes from what I understand, some yoga positions are actually quite bad for you if you have back problems, pilates is supposed to be better.

youarekidding · 07/07/2011 15:56

Have you seens the support for backs? They hold your shoulders back and down and help you get into a better position. I used mine for 1/2 hour a day and built up to a few hours. I use it when I feel my posture slipping again.

I am also tall.

Hope you feel better soon.

yellabelly · 07/07/2011 16:01

THERE ARE BAD BACKS AND BADDER BACKS. i HAVE SEEN PEOPLE CRIPPLED BY BACK TROUBLE

ohanotherone · 07/07/2011 16:31

It is generally unhelpful to take sick leave with normal back pain. It is better to seek your employers support and consider measures to help you remain at work. You are less less likely to enter a cycle of chronic pain. Measures include considering the following.....

Is the middle of computer screen the same height as you eyes? If not raise it with some books if needed. Make sure your mouse is with an easy reach of your hand, make sure that your shoulders are not raised by having the keyboard when your elbows are at 90 degrees. For acute back pain with no underlying cause, eg, fracture, then physical activity such swimming or running will help, avoiding activity will lead to chronic problems. Taking microbreaks at work 2 minutes in 10 minutes and moving, stretching and shrugging your shoulders will also help to get blood and oxygen to your back and shoulder muscles. Ensuring that you have the screen the right amount away from yours eyes will also help. The fact the work is stressful is probably excerbating the pain and as your are stressed and tense, then the blood supply will less likely to reach the muscles effectively than if you are relaxed and not working furiously without breaks.

Drugs help by ensuring that you can carry out normal activities and make it less likely that you will adopt pain related behaviours, as the injury is likely to be common back pain then you can't insult the injury, it's all about acheiving a more comfortable position and increasing activity to resolve the problem before it becomes chronic. Speak to your GP, they are likely to support you to actively manage your pain. If they say take time off and have bed rest then they are NOT following best practice.

www.backcare.org will also help.

ohanotherone · 07/07/2011 16:33

backcare.org.uk sorry!!!

Grockle · 07/07/2011 22:06

It's not just the pain that causes me to need time off, it's the struggling with pain for days whilst doing a very physical job. It's so draining that after a while, I just can't manage any more. I've had 2 days off in 2 yrs with back pain and generally try to continue as usual until it just gets too much. And then I feel a bit pathetic and silly, having to stay at home...

HidinginaHardHat · 07/07/2011 22:08

Sit up straight, go to a physiotherapist (they will do everything and more that an osteopath and chiropractor can do) and speak to your GP about some good painkillers and anti-inflamatories. Hot bath and a heat pack on the bad areas.

Rest, rest and rest some more.

Grockle · 07/07/2011 22:16

I had 6 months of physio which was great then got injured at work which put it back to where it was in the beginning

My physio & GP both said not to rest - keep moving as much as possible. I have anti-inflammatories and painkillers but really, I just want my back not to hurt. I am looking for a Pilates class so I can build up my core strength. I'm hoping that will be my miracle cure.

HidinginaHardHat · 07/07/2011 22:17

It depends on the cause of the back pain. If it's RSI (which upper back caused by computer use it could be) then rest and posture correction with painkillers etc and some light physio are the best bet.

Grockle · 07/07/2011 22:23

Mine is related to hypermobility, apparently. So I need to strengthen my muscles - my physio said there wasn't much point in doing that anyway since my job will mean I 'undo any good physio work'. So that was reassuring

M0naLisa · 07/07/2011 22:27

My mum has a bad back, she has just gone back to work after 19 weeks on sick. Her dr wouldnt allow her to work and if she went to work she would have done more damage. Take the sick leave and get your back better, you could damage itr more.

Empusa · 08/07/2011 01:51

I have upper back pain. It's much better to take time off work to get some help for your back, rather than aggravating it and making the healing longer.

TENS is wonderful, and if it's related to your muscles, then heat makes a huge difference too.

Casserole · 08/07/2011 02:20

A good chiro will do everything that someone earlier suggested an osteo would do in terms of seeing the body as interlinked and working out where the root cause is rather than just always treating the symptoms. And likewise, most chiros and osteos have some elements of soft tissue work in their training so will be able to do just as much of that as physios can.

You say though that you're not convinced because the problem keeps coming back, but then you go on to mention your job etc - no matter how good the chiro/osteo/physio is, if you go straight back to all your old / bad habits then you will exacerbate the problem again, especially if you already have a weakness.

So, in the short term, you need to recover from the acute phase - some rest is not a bad thing, but not full bed rest, which studies have shown over and over is not the best thing. While the chiro/whoever does their thing initially you may find anti-inflammatories or icing the injured area useful to take the inflammation down. But then once you're out of this acute phase you really need to take action to help yourself prevent relapses in future. Look at your desk orientation. Start doing stretches. Daily. Twice daily. Get up and stretch at work. Do some pilates and strengthen your core. Your chiro or whoever should be able to advise you on what you can do to help yourself; if not, they're no good, see someone else.

Oh... and good luck

iscream · 08/07/2011 03:24

These help/have helped me.

Shiatsu massage chair pad-this has been a huge help and have been able to quit the massage appointments because of it. But the massage was very helpful, and I highly recommend it. Ask your doctor for a referral.

Massage Therapy 2-3 times a week until a bit looser, then once a week. (In the past, I don't need massage therapy now that I have the original tight muscles loosened.)

Trigger point injections (Like the massage, only needed until I was loosened up and healed)

Tens Unit
Physio Therapy
Swimming.
Heat packs
Cold pack.

I am currently having an arthritic flare up, and the neck/shoulder pain is helped by cold packs, Ibuprofen and Tylenol with codeine I have muscle relaxants but don't like to take them unless an "emergency". I found Tramacet helped without the drugged feeling I get from codeine you may be able to work taking those?

marriedinwhite · 08/07/2011 08:18

OP you say you are very tall and stooping over a PC has caused the back pain/makes it worse. Just an idea but can you put the monitor on, say, a box or two of A4 copying paper for a day or two to see if that helps. I have lots of back problems and when they are acute I take volterol (with something for my tummy because they can cause irritation), use heat pads, and have physio sessions which also includes (I can't remember the word) sticking in needles (it's totally painless I can't say it works for sure but it gets me back on my feet within a day or two). Good luck OP. Also, at work can you get a H&S risk assessment done which should be able to suggest simple things to make sitting at a desk more comfy.

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