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

Hi Lost, you can take codeine with tramadol. You've just got to be careful if they both contain paracetamol. I've got some pure codeine 30mg as well as co-codamol 30/500mg, just in case I'd already taken, say, the full dose of paracetamol, or decided to try tramadol again (mine come with paracetamol), & then still needed extra codeine. I've actually almost never taken them - usually stick to co-codamol - but it's good to know they're there!

GP said it was safe to mix as long as I ensured I didn't exceed the max. paracetamol dose.

insel nikolaus missed us this year but as he (DH or MIL) has been super busy looking after me and DD - we're not too worried. Santa loo roll sounds very fun. I've a lot to look forward to this coming week - my mum is coming on Sunday. Thank god as MIL and DH are not big on vegetables, pulses or hydration which has caused issues not even the magical raised loo seat can solve.

The neuro surgeon I'm seeing on Monday has a good rep and I'm really hoping he can help me

The hairdresser is coming on Tuesday which is good as I look like bellatrix lestrange on an extremely bad day.

And depending on neuro blokes advice physio booked for Thursday. And today, I tried crutches and the relief was pretty good.

I don't really understand how you are all so active. But it's really motivating and I hope to be able to leave the house again soon.

Well then your DM coming is the Nikolaus present :) How long is she with you?

I think I am much less injured than most, if not all, people on here - I joined as I have never experienced pain/symptoms like it (no DCs - might change my mind after childbirth! ) and didn't know what to ask the doctors. To be honest I would probably benefit from being less active as it completely wipes me out - I have spent today in pyjamas and most of it in bed - but I am concerned about my job and being out of work for too long. I am trying to find a balance.

Re: hydration - could they bring bottles water with sports caps to your room? Not sure whether you can buy bottled water with sports caps in Germany as it's a bit wasteful and I know they're big on 'mit pfand'. That might be easier for you to manage your own hydration than asking someone to keep filling cups. Or a lot of drinks bottles filled at once. Whilst your DM is there maybe she can make it an automatic habit that gets continued after she leaves? Her visit might be a good opportunity to get a couple of things that would make your life easier ingrained as habitual things that DH and MIL can continue after she leaves.

Good luck on Monday. I have my fingers crossed for you and so does DP - I was telling him about the other English woman with a German husband on the thread

Good luck with your appointment Freedom. Some analgesics can cause constipation- I know codeine does, so you may need a stool softener ( from the doctor) if the veggies don't solve the problem. Freedom you will get more active again one day- your injury is very new so your body is at the acute stage, many of the rest of us have been there in the past, or have subacute difficulties. Lovely your Mum is coming and the crutches help, and brilliant you can hold dd again.
I'm off to the physio musco skeletal clinic tomorrow too Inselaffe. I think they can recommend referral - worth asking. Hope they are able to help. I am trying not to be too hopeful.
lost sorry about the skin patch reaction. What a pain! Literally. Hope you manage to get to your appointment and the new specialist is good.
How did your second ball go Matida? We went out to listen to a blue grass group yesterday, so one I am in bed. (Ds is at respite till 4). I really enjoyed it. I must get up and wrap ds presents, whilst he is out!
Ally hope you are feeling better,, and are recovered from your ill health. Pavlov I hope you enjoying making things with your kids. Grey sounds nice!
Berrie, I have mixed feelings about the camper van. The one we hired was a modern all singing all dancing one. Ours is older and not as plush, --and I haven't tried out the beds yet! I've had a rest and the low bed was fine for that. Still I hope it will work well for us. Following the Tour de France sounds fun! Many French villages and towns have lovely spaces to stop overnight for self sufficient campers. I wonder if Germany is the same? In England stopping overnight is not allowed, except in proper camp grounds, or other privately owned spaces.

Matilda waves weakly < Bad Matilda is slightly suffering from The Night Before>

So to report on the social calendar of Socialite no1 (self appointed .Ball no 2 went fine. It was a wee bit dull tbh with rather long and worthy speeches. Both balls did get a ''sufferer' of the condition to speak and they were by far and away the best speeches. Anyhow, it's possible my right arm sought occupation by pouring wine down my neck. Back v sore and leg just weeping quietly today. I did manage a little dance, firmly held up by DH. It was nice. It felt a bit normal.

However, I did get an excellent present by cleverly winning one of the silent auctions. It's two beautiful sheepskin rugs and a hat and scarf all by Ugg. I popped a rug into bed and was indeed as snug as a bug. Because it counts as business the Company credit card was used . Nice taxi driver pointed out I'd left my handbag in his car, forgotten in all the excitement .

So I have had a long lie, then unpacked some kitchen boxes. The new storage feels really different so I think there will be mote adjustment. Sick of it all and want it finished.

losty I posted to you yesterday and it vanished. If BuTrans are now off the agenda, could you try fentanyl patches? I may be starting soon. And yes to mixing cocodamol and tramadol. I take full dose cocodamol plus tramadol sr. Hope you are ok, it's sad the patches haven't worked out.

Hope everyone else is ok and that appointments go well.

Glad you enjoyed the ball Matilda but sorry you are poorly today. Yesterday night felt a little bit normal too, so I know what you mean. We were lucky in parking very close to the venue- we got there early both for the parking and to make sure we had comfortable seats. No dancing but lots of rhythm to sway too. Lovely you won something beautiful and useful. How do you bold a persons name using an iPad?

magso, you type a star at each end of the persons name. At the bottom of the page are demonstrations on how to do all that stuff. It's a bit of a pain on an ipad but think it's fine on a laptop or normal keyboard.

Does anyone know how to do name changes? Or to see someone's profile?

Thanks but how do yo type a star?

Thanks Ins for the link.
Sorry things are grotty for you Lost
Hope the camper van beds turn out comfy for you Magso
Glad you had ball at the ball Mat Name changes are done via my Mumsnet at the top right then my account but you need to know your password to save changes.
What did you decide re hair Freedom?

freedom I completely missed the reply I had meant to send in response to your post about holding your little baby, that must have been wonderful to do. I hope you get to do that many more times.

losty how you doing now? Did you take the codiene/tramadol mix? I take them both all the time - I use tramadol as my base painkiller, topped up a little through the day, and then I will top up evening with codeine as tramadol wires me too much to take past about 4-5pm ish.

Talking of tramadol - I think that I have found the answer to why I feel 'manic' or more energised despite high pain levels. I have upped the tramadol base level recently and have been topping up with it more during the day time on a regular basis. I think my seretonin is a bit higher! I think, but don't know for sure, that it changes the noradrenalin levels, which would fit with what you said losty about my adrenal glands possibly being the issue.

magso it depends on the device you are using. this is what you are looking for. And no spaces, just then the name*

I've unpacked lots of the kitchen today, DH being out at a golf 'lunch' all day. Very silly but at least everything goes where I want it.

Talking of name changes - who is having a Christmas name? I can never think of anything witty/clever/unique so tend to just go for something like 'PavlovtheChristmasCat' or something equally boring. Maybe I'll change it to PavlovtheReindeer or something this year. Original that I am

I have made a decision. A sort of decision the irony of that statement is not lost on me I am going to take this entire week off work. I am going to spend most of tomorrow in bed, and then potter around the house as I am able, maybe unpack the odd kitchen box, take lots of painkillers and not really move very much. So, the 'sort of' bit is that I am considering not returning to work before surgery on 7th Jan. I am officially on annual leave from 22nd December for a week, then the following week in on the monday and friday to clear up last bits of work, then off on 5th January too, before going to London on 6th Jan. Not sure if I will just take some of this as sick leave and then go on holiday as normal, or take it all as sick. I don't really think there is any point taking it all as sick, as I already have 25 hours annual leave left, and that would give me another 25 hours or more and that's two weeks, and then I have to use it all before April, so means if I take 8 weeks off work to recover (might need less than that), I'll go back in March but will then be off most of March too!

pavlov while you were typing that I was busy name changing!

I do feel a little festive.

I think your plan is extremely sensible. I would consider saving the AL in case you need a protracted phased return. Nhs only ets you have two weeks on reduced hours, your lot might be more generous.

Rest and time off sound like a good plan to me pavlov

berrie my mum has arrived. She whipped up a meal with pulses AND vegetables, practically poured water down my throat and sternly told me to get up and move, as this would help maintain movement and aid digestion. Amazingly I did get downstairs on the crutches without having to scream or hold onto DH let's not talk about the journey back up so then she sent DH and DD out for a walk in the pram and set about my hair with a brush. I did have to listen to a lecture about pain being no excuse to let my hair get into a huge knotted rats nest. Then listen to her killing herself laughing as she plaited it and threatened to pin it to my head like a oktoberfest fraulein. But she's sorted it out and instructed me to let the hairdresser cut off just enough to allow me to brush and plait it daily. Bloody love my mum.

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Freedom glad you are being looked after. Made me a bit teary actually. I wish my Mum looked after me...

Pavlov I don't see why you should use your holiday either. When you are sick you are sick!

freedom that's lovely, also made me feel a little teary too. it's just how my mum would be if she were still alive and I miss that very much. Enjoy every time you have like this. And let her know (i'm sure you do) that you appreciate her often. I don't think I told my mum enough how much I enjoyed those moments, and there are many times when I feel very sorry for myself and no matter how much DH does lovely things, only mum tlc is what will help and I wish she had known how much those times were relished.

My back's gone. As I was posting, in the kitchen on the worktop, probably stooped in a way I shouldn't but can't remember and i suddenly felt searing pain, a swimmy head, nausea, then I vomited. I am pretty certain my body knows when I am about to have curry as this is not the first time I have been sick when I have been about to have curry! I ate it anyway, but pretty much it was agony puking while the pain and stiffness increased in my back, so by the time I was finished I was doubled over, not able to stand straight again! what's that all about? ! At least I have already made the decision to not go to work so the angst I usually feel about work is not present right now.

I am on the sofa, watching snooker.

I love the name changes! I'll get around to changing mine shortly.

Who has their trees up? We are putting ours up on wednesday, DH is going to get the tree and decs out of the loft (we have a debate every year about real vs fake, last year, I compromised on a very good fake, with pine cones in it), we need to move the poang chair out of the front room, so got to organise elsewhere for it to go (like a puzzle in this house). Gonna get it all ready for when the children come home from school, and once he has come in from work at about 5:30pm ish we will put it up and decorate it. Or, he might put the tree up, ready for decorating. We have a tradition were we put Christmas music on, sing Christmas songs, and once it's done we have mince pies, hot chocolate (and a glass of port for us) and do 'turning on of the lights' I know some people who won't let their children help, they do it themselves, and I know one person who has glass baubles and absolutely no tacky children's decorations whatsoever, unless they are beautiful ones. Our's is a mixture of lovely baubles, handmade ones by the children over the years, those picked by the children, and some from DH growing up, it's not 'beautiful' like a perfectly arranged tree, it's full of character and sentiment and love.

I'll feel more Christmassy when the tree is up. I used to find going into town and eating mince pies and drinking mulled wine, doing a bit of ice skating and some present shopping got me into the spirit, but I can only do a vague version of that and it's all so much effort that it doesn't feel the same. Not to mention DD getting very upset that I won't go iceskating. I have said that we will come back there with friends, as others have said they will go on with her, but she wants to do this with me. Maybe I can go on with a penguin thing. We'll see.

berrie and matilda you are probably right. Matilda, I would normally get 2 weeks, 3 max for phased return, but I think that they have to consider extending it for disability absence. Also, my big boss, not sure why, appears to be happy for me to take the 8 weeks as paid 'disability leave' not sick leave, so it may be that my return can be an extension of that. I fully expect a phased return, but it may be useful to keep some leave to eek that out a little. Or, I might just tack it on to me 8 week's disability leave and stay off another two weeks, then do my phased return

Normally, I would be able to carry across a couple of weeks if I had excessive leave left due to not being able to take it all because of sick leave (normally used to be able to carry across 4 days only, with manager approval), but I think it's changed and we can't take any over to the new financial year in April. Not sure if the discretion to allow extenuating circs to carry over will still apply.

freedom and yes, I really could do with some rest. I am seeing the doc/talking on the phone tomorrow to get a sick note, and I am not sure if I should tell him/her about the numb lady bits. I don't know if I want to be sent to hospital. I'll try to get hold of my consultant neuro and see what he says, but I emailed his secretary about this already and she didn't respond to it.

I am talking loads sorry!

Poor Pavlov Glad you are not going to work. Your back is telling you it needs a break! at necking the curry after vomiting anyway! I'd do that too!
We bought our tree yesterday and it's sitting in a bin on the drive (hope no-one nicks it!) We put the outside lights up yesterday. I love them. I have a pink nodding reindeer(am super partial to all things reindeer) that DH bought me one year and put on the porch roof for when I came home. It makes me feel very loved.
Our tree is just like yours Pavlov. We can't put it up as I can't get any lametter this year. None in the shops I've been in. I tried the internet a few weeks ago (having been alerted by a note scribed last year on November on the calender that we were all out) but I was spelling it wrong and couldn't get it. Gotta have lametter!
We snuggled up yesterday with a nice Christmassy film it was a Sam Heughan film - you remember my crush - I bought the DVD months ago and have been looking forward to the opportunity It was a terrible film, the
acting was awful, DD was scandalised that I should find any man other than DH attractive but we all had a good time!

Pavlov I think you should mention the numbness. Your GP could then contact GS if worried. It's very poor that you didn't get a reply.

The longer the nerves are compressed the higher the risk of permanent damage. Not good

Don't apologise Pav I like your posts,