Back Pain and Internet Shopping. Thread Number 5.

[PavlovtheCat]

Those who have long term back problems know that the best way to help manage back pain is to internet shop for shoes, bags, and back support devices. Those who are new to back pain, these are important lessons to learn.

And here within this thread is where you will learn those lessons.

You will also find other helpful advice on pain management, different treatment options from hydrotherapy and physio to surgery, experiences of others navigating the big and scary medical world, both private and NHS (and abroad from the UK) too, as well as issues around work, being a parent while managing pain and disability, and the impact on the relationships around us.

Between us all, we have a huge wealth of knowledge and experience, and more than the practical advice, the jargon and information, we know what back pain is like, how much is affects everything around us, and sometimes, all we need is to have people listen who Get It.

We talk painkillers regularly, have hot water bottles and wheat bags galore, and hold hands a lot. It's potentially all very Unmumsnetty as we do actually show some lovin' from time to time, although we Never Ever call each other hun.

If you have advice, need advice, need a hand to hold, want to do some shopping, then come in. We are friendly. We talk a lot. Come in, have a and say hello

You will see just how much we do talk if you read our previous threads (where you may glean lots of answers about pain relief, surgery etc, best winter boots etc):
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2049637-Back-Again-Back-Pain-Support-Thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1871592-The-Back-Story
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1992406-The-Back-Story-Continues
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2023274-More-Terrible-Back-Stories

Tickle, I'm really angry on your behalf here. Your physio is talking shit. S/he cannot see your discs or nerves & is neither qualified nor employed to give an accurate diagnosis of the cause of lumbar back pain / sciatica.

Weak muscles may have been a predisposing factor to what has gone wrong, or your muscles may have weakened since this happened - who knows? But that isn't the cause of your pins & needles symptoms.

Agree with all those who have said to push for an MRI. The back consultant will want one anyway, so it would have made sense for your GP to refer you at the same time to avoid another unnecessary delay.

If it's any consolation I had a terrible time with my NHS physio. He decided on our first appointment that I probably had a facet joint problem but that I had such a positive attitude & was keeping so active that I would soon see an improvement.

When I came back & told him how my leg pain had worsened after doing repeated Cobra exercises (as instructed by him) he soon changed his tune, & started up on the theme of how a negative attitude is connected with back pain & is one of the main reasons it becomes chronic. My failure to get on with his exercises was clearly a sign of my negativity.

He went on to say a whole load of contradictory stuff - my nerves had become sensitised; it was muscular; it was referred pain; it might be a disc problem but I wouldn't be a candidate for surgery anyway, as I could walk. He wasn't competent to say any of those things & I only did 4 out of 6 of my sessions in the end as I couldn't face any more of his crap (& my GP had referred me for an MRI by that point anyway!).

What did it turn out to be Loon?

Disc prolapse at L5/S1 with S1 nerve root impingement, Berrie. To be fair, I didn't suspect that at the time either as I didn't have the obvious neurological symptoms that Tickle has. I mainly had nasty right leg pain with just a few odd sensations / minor weakness & a bit of muscle wastage in right hip / bum. Now I have back pain too.

Am having another MRI on Wednesday as my consultant wants to see if the situation has changed. I've turned down surgery once & do wonder now if I made the right decision, as things haven't improved massively. They do for a bit - had a longish period with no pain below the knee - but then it all keeps coming back, so it feels like I'm going round in circles. And my back muscles seem to be constantly in spasm now.

OMG, now I'm speechless. Nothing wrong??? Sorry but just move on and get the referral, Tickle. I'd be pretty surprised if you were suffering such pain and it turned out to be 'nothing'. I'm so sorry, of course you feel terrible. How did she explain away the pain, then? Weak muscles don't cause agony!

Ah sorry Loon - was it you who cancelled the micro discectomy?
Well if it's any help - my discectomy sorted me out for four lovely years. We got a dog as I could move again and I lost two stone, got a proper job and got my life back. My mistake was perhaps the stone I've put on since June
I know that it doesn't turn out that way for everyone though.

Thank you so much. You've all made me feel so much better.

She said that because the pins and needles and numbness wasn't localised then it wasn't a disc problem. I asked her about coccydynia and she didn't seem to reply. She gave me two rolled up bandages to sit on. Not taken seriously at all.

Thank god I've been referred. I told her I can FEEL my coccyx all the time, it throbs even when I'm standing.

I have weakness in my left side apparently but again that's because I have weak muscles according to physio.

She mentioned I have exaggerated curvature to my lower back but didn't sat anything else about it. ..

Loon that all sounds so familiar. She seemed to take my telling her I have no social life now as me being depressed rather than the fact that I don't go out cos I can't sit on chairs!

I'm in a cycle apparently of not doing anything and then it hurting more etc. Well I'm working every day and have three children so it's not like I'm doing nothing!

I have tried exercises and it's made my back worse. Made me feel awful that she basically said tthat my doing nothing has created this problem, even though I fell down the stairs and that's when it all a started!

Good luck for your MRI loon and thank you all so so much for listening to me constantly moaning and being angry on my behalf. Your advice is so so appreciated.

Dr marked referral urgent so fingers crossed.

It's the GP's rule of three at work again I reckon. Just goes to show - you really do need to keep going back before they help you yet they happily let you take shed loads of Tramadol for 8 months
It's all good though Tickle Looks like you are finally on your way to finding out what is causing your pain. Well done!(and be ready in case you get a consultant who also wants to play the waiting game - don't let them send you off without an MRI - they did it to me twice and I really needed that MRI) You sound a pretty strong person to me though - I was too passive.

Tickle i was told the same at the beginning of my pain by nhs physio, told me nothing medically wrong, just muscle and poor posture. Bupa pretty much sent ltr to my gp asking for mri straight away, turned out severe bulging disc pinching my s1 nerve. Ended up with 20wks off work, i am care assis, my nhs physio told me no need to take time off. Needless to say i dont have much faith in nhs physio.
Matilda hope you are ok, been busy at the pink house, dd had her ww2 theme day tnday and last wk was half term, she was poorly awful cough and cold, still coughing up muck. Oh and had her friend in sat and sunday, i was doing dd lunch when her friend knocked, next thing dd asked if friend could have lunch as apparently her mum had no food in house. So did her luncg too.
I have bupa physio tomorrow, then have family coming thursday and saturday, its been busy couple of wks.
The pup is doing his pieces with the fireworks and the kids coming in.
I have been getting back pain last couple of days, its still letting me know its there.

Pink, it's great that you have been doing so well but at the moment your back is speaking to you? It is saying 'slow down'. You are off sick so you should be resting and pottering. Not running around after the street and entertaining all and sundry .

Did you make any progress with the reception job? It really is ok to call hr and ask. Also ask for that Return to Work assessment with Occ Health.

Tickle, keep going. It's a shame there are so many poor practitioners out there. People who seem to think they have X-ray eyes.

I'm going away with my best friend for three nights. Flying. Hoping for the best...

Matilda hope you have a lovely few days, and your back is kind to you on and after the flights.

Matilda hope you have a lovely few days, its well deserved, yes I am supposed to be seeing occ health just waiting for a date, I am back to the docs on friday as note out next tues, supposed to be back to work on the 13th.
I am still careful and do always think "back" before I do stuff, the trouble is I am not one for slowing down and have never until this been off work for such a long time, or been in pain so long, never have I had to take so many concoctions of meds, I do think that I do rush back into things maybe too quick, but I do stop when my back starts, I did get a bit of thigh pain at the weekend, but rested straight away as I remember how bad I was.
todayi dropped a sock down the back of the sofa, I was getting it off the radiator and dropped it, I left it til dh got in as the last time I moved the sofa was the first time I did the disc, and I thought, I ain't doing that again.
Hope you have a lovely break matilda, hope the flight is not too long.

Woo Hoo! Have a great time Matilda!

I saw a physio briefly that was very dismissive of my pain,and frankly felt like she did not listen- perhaps it was the same one Tickle? Horrid experience so you have my sympathy. She told me exercise should not hurt ( I can tell you some most definitely does- so I am careful and avoid some things altogether like cobra),
I think one of the difficulties might be words -according to Dr Google sciatica is pain caused when the sciatic nerve is inflamed, whilst sciatic pain can be caused by pressure or other things upsetting the working of the sciatic nerve (without inflammation perhaps) or its distribution. Similar pain to the patient, but different to the professionals. Gp sent me re sciatic pain PT concluded I did not have sciatica but weak core muscles. (Bangs head - gently) Now I am waiting for the hospital PT.
Pink very sensible. My first lock up was after laying lino in the loo (stretching into tight corners). I have not replaced - nor will I. Professional or DH next time.

Marking my place, I'll post after work

May I join you all and ask for advice?

This week I've returned to working from home, which involves me typing all day. I've been doing a different job for 18 months and not had back problems, but now I'm really suffering with pain.

The problem is at the top of my spine, back of my neck. I've taken ibuprofen and have my heated wheat pack to ease it, but wondered if anyone can advise how to prevent this.

I've had back problems, as in my lower back seizing up, on and off, nothing unusual. But this pain is specific to when I type a lot. I have a chair with lumbar support. I am aware that my posture is bad and I never exercise. I've also been tense, as it's a new job and the work came in fast and furious Monday and Tuesday. It was also cold in my little office.

I'm aware I'm whinging about something that doesn't compare to the pain you are all in. But I have to continue with this job for a long time and want to too, so hope to find a way of working more comfortably.

Thank you

sorry. been quiet. low mood, trying to crack on, lots of pain. will try and catch up and post a bit later.

carrie are you self employed or employed by a company? small adjustments to your workspace can really help.look at height of desk, screen, mouse your etc. you should be taking decent away from desk breaks every twenty minutes at the very least. Google should be able to give you some tips (I'm on my phone or would dig you out some links)

your employer should do an assessment on your home workspace.access to work can be helpful if you have a condition that meets their criteria (from memory affected more than the months)

have you ever sought medical advice for your back?I bang on about this but inflammatory back pain is under diagnosed in women (like me ). I posted a link to signs and symptoms earlier in thread think morning pain, onset under thirty, pain of more than three month Duration no obvious injury at onset. anyway gp can refer for physio etc

pavlov

Hi Denial

I'm self employed, so no one to ask for workplace adjustment. I've checked my seating, which seems Ok.

I haven't been to my gp. My pain does seem linked to typing. I don't get it in the morning. I'm 50, so not under 30 either. Is it worth going to see my gp anyway, or will she just tell me it's because of poor posture?

Sending you lots of pain relieving vibes Pavlov

Will post more tomorrow when I'm more with it but thanks so much to all with advice and down to dismissive NHS physios!

Carrie always worth going to GP in my opinion. Especially as it seems like it takes them a long time to do anything. Hopefully your pain will improve but if you need further help then getting there early is a good idea

Carrie, hello and sorry to read about your sore neck. I have had some benefit from the Alexander Technique and it is especially good for sore necks. It sounds as if it is almost certainly positional and muscular since it is so specifically linked to typing.

Is your screen high enough. Are you able to remind yourself constantly to lose the tension? Stick a post it on you screen!

Do This twice a day and practice slow deep relaxation breathing, releasing the tension from your shoulders.

I'm really not into woo medicine but having tried almost everything going, I tell you, this works. Good luck.

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is having not too bad a day, I had bupa physio today she said I was doing well, lots more movement, muscles alot less tense, but still need to be careful.
I went to work tonight as we had a firework event for the residents, I work in a care village, so has 50 independent flats, 42 assisted living apartments and the care floor 30 bedrooms, I am on care floor. We have two activities organisers that do loads of events and trips.
I saw him and one of the sales girls they both said that I can't be stopped from going to reception. Then the head receptionist came to me and said, did I get her reply last week, I said yes, she said she still would like me as bank and that she will have a word with village manager and say that she wants me, she told me that if things don't work out in my current role to see her asap. My village manager is above my line manager. Also my friend at work had said they are short again today and next three days on care floor, its getting beyond a joke.

I checkef my rota whilst there and I am on it up until end nov when new rota needs to be done, nothing like breaking me in gently.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the Alexander Constructive Rest.

I have raised my screen today. I'm not good at remembering to take a break when I'm busy, so, yes, I will put a postit note up to remind me.

'ullo you lot. Many many to Matlida who regularly inboxes me even though I'm too grumpy for the general population. I've caught up with the thread, sorry you are all still in the crap bits too, backs are just STUPID IMHO.

Anyway, I came to have a whinge because I am so self obsessed I am willing to ignore you all until I need you . I had 12 (12!!!!!!) facet joint injections yesterday in an hour of riotous fun. Really hoping that they will work but today (and to be fair my consultant told me this would be the case because that's a lot of needles going deep into my spine) I am in stupid pain and very stiff. This is fine, I was expecting it, happy to have had them and optimistic that it might help. BUT, after all the shitty times we have had over the years when I have helped people, looked after people, waited on H hand and foot when he had a bad back which miraculously mended after just one root block (the bastard ). All the help I give everyone else, in the end I had to employ someone to drive me home from hospital and to pop in a bit later today to sort the house for the boys and pick them up from school. STBexH came round last night (when I am not supposed to be left on my own for 24 hours - looks round at empty house-) and dropped the boys off and left me with them on my own for half an hour, then brought back DS2 this morning for the school bus without even giving him dinner money. So I am stuck in bed. Dogs to look after, no food, not even a cup of tea or a friend giving a damn and coming round to help. It is just a teeny tiny bit sad making. My parents haven't even bothered to see how I am. Humph.

So how the hell are you lot anyway? Good drugs going anywhere? I've got a BuTrans patch now, some sort of synthetic morphine thing, lasts for 7 days which is brilliant. Felt very sick and spaced at first but totally used to it now, top up with SR tramadol 100s days 5 and 6 because it wears down but hopefully after these injections it will be the business. Got a proper diagnosis of Axial and Peripheral spondyloarthropathy (so ankolysing spondylitis that has got above itself and started attacking my hands and feet and shoulders too, which is nice) which makes me team auto immune inflammatory arthritis but then my rheumatologist promptly quit which I wasn't very impressed with, hopefully seeing a new one in the next month.

Need a new pair of boots for winter, got any nice Fly recommendations Pavlov? We have a new TKMaxx so I rather excitedly got myself a very cheap Red or Dead bright pink patent hand bag, which of course made me think of all of you .