The Back Pain Emporium, Internet Shopping, Drugs and Dealing with Doctors. Thread 6.

[MatildaTheRedNosedReinCat]

For anyone experiencing back pain it can be a very scary time. What is wrong? Who can help? How long will this last? We,on this thread are here to support you;offer empathy and help to navigate the almost impossible task of getting a diagnosis and the right treatment.We are not doctors but people who have trodden this path slowly and painfully. We also chat a LOT and welcome all newcomers. It is strictly non competetive regarding pain and no niggle is too minor.

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. Not to mention the pain of dealing with claiming disablity benefits .

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,sometimes drink wine , 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 brew and say hello

This is our 6th thread, here is the 5th, which has links too the others:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/a2203923-Back-Pain-and-Internet-Shopping-Thread-Number-5

Oh heck that comment of mine sounds so rudeMatilda . I guess it is because I get mithered so easily and mix names up ....and dont know what I am talking about . But I do know about flyboots now and am saving up ...the wit and caring here is fabulous . It sure is less lonely reading the advice and warmth given. Hope all are comfortable tonight . x

Apologies for not catching up with all the messages, have had so much going on with work, in laws, and normal day to day stuff.
hope everyone is ok and relatively pain free.
my work has been awful, short staffed every shift and now they have given us two more rms and the other unit has two less, we aren't getting any staff to compensate fir the extra rooms, its near on impossible to give a good care service now, and I have to sayi can feel my back becoming tired and stiff.
My mil has been diagnosed with alzheimers and I have to say things are difficult, dh isgoing up every day he is off, yesterday dh was working and I had 10 phone calls from fil, I do there shopping every week fir them, sil is a waste of space and barely goes to them.
I am going to makethis year a year to find a new job, ad I am convinced my back is on its way out again. We have also lost 5 residents over last few weeks, and I am finding it emotionally hard todeal with the palliative care residents, especially when they are screaming out in pain due to their illness, even thoughthey are on morphine.
I willcatch up with allthe messages in a bit.
oh, me and dd wentto my parents at the weekend to go bridesmaid dress shopping for my sisters wedding, we had a good weekend even if sister is a bit of a bridezilla at the mo.

Thank you Matilda, I'm not waiting for the pain to get like that again for sure, I'm a little shaken up tbh, it was indeed a frightening experience. No dc's so no little ones to worry about. I will keep posting.

I'm just grateful I didn't have to go to the hospital in my Minnie Mouse onesie!

I hope everyone is as comfortable as they can be tonight

I am settled in my own room in my ward, with own toilet, luckily for me. Never had own room before! Proper tv mounted on the wall, don't have to pay for it as not one of those pay to view hospital TVs. Also tea trolley is freely accessible, except to me after midnight. But before then, and after surgery, either access it when I want or buzz and ask for someone to get me a drink. The staff seem nice, but it all feels a bit odd being the sort of 'pre-patient', like a sterile hotel room until the morning. Have my gown etc for the morning, and some paper knickers. Lovely!

Gonna stuff my face with jelly babies, cola bottles and my coca cola before midnight. apparently I am third on list, but still got to be up and 'ready' early tomorrow. 6am so one nurse said. Wft?! I guess that's proof it really isn't a hotel room. It's earlier than at home lately.

Oooo ,[nervous for you emoticon!]
How are you feeling?
Glad you got your own room and loo. Hopefully will make it all a bit more bearable.

All fingers collectively crossed for our dear Pavlov/Mulled Now!

Bassett, don't apologise! I thought it was nice that someone might actually read our thread just because they wanted to. However, just to be clear, there is nothing too minor( yours isn't minor), or any question too silly do just join in. But for those who don't 'do' joining in, welcome along anyway. We aren't experts in anything except our own pain and can't offer real medical advice, just the benefit of our experiences.

Good luck Pavlov
Mulled- just you to get in now.
Welcome longdistance, sorry to hear ypur troubles, I only came here a few days ago, and they are lovely ladies lol at the minimouse onesie, I was starkers when I fell down the stairs, as i had just got out of the bath! hair wet from washing it but in a tangled mess as not yet combed through, I made dh get me some knickers and a tee shirt before the ambulance arrived, despite the pain, I wasn't going to let them see my wobbly bits in all their glory
Matilda- still working as a nurse -head of care on a Dementia Crisis unit, although I have retrained in Occupational Health, I was made redundant last year by my company, and couldn't find an OH job which didn't involve travelling all over the area, so went back into this local Residential Care job
Pink- I know what you mean about staffing levels- we have been reduced from 3 RNs to 2 on each shift, which is all very well, but it means that I am running from my ground floor (Dementia ) to the Attic floor (Respite) all the time and the drug rounds seem to take ages I have resolved to look for another OH job this year as I am already fed up with doing shifts again, especially nights and weekends - you very rarely get that in OH, and it is also a case of very little manual handling, which would be so much better for my back, however, I need to get the current problem sorted first, no one is going to even think of employing me with a broken back
Lying here in peace today, boys went back to school, they managed to sort out own school bags, PE kits, lunchboxes etc, slight panic when dts2 couldn't find his pens, I had to tell DH where my secret emergency stash of pens, pencils, rulers etc was, so that was sorted, then by 7.45, they had gone, phew!
Now it's just me, the dogs, and my pad, bliss!

Thinking of you, Pavlov - so hope it's going well.

Sorry for confusion.. I am mulleswine it was my Christmas name. Sorry!

Posted several tines but having trouble, lost internet WiFi so using phone and an iPhone it ain't!!

Bassett - post whatever you want to share with us, doesn't have to be back related. In fact talk fly boots! Keep an eye out on Amazon, they regularly have excellent reductions on fly boots. When ready to buy, let us know styles and we will help you get best deal!

bubby that just made me laugh out loud you sending DH to get undies! Gor yes! Dignity if we can help it for sure!

Sorry for nit replying to all, have read all though. Hi to New ladies if I have bot said hi yet. Will post more whenor if get proper coverage

Thanks for good wishes. All gowned ready to go, got couple of hours yet though.

Bubbly I am a hca in a bupa care home, itd supposed to be a 5 star living home, its more a retirement village, we have 52 independent flats, 42 assisted living apartments, 17 care rms on elderly frail, whichis where I work and then 13 memory lane, dementia rooms. I was off 5 months with a severebulging l5/s1 ddisc and horrendous sciatica.
the ladies on here have been brilliant, suggesting meds, what I should tell work and to go higher as my return to work note from gp wrnt totally out the window.
pavlov, hope everything goes ok for you today, have everything crossed for you.
matilda, how are you doing, hooe your mouth isn't too sore today, hope you are having sone releif from your back pain ad well.

Hoping for the best outcome possible and thinking of you Pavlov.
Bubbly hope your fracture is stabilising. Hope your brace is not too uncomfy. DB broke 3 vertibrae some years ago, (in a cliff fall on holiday in Wales) and had to wear a full back brace - only it was off white and even more offwhite after a few weeks. The hospital he was initially treated at let him out after a day or two with instructions to go to his local hospital when he got home. They decided his breaks were unstable and kept him in for weeks! He seems alright now.
Longdistance hope your pain is easing, although I know it will take time.

lol basset I am daft too and get everyone muddled - don't let it stop you posting!

Oh pink I do feel for you - sorry your life is so sucky at the minute

I am back at my horrible job - but not for long yeehaa!

Have you handed in your notice then Ally? How are you feeling tongue wise?
Wondering how you are getting on Ins (in case you are lurking)
Matilda how is your pain now with the patches? I don't suppose your mouth is too good at the mo either! DH has an implant at the very front. He had to go 6 months without a false one which looked terrible!
Hello to new people. Sorry for your pain.

Guessing you're probably in theatre right now, Pavlov. Everything crossed for you here too.

Bubby, how are things today? Any news on what's going to happen next? Hope your pain is under control, as much as possible, & that that back brace isn't as uncomfortable as it looks. My boys are eleven now, started secondary last term. They've got it easy compared to your two - school is a short walk, closer than their primary, so they don't have to leave the house until 8.30. If I had to get them sorted & out by 7.45 we'd all be doomed!

Berrie, how's the upper back? I've done a fair bit of walking this morning & mine is stiff now. Legs hurt too! Re. the upper back, I find it really hard to manage & the muscle spasms don't really respond to pain-killers. Something to relax the muscles certainly helps - diazepam; alcohol (not together!); heat. It's harder to get heat pads to fit that part of the back comfortably, but I get DH to rub Deep Heat all over my back / shoulders quite regularly. The effect doesn't last long but it helps a bit with general tightness / aching - not much for acute spasms.

I've seen a private physio recently & she's very good at massage, which does temporarily get the upper back to relax. I do a few upper back exercises that she recommended, including some extension ones. I avoid extension for the lumbar spine, but it helps higher up for me. I do this thing where you lean backwards over an exercise ball & stay there for a few minutes letting the muscles stretch out. Oh, & then there's the tennis ball massage, up against the wall, for muscle knots. Painful but good.

pink, sorry the work situation is still so grim. Please try to take care - you made such an amazing recovery from your prolapse, but I suspect a re-prolapse would be even harder to fix.

Thanks Loon - that's really useful. I am at something of a loss - like I said when it's my lower back I know what to do! You are right I'm finding it hard to get a heat pack in the right place! can't do the alcohol - given up again . I did wonder why the really acute spasm on Saturday resolved but this second one on the other side which was less dramatic is lingering and decided that it was because I hit the first hard with tramadol. I stopped though because it was making me jittery and itchy! I've tried again with the tramadol this morning as I am really worried about work tomorrow and for me - it does mask it enough to be comfortable.
Then I was really brave and I phoned the Doctors for a cancellation today so that I could ask for some Diazepam and at the same time to discuss my Agoraphobia - I was going to go with DH but there were no appointments. Anyway I still have a plan. If it doesn't go well at work tomorrow morning (though it will be the sitting there marking until 7pm after lessons that does it) I will text DH and get him to ring at 2pm for a cancellation later on.
I have -in any case an appointment for the agoraphobia next week - but it is all getting a bit much for me so wanted to bring it forward.
Still thinking of you Pavs . Wish we could all pile into your private room tomorrow and drink Ins alcohol while you recover!

Ladies, keeping fx for pavlov who is in theatre now.xxx

My mouth is amazingly fine, thanks. There was a lot of injecting and a lot of drilling straight into the bone so I was worried I would be in pain but maybe it's masked my the other analgesia but no, it's not even sore really. Luckily I had a single tooth denture which I can wear to fill the gap. It doesn't show much tbh but I wasn't ready to be toothless and am trying super hard not to grind and clench.

Patches,well, I probably have reduced my analgesics a bit but feel very achey today so back to usual level of cocodamol. I haven't had any tramadol but could today. Problem is that with the patch I can go from being sore, take more pills then get really sleepy so it's very early days. am also very constipated and feel like a barrage balloon so not altogether attractive

Should be going for a swim but thinking of a bath instead. Annoying because it's my only freeish day but hey ho. Bath much more tempting. Have lovely AT lady later and always feel better from that.

Ally can you tell us what sort of work you. Re giving up and what you have planned? I quite like not working now I am used to it. I was always designed to be my own boss

bubby you don't get sick pay from work. Could you get a mortgage holiday if money is tight? Glad you have boys getting themselves sorted. Amazing what they can do when they have to .

Berrie, good ideas for back release. My physio does a mean release massage. Rolling gently over exercise ball is good. I have even been doing some very careful cobras under her strict supervision. Hope you feel better soon in all kinds of ways. Have you looked at any online CBT? I hear it is good.x

pink, good luck with job hunting. Don't let them let you get injured again. They don't care about you. Wish you could bypass your horrid manager and get hr onto letting you do reception. It sounds so ideal for you.

Berrie cross posted. Good luck and well done for making the call. First steps of a journey being the hardest etc and you've taken it. Hope the GP is nice and helpful.xx

Fingers crossed indeed for Pavlov x

After reading the whole thread there really are some amazing story's. A wonderful thread full of strength, hope and humour.

Hmmm...wonder if I still have the exercise ball? Then wondering if I can bear the kids kicking it around the house. I do know I shan't be using the dog's muddy tennis ball up against the wall!
I shall have to have a good rummage in the wardrobe - I bet I will find one or two children's Christmas presents I forgot about Did I give away the less than orderly state of my wardrobe? It isn't much use for hanging frocks up in any longer!

Thanks for the good ideas!
Glad your mouth is OK. DH was very very sore so you are lucky! Matilda

berrie - not yet it seems rude seeing as I want some of my holidays back and my January bonus and Xmas goodies - soon though. Tongue is much better - only 1 stitch in (and knotted so going nowhere) which is a little sore and numb (although I realised that makes no sense) but hopefully he'll snip it off on Tuesday night (I did try but its hard to catch hold of intentionally)

matilda - my job would really out me sorry - if you are desperate I can pm you lol but its just boring admin really, just a strange place . I am going to (hopefully) do some voluntary work. I have done in the past and its very rewarding. I was born to do nothing I think lol but you do get bored once in a while though I don't know how you guys with jobs and kids manage - my head would fall off!

posted too fast lol

ouch Matilda - more mouth misery! Commiserations!

hope you get a suitable appointment berrie

Have had a look at online stuff - looks promising! Thank you Matilda . I love it on here sometimes!

Ally, it's just me being nosy! I love meeting people and learning about their lives! it's always interesting. Maybe I don't have enough to occupy me. I don't know about you but I keen quite busy without either work or young dc. I'm also quite happy with my own company for a lot of the time. Dog walks short gobbles constitute a lot of my social life. I love talking and walking, people get very confessional and I feel I really know those friends.

Long, how are you feeling today? Do you have proper med supplies from the doc? If you want to get a diagnosis ie an MRI ( and don't have private healthcare) start asking right now. Many people here have had major trouble getting the scan which actually tells us what is wrong. Do you work and are you able to work with this? Most of us tried and failed and many of us have had substantial amounts of time off. Sorry, don't mean to sound doomy, just trying to give you realistic expectations. Keep asking any questions, we are happy to try to help.

Berrie, hope your appt went well. Shouldn't have boasted about my mouth, it's quite sore now. That's with BuTrans, cocodamol and gabapentin so it probably is a bit sore .