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

Oh yes, that exercise you mentioned, ally, is definitely not what Sarah Key means by a reverse curl-up. Her version is something you do on your back & is more of a flexion based exercise. I still can't manage it though!

The back block is more of an extension exercise, but it's a passive one, with you on your back lying draped over a block / suitably sized book (positioned under the bum / pelvis, NOT the lumbar spine), just for a minute at a time. You then rock your knees to your chest for a minute, & repeat the whole thing a couple of times. The rationale is that the changes of pressure help the discs to suck in nutrition - there are various studies backing this up, apparently - & to perform a kind of gentle DIY traction. Mechanically it's very different from prone hyperextension, like the cobra, because it's easing the vertebrae apart, not crunching them together.

Sarah Key describes it in detail in her books & website - there's a knack to getting on & off the "block".

ah thanks Matilda ... I always wondered if that was just me being a wuss and giving up after one .. glad I was right to stop and she was wrong to suggest it

the co-codamol gives me weird dreams and hallucinations if I keep taking them (so try to restrict to just the 2 in emergencies) so God knows what the Tramadol would do

To give you all hope - at the weekend I had a big improvement. After 5.5 months bent over with L5S1 herniated disc I stood straight and have stayed straight so far (touch wood). I have cancelled my microdiscetomy which was due tomorrow and am taking it (easy) day by day.
I am also down from 8 to 4 Tramadol in a week.

Quite quick, but ok for me. My doctor said they do it slowly to reduce the chances of withdrawal, but I've been ok so far.

Has anyone tried the Phillips pain relief patch strap?

Hi, went to docs today, signed off for 3 more wks, he thinks i am 80 per cent better, he says i look a lot better. Told work.
i am going in tomorrow, i have asked for reception job but the head recdptionist would love to have me but cant garuntee me 2 shifts a week. I have told my line manager that i want to drop from 4 shifts a week to 2 shifts, and they have a new shift which has come into play since i have been off, i normally work 8 til 2 but they have a new shift 9 til 1 which is alot less lifting as its more for feeds and helping those that are able to walk to the bathroom, but as yet i havent had a response to those requests, or i may do bank shifts, again two a week, we are always short staffed.
I am still looking around to see what other jobs are about. My doc has also said again today, that in my heart of hearts i must know that my job is no good now, really i need something with no lifting. My doc is brillant, i know not everyone has a gp like that.
Hows everyone, hope everyone is ok in the wind and safe.

pink that's just great. You have come so far in a short space of time! I hope you are able to come to a good arrangement at work. Do push for the lightest possible duties for the start. Making a staged return is good, too. Now do spend all of you time getting yourself as well as possible and working on your core muscles. If you have any physio sessions left do get advice on the basics of standing, sitting, moving and bending etc all as safely as possible. Some smal adjustments make a lot of difference as I have learned the hard way. So pleased for you. Now last bossy order...don't go mad and overdo it. You certainly don't need a setback now. Go easy.

Matilda, yes I have two more sessions left, I am trying so hardnot to overdo things as that was the second time I hurt my disc, I had done it 3 weeks before the last one, I am still taking amitriptyline, but did have glass or two of wine tonight, first since july. I do feel bit squiffy, but that feels good.
My line managet had said she can't have me back for light duties as there aren't any, she has said no to phased return, I don't think they are being very helpful, I have keptthem up to speed after every doctors appointment and with muy mri report.
I will let you knowhow I get on tomorrow when I have been in and seen her.

Hi all

Went to a 2 hour meeting at work yesterday, worst chair ever and now today have woken in agony.

have a Dr appointment at 10 and am going to cry all over her. I just can't carry on with the diagnosis of 'back pain'. I've had enough.

I was reading last night that fibroids can give/increase back pain. I know I have fibroids and assume these would be picked up on an MRI?

Any tips for getting Dr to take me seriously and book me for an MRI?

You wont beleive this, there was 3 of up off long term sick, with back injuries, myself, a housekeeper and a mantenance guy. He went back to work and the got rid of him 3wks later. I have had longer off than him and the housekeeper longer than me, looks like our cards are marked. Oh and they got rid of another care assistant as well, not sure why.
I have been there 3 years so how do i stand with employment laws and policies.
i am going in today to hand another note in, bit scared now.

Hi Tickle I think the GP will have to refer you to a consultant first.
I might be wrong - hope someone else can help in time.
I found even then they were reluctant to do an MRI. I think if I had my time again I would just ask for one and want to know the reasons why not. I'm afraid I just did as I was told last time. Failing that I would have let my Mum pay for one like she offered and saved myself years of pain.
I did parent's evening for 3 hours on Monday night. It finished me off

parents'

Thank youBerrie, do you know what they cost to do privately?

I'm angry today that I have been left for so long, I'm seeing a locum gp and I hope she is ready!

Another day off work and I don't want to be off work

Pink technically they can dismiss you on health grounds if you are not fit to carry out your duties BUT I would have thought they have a set procedure, one warning, written warning etc.

I feel your pain, it's not like we choose to be like this?!

Hi Tickle, I was referred for an MRI by my GP, & then on to a consultant when the scan showed I had a disc prolapse. I don't know if all GP practices operate in the same way, though.

I guess an MRI of the lumbar spine would show fibroids. Mine randomly showed a cyst on one of my ovaries - 90mm, which sounds quite big! - though my GP never mentioned it to me when discussing the report & I was too focussed on my back problems to give it much thought. I guess it's gone by now, as it's nearly a year later, & I've never had any symptoms or abdominal swelling.

I'm not sure. I've got £500 ish in my head though...
Make another appointment on your way out if Locum no good! There is a GP on the TV who always talks about her 'rule of 3'. She says that if you've come back a third time she knows there really is a problem (or words to that effect) Makes me furious every time I hear it. Her 'rule of 3' is perhaps why I would toddle off for another 6 months of hell!

Thanks Loon let's hope I cam get somewhere today!

pink, do you have a proper contract? Ie not zero hours or bank? If so I'm almost certain you have some legal protection and rights. You must read the sickness and absence policy and if necessary get advice. Are you a union member? In the nhs they have to offer phased returns and workplace adjustments. Also there is a long and drawn out system which has to be followed until ill health dismissal. Please get advice.

tickle if you are seeing a locus I suggest you write out a timeline of your back pain with dates and treatments etc? say you need a diagnosis and formally request an MRI. At my practice they will refer directly for an MRI. The a it's are about a month. Privately the costs vary. About £250 is the cheapest but beware because they are using old equipment and aren't that good.InHealth do our local nhs MRIs and private, too. It costs about £350 and the report is done in 48 hours vs 2 weeks on the nhs. You still need a referral though. HTH and good luck.xx oh and fibroids would show but only to a point whereby they will say you need an ultrasound I think. I had cysts shown up and had this but they were just ovarian follicles.

X posed with loon, looks like the cysts are a very common finding.

tickle all I can suggest is howling all over the GP .. that usually works for me to get referred (to get rid of me) .. an MRI would be expensive privately as most test are

pink if you have been there more than 2 years (which you have) they have to give you redundancy (1 week pay per year served) .. you can see a lawyer for a free initial chat which should cover enough (if they make you redundant they have to pay for the lawyer)

Gp can't refer me for MRI apparently, but physio can and I've been referred to them.

Also referred for an xray of my lower back, pelvis and hips.

She doesn't think it's disc she thinks it's damage to my coccyx?

Also have diazepam thank god!

That's good then!

MRI scans near me between £200-£400
My physio said she could recommend to GP that they refer me but it was the GP who had to refer for MRI.

My physio appointment just came! 15th December.

Excellent news Berrie!
Gp thinks I have coccydinnia, no idea if I have spelt that right!

Sounds quite pretty!