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

Hello leaping sorry you need to come back. The Gorilla has come to stay,then? < read back a couple of pages for that reference>

Quick thoughts are this:

Why pregablin once a day? Especially if it helps. It can be taken three times a day and at once a day I can't imagine it's having a good effect in building up IWSWIM?

Amytriptiline helps but makes you woozy? How long did you give it? It takes a few weeks to get used to it and then at a very low level which you can build up. Good med but takes perseverance.

Take the paracetamol at full dose ie four times a day and consider adding codeine if it's not enough.

Naproxen/ ibuprofen sounds sensible but take a stomach protector.

If you do make med changes they should really be done one at a time to see what helps. In your shoes I think I'd be increasing the pregablin since you already get benefit from that. Once a day is a strange dose.

Can't comment on diet but sure, keep the weight down if that's an issue. < easy advice!!!>

Physio, ditto don't know much about necks but keeping centred and aware is very sensible. Pilates might be good but only in a small group with a good teacher.

AT I really recommend for anyone with 'a neck'. Try listening and doing the constructive rest download. It works. Every day, pref twice( I can't manage this). One to one classes are best. It's more a way of being than a way of doing if that makes any sense. 'Let your neck be free' is my mantra.

Hoe that helps.

Sorry, couple more things. Can't think an X-ray would add much. You can request a copy of the MRI report if you would like it. They are often written in terms which are ahem, intriguing (indecipherable ).

Heat, yes, yes, yes. Then more. Mot sure if you could use a patch but I would be trying to find a way. They are fantastic.

Do you work at a desk? If so have you raised your screen and checked your desk and chair are the best available? < more easy words but you get the fist>.

Get the fist Matilda

I have googled your dog they look like great fluffy bears! Gorgeous!

Poor DH is saddled with the dog walking.
Because it's dark he didn't notice him rolling in fox poo and had to sort it all out when he got home. Sadly I couldn't help... Sometimes the gorilla is your best mate!

How many mri scans snd X-rays have you had? I had one mri scan a year and a half ago. Is it worth asking for another?

Hi Matilda, we already have one gorilla in the house (DD has POTS so faints regularly and feels rubbish most of the rest of the time ), maybe I'll just share hers .

Thanks for the meds thoughts - no idea why the pregabalin is once a day (the neurologist yesterday said to me "why are you taking this, did I prescribe it?" and the GP would like me off it if at all possible think it's too expensive) but will talk to the GP when i see her in a fortnight.

Had the amytriptline for a few months (started on 10mg, went up to 20, then 25), was nicely blissed out over the summer, but couldn't deal with basic stuff once DDs were back at school (remembering to get lunchbox stuff, take them to clubs, pick them up from clubs they'd been dropped off at two hours before , that kind of thing). Neurologist suggested a couple of other similar things I could try which might not have as bad side effects, so I'll what the GP thinks.

TBH paracetamol seems to be the most effective thing at the moment, so i'll follow my advice to DD when she sprains bits of her, and take it before it starts to hurt .

I've looked at my computer setup after advice from the physio, and i think it's all as good as it can be without spending thousands.

Will be making a few wheat bags though I think, can't stand lavender, so need to investigate what else would be nice. Will also properly look at the constructive rest thing this evening.

matilda if you do to at the beginning of a sentence, then write it, then do at the end of the sentence, it will put the whole sentence in italics, so you don't have to do it for each word. It took me a while to figure that out

Wow, this thread is fast moving ATM.

Definitely not too much gorilla analogy, Berrie - don't think that's possible!

Leaping, you can buy stick-on heat pads specially designed for the neck area - longer & thinner than the back ones. Cura heat do them, though I've never tried them.

Very jealous of those of you with dogs. I love dogs but am married to a man who doesn't! I go walking in a lot of places where dog-owners let their dogs off the lead so have to content myself with stroking random dogs that come running up to me. I think I'd like a whippet, but not sure the cat would be pleased. And I can see that the pulling on the lead issue wouldn't be great from a back POV.

Well, my left leg pain has got quite a bit worse. Don't know what the bastard fuck is going on there, but it's right down the back of the thigh & into the calf. Hoping that co-codamol & Youngs double chocolate stout will sort me out. DH is out & the boys seem to be using my exercise ball as a space-hopper.

Leaping did your GP give you pregablin as a first line treatment? If so maybe you could switch to gabapentin. It's about 10% of the price and I actually prefer it. I take 600mg x 3/ day and it keeps my nerve pain at bay if I'm careful. Then 20mgs amitriptyline at night. I find it hard to wake up but ok after a couple of cups of tea.

Loon my DH definitely did not want a dog but loves him now except when he rolls in fox poo or cries piteously at our bedroom door at 5 am.

Pavlov, I can usually deal with italics and bold and even sometimes, strikethroughs. Not, however in the same sentence. I blame my ipad for all errors. Especially excess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!s

I am bored and sitting on hold whilst listening to a series of very dull messages....

Soppy dog picture.

Naughty bonkers dog!
I love him too except when he rolls in fox poo, pulls on the lead, bites me if I step on his toe, barks at EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING,eats cakes cooling on the side, chews through two kitchen floors, the kettle, the sofa, the kitchen door and skirting board and door frame, rips up the carpet... better stop now...

Matilda Yours is cuddly bear!

That was my first picture BTW..they didn't have pictures directly in threads in the old days! [proud emoticon]
(Been off Mumsnet for several years until back went)

Your dogs are gorgeous! Did yours really chewing through a kettle, berrie? And I thought our cat was destructive.

Chew, not chewing...

Maybe not through but definitely chewed and not fit for purpose!
That was in his puppy days - he is much less destructive now happily.

In accordance with the thread title I must report that last night my finger slipped and I mistakenly had drunk wine ordered a cashmere jumper from Tesco. 25% off all knitwear at present. I do not need any further knitwear, especially in grey cashmere but hey... i don't care!!

Back is a nightmare today. Devine retribution?

Btw for avoidance of doubt, tesco cashmere is good quality and I say that as a seasoned and experienced consumer of said yarn.

Oh dear, I seem to have the same finger slipping difficulty Matilda and have ordered a peacock blue cashmere cardi from M&S sale. Then I got a quote for fixing the car ( which I scratched) and its going to take up all of the excess, and felt very guilty! Next tell DH. Back now very sore so perhaps that's my penance.

Yikes! If I admitted all my finger slipping on here the last few weeks the thread would be FULL! This is why I have been doing only internet shopping not internet banking - I dare not look!

I a a bit of a emotional wreck tonight, first day back at work and no breaking me in gently, lifting, hoisting etc, so much for what doc put on my note, I am still saying to them I want reception, so its gone to the big boss today, just waiting to hear. More care assistants have put their notice in and will be gone by xmas, so just makes more for us that are left, also the job has become a lot harder thamn before, not sure if thats due to me and my back or residents more dependent on us and hoisting, I did 4 hours constantly on my feet and now I feel shattered.
hows everyone else doing.

Oh Pink
Please insist they take notice of the note. Don't do it! I know you must feel a responsibility to your colleges and the residents but you'll be no good to them if your back goes again. Are you worried about losing your job? ( I can understand that too - my contract is temporary)
They are really letting you down.I suggest you go to see Boss Boss tomorrow if you can and talk to her/him and get a decision made.

Pink, I'm sorry your first day back has been so tough. I agree with Berrie that management is letting you down here, & if this is the general attitude in your place of work I'm not surprised so many care assistants are leaving.

If they won't accommodate your needs, you MUST get your GP to sign you off again. It sounds like he's sympathetic at least, & will be happy to do that. I can understand your worries about losing your job, but surely if they're so short-staffed they'd rather keep a good care-worker at reduced hours than lose them altogether? You need to put your own health first, though - you really do have to.

In the meantime, have some , & can you try & do some constructive rest tonight?

I think, but check with GP, that if the fit note states fit to work with modified duties/adjusted duties/reduce hours etc, then if those things are not put in place, it is in effect a sick note, stating not fit for work. As you are only fit for work with those measures in place.

you must refuse to do the work that your GP has said you are to avoid. If necessary walk out. I know that is not ideal but the GP has said these things for a reason, and if your employer doesn't recognise this and makes your back worse, they will be in a whole heap of trouble. And, once your back problem becomes identified as a disability (which, as it stands, it most likely does now), then they must tread very bloody carefully if they don't want a case of disability discrimination. As it appears, they are setting themselves up for a serious case at tribunal by not considering your requests to do a lighter role, and by not insisting you avoid work as directed by your GP.

You should not be at work.

pink, oh my friend I am so sorry this is how those bastards Bupa are treating you. So, ask yourself this, who cares more about your health and safety, you or them? Is this important? If you come up with the correct answers you act. Tell your 'manager' that you cannot do this work on your doctors orders. Then phone hr and ask for an urgent appointment to discuss the situation.

I promise I say this meaning well but please listen; you are one of the lucky ones, your pain has gone/ massively improved. If your disc re prolapses you risk becoming 'chronic'. The gorilla is snoozing peacefully in your houses for gods sake don't waken him up. He will be angry. These people are not your friends. The fact that other carers are leaving speaks volumes and is not your problem.

Look out for yourself. Nobody else will. Sorry. And a big hug because it's horrid. Have a hot bath and a big glass of white or red medicine.xx

matilda good purchase on the cashmere jumpers! We just did some serious internet shopping too. Bought our kitchen appliances. Have spent ages researching, searching for deals etc, and have saved about £150 straight away, and a further £450 in cash back which we get within 14 days of registering their guarantees. That's on top of the approximate £600-£800 saving by not getting our appliances from the kitchen company direct. We had a set ourselves a target budget, which we went over a little but the cash back brings us back under and we have some change for pretty things not buying those pretty things until the kitchen is done though. Although, also doing an Ikea shop currently. I love, yet also hate, spending money. I get in a fizz and never know what to get, but the pressure is on now as we got to have it all here by week after next (from Ikea, appliances are due on wednesday).

I am excited and scared and worried and can't wait. What if it goes wrong again after a very bad experience what if our vision of how we want it to look turns out to look terrible? we are no artists, no interior designers here. And I am getting all out of breath and head spinny thinking of whether we should go for green or orange or stick with grey on the feature wall.

My back pain has reduced significantly today, coinciding with doing absolutely nothing strenuous, haven't even got dressed. No work as today and tomorrow off to supervise DH's packing of the kitchen, no school run as DS is off poorly and DH does the morning run, then a good friend picked DD up for us and had her over for tea, DH picked her up after work. DS and I did a lot of snuggling until 10am or so, then I did a little pottering tidying, then we watched a film, I drank coffee, I have not left the house, not walked at all, apart from small steps to the loo. I had a scare with some bladder issues over the last day or so, and have had a horrible reminder to eat more fruit but all seems to have settled mostly, some niggles there still, and the odd numb patch that comes and goes, but had enough to deal with sorting out feverish puking boy.

I got my surgery date today - 23rd December! Yeah right! that's not gonna happen! I was told it was 7th Jan, so have questioned it and was told the surgeon was known for saying one thing then completely forgetting what he had said to the patient and booking something different, so hopefully it's gonna be sorted. Although, apparently they do nice christmas dinner on the ward, and I get a pressie... seriously though, as badly as I need this op, I can't be spending any time on a hospital ward on christmas day for a planned and routine surgical procedure! (ok, not routine, but not emergency either).