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

I've had a look Matilda and you are right!

Hello all, can I join you?
I have chronic back pain, caused initially from a broken femur as a child which has led to a leg length discrepancy, sacroiliac dysfunction and three protruding discs. It was all made worse by being thrown off a horse and landing on my lower back a couple of years ago. I was on pretty hefty doses of NSAIDS and pain killers after that.

Last year I got sick with what was initailly diagnosed as encephalitis (brain inflammation). It now looks like I have an inflammatory polyneuropathy (chronic inflammation in my nerves and central nervous system dysfuction) which has caused muscle weakness and a whole host of other problems. It has massively made my back pain worse and caused multiple ligament and muscle injuries.

I would love to get back to relative normality but I don't think that is going to happen in the short term. So in the meantime i am trying to do small things that give me pleasure and don't hurt me. I'm fortunate that not being able to work hasn't caused us too many issues so no added pressure but I have had to travel back to the UK to get decent medical expertise so medical care has been patchy and disjointed.

Anyways all this bollocky bad health is bad for mental health, social life, work life, sex life etc etc but we can still shop and make our lives easier.
Teach me oh wise ones

merde welcome on board. Have a skim through and you will see we have quite a range of diagnoses but all have pretty severe and chronic pain. Still we can offer advice when asked or not and are actively encouraged to moan, groan and swear.

Are you living abroad? Dc? I'm the nosy one.

Hi merde, sounds like you've really been through the mill. What do you take in terms of medications ATM? Have you had any treatment for the disc protrusions?

The inflammatory polyneuropathy sounds horrible. Is it painful in itself, or more indirectly through muscle strains etc.? Is it a condition that has flares & remissions or is it pretty constant / progressive?

I've got a reasonably straightforward diagnosis of disc disease & prolapse at one level only - but have had chronic pain for 18 months, originally almost exclusively in the leg, but now have back pain & problems with muscle spasms & so on. Agree that it affects pretty much every part of life -but this thread has been a huge support & help for me.

That rat is quite cute, berrie!

Matilda yes I live in France. It has a very well funded medical service (partially privatised but the government puts double the money that the UK does into healthcare) but the medics are IMO very far behind in terms of research and knowledge. We are incredibly lucky to have such good medics in the UK - it's just difficult to access them!

I have one DS aged 11 with Aspergers Syndrome. He goes to an international school and needs quite a lot of support and patience - something I haven't had in vast quantities since I have been ill.

Loon I take 100mg Diclofenac (suppositories - the french love them)
150mg Pregabalin
30mg codeine
Plus Omeprazole, sleeping aids and a whole raft of supplements to fight fatigue.

Inflammatory polyneuropathy is a chronic form of Guillian-Barre syndrome - a virus gets into the central nervous system and then the immune system attacks the nerves. I haven't had this yet as a firm diagnosis but a neurologist has suggested I see someone who specialises in this and it definitely fits. I haven't looked at the prognosis yet.

I am seriously limited, I need to rest a lot and can't lift anything otherwise I pick up a new injury. I get a rapid head nodding tremor when my muscles get tired and my whole body is stiff and sore. I see a physio weekly and a chiropractor fortnightly.
My pain is mainly muscular although I do get some neuropathic pain.

I have struggled to have any quality of life in the last year. It has taken me nearly a year to be able to talk fluently as my tounge, mouth and throat didn't work well, plus I developed a short term memory. I still fall a lot as my balance is poor.

I have had a little depression in the last few months - I am so fed up of illness and how it impacts on my families lives. I know it's the same for all of us when pain is a constant feature. Its fucking tiring and limits so many activities.

On the plus side - I have lots of supportive friends locally and my DH is wonderful. I have even trained my son to do any lifting and carrying. I have adopted three aged rescue dogs and I try to walk them for 30 minutes a day.

Long posts - apologies. I must have needed to get it all out . I'll get stuck into the previous threads now.

I am sitting here sniggering at the singular 'bran flake'

Careers evening last night for DS1, that's two hours of standing and walking and standing and walking that I'll never get back. OW! Then tonight an evening of football in the drizzle with my little dynamo DS3, glass of wine now before a morning of, you guessed it, more football . It's damp, it's cold, it's a bloody good job I like watching my boys play.

Merde, welcome, you can join my venn diagram of broken bodied people with an ASD son who like shopping on the internet. Weirdly there are quite a few of us on here!

Right, bed before I set off round the countryside watching my football boys. I hope we all have a good nights sleep ready for the weekend.

Pavlov do you need tiny clothes? I think the ones I linked to are quite good in the size dept. Well the smaller sizes look small IYSWIM? I wear 16 in M&S and the L trousers or XL tops fit well.

God I just posted time for bed...

Hi Merde. sorry you have had such a rotten time. I think there is another mums netter with a similar illness. I also have a ds (15) with asd(LF)- asLost says there's a few of us. I sometimes wonder if the extra challenges that comes with keeping a child with ASD content and safe (24 hr care)- and my ds loves giving bear hugs forgetting he is now very strong-have some effect on parental health. It's probably just the extra straw on the camels back. (Have image of me with two humps not one) My back problems are relatively minor (I hope), but my health failed quite dramatically 5 years ago, (although not as ill as you have been I suspect) and it's been very hard on my family. I got rather down in the early days,- well after the first months once I became aware that I was probabably not going to return to good health. That was the hardest time. I do hope your condition can be stabilised, and you can get a bit more well. Shopping does help! I have a new mini ipad- free with a contract, because there was a good offer for long term customers of a particular phone company. It's lovely and light, and arrived in the nick of time as I am struggling to type on the keyboard (broken wrist- fell over). Not as nice as new boots, but just as practical!it keeps changing my words.
Good news - I finally have my physiotherapy appointment for dec. I am trying to not be too hopeful. Gp refused MRI.
Rat looks very comfy! We have a newish hamster and he is very cute too.
I think the damp is affecting everyone today. Hope everyone gets a good night despite the weather. Good luck with the kitchen building Pavlov.

I have been using a walking stock for about a year now. And I am starting to walk funny when I sm not using it. And also starting to get pain in the other hip that didn't have problems before. Anyone have the same or is it because of me using the stick?

Hi everyone, haven't been on for a few days, busy, working, well thats a joke. I am now going back to my original shifts, 8 til 2 as the shorter shift I was doing isnt really a proper job, I was a floater, so got put here there and everywhere. I am only going todo two days now as opposed to three.
have also been busy on days off, tomorrow supposed to ge going to milton Keynes to take dd to the Xmas display, it is usually pretty good. She is ata sleepover tonight at het friends, so I had couple of drinks.
I have bern having the stretchy pain in the back of my leg again, its the nerveagain, I am so hoping it Isnt going to start again, it always seems to be there letting me know, is this normal since I did it in july.
Howd everyone else doing, hope everyone is doing ok.

Hi Pink wondered how you were doing. Any news on the Reception job?

So Saturday Rat Update...

A.M. Berrie demands that DH checks the rat trap. DH removes the now snapped kick board and shines the torch underneath the cupboards.

DH: It's been in again.
Berrie: (eek)What? How do you know?
DH: It's pushed all the bags out.
Berrie: (mocking) Noooo- surely not!
DH:Alright, alright enough with the taking the piss I'm down on my hands and knees here!
Berrie: Is it in the trap?
DH: No (brings out trap - turns out it isn't the friendly one but an electrocuting one!!!)
Berrie: (trying not to grin) Did it eat the bran flake?
DH: (trying not to bite back) No.....Go on then what would you put in it?
Berrie: Let's not put anything in it. Let's block the hole so we don't need a trap.
DH: No come on - did you say there was some peanut butter?
Berrie: (Putting blob of peanut butter in trap) But let's just block the hole.
DH:(Fiddling with switch on nasty instrument of death) Oh it needs new batteries - we'll have to get some when we go shopping.
Berrie: No! Let's just BLOCK THE EFFING HOLE!!!

P.M. Berrie stomps around garden in the rain until she finds a roll of chicken wire. She leaves it prominently in front of cupboard.

Chicken wire remains there all afternoon and we all go out to a birthday party. At said birthday party DH mentions the rat problem and Berrie - since DH is now a little sensitive about the whole thing resists the impulse to play it for laughs at his expense but adds sweetly that if the hole is not blocked then she will be paying a lot of money to the nice people from Rentokill on Monday morning. DH stuffs the chicken wire down the hole upon our return.

No one has checked the efficacy of the chicken wire solution yet. I can only report that the kitchen still stinks of rats' piss.

Hey, I hope you all don't mind me joining. I have suffered with back pain for a few years now. It is usually lower back, coupled with sciatica every now and then.

I used to be quite healthy, but I now feel quite limited.

I was sent for a full spine MRI (horizontal), and then had weeks of physio. The physio diagnosed piriformis syndrome, but I am not so sure. A biological parents has Marfans so my main concern is that it is undiagnosed dural ectasia (which I am led to believe you need an upright MRI to diagnose).

I get the most pain when washing dishes or queuing; basically anything which means I am upright for quite a while!

I am 24 and currently TTCing - quite concerned about what changes pregnancy may have upon my back.

Hi Pixa, golly that's young to have such problems. Welcome and do settle in. We are very friendly and if you can spare a few days hours there is a lot of info in our threads. Not all of it about The Rat.

pink, have you actually complained to hr about your treatment? You absolutely must. I'm so cross for you.

Chez Matilda is now without working kitchen. Au 8am the men arrive to knock out my lovely old kitchen complete with granite and fit my new back friendly one. I should be pleased but in fact feel sad. DH estimated an hour for him to pack everything up. Hollow laugh. It's still not completely done.

Good luck this week matilda. Are you able to reclaim any if it? If you take it down to a wreckers/salvage yard they might give you something for the granite etc. I hope the next two weeks is not too horrible for you. What are your plans for dinner etc, have you got a small kitchenette set up?

Our kitchen is almost in. Looks lovely, but even then not as grand as the one you are having taken out . However, our kitchen was literally falling down around our ears, and so unlike you I am not at all sad to see it go. Looking forward to no more drawers overloaded with crap and then breaking, doors all wonky and a cooker that was never completely straight, holes in the lino where the floor was not even, rotten floorboards where we had a leak under the sink. Artex ceiling, buzzing spotlight and damp on a wall. All gone.

We went to Ikea for last minute bits, including a wall cupboard on the dining wall that we couldn't get delivered before end of this week. OMG. I could have spent thousands. literally. It gets me every time. So much lovely stuff. We sort of regret not getting an Ikea kitchen now though as we saw some beautifully designed ones, for small spaces, that were not very pricey. Next time .

Seen some things we are going to get in the future though, that we can't afford now - a sunken herb rack and knife block that you pull up from the counter, and uses dead space that we have. They are £200 each and will need to be fitted properly so probably another half day, so £500 in total, will do it next time as we can't be that frivolous this time. Shame, as they were lovely

Ikea is not a good place for walking around though. Luckily lots of sofas and chairs to take a break in , and lots of painkillers on the way home.

Oh another kitchen change over (Matilda and Pavlov). Ours was last done about 18 years ago (pre-kids) and was soo traumatic I have no inclination to change it ever again, even though it could do with a rethink.

I tried to do a seasonal wardrobe changeover today -putting the summer clothes away for next summer and putting the winter woollies within easy reach. Only managed a bit of that, and am very sore now. Ds is at respite today hence trying to get on top of the chores whilst I can.

Pixa sorry you get back pain too. Is it possible to do an MRI standing in most scanners? I still haven't had an MRI. GP said to wait for physio. I bought a sacro-wedgy (shaped block you lie on) which is supposed to help with tight postural muscles (including piriformis) in the lower back, but I am a bit uncertain if its OK to use it (since I get pain and numbness in the sciatic distribution, and know from an X-ray many years ago that my lower spine is not lined up correctly (don't want to make it worse). Its so much harder to know what to do if the diagnosis is in doubt or not in place. What would be the treatment your Dx is really what you suspect (dural estasia)
Good luck Berrie (is it this week you go back to work?) and with the rat catching! We had trouble with mice when we were waiting for the gas meter to be moved so had a convenient mouse sixed hole in the kitchen wall (although they are quite capable of making holes themselves. They ate all my cooking chocolate - the good stuff! We may be moving to a rural property soon, so I dare say we may need to brush up on rat discouraging tips!
I use a stick sometimes MSJ but can't at the moment (broken wrist - feel worse than nothing the wrong way around). I prefer to use a pair of walking poles (for balance) - I loose my balance very easily ( hence wrist). I always feel off balance with only one stick but I am a bit clumsy. I am looking for an AT course/teacher locally as I have fallen over a lot recently and it might help with that.
Pink if you go back to a regular shift can you control the sort of work you need to do? Please see your GP quickly if you get worsening of symptoms.

Morning all. The kitchen fitters are here and seem nice and obliging. Expecting loud bashing to commence very soon.

Merde if you are looking for a uk specialist I recommend The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Several of us have been treated there and it's world class.

Finally I have a huge problem ATM with posting on this thread with my ipad. It's incredibly slow and makes errors and weird symbols keep appearing.. Anyone else? Or is mn sick of me???

Yeah Matilda I got a weird symbol in my rat update but I'm on a lap top.

Thanks Magso I was supposed to go back last week but I chickened out after a painful weekend. I didn't think I could do two ten hour days without being able to lie down when I fancied! I'm not sure I can this week either but I think I'm going to have to try.

Now - don't laugh at me - but I need to tell you that they have robot vacuum cleaners in Aldi for £60. I was highly skeptical when DH bunged his new toy in the trolley but it's actually rather good!The dog isn't keen but then he doesn't like the proper hoover either.

Berrie can't you ask for a phased return and start with shorter day? Straight into ten hours sounds mad difficult.

I'd like the robot but bought a Dyson Wand the other week. It's very useful but doesn't replace the big Dyson IMO. Says she who hasn't used said machine in nearly three years .

My dog won't even walk past the hoover when it's switched off. He just sits and cries piteously. He's got issues.

Any Rat Family news? Have become quite absorbed in the drama.

Morning, well, afternoon I love the idea of a remote vacuum cleaner. Have given up this week and am paying a friend of a friend who does cleaning to spend 3 hours on an emergency clean of the house so looking forward to that.

I am currently waiting for a callback from the on call doctor - last night I slept about 5 hours, from 3-4am, 5-7 and 8-10 due to heart palpitations / my heart beating incredibly fast. I think it might have been the Tramadol but it's the first time it has happened. It was really scary as nothing I tried got it to go down and I couldn't stop my brain whirring. I felt like I was cracking up as I was so tired but couldn't sleep. Am now too nervous to take any more although yesterday I didn't take any more than normal (less in fact as I didn't max out the ibuprofen and paracetamol). Not sure what to do. I can't take codeine as it makes me completely loopy - I wouldn't be able to work. I was meant to be at work today (and on a 0630 train to the office - I called that one off at 4am!) but had to call in sick, although I am now doing a little from home as I have a huge project due on Friday. I feel rubbish :( Has anyone else had this on Tramadol, any advice?

PS - another one here hoping for a RatGate Update

Wow, all these kitchen renovations! Is yours going to be finished in time for Christmas, matilda?

Saw one of those electronic rat traps in the amazon black Friday deals this morning & thought of you, berrie - though I know you've already got one! Hope the return to work goes okay. 10 hour days sound tough.

Ins, I found tramadol makes me feel a bit wired & when I was on it I couldn't really take after about 4pm if I wanted to sleep, so I prefer co-codamol. It didn't give me palpitations, though - only time I've had those kinds of symptoms is when I was first on thyroxine years ago. I remember calling the GP & her insisting I came in for an ECG - seemed a bit OTT but was reassuring, I guess! Hope your symptoms settle down quickly. Not sure what else to suggest meds-wise if you can't tolerate co-codamol.

Thanks Loon. I was prepared for feeling wired (I was at a friend's house so took some at 6pm so I could stay longer) but wasn't prepared for it to last until 3am (wired-wise - the pain relieving bit of the full combination of meds wore off after midnight and I was too scared to take any more). I will see what the on call doctor says. I have taken co-codamol before for headaches (prescribed) and I think that was okay, although I didn't take it frequently. I have been given what has been described to me as "codeine" on a couple of occasions and it made me completely loopy in a way that I don't remember with co-codamol... maybe that was stronger?

OTC Co-codamol is a mix of paracetamol (500mg)and codeine phosphate 8mg (according to my pack). I think there are stronger codeine mixes and codeine alone available on prescription. Others on here will know.
Iselaffe - should you even be trying to work? As your injury occurred during a work overseas trip, surely they have a responsibility and vested interest in you being well in the long term. DH has insurance (with medical cover) when travelling for work - does your employer have similar? I know you probably want to work. Hope palpitations prove to be medication only - all very worrying when you have had a crash injury.