More Terrible Back Stories

[Matildathecat]

This is the support thread for all sufferers of back pain. Acute, chronic, agony or niggles, we are strictly non competitive. All newcomers very welcome. (Though be warned, the language can be a little 'ripe' ).

Here are our previous threads:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1871592-The-Back-Story
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1992406-The-Back-Story-Continues

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.

So come and join us for moans, advice, downright rants or just a laugh.

in the two years is taken me to be able to walk 5k dp has started running half marathons in decent times.I'm not jealous no not at all. he doesn't get much sympathy when he treys to say his legs hurt mind you.

Oh the big summer shoe debate. Getting a bit warm for boots, not yet into my (2new pairs!) of Fitflops so a comfy little shoe required. Can't do flat flat or very low at the front. Need a modified ballet but does it exist?

Had a lovely afternoon shopping. Am knackered but who cares.

Reading through I keep being struck by how untypical of the stereotype 'back sufferer' we all are. Normal weights, active, sporty, and health conscious yet all suffering crippling chronic pain. So unfair and sad. Denial, good luck with the run. Just considering it with your pain is awesome. I used to swim 5 k per week, now about 1k on a very good week and split into mini swims. But hey, I'm not giving up whilst I'm still breathing.

It's got to be best to rest, take the meds and be a bit sensible but get on and keep living your life. Whatever it is that 'does it' for you, just do it. As a collective we are important and an example of never bloody giving in so I'm just so glad to not be alone in this weird and confusing place.

Rant over.

Matilda you are so right. All the people who see back pain sufferers as whingers should come and have their asses kicked by us! I like Clark's unstructured and air.you have to be careful some of the designs are seriously granny centric but very very comfy.might be a bit flat for dinner of you who like a heel.

Not sure that there are. Although someone (memory crap!) just posted Fly ones below.
Fit Flops have new style with strap at the back. Tried them. v comfy. As long as not training, they're alright.
Denial what is the make of your trainers? I'm thinking of getting fraudulent gait analysis trainers, too!

I can't do flat flat either. The main drive for my fly boots was that my ballet pumps, the only shoes I could wear to work jarred my back as I walked, so badly I had to wear my trainers and that's not a good look with shift dresses. Although, neither are my fly boots, so on the hunt for some more work style shoes. I need to have a little lift, and spongey soles. But NOT old person shoes. DH has said I might just have to accept that is all I can wear. Ha! Not A Chance. I got a fab pair of trainers, that are meant to help posture and toning. Yeah right! And they are not great on cross trainers. But look pretty

Do flit flops look good? Can they work with dresses?

You are so right matilda. We are all such go getters, we are not, any of us, giving up. And everyone here is inspirational to me, and keep me going when I feel like giving up. Although, sometimes it is so so tempting.

Kids birthday party. Wore pain on my sleeve apparently despite feeling loads Better. Good job they didn't see me a couple of days ago...

Brooks ghost. It's a bit bizarre, I've never bought trainers based on recommendation rather than what they look like. but they are amazing.mind thou I've never spent a hundred quid on trainers before either

www.simplyrun.co.uk/products/jan140110-brooks-ghost-6-womens-running-shoe-(1201381b620).html?gclid=CLT8ws35yb0CFQ7MtAodI2QADA#fo_c=163&fo_k=491dffa074e977eda090bd13ba8607b2&fo_s=gplauk

And well done on your running, I would consider that as pretty awesome. I can't run at all. Well I can, if I then want to collapse in a heap after a few steps! Soon. I am going to run again. I used to run, never further than 5k, used to run to listen to my music and clear my head. Pin like to exercise to music,

Oh that reminds me, need to start a thread about swimming headphones. Anyone use them? If so, what ones?

Oooo I've been eyeing up the Sony ones, very very tempted. swimming is better for me but i get bored.running is borderline self harm. possibly more than borderline.I felt great earlier but not so right now

our pool has introduced these swim tag things.tracks strokes, pace, number of lengths, length of swim.it's really helped me stick with it.

We are looking at that one now! But also looking at this bone condenser one which losty might be able to use. It looks awesome! But DH says it's too much!

So, being stupid etc, is mp3 compatible with iTunes?

yikes that's quite a bit. I think the Sony one blurb says it talks to I tunes

Pavlov, I'm thinking of buying these: FitFlop Suisei Nude - Womens Fitflop www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CWD8E8S/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_-Dfqtb0CWB6F
Like I neeeeed another pair of shoes - not!
Seriously comfy. Expensive as sandals go so worth trying in store. I liked the feel of the strap at the back. As for trainers n dresses, I'm going to wear trainers with a dress tomorrow, I think. I have MBTs. Love them but too small. Gonna get fitted by gait thingy at spaces lost shop and then create a new trend for is all. I shall leeeeeesad the way. You saw it here first! Lol

I have a pink sparkly pair of fit flips without the strap.have never worn them outside the house.they make my back worse.was devastated. should really e bay or something

I think I need more cushioning in the heel.everything I have that really works for me has a lot of heel cushioning

I had underwater earphone mp3 thing a few years ago. Worked quite well. Loved listening to kate bosh as I pushed off under water. Amazing. Cheek ones look a bit scary. But not tried them.
Pav, was it your own DC's party?

See I just can't get myself to like those tadaaa. I want to. But nope.

We are gonna get the sony ones. We are gonna share but as DH never goes to the gym it means they are mine

let me know how they do in the water please

I like these for work. DH doesn't but I think I actually love them very much.

denial I have read mixed reviews but the general consensus seem to be they are about as good as you're gonna get in the water with the technology available. It seems that the more expensive ones are not necessarily guaranteed to be that much better that it's worth spending the extra for. So, while they work on the technology middle of the road is about right I think.

Denial I swear we are the same person almost! I have inflammatory arthritis in my spine too, such a bastard but I don't appear to have the matching skin bit, although a gp back in the mists of time said I had it but it has never come back. I adore my new shoes, actually got a bit of a wolf whistle from my friends at pick up yesterday but in a nice friendly way!

I have been lusting after those swimming headphones for ages but as I'm not managing my pain well at the moment ever I haven't been swimming so they are pointless for me, I might go back to the pool next week so I can justify buying them... nah, I need more Fly shoes first .

my first target was just getting in the water three times a week.literally just get to the pool, get in, move in some way. then I thought ok stay in the pool for fifteen minutes....swim for fifteen minutes.....Ok four times a week (break even point on my membership over pay as you go). now I swim for twenty five minutes non stop three to four times a week and crave it if I miss it. but somedays it's just too sore to go through the changing bollox and our local pool has a stupid eco boiler and is basically always freezing which really does not help. I sometimes can't do my time because it hurts too much and I have to stop.I always feel better afterwards. Even if the si pain is aggravated all my other muscles are loosened or something and the endorphins are really helpful.

people have started noticing that I'm losing weight etc.it's hilarious.I'm struggling my world is shrinking but I probably look the best I have in years. it would be funny if it wasn't so fucking tragic

lost I don't have much psoriasis and what I had was cleared up by the methotrexate but I undeniably appear to have other classic symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (inflammatory back pain, si involvement,arthritis, tendonitis,Achilles issues, plantar fasciitis etc etc swollen hands and knees controlled by meth etc.)

yay for wolf whistles and shoes.there is hope

That's really interesting about the swimming, I think I have it in my head that if I can't do my normal mile then there is no point going, what a wally, of course I can go and just do a little bit, endorphins from exercise are one of the best things in the world! Right, challenge for this week, buy good swimming hat (I have very long very thick hair, it is a nightmare if I get it wet all the time) then get down to the pool.

I know what you mean about looking better amidst the chaos, I have had the year to end all years, it's brought me to my knees at times but it's also carved me from a 22-24 to a nice 16 and still falling without me ever trying to diet, plus I have been forced to spend a lot of time in a big city which I would never do normally which has brought me face to face with the Benefit make up counter. I call it my armour because however crap I am feeling or if I've had a good cry I can wash my face and put myself back together with nice make up and a lovely top. It's very therapeutic, as are bright red shoes and the idea of orange handbags

morning all.

Children are watching a film on netflix, DH and I still in bed having a coffee and surfing the net. Lazy Sunday. I did get up to use the loo. And my pain is more under control it seems today, not too horrendous, certainly not like it has been over the last week for sure, which has been almost too tough to carry on. It's subsided, but not gone. Which is great, but fucking typical it's just before I see the consultant who will be like 'you seem to be managing ok' i expect. Grr.

Hope you are all having a low pain day.