The Back Story

[Matildathecat]

Hi to all fellow back sufferers. I've been on Spooning for a while but don't really feel I fit as I'm not actually ill, just have a chronic (and permanent) back injury. So please post here, no niggle too small. We can share experiences, tips and moans!

Quick history, age 48, last year had sudden crippling back pain eventually diagnosed as disc prolapse L4/5. All conventional treatments tried and failed so had micro discectomy privately.

No progress, and much worse leg pain followed. V long story short was finally seen by second neurosurgeon who diagnosed severe scarring around the nerve root as a result of the surgery. Poor outlook for surgery but we gave it a go, so had second op with similar lack of progress and final MRI showed even worse scarring. Only option chronic pain management . Had several injections with not much effect...

So, permanently disabled, use a stick, endless drugs and a lovely blue badge. Along the way dismissed from career of 25years for ill health.

Sorry, it's a grim story, but hey, I'm ok. Not depressed, have an okish quality of life with the help of my fantastic husband and friends. I walk, albeit slowly and not far, swim a bit and can please myself. Luckily my boys are young adults.

So come along and share. Moans and groans ok, tips and recommendations welcome.

Just don't tell me to see your lovely chiropractor, I might just punch you!(wink)

Bumping for the new back pain sufferers.

Come and join us here for support. Have been on the Tramadol today as well as all my regular meds so not as good at getting it right as I would like...

Happy New Year everyone.
I had lovely 10 days off - away from cooking and even though bers weren't most comfortable I feel rested.

Bumping thread for new back problem peeps.
I am feeling a lot better and have been able to reduce my painkillers a lot. Still strengthening my leg as it feels weak. I have physio again Friday. Hoping to get back to work next week as i always seem to say! Hopefully this time i will, but with no problems. I reeeeeealy don't want to hurt it again!!!

reviving, so happy you're on the mend! I think you said you work in kitchens? Could you meet with your employer and look at any workplace adjustments that might keep you injury free? Not sure what but eg perch stool, keeping heavy items on one level, getting food supplies left on work tops? Probably all silly suggestions but you get my drift.

Hope you will keep up those pesky exercises, too. Speaking of which, get up and get them done, matilda!

Thanks Matilda I am going to ask. One thing I have thought of is getting the dishwasher raised. I am not sure if it can be done, but it would save a lot of bending and twisting, as I have to load and unload it about 6-8 times (its one of those fast industrial dishwashers but it is the same height and size as a normal dishwasher).

Oops that was me I have N.C

That sounds do-able. Might be worth getting expert advice, I bet there are lots of minor changes that could all make a difference. Problem I have is normalising things that aren't normal at all IYSWIM.

I am seriously considering a change of jobs depending on if something suitable comes along. I can see working in a kitchen may be at least excerbating my back problems if not the main.cause, as there is so much need to lift, bend etc and so many chances to do it wrongly and hurt myself. but i will just have to see what is available job wise in my area.

Mmmm, I've thought about jobs that might work for me...can't sit, stand or walk much. Can't think straight due to drugs. Functions best lying down with knees bent upwards.

It's not looking good, is it?

Matilda it would be very hard for you to work unless you could maybe do something from home that did not have a set deadline, so you could stop if you needed to.
It is difficult I do like to work, hate being stuck home all day, but of course when I am at work can't wait for the holidays.

Glad you're so much better live, sounds like things are heading in the right direction.
Matilda, you need a job lying down with your knees raised whilst being under the influence of powerful drugs you say? Hmmm....no, nothing comes to mind

Hi everyone : ) I'm new here & have only had chance so far to read the first and last few pages of this thread but think I've found the right place for me!

Does anyone know how Littlemisswise is getting on? I have permanent damage / degeneration to my pelvis from severe spd in pregnancy with my dd 3 years ago, so would be nice to chat to others in similar situations : )

I have had back problems since I was 11 (now 32), not helped by falling off horses many a time as a kid and damaging my coccyx. I then also developed M.E which I still live with now. Apparently with back problem history I was a prime candidate for bad spd in pregnancy, but have only found this out since ; ) Not that it would have changed anything, my beautiful girl is my life : )

But life is hard with the health issues & the pain trying to lead as normal life as poss with a crazy toddler! I do try to remain positive, finding that very hard right now though as me, dh and dd all have a fluey chesty virus for the second time since we only just got over it a few weeks ago! That and the sleep deprivation & cabin fever that goes with it, on top of my usual pain and exhaustion are getting me down.

So it's nice to find this thread and feel like I'm not alone, I'm Bea by the way : ) xx

Hi Bea, sorry to hear about your problems! it sounds very hard. Have you had good medical care? I know some on here have really benefitted from injections I similar situations. Running around after a toddler sounds mighty hard! Hope you have lots of good-drugs-support.

Just marking my place.

And saying OOOOOOUCH.

In bed, can't move. had a tough week but managed ok with little bit of increased back pain following long drive home from london and a couple of days of horrible pain. monday/tues off work, back wed/thurs.

Last night I had flu like symptoms, threw up, felt unwell. Today, increased leg pain and numb toes. Went to the loo before seeing a client, back promptly went as I tried to get off the loo. I was stuck for 5 mins before I could move. Now, that could have been Very Undignified.Although I do have a pair of cool Wonderwoman pants on so it would have given colleagues something to natter about I guess I pretended all was well for another 1.5 hours before hobbling home and now I am in HUGE amounts of pain, back has seized up, legs are heavy and lots of pain. I didn't connect the sickness last night with pain today until it went this afternoon. I had just got through supervision with my boss saying leg pain had increased but back was bearable, and I was just going to get the hell on with it, not ready to accept my fate. literally, 10 minutes before I went to the loo.

And, my colleague with a bad back, she is back today and she really doesn't look like she should be back yet, and so I really didn't want to make a fuss. So I didn't. I just smiled and pretended all was fine.

Welcome bea I will post more later. matilda sorry not PMed you, meant to but been hectic. I suspect I am going to have a lot of time to respond to posts here and elsewhere this weekend as I can't move... reviving glad you are moving better, be very careful about returning to work given the nature of your job.

Hope everyone who has posted on this thread and has not come back for a little while - hope you are lurking and doing ok pain wise. Thinking of you all.

pavlov, so sorry you stress in increased pain again.Did you ever get another with surgeon /mri?

Did you get anywhere

I knew it was going to go though, as this week has been harder than it has been for ages. Little signs. Just not recovering from a minor hiccup like I should have, but even then, nothing horrendous.

This was horrendous. I know it. You know don't you, when it's actually fucked. This is actually fucked.

denial I have asked for that post to be removed as I mentioned my actual name in it. DOH!

So, I shall retype it as it will be removed. And I shall make it shorter, as I waffle too long as it is!

neuro thinks it has prolapsed again, possibly. Or, that it could be nerve damage but thinks that is less likely. He also thinks maybe he will see the vertebrae moving more but not so sure about that one. He has said if re-prolapse he will recommend fusion. If not, he can't do any more surgically. MRI been done, waiting for long slow results to get back to me. Pain clinic wont do much until surgical route has been completed, apart from meds review and hydrotherapy, At Some Point in the future.

I was doing relatively well, although I had a hiccup at the weekend coming back from london. I guess I never really recovered fully from it.

Anyway. It fucking sucks.

Oh no pavlov that is awful, that it has got so bad again. Hope the drugs are helping a bit. And hope you made it to kitchen and back for food. Interesting that you had those flu like symptoms again, you mentioned this before I wonder what causes it? Well it was bad but at least you weren't stuck on the loo!

Btw I have name changed from revivingshower, I did it so I could ask a q then came on this thread right away and outed myself lol.

pavlov so sorry you're in so much pain again, it is truly shit. I think it's even worse when you've had a good spell as you start thinking "hey, maybe it will go" (well I do, in total denial!) Keep taking shit loads of pain killers, and I hope you managed to get some grub!

Pavlov's bad relapse has worried me as I have been getting much better, but today have been a bit worse. Is there anything I should do to try to avoid getting any worse. I will take it easy and rest. It is so frustrating want to start doing more! Can't help feeling I am being lazy.

Can I join? Have just (today) been diagnosed with degenerative disc/vertebrae disorder, following on from surgery in 2011 for an L5/S1 prolapse. Luckily it's currently isolated to my L5 and S1 vertebrae (on the MRI, the rest of my spine looks fine).

Some days it's just a niggling backache, other days it's quite disabling. I'm ok if I take Voltarol and paracetamol/codeine (weaker stuff doesn't touch it). And the consultant reckons I should just get on with life, as nothing will make it worse!

But I've had a wobble tonight with the realisation that I'm going to be in pain for the rest of my life...very self-pitying, I know! So please can you all kick my arse and tell me to count my blessings?

Hi fishandjam sorry to hear that news, but you will get good advice from the posters here. Its hard knowing it is a long term problem, but at least you can still do a lot esp when you are well. But feel free to moan as I do even though I am not as bad as most of the posters on this thread