The Back Story Continues

[Matildathecat]

This is the support thread for all sufferers of back pain. Everyone most welcome to join.

Here's our first thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1871592-The-Back-Story

My story long and grim but basically had failed surgery for disc prolapse, then further failed surgery to attempt to salvage the situation. I have nerve root damage and severe scarring around the nerve at L5 which won't get better. I'm 48, can't work, take a lot of drugs and have a blue badge. Currently battling several different agencies for ill health retirement and other benefits.

But I'm ok, having some fun despite the pain and have made some lovely friends on here.

Please post and include your story if you'd like to. No niggles too small, this is strictly non competitive!

Thanks matilda - soft leather is a good start! Will see if there are any stockists locally. I don't order as much footwear online as I do clothing - having to get it to the PO to send back isn't much fun at the moment.

Hi

I've been invited on here after posting a separate post about my back. I know my problems will be nothing compare to some of yours, so I apologise for sounding so pathetic! Here's a copy of my other post. Any help, advice, etc would be much appreciated...

I had a baby girl 12 weeks ago. For the past 8 weeks or so, I've had back pain. It has progressively got worse and worse. I am now at the point where I can no longer walk without assistance (most of the time). I cannot lift the baby or carry her. I've had to get someone in to help me as I also have a toddler to take care of. I get terrible back spasms.

I have seen both a Physio and a chiropractor. The pain is so bad I can't lie on my back and they both seem to make things worse, not better. My Physio made my back soasm five times at my last visit so I'm not going back.

I'm on medication - codeine, naproxen and diazapam. The diazapam doesn't stop the spasms but the codeine helps the pain a little.

I have an mri booked after the doctor visited and realised I was pretty immobile.

Anyone experiencing/experienced anything like this post partum? Please tell me it will get better!

I am getting depressed in was all I want to do is look after my children and i can't do that.

Thanks in advance...

DD is 7. Her favourite books are definitely Roald Dahl, and The Magic Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton, which DH read to her at around 6. She also loves Mr Stink by David Walliams, some Fairy Princess series of books (those ones with fairies having names). She has some nursery rhyme books, some old ones that granny bought her with rhymes like Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace and she loves those.

Other great ones for helping to encourage enjoyment are Slinki Malinki etc, And I LOVE those books, I love reading them myself! And Hairy McClary (sp).

She is also really into fact books (she has just finished reading Horrible Histories Tudor times but she LOVES reading and will sneakily read at bedtime) - we sit down with a children's atlas book and look at places, what animals live there, what type of food is from there. So, not just story books can be used to encourage reading - it can put words into context.

fizzle hi, you won't ever sound pathetic on here. I will read your post but x-posted with my last one so didn't want to appear rude. Sometimes we can chat a lot so don't think we ignoring if you are not answered straight away!

fizzle oh you poor thing how horrible for you to experience such pain after your baby was born. So, the biggest problem here to start with is the muscle spasms. How much diazepam are you taking and for how long? Other things to use, which won't stop the pain but will help ease it all a little is using a heat pad/hot water bottle regularly. Have you spoken to the GP about getting an injection into your muscles? I don't think this is done often, but I do know of one or two occasions when the back has not been able to stop going into spasm and has pretty much locked, and an injection into the muscle was needed. I don't know what it was though. Maybe some-one else on here can shed some light on that?

When is your MRI? Is it being done urgently? I can't say what is going on, and if this is going to go away soon. But, if your pain becomes unmanageable at home on the meds you are given, you need to go to A&E. They will adjust your meds to ensure you are not in as much pain, and it they feel your symptoms need to be immediately looked at they may request an MRI there and then. I won't say they will, as I don't know, but certainly there are some red flags they will look for.

So, for those red flags - has your GP told you what things to look out for that mean you should go to A&E? numbness in saddle area (buttocks, genital/groin area, the seat area basically), changes in use of bowels/bladder (in particular not being able to hold it in, or to go when you need to), droopy foot, numb leg, pain in your leg(s) that cannot be managed with pain relief given already (with pain being anything over 7 out of 10 should mean A&E).

17 oh no! Hope you recover soon, what it really bad?

loon yes, I think they do have a lot of room at the front. I have a hammer toe on each foot and it doesn't rub on those. And yes to very soft leather, they are sooo comfy, all three pairs that I have. I went to a music concert and my feet hurt less than they ever had, and my back was bearable afterwards.

You could always go to a shop to try a pair on, as most of the front of the shoes are similar, and if you feel they are right, check them out on for example Amazon. I agree with matilda that IF FLY LONDON KNOW WE ARE ADVERTISING THEIR BOOTS, WE SHOULD BE ASKED TO TEST SOME NEW STYLES. and review them here

I am in So Much Pain. I don't even know what to do with myself. Stinging right through my back into my legs. Why the fuck is it stinging?! It just never makes any sense any more, the pain is never even consistent. It's not even going away with lying down. Had a bit of a crisis with a friend today and meant a little bit more rushing around and not thinking of my back. I suspect that is why. I want to take a shit ton of meds but the tramadol will make me wired. I don't know if I can take nortriptyline, tramadol and diazepam. And I promised someone I would finish editing their dissertation by tomorrrow and have 3500 words to finish. It won't take horrendously long but it's a bit dull and so involves concentration. I won't be able to concentrate either with pain or with meds!

Have I ever said I want this whole fucking shit to just Do One?!

Pavlovthecat - thanks so much for replying, I really appreciate it. I'm on 5mg of diazapam, three times a day. I use ice packs which help temporarily and I'm just going to attempt to get into the bath after three days of not being able to. My poor husband is probably sick of being my carer! I have promised him that one day we will have sex again!!

My mri is Monday. I was referred a week ago, but when the doctor came on Friday, he recognised the urgency and chased the clinic. I am impressed with the speed of the nhs. Do you know how long it takes to get the results?

The doctor mentioned that spasms would not stop with diazapam in some situations - it will depend on the diagnosis. He has told me to take more naproxen to get me through until we know what is wrong.

I don't hAve the rd flags. My legs are very weak but the pain stops at my hips and doesn't go down any further.

The district nurse is supposed to be coming sometime to give me a raised loo seat (!) and I think I need crutches for when I can't lean on my husband to walk.

What does it mean that I am getting ads for designer shoes when I click on this thread?

Fizzle you sound in a bad way. Hope you get some useful results from MRI. Don't ask pavlov how long results take though! She has been having problems with that. I think you can get them in a couple of weeks or less normally.

pavlov take those meds! Better than being in pain. If wired you will stay up and get work done. That's my theory anyway.

fizzle yes, ignore anything you read about how long I have waited for my results They are normally available within 10 days or so. If your GP is sensing urgency due to your immobility, you might get them quicker. Glad it's being rushed through, back pain is fucking horrible and hopefully it's been recognised you need this fixed now so you can hold your baby. It sounds like the GP has his (her?) finger on the pulse re meds, so good that you have one of those on your side. They are rare as rocking horse shit. I personally don't enjoy ice very much. You will find, upon reading our threads, that we all love a bit of heat . Be careful with the bath, make sure you have your DH there at all times.

live you tell us what it says what you been buying since coming on here? I can't do any more of the editing anyway. I actually have two dissertations to edit, one is just 1600 words, about gaming and gaming theory. The other is about photography of war

and I can't believe you are even thinking about having sex already with a bad back and a newborn! You might need to tell your DH he ain't getting any for a little while yet...

I know, I was only kidding! He is great - no pressure, but he must be bursting :)

My doctor is great. I had a pulmonary embolism at the end of the pregnancy and he diagnosed it correctly straight away (which is hard to do). He is certainly a keeper.

Fingers crossed results come quickly so I know where I stand. I've spent a fortune on Physio and chiropractor and home help. I am self employed and my maternity savings are running out fast. Luckily, I've been referred for nhs Physio but will hold fire until I have a diagnosis...

Pavlov I was walking around clutching every available hand rail and pushing myself of every available wall -I must have looked drunk!

And then I got in the car and screamed -my dcs hate it when I do that but I can't help it sometimes

I've reassured them that I do it when they aren't there too so it's not done intentionally to embarrass them!

I was feeling quite positive this morning too

I had an appointment with the neurologist yesterday and going for another MRI in the next few weeks but he doesn't think my latest bought of pain is an MS flare up
I much prefer pain due to a mechanical issue!

I didn't take my stick as I know the dcs don't really like the attention it brings but I also thought there would be plenty of places for me to sneak a sit down but it was so busy everywhere I was standing for far too long

Haha every back book I have read has a section on sex! It reminds me of the joke about porcupines, they do it very, very carefully.

17 I know it is horrible for kids to have a parent who is not well, but don't let them think it is ok to act embarrassed about you being in pain. I am sure they are compassionate really but just being a bit teenagerish about it. still they have to learn to at least pretend to feel sympathetic when you scream in agony, great lifeskill. Hope you are feeling better now.

Oh dear, several peeps having truly shitty times on here lately. sending big e-hugs to you all and mahoosive slices of cake
17 you were trying to be considerate of your kids- but got severely neglected into the bargain. Hope you can claw back to a better place in the next few days. These probs with backs and the rest are very hereditary so they really should bear that in mind a little- hopefully they wont have same to deal with in the future of course, maybe they will be schooled by you in preservation or hospitals will have amazing high tech ways to fix backs in the future! hope the neurologist finds out the root of the problem and cause of recent flare up. fx the mri gives you some answers.
oh yes the machine- I remember now! how could i ever forget? I did read about that in past posts. and squeeeeeeeeze

fizzle not sure what the definition of "bad" is but that sounds pretty bad to me. Your daily life is significantly affected so that requires urgent attention. sounds like your doc is taking it very seriously so hang in there and hopefully they will sort you out soon. I had spd in my pg's which gave me back and pelvis area pain and some mobility issues so I empathise with not being able to do everything you want to with a new baby. Let your dh help you with the things that are difficult and try to get as much skin-to-skin time with your baby as this will make you feel very snuggly as well as the baby! It will help compensate for feeling like you are not holding/lifting her as much as you would. Were there any problems with your birth that might have been a cause of hurting your back? It is quite an intense experience, physically and it sounds like you had some issues to cope with re the embolism. Are you breastfeeding? it may be an extra strain on your back- although you can always feed lying down- you know that of course as this is your 2nd, i found that the best if my back was sore (my spd symptoms hung around several months post partum). I know it is so hard not to feel down and to give in to the feelings you are having but try to find anything you can to lift them a bit, you don't need depression into the bargain to deal with. If you feel you are already depressed try to tell someone sooner rather than later as they can help you get the support you need, posting here is a good way to vent and share if it is hard t talk to anyone in rl, but dont suffer in silence and please don't ever think you are pathetic. I felt hesitant to post here because my pain seemed less than others but all the bods on here are brilliant, there is no competition, all just here for each other and pain is relative, everyone's situation is different and your feelings are valid. Many on herehave various techniques to manage these horrid situations and get through it. How are you finding the codeine to deal with the more acute pain? - it is a moderately strong analgesic but from your post it sounds like you may need something a bit stronger- ring the doctor if you are spending alot of time in pain- in the hospital ( had hip op last week) they said over 4/10 should be nedicated to bring it down. Do also try hot water bottle as pavlov said- sometimes it works where even strong painkilers are failing. wish all the luck in the world babe.

I am also guilty of "doing too much" today- it creeps so slowly i dont notice until it's bad and i have to lie down. was not using my crutches much today has anyone else had the unpleasant experience of having a lie in and so waking a few hrs after you usually take pills, full of aches? no lie in tomorrow- have to get up normal time and go to an audition for a tv prog, should be a bit of a laugh i hope.
hope you are all getting a good night's sleep. goodness hope you dont wake up at 4 again - fx.

Yes sleep well everyone if you can and dream of nice shoes and holidays. Tomorrow should be a sunny day but do go steady on the outdoor activities!

Dreading tonight.
Horrible evening too.
Went to the cinema.
Stupid, stupid thing to do. I'm a fucking idiot ;(
It used to be fun ;(
Too much, too soon.
Gd it hurt! Dallas Buyers Club was grim - for me, too.

Aaaaah thx Maizie for the sleep wishes. You too. Xxx

17 I know it won't solve things for you, and you may already have one... but do u have a Blue Badge?

Pavlov... BIG hugs and a hand squeeze. Sad to hear you're in so much pain. Hope the meds are working. Sometimes I wish it were appropriate to offer mine around if it'd help.

Fizzle, your back problems are no worse or better than anyone else's. And you're certainly not being pathetic. You're in a shit situation and please take some comfort in the fact that we are holding each other's hands. Here - grab mine.

Matilda, ooooooooh. 16/6 on Netflix? I'm excited

My machine. Don't get excited. It's not stimulating. It's literally electrifying. Lol

17 hahaha
Just been wondering the same. What on earth led me to believe that sitting in a cinema would be ... enjoyable? Bit sad that it wasn't. Also, that Dallas Buyers Club was grim.

Maizie, I can honestly say that morphene did not touch the sides on my nerve pain. Nada. I had to b turned every 30 mins. (Repeating myself, I know). Can u find out whether it's a cost cutting thing making you take morph vs oxy?

Loved the analogy
Can't remember what it was now
I had a memory once. What the fuck happened to it?

Fly boots sound good. You naughty shopping enablers!