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

Inselaffe - don't worry about dramatics. This past week I've finally admitted I need help and it's come from the most unexpected corners. Best wishes to you

Thanks Loon. I've no idea whether she will have any sedation, but I'll mention it. She has had multiple surguries on her lumbar spine over many years and there is now considerable degeneration and nerve damage there. She has subsequently developed thoracic kyphosis.

Thanks Matilda. Her pain levels have made CTs difficult and MRIs impossible. I've lost count of all the different painkillers. It's a real worry.

I think we will need to contact the clinic again to get more information.

Thanks again x

Molly, if your mum needs the investigation then the doctors will have to provide either, sedation or regional block (ie epidural) or a general anaesthetic. None of these is as scary as it sounds as I believe the procedure takes minutes.

Only the doctors can decides this so try to clarify with them.x

Hi freedom I don't know what the waiting list is - at the moment I started at the back of a four week waiting list (now two weeks left) to attend a clinic, staffed by physiotherapists, with no guarantee of any scan. I still haven't had a letter come through for me to book my "urgent" MRI myself - you choose from a list of appointments. So I have no idea but the GP told me it would be a longer wait than the clinic.

I am so nervous - have a GP appt in half an hour and am going to demand an MRI tomorrow or Monday. Taking DP in with me for back up. He pointed out that he was able to get one within 24 hours for his injuries when we came back to the UK as a precaution because he had injured his head. So it must be possible for the GP to order that. Didn't sleep at all last night through the tingling/pain in my legs and worried about speaking to the GP.

PS - sorry for being nosy freedom, are you a German with exceptional English or an English person living in Germany?

I am British. But married to a German. In Germany. Good luck getting your scan Inselaffe.

Oh god my in laws are 2 floors down looking after 3 month old dd alone for the first time. They've missed the sleep cues even though DH told them what time she goes down and now she's screaming and I can'tget down the stairs. I'm trying to remain calm and not shout instructions over the baby monitor

Thanks Matilda x

Ins good luck with your appointment. Sadly I doubt whether your GP has the ability to force an MRI like that. An urgent referral is likely to be the best option he has.

If you do pursue a legal claim and if you win then any costs such as private scans would be repaid. But that's a lot of Ifs.

Bear in mind, too that an MRI might give you a diagnosis but won't improve your pain in all likelihood.xx

Thanks both :) freedom I hope DD got to sleep eventually. I really feel for you - our friends in the crash had a similar aged daughter and I saw how hard it is to deal with a baby on top of injuries.

No scan :( She will chase the 'urgent' referral that hasn't arrived although it went in ten days ago. DP was great and asked loads of questions that in my drug-addled state I hadn't thought to ask before. She thinks I have compressed a nerve somewhere due to the reduced sensation/tingling/pain but not done any damage to the spinal cord and without those red flag symptoms she can't refer me in immediately. She said the prioritisation of referrals is up to the radiographer at the hospital but she will speak to him again and see where my letter is. All a bit shit really but at least she is being honest about the time this is likely to take.

Been given yet more drugs. I asked about the stomach protector and she explained it and we decided I don't need more pills at the moment as long as I am being sensible and taking the ibuprofen with food but she said I can add the prescription on any time I want.

Matilda Sorry I missed your last comment. I know it won't do anything for the pain but I'm so fed up that it is taking so long to diagnose me - at least if I have a diagnosis I can get on with getting it fixed.

ins she decided that you don't needany more pills so didnt prescribe you a stomach protector? Is she nuts? When will you need more pills then, because if you get a stomach ulcer you won't be able to take NSAIDs ever again. A good friend of mine developed intestinal bleeding due to a stomach ulcer after 4 weeks of taking ibuprofen. So, it's not a rare occurance.

What is your thinking around not taking it? It's one more tablet, yes, but you are already taken tablets so it's not going to take much more effort, and unlike many of the other tablets, there are no obvious side effects.

I don't get why some gps understand the real risk of stomach trouble and some are not bothered.

So - can I gather the collected wisdom of you expert internet shoppers? I have two opportunities to het some internet shopping brought to france (rather than delivered directly here which limits the options). I need clothes for my DC and xmassy stuff for DH and DC.
A friend recomended click and collect - what is it? And which shops do it?

Freedom, I hope your little DD has settled at last. Must be double torture for you upstairs unable to help.
Molly I had cystoscopy many years ago (before my back got worse), and only have hazy memories but I remember being on my back for the procedure, the rest I have forgotten. I got rather wet because one of their bits of equipment leaked!
Inselaffe- the not knowing is really difficult. I hope you get your MRI soon.
Merde-I think click and collect is when you order (and pay)on line - nominating a store to collect from and collect in person. I know Boots, Tesco Argos and Sainsburys have a click and collect service. Debenhams, M&S have something similar. So I suppose you could order some items from a retailer, nominating a store convenient for your visiting friends to collect on your behalf (they may need paperwork or be able to quote details of your address) and bring to you. Lots of retailers ( I have used Reece, Jigsaw, Fatface, M&S, Clarks, John Lewis to mention a few)- best way to do Christmas shopping) have an ability to collect in store, (saving the p&P fee) and allowing you to return the ordered in item on collection if it doesn't suit. Being an odd size(very short) I often order this way. Some friends of mine had lots of parcels sent to them from Amazon ebay and other retailers prior to visiting family (that ordered the parcels) in a remote part of the world. I have seen out of town parcel collection points but I don't know how they work- people seem to need a code to access their parcels. Maybe that is what you mean? Did some shopping today but no new boots,-very tempted!
Saw my chiropractor today who thought my upper back was out of line despite my attempts to correct it with my latest purchase (feels worse now- using cool pack)! Lots of pins and needles in my right hand/arm (also the wrist I broke) as it recovers - at least I hope that is why. She thinks my falls have upset it. Lower back is mercifully good today despite the shopping and manipulation. Does any one else have trouble with balance? I have no idea if this is back related or my general health, but what with my arm in a splint, my back bent, using a walking pole and keep loosing my balance I look like a tipsy old lady!! Perhaps I need to join that club now!

Thanks magso and inselaffe. She seems all right. The ambulance is coming tomorrow at 6:30am to take me for my mrt. I told DH not to come so he was here with DD but now he plans to go to work as PIL here. Bit annoyed. I know they'll do their best but 3 months I feel is just a bit little to be left in the care of GPs who are pushing 80.

Freedom I hope your scan goes well they should give you a wedge to help you raise your legs if needed to be more comfortable while you are scanned.

I'm sure your in laws will be fine. Is your DH able to come home if they struggle? At worst they will all just be a little tired when you get home. Try not to worry. Just take care of you.

Do you have crutches yet?

Magso, it appears I have competition as Queen of Internet shopping! Wow, you are a true expert. I have used C&C a bit recently because it's cheaper and also no need to wait in. Have to say with heaviness of heart that both Johny Looloo and M&S have let me down with orders not processed etc. hopefully this is an unfortunate coincidence. Re collection from designated corner shops etc I can report better things. Our (very much not rural) corner shop offers this service and it's blimmin convenient since it's a one minute drive up the road. I can also return parcels to eg Amazon for free (usually Fly boots, their sizing can be rather haphazard ) by the time I'm home, I kid you not, I usually have a text confirming my refund.

Oh, and the Old Ladies Club is for the future. I'm not that old yet!

Freedom good luck with the scan and PIL. I feel for you and hope you are managing heaps of gorgeous baby cuddles.

Ins, I completely empathise with wanting to just know what the hell is wrong. I was totally Mrs Impatient and had a private MRI after three weeks. I was like a headless chicken. And yes, yes, yes to Pavlovs advice. Like saying 'we've spent so much on this trip of a lifetime/house we shouldn't be spending any more on insurance.' I knew a young girl who dies from a perforated ulcer .

Waves to everyone else. Still having terrible trouble typing on the thread,mumsnet. Do your tech team accept bribes?

Thanks Matilda and cold

So DD was lovingly looked after by the PILs and is totally fine and MIL is sticking to Eat, change, play, nap schedule.

I had an extremely bumpy ride to the mrt - god bless tramadol. Translating the report it says disc at L4/L5 is damaged - It sticking out left and compressing the nerve. hence wonky painful back minimal ability to walk and red hot poker spasms from left bum cheek down leg.

Expert back pain people - what next? I've got a meeting with my gp who is also osteopath on Monday. A clashing meeting with an orthoped also on Monday. And a meeting with a neuro surgeon a week later. Should I move my gp or the orthoped? Should I consider the cortizone injection? What questions should I ask? I haven't got crutches as I have a very long and narrow stair case. It's safer to hang onto the bannistrr and put weight on right foot and drag left - although I'm sure that won't help long term.

Freedom, I also had a disc prolapse at L4/5. Can you remind me when this started? Also, do you have leg pain, back pain or both?

Surgery and injections are not at all successful for back pain but good for leg pain.

The most important thing to remember is this almost all disc prolapses resolve spontaneously within a few weeks/ months . Coldcottage is an excellent example of this. The improvement is gradual and slow. Injections can give relief whilst your body recovers.

At this stage I would do absolutely anything to avoid surgery. There are quite a few of us on here who have had bad or indifferent results. I'm personally not a fan of osteos and chiros with discs but others find them helpful.

For now I would urge you to keep calm, accept you have an injury which takes time to heal' accept all help, take the drugs and follow our mantra : *Rest, potter, rest'.

Sorry , just reread your post and see you have leg pain, too. Ask your GP about gabapentin, it's way more effective for the leg pain than just tramadol. You can take both quite safely.

Matilda thanks a million. It started with lower back pain weeks ago but that is usual for me - had it on and off for 8 years usually related to stress, lack of exercise, poor working posture for hours. And I figured it was post birth related and would get better once I was well enough to exercise. the pain in my leg pain has been going on since 6-7 Nov I think. Really bad in the last 2 weeks despite drugs. Will run out of tramadol on Sunday so will go to gp and ask for Moore pain killers on Monday. Today I made it downstairs twice and yesterday into the bath without screaming or crying

It does sound like I do a lot of internet shopping! . I had a size 22 nighty arrive (well I think that is what it was) arrive instead of the age 15 school trousers I had ordered for ds after he had managed to split several in the same week (growing too fast - doesn't know his own strength I fear). He was not amused!

No I am not that old either - just look it (and feel it) at present!
Has anyone got a problem with L3? Historically I had trouble with S1/L5/L4 but chiropractor thought it was L3 giving trouble this time (as well as upper back as always). Still hurts in my bum. I had wondered as am getting more back and hip pain and less leg pain than is usual for me.

Freedom, can you get some extra painkillers rather than run out before Monday? What a shame they could not have sorted that out today whilst you were at the hospital. Glad you are gingerly able to move a little without screaming. its a pity you have clashing appointments. Can either of them sort our painkillers for you?

If you can keep a pair of crutches upstairs and downstairs or while you still have help get them to carry them up and down for you. Just let you feel a little safer and more independent. Taking the weight of also helps.

I had the cortisone injection and whilst it didn't take the pain away it reduced it and set me on the path of being more mobile and lowing the pain.

Can you see a postnatal consultant if you have private insurance. They will be able to advise if your ligaments have firmed up enough after birth.

You can tell anyone that it hurts more than labour - mine went a week after I have birth so both were clear in my mind.

Ask for help and accept all that is offered. You need it and you know you would give it in return. It's hard having to ask people to do everything (and train yourself out of the habit later - my poor DH! Oops!) but you need to, leaning and twisting will just make it worse.

Have you sorted a way to hold your dd now?

Think how fast the weeks since your dd was born have passed. Fingers crossed in the same amount of time you will be caring for her alone again and in the same time be well if not much sooner. I was told my case was unusual and most people take a lot less than 5 months to get a lot better, at 6 months I feel close to normal.

my acute back pain is definitely similar, and worse than, labour. when I get certain back muscle spasms, they sort of pulse like a contraction. I laboured in my back, and so my contraction pain was in both labours in my back, and I remember being in a car feeling just like I was in labour, but with no let up and nothing to look forward to to keep me going.

Talking of acute pain. DSs birthday party yesterday. I woke up in reasonably good pain levels, and had to pop to the bank, parked close by, didn't take my crutch. Bank has moved, I forgot and had to walk faster than normal, for 10 mins as I can't park near the other one. I walked bent over as that's the only way to do it. It was ok. But, within the hour I seized up. Lots of leg pain by the afternoon, and by DSs birthday party in a lot of pain. I pushed through it, as I had to help organise 19 children, do party games etc. I walked largely bent over as my muscles were locked and couldn't stand up straight, just looked like I was constantly talking to the children, so just used it to check they were ok lots!

By the time I got home my back muscles were locked so much I had/have and indented ridge down the middle of the spine, right to my bottom as the muscles have become like rock. I couldn't stand by last night, handn't taken huge pain relief as wanted to be coherent for the party, due to the number of children I was caring for (amazed how many parents are ok leaving their 4 and 5 yr old children with strangers without a conversation first to talk about it). At home, wanting beer with our curry to celebrate a job-well-done, was crying in pain so had to succumb to more codeine.

Now, this morning, I can't stand, I can't walk without huge huge pain through my spine and legs, foot is numb. I am literally holding onto walls and walking with a step, some tears, stopping, another step, more tears, more stopping. The children had to help me from the kitchen to the front room, took me 10 mins with them holding my hand and my arm. DD going, gently 'its ok mama, you are doing really well, nearly there, doing really well mama'.

So I have taken 150mg MR tramadol, 50mg normal release tramadol, the usual naproxen, paracetamol, plus 4mg diazepam. Now out so gonna have to call OOH for more. It's really, really acute pain, I have not been this bad for a while, not even when I went shopping few weeks ago it was it so bad.

We were going to be painting the ceiling in the kitchen. sorting out some, visiting a friends new house, I can't even fucking walk, at all.

It's so unfair. I just wanted to be able to do a party for my 5 year old baby boy. I can't do this. I can't do normal mum things and I feel so so sad. DH is being lovely, running around for me and reassuring me this will be better after surgery.

I really do think the disc has prolapsed. I am worried that means he might want to/need to fuse - do you think that I could wake with it fused, or would he need to wake me and talk about that first? I might call to see if I can speak to him about it on Monday.

and I am so sorry for mememe, not responding to others properly at the moment, I will respond today, as I won't be doing much apart from laying. However, I might not make sense as I take more painkillers. I will probably top up with codeine.

PAVLOV I'm so sorry. Your family sound wonderful and you are a hero for pushing through that party. It's ok to feel sad. Is there anything nice you can do from your bed - sleep? read? Watch a film? write a gift list for yourself (although I know top of our lists is pain free health)

Send you a lot of sympathy.