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

Has anyone here got those Ove Glove style oven gloves? the ones that are actually proper gloves, rather than mittens? I wondered, because I was going to buy some for DH for christmas, but the official Ove Gloves appear to be only available in US, so i wondered if there were versions in UK that were good? For those who don't know about them, they are meant to fabulous and avoids spillages, makes lifting heavy things out of the oven easier.

matilda I have done too much, and that's not even very bloody much went to DSs nativity play (cried, he was wonderful, even DH was tearful, the whole class were fabulous), met an old DH's family friend for lunch, who also made me tearful, as he has offered to pay for both DH and I's train fare to London and back, first class, for surgery, to take some pressure off DH driving and me being in the car after surgery. I then did the school run and am now in bed in lots of pain, and feeling a little more tearful and less upbeat than I have done. While it has been lovely to do the play, my disability has screamed out to the world today - disabled parking at school, little joke about me taking my time getting to the reception door which someone was holding open, people offering me their seats so I didn't have to shuffle past people, the old family friend looking at me with pity, and talking endlessly about how awful this is, lots of sympathetic looks at DD's diving lesson as I struggled to manage coats and my stick, doors held open.

I have, for the first time wobbled about surgery, but not because I don't want it. I am scared it's not going to work, that I will go through the trauma of being parted from my babies, who will be worried about me, and the pain and discomfort of surgery, the recovery period, and that, at the end of it, I will still be disabled. I am, for the first time, not sure I want to do it. Of course, I know that's illogical, as if I don't do it, I'll remain disabled. But, I can't bear the thought that this is going to be how I am for the next however many years and that yet more surgery will not help me. I am tired of waiting to get better, of trying to get better, and of not getting better. I want it to be June 2015, the start of summer, with my new mobile life, and I worry that might not happen.

(Puts on mildly stern voice used for ds) Matilda that was very silly! But it must be nice to have tidy cupboards (avoids looking at disorder around me). I hope you have not done too much harm
Ironing board is an excellent idea, cleaner than the breakfast bar. I bought the tape that fits like a knuckle duster, it worked well last year but tricky this year with a dodgy wrist ( I can't use scissors safely either!).

Matilda thanks for sending me a pm, I did check in last night for a read, but then fell asleep, yes, I have been busy last few days, working, sunday, monday and tomorrow, we areso short. Also have dds birthday on friday and have lots of visitors coming this weekend. My back had been giving me some pain last couple of days, pain in the disc spot and in my leg, just hoping it isn't starting again, work is so busy, lots of residents sick and staff.
how are you doing matilda, hopefully ok.
are you ready fir Christmas, I am almost. Put the tree up today and the pup decided to start chewing and pulling it, we got some spray from the pet shop to stop chewing, it seems to work.
I have had all my free bupa physio now and me and dh have decided to pay oncea month to keep it topped up, she has given me some pilates to do and also does some stretching excercises and does some massage.
how is everyone with the wind today, its a bit windy here but no where near as bad as some of you.

So sorry Tins
I know it's been said but your GP doesn't seem to know what she is doing. I don't think the Amy is going to kick in and to leave you without strong pain relief is bonkers! I too had nerve drugs as well as Tramadol.
Can you go to a walk in tonight?
Can you go back to the GP tomorrow morning?
Would love to know what your job is

Fear not. I thought my career was over once upon a time which is why I committed to the bloody dog!

Great irorning board idea! Glad you are getting sorted in the kitchen matilda
You are a brave, determined person Pav I admire you. Sorry you are having a wobble.
Yaaay Pink Sorry about your pain but nice to hear from you - was thinking about you!

ins you need to speak to another doctor about the tramadol. Both in terms of how you are stopping and with regard to use with ami. you have just in effect gone cold turkey, so you are going to feel like shit, along with the pain, and the ami will take a while to work, and only on the nerve pain.

I am not necessarily saying listen to us, as despite our experiences, our own medicine use, we are not medically trained. But please please get a second opinion. You can even do that right now by calling OOH. You can explain the meds you are taking, and that you are not taking tramadol, and ask if you can add it back as the pain is high, or substitute with codeine. Ask the question again. You don't have to remain in high levels of pain while waiting for the nerve meds to work.

Ins, I am fucking fuming on your behalf. Let me tell you in black and white what meds I am on:
Naproxen 500twice a day
Gabapentin 600 three x/ day ( for nerve pain)
Cocodamol 30/500x2 four times a day
Tramadol 150mgssr once or twice a day
Amytriptiline 20 mgs at night.
Diazepam as needed
Oromorph as needed

This list has been seen and approved by at least five top London Pain Consultants; not one has said this is wrong. Clearly it's not ideal, but pain is not acceptable in a civilised world.

I beg of you get on the phone and demand proper analgesia. Amytriptiline will take some getting used to. It makes you feel as if you have a hangover initially. I will warn you, getting up and going early will be tough probably. Your doctor is both wrong and this is cruel and unnecessary. Please don't struggle on like this. You are clearly an educated and articulate woman...start getting assertive!

Oh, and I so understand the anger about one careless bastard. It's so sad and pointless, my situation has many similarities, maybe why I am so cross for you. I hope that when you are a little better you will peruse this vile specimen through the courts.

I am not necessarily saying listen to us, as despite our experiences, our own medicine use, we are not medically trained that read badly. I was trying to say, not necessarily saying, take the tramadol just because we tell you that it's ok, as we are not medically trained. You need to hear it from a medical professional. So ask a different one.

I think the other much more minor thing Tinselaffe is Ami can make you quite drowsy in the morning until you get used to it, so getting the early train might be harder than usual. Perhaps you need to see the doctor again for pain relief. I have never been given Tramadol so know nothing helpful, but I do remember the awful all consuming pain when my back first gave trouble (and springs back to from time to time), the pacing and how completely disabling it is.
Pink did you manage to get modified work? I do hope so.

Can you sort out pain relief tonight?

pink good to hear from you! Sorry you are having to work so hard and back is causing some increased pain again. I would say take it easy but doesn't sound like that's going to happen! The wind has picked up over the course of the afternoon. Had lunch by the sea, by the harbour actually and the boats were rocking madly by the time we left. it's also very, very cold and has got me looking at long, warm, wintery coats online. I am meant to be doing important finance stuff and christmas shopping for other people while I am laying in bed, instead I am talking too much here, and browsing Debenhams sale for coats and gloves...

berrie that is very kind, to say those lovely things about me. Stubborn is something I have always been, and not always in a good way. It can be a strength and a weakness, in my general life, and also in relation to my back. Right now, I want to give up and do fuck all for a bit, but I can't. I promised to help with Christmas lunch at school tomorrow as I was off work anyway. I really think it's a bad idea, but the children know I am doing it stupidly told them and when I said I might not be able to help, they laid on the emotional guilt trip proper heavy! Tomorrow is another day and I am sure I'll feel better with an evening doing nothing, and a morning also doing nothing, apart from trying to locate my Christmas hat.

Nooooooooooo! You live by the sea too?

Okay, spurred on by you lovely ladies I have called 111 (and emailed my boss to let him know I might not be in tomorrow. Shit.). My case is "too complex" so they gave me to a nurse who then said she didn't know what to do and what did I want. So I have an OOH appointment at 2130. At the notoriously shit hospital.

I was going to take an Ami-whatsit now but I'll hold off until I get to speak to a Dr. Next painkillers are paracetamol at 2100.

The other fly in the ointment is that I have some semi-serious allergies (my mouth and throat swell up but I - cross fingers, I have had tests! - should be in no danger of proper anaphylactic shock) however if I need my allergy meds then I must take them, but the leaflet with the Ami-thingy says no allergy medication.

Berrie I can't tell you my job sorry as it is so identifiable but I am so very incredibly lucky :) They didn't just hand it to me out of nowhere - it's a specialised role that I would never have applied for but I started working for the company as a form filling temp and my boss, who was struggling to fill my role, looked through the recent CVs and mine caught his eye. I jumped at the chance of more paid work (was desperate!) and realised that I am so suited to this job... was made permanent after about four months. I passed the magic two year employment threshold earlier this year so am not worried about getting fired (as it would be illegal) but I am worried about missing out on opportunities and being seen not to support the team.

Feeling very nauseous right now. I can usually go on roller coasters a couple of times in a row (4 is my record) and this is really testing my iron stomach!

all round I think.sorry so many people are having such a shitty time.

tinsel I found my ami leaflet guided heavily in it's use at a higher dose for depression.low dose for pain is actually an"off label"user that it's bit licensed for! I hate the stuff but it works currently refusing to take it again add it gives me spots, makes me feel hungover and fat.

Anyway you haven't had a scan so ask these doctors and physios are being arses.

Mulledwine, no I am doing exactly the same job as before, we have had so many put their notice in, or go on maternity we have never been so short staffed, also asthe residents are sicker we have more hoisting etc but no extra staff to help, I feel so knackered and this is hiw I was before I hurt my back, I feel like I have gone back ti the rush rush of every day again, work, school run, childminder, housework and all the other usual mundane things.
Imoaned to the nurse on duty the other day that we aren't giving proper care as its too rushed and you haven't got tine for the residents, in 6 hrs I don't stop and dont sit unless I have a wee.

Well doneIns and good luck. Word of advice, try not to criticise the other doctor, but do cry.

I get on fine with amitriptyline 20 but regard it as my night drug. I was awake and in pain literally all night and it stopped that but no more.

This will inevitably interfere with work temporarily but they clearly regard you highly. Your health is way more important just now. (())x

ins well done for calling, sorry you have to have a run-around though. How difficult is it to put you through to a real live doctor on the phone who can say 'yes' or 'no' to 'can I take tramadol/codiene/allergy tablets with amitryptiline?' I could have got a quicker response from my pharmacy friend.

if you ladies were to buy yourself a new car, for you and your little ones, going camping and on adventures i am dreaming now to the beach with bodyboards, wetsuits, and sometimes a couple of friends, would you buy a:

Grand C-Max in manual, which I believe has a Powershift (semi auto) option (need to confirm that I have understood that right),

or
www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wavs/search/citroen-grand-c4-picasso-vtr-736383?searchPageFilters=%26amp%3bsubType%3d1%26amp%3bweb_dlaadvancepayment_from%3d0%26amp%3bweb_dlaadvancepayment_to%3d1000%26amp%3b1_wr_lessthanallowance%3dTrue%26amp%3b1_wr_totalallowance%3dTrue%26amp%3ballowance_type%3ddla%26amp%3bweb_mpg_from%3d0%26amp%3bweb_mpg_to%3d235.4%26amp%3bweb_engine_size_from%3d0%26amp%3bweb_engine_size_to%3d2.4%26amp%3bweb_number_of_doors%3d3%2c4%2c5%26amp%3bweb_transmission%3dSemi-Automatic%2cAutomatic%26amp%3bweb_number_of_seats%3d2%2c4%2c5%2c6%2c7%2c8%2c9%26amp%3bweb_emissions%3d189%26amp%3bweb_fuel%3dPetrol%2cDiesel%26amp%3bSortBy%3ddoorsHigh%26amp%3bResultsPerPage%3d18%26amp%3bPageNumber%3d14%26amp%3bResultsView%3dgrid&allowance_type=dla&StartRow=235&EndRow=252 Citreon Grand C4 Picasso]] semi automatic.

Both are quite high driving positions, which is a big must for me, as is parking sensors, automatic closing boot.

And. What colour?

that last link was shockingly long sorry.

TInselaffe good luck at appointment. Cry and demand that they help you. I didn't realise the situation of your car crash before. What an arschloch.

Mathilda respect at the tidy cupboards, sorry about the resultant pain. Nice Ironing board idea. Except I haven't actually bought any presents. Bugger.

Mulledpavlov totally understand the surgery wavering. And made me feel warmrreading about your son's nativity. He must have been so happy you were there. I understand you being a bit weepy. I feel weepy just singing "close to you" to DD and all she can do is gurgle and grin and grab at me glasses. I blame the drugs.

Booked session with spinal specialist clinic for second opinion on mrt pictures on Friday morning. Will be better prepared with questions and ring original neuro surgeon with same questions.

Neither, but that's just personal preference. I'm collecting my Honda CRV tomorrow. Yay! It will replace my current but getting older CRV. It's the most comfortable car I've ever driven .

However, both your choices look great. Have you done test drives? A list of wishes ie parking sensors etc and test drives should help to clarify. Happy shopping

Nostalgia alert!

frosty when ds1 was born a newborn baby was kidnapped from a maternity ward. It was huge in the news (she was found eventually). At the same time Sinead O'Connor's song Nothing Compares To You was on the radio constantly and I cried every time. Still makes me tear up.

Then, later it was one year after the Dunblane tragedy and the infants did a special nativity called Rock The Cradle written to commemorate the lost children who were the same age. I promise you we didn't just sniff a little tear. We all sobbed. Oh dear, I've just proved how old I am .

yep, definitely test driving. If I were to chose the Honda CRV, DH would be over the moon. He has always wanted one. Does it have good boot space? That's a big must for us, due to camping/breach trips.