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

Go Pink!!

In answer to your question about are there things I used to do but can't now, well initially my response was, yes everything! But then I thought a bit harder and the answer is more complex. Firstly work. Well it have up on me. I suspect I won't work again. Then almost everything around the house other than pottering jobs. I do do the laundry. Then the garden, again, pottering. Walking the dog is a stroll with the dog having already had a good run with someone else. I swim but in a much reduced way. Pilates is very focused and one to one because a class wouldn't be specific or safe.

I was quite lucky that my hobbies and interests were things that could be modified. I have time to spend on my friends and family and I enjoy simple things like watching the birds whereas before I lived in the fast lane. I think it's almost inevitable that you have to make changes to your lifestyle even if you make a good recovery because if anyone is lucky enough to recover fully thy are usually pretty keen to avoid it happening again.

Mind you, look at Ben Ainsley and Andy Murray. They did ok.. I suspect they had a fair bit of help,though and long term it could still come back to haunt them.

I started typing that last night and missed your post this morning. Things are looking up! You are right about feeling weird,main really messes your head up. When it isn't too bad I always think I must have been making a fuss before. That's after 2.5 years . I'm not really getting the hang of it yet.

Hi new here and needing to offload and get a bit of advice if possible.
Since I was a teenager my back used to 'go' every couple of years leaving me bed pan immobile for a while but then back to normal. In my early thirties I had two DC and my lower back and leg pain was just awful for years. I was probably too passive about all - I had given up work after second DC and did as I was told when the GP wasn't much interested. It had a huge impact on us all and DH had to have lots of time off when I couldn't care for the toddlers.
I did all the physio, acupuncture, various silly machines, osteopathy, different sorts of injections etc etc - nothing worked. I saw two consultants who also sent me away. Finally in 2009, a senior physio referred me for an MRI and I was called in the next day for an emergency discectomy -L5. I had a huge prolapse and they were amazed that I had not suffered any permanent damage.It took about a year to recover, I lost weight - though not the alcohol habit I had come to rely on - and I've been fine. I honestly thought it was all over.
Anyway for more than a month I've been in trouble and it is getting worse week on week. I work two days a week (5 years ago thought I'd never work again) and though I am just about managing to get through it I pay for it afterwards - recover a bit - ready for it to happen again the week after.
I saw the GP this week and he prescribed naproxen and some pyhsio (sigh) and said I should have an MRI if no better after that (now have BUPA)
On one hand I am nowhere near as bad as I have been in the past but on the other, I am terrified of getting that way again. I have been trying really hard to stay positive -pretend it isn't happening and tell myself that it is going to get better any day now. It has been a huge shock - the way that my world suddenly returned to the sofa.
Do you think that the naproxen should be working by now? (4 days)
I know I am supposed to stay as active as I can - and I want to- but I can't help worrying that my two days at work just aggravates everything...my two days at work seems to lead to two days off my feet to make up for it.
It's early days I know and I'm sorry to sound whiney. Just feeling sorry for myself after weeks of putting on a brave face if only so as not to bore myself to death once more having to talk about how my back is with everyone. I know they are being kind but I don't want to be that person again...
Apologies once more for wallowing...

Hi all

I hope you don't mind me jumping in, I fell Down the stairs in January and landed with the stair edge banging on my lower back.

I've been on tramadol since then and have paid privately for chiro appointments but haven't been referred for an MRI or physio.

Should I go back to my Dr and demand to be referred?
It's really getting me down now and I work full time in an office so there is no rest from the pain.
I'm feeling quite ridiculously sorry for myself today

Yes
I spent years thinking they knew best and would help me if they deemed it necessary but I was wrong!
Sorry you are feeling bad - me too

He'll ladies, sorry you need to be here. Your stories actually make me want to weep. Why on earth is it so hard to get am MRI and hence an actual diagnosis and then appropriate treatment? It's insane and wrong.

Berrie I would be back to the GP and demanding an MRI. Be careful that bupa haven't excluded your back, they are notorious for this. Even so, with you're history, unfortunately everything points towards another disc prolapse. Now before you panic, it does not have to be as bad as last time. You clearly had a severe and untreated prolapse last time. I know all the advice is to keep going but if I had my time again I would have rested much more. Of course not bed rest but rest, potter, rest. On your bed, preferably. Yes, naproxen would be showing some effect by now so if you are still in a lot of pain go back and get some cocodamol or tramadol. Re work, can you take some sick leave? I would. Once you get an MRI you can get appropriate treatment which isn't always surgery. Is it back or leg pain now?

Yon are very honest about using alcohol as a pain reliever. It's very common and I'm not above it myself. Try not to let it go too far, though.

Tickle you, too need to be banging on your gps door demanding action. On tramadol since January ffs without finding out what damage you have actually done. It's outrageous. It must be awful working through all of this. Can you get any modifications made such as a better chair or adjustable desk? These are reasonable requests which your employers have to take seriously.

Do keep posting. All of us on here know the pain and frustration. We also know quite a bit about the drugs. And the shopping, of course.

Thank you so much.
I do worry about being on tramadol for so long. And I think every time I ask for a repeat prescription they're going to say no but they never do!
I will make an appointment first thing Monday.
I can order a new chair but the dse people are being wishy washy about it and so I have no idea what to ask for?!

Just had a quick google and these people offer an assessment which sounds like what you would need.

www.back2.co.uk/DSE-Assessment-Page-18.html

Might be a starting point?

OMG, I want one of These

Might need to save up. A new level of internet shopping.

Oh my god Matilda that chair looks amazing!
I have to use the dse people at work unfortunately. I have my appraisal next week so will make sure that it is noted how much I'm struggling.

Thank you for being so nice.
I still have a precious supply of Tramadol left over from before but I'm fairly comfortable on the sofa and luckily it only hurts when I move so I'll save it for when I have to move! I've never actually tried working on Tramadol...I'm not sure I could though I suppose last time I was a bit spaced out on gabapentin too! How do you manage with it and work Tickle?

I am covered for my back with Bupa - I checked. I suppose I am nervous that there will be a prolapse and that they will operate and that might cause more damage and it might have got better on it's own... Is that silly?

The leg pain is mostly random twinges and fizzing so not too bad.
I had a dodgy tum last night ( don't know if it is the new drugs) and had to keep going to the loo - trouble was getting back onto the bed was really problematic and poor DH (whose birthday it had been) had to keep waking up because I was stuck. I cried and cried.

Berrie, getting in and out of bed is not supposed to make you cry and cry. Go back to the GP, love and ask for a bupa referral. They won't automatically operate. Most decision can and do get better in time. unfortunately that can be quite a long time but still,in most cases surgery is avoidable. I'm the sort of person who wants to know what is going on. I paid for my own MRI in the first instance because my GP was adamant that I didn't have a disc prolapse. I did. In the meantime get more analgesia. Yes, some of it does space you a bit but those effects do pass. Btw is this the same GP? I would be having some a lot of reservations about someone leaving me in such agony for so long before. Really not good or necessary and as you say, you were very lucky to avoid long term damage.

Ticke that sounds a very good opportunity to ask for a formal assessment of needs. You have been struggling way too long. So GP for medical action and managers for workplace support.

And for the thousandth time I am recommending this brilliant and simple piece of self help

Berrie I've been on tramadol for so long it doesn't make me spaced out anymore. It actually works really well for me. I've tried naproxen before and it made me feel really sick.
I take two tramadol 4 times a day so am pretty used to it now. Only gutting thing is I can't drink on it, so if I plan to drink I don't take it and the next day I'm in agony.
I've actually stopped going out pretty much and I used to be a raging party animal!

Ooh thanks for that Matilda I will definitely try that

That looks useful - thanks.
No not the same GP he was quite good actually and listed all the danger signs I should go back to see him about straight away should they happen and I resisted the temptation to roll eyes as I'd lived with ALL of those danger signs for years before and no one was alarmed.
Tickle - gosh - that is a lot of Tramadol - I reckon I would be seeing things that are not there on that much straight away. Or maybe I am remembering the time DH accidentally gave me an overdose of oramorph. He rang GP who said he seemed to remember I wasn't too slight in stature and not to worry.
Thank you...it really helps talking about it...makes me realise I might be being a bit passive again when there is really no need now we have some Bupa cover.
Did you get a good told you so moment with the GP? I often wish I'd complained... it wasn't just the GP though. One GP once got DH to call an ambulance because there wasn't anything more he could do for me. The ambulance crew didn't really want to take me and rang the surgery. After several days on the ward I saw a consultant who recommended I sleep with a pillow between my knees and sent me home. That was 2 months before my emergency discectomy. Silly man. Silly me for letting him send me away.

Absolutely unbelieveable that you went undiagnosed for so long. Sounds very complaint worthy but frankly you have to prioritise your energy.

Glad that talking helps, we do a lot of that on here

Matilda do you get good and bad days, I was hoping I was turning a corner and was starting to improve. I am back to the docs on tues as note runs out.
I am notin no rush to go back to work ad its much harder now, more residents neef hoisting, lots more staff leaving, so twice as much work.
had the kidsat the door again today, told them again not to keep knocking, if and when dd plays out she will knock.
I am going back to helping out at dds school ad a volunteer helper, got crb checked when dd was in yr 2 now she in yr5, haven't had much chance to do
It as was working and with myback, I have just started to get used to being at home.

These tales are making me angry. So sorry for the ladies who are still struggling to get the correct treatment or diagnosis. My doctor (and chiropracter) were both adamant I didn't have a slipped disc as the nerve pain in my legs was on both sides and that NEVER happens ... except obviously it does. Persevere, complain, burst into tears .. whatever gets you noticed.

I wonder why back pain is treated so casually? So many people have said to me in the past years "I put my back out and now I so know how you feel, etc". perhaps you have to experience struggling to get into and out of bed, get dressed, etc personally to understand.

Good luck ladies. I am off to have a look and see if anyone teaches the Alexander thingy near me.

Love this thread ... I feel so normal here!

I know Ally, it is truly appalling that the cause of back pain is so poorly diagnosed. Remember this, back pain is not a diagnosis. So if your GP is writing this on sick notes etc he or she is failing you. Of course most aches and pain do settle in a week or two but we are not talking about that, are we?

pink, yes, everyone has bad and good days. I don't think anyone really knows why but it is an absolute feature of disc prolapse. It's very important to realise this and pace your activity so you don't hinder your recovery by doing too much on a good day. Not that we haven't all done that, of course .

allypally A consultalnt told me I couldn't have pain in both legs too! Oh sorry - my mistake!
Tickle How are you doing today?

Lol Berrie silly us

I still get "fizzing and twinges" too along with buzzing (like electricity) and numbness ... 7 years after surgery I am assuming this is permanent though I was initially told it was nerve memory (sorry if I am repeating myself) or pain memory whatever that means

I have had 2 episodes of being signed off long-term since the op .. once I fell and broke my ribs which of course set my back off .. then one year of stress (death, etc) I had a back spasm which floored me for a while. I did almost go back to square 1 when I suddenly realised I was depressed (still on meds) and not doing my exercises so got my act back together and back calmed down ... I only work 4 hours and that's not always easy

GPs not remotely interested in me now I am "fixed" but at least I can get a sick note without going to the surgery so at least I am believed if nothing else.

Ally So exercises really work for you then? Do you think your depression exacerbates your pain or does the pain cause the depression?
I had quite a few weeks of anxiety and depression prior to this - thought it might be the cause. I also blamed some new boots (shame - I liked them) Then I thought it was the stress of going back to work after the summer holidays (am teacher) and small chairs and bending over tables. But last week I remembered that I had fallen mid September. I stepped into an empty washing basket to reach a high up cupboard and it skidded out behind me. I didn't hurt my back - just legs and arms so I didn't link it to the back pain. I couldn't really say whether the back pain had already started or not - which got gradually worse week on week. I guess I'll never know.

Yes Berrie if I don't keep up the exercising (gentle mobility, stretching sort) my back starts up with warnings

Not sure re the depression as also menopausal so no idea what is caused by which problem lol ... but constant pain would certainly give us cause to be depressed no?

Boots are high-heeled? I only wear flats now. And yes stretching or bending can be an issue so have learned to be very cautious. Like you I struggle to keep working so am constantly wondering if giving up is the right thing to do (I am 56 and could manage without the money just) but worry I might be more depressed. Lord what a mess eh?

Great to find like pals though!

Hi, just updated myself with new thread.

For the newbies I have a herniated L5S1 disc. They thought I had pelvic girdle pain before birth in May but a week after birth I could hardly move.
Pushed hard for help, chased for cancelations and paid for private MRI which lead to cortisone injection end of June. No pain free relief but mobility improved so I could walk without crutches, though still bent and lift DS which meant at 2 1/2 months I could care for him alone .
After continuing on my drug regime (8 Tramadol, 8 paracetamol and 3 ibuprofen a day) with Oremorph for emergencies if the Tens machine didn't help enough - really recommend it, the number of times this has been enough to avoid taking Oremorph is great (EBFing so try and avoid taking the morphine).
I was doing so well, not straight but improved mobility then relapsed into crawling and nearing Oremorph so now booked in to have a microdiscetomy next week.
Seemed I was on a lot of Tramadol, didn't realise how hardcore it was. I had no side effects. Since op booked I have started to feel better so doubting op. I stood straight for the first time last week.
I feel proud to have EBF DS and coped with added stress to being a new patent by not being able to move. Joy I think you said you were also a new mum, be proud of coping.
I know how endless and despairing it can feel. To freeze and be so scared. I can't believe how things have changed over the last 5.5 months. I never thought I would cope or get to where I am.
I hope my post lets some of you see there is light and you can do it.
I think it has covered some of your posts, sorry I can't recall names well (baby brain plus drugs I think!)