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

Have you had any cake yet Ally?
We went shopping today. All this talk of being in hospital or being seen at the bottom of the stairs sans clothes has made me anxious about my holey nightware! The 2 nighties I have were from when I last went to hospital 7 years ago
I now have 2 nice new nighties and some pjs. I couldn't bring myself to buy the next size up but perhaps I should have...sob. Might diet for an hour or two tomorrow morning!

Need some quick advice. My back pain today is extremely sharp. Going from lower back into my legs. Not had this sharp pain for a while so not sure if I can take anything extra for it. I can't move. The slightest movement or knock I am in agony. Any advice please?

Hi everyone, hows you all doing. I have just finished my 4 days, I saw head receptionist yesterday and she said apply in writing to her then she will show my line manager, as my libe manager sayingshe won't let me go. I really need to change my role as my back is killing me at the mo, it feels verytired, stiff, and I dont seem to have any strength, I am hoping it isnt the disc giving me a good warning. I am not sure whether to take any meds, I have naproxen, diazapan, co codamol or paras or whether to try voltarol gel or heat pack, I haven't felt like this for ages.

Msdj - Take anything you've got in then phone for more tomorrow.
Make sure they know you cannot move. I Always remember phoning the GP and her saying I'll do you a prescription for codeine and me saying but I can't get to the toilet and that being that. What a mug!
Pink - truly - take time off. Don't wait until you do more damage and need even more time off just so you don't feel guilty. If you can't do it for yourself think about how it will impact on your family if you get bad again. You've enough family worries as it is. Take a break.

msdj sounds like a back spasm. do you have diazepam? if so, take some. use heat too and usual meds - what are you currently taking?

pink it's definitely your back warning you to slow down, definitely take meds - paracetamol or co-codemol, ibuprofen/naproxen (whatever one you use), Use diazepam only if you have muscle spasms that the other stuff it not working for. Get that letter in writing asap for job change.

Sorry for radio silence and non-replies to most people, not felt great since home, headache, vomiting, especially when sitting/standing/moving. OOH doc came to visit me and I have CSF leak (cerebral spinal fluid?) so dural sac was probably pierced. Luckily, only need bed rest, lay flat for 2-3 days, drink coffee/coke (caffeinated helps) and to monitor for 2-3 days. if it gets worse/doesn't ease, then need to go back into hospital for blood patch, but doc feels confident it will sort itself out on it's own, says it mostly does. He has given me anti sickness meds prescription, which i can take with the ones I already have, he came with a shot ready to give me but decided i was doing ok without it (i had goofed before he arrived having taking a shit ton of painkillers so was not so sick feeling then). Really nice and assuring doctor. Feel much, much better following a 3-4 hour sleep, and now literally not getting up as too scared so drinking coffee through a straw!

Not sure if I need to call my surgeon tomorrow to tell him what's happened?

ally Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday, ally! Hope your tongue is still behaving & you've been able to have cake.

pink - I agree with berrie. You're obviously very conscientious & hate letting people down: but yes, your back is warning you. Activity is good once you're over the acute stage of a back injury. Prolonged bending & lifting aren't, & quite possibly won't ever be. Your line manager is thinking only of herself, & that's what you need to do too. Or as berrie says, think about the impact on your family if you end up with a re-prolapse.

msdg - sorry your pain is worse today. I've got increased leg pain too so sympathize, but I can move at least. Do you have diazepam? If your muscles have locked up on top of everything else it can really help. Not sure what else you're on. Can you rest up with your legs supported & some heat under the back?

Thinking of everyone else. Hope you've recovered from last night, matilda! Didn't know you were doing dry January. How are the patches? Has the irritation eased?

Hope you're being well looked after at home, Pavlov. I'm guessing everything is painful right now.

How's your progress now, Freedom? Have you been having the physio at home? Has the weather eased up so you can start walking outside more?

Thinking of you too, Ins, & hoping you're being supported with all the stuff going on.

My left leg is so painful right now - typical nerve pain in bum, back of thigh, weird hot & cold sensations right down to foot. Have taken loads of stuff today, having barely had a co-codamol - or indeed anything at all except 25mg diclofenac x 3 - for the past couple of weeks. It's frustrating & I'm wondering about going back on the pregabalin if it goes on.

I was like this before Christmas too but then it eased. I know it's not mechanical nerve compression - no weakness or anything - so am guessing it's the chemical nerve irritation that the consultant talked about. Perhaps at some point there will be no inflammatory shit left in my knackered disc to leak out? Kept me awake until about 3am last night until I took 5mg diazepam. Worried tonight's not going to be any better.

Usual meds are Morphgesic sr. Tramadol sr. Naproxen. Pregabalin and ORAMORPH as and when needed

Have two diazepam left. So taken one. I will try to make an appt with the doctor and see if I can get some more diazepam. Thank you for your advice

X-posed with you, Pavlov. Sorry to hear about the leak & its symptoms - sounds horrible. Probably would be worth 'phoning to let the surgeon know tomorrow. Hope you get some more sleep tonight.

Pink, I know I've said this before so maybe I'm wasting my virtual breath but your manager isn't in charge of you applying for a different job. She won't like it, but she can't stop you from applying and I would be writing to hr, straight over her head, explaining that you have suffered a serious injury and have made huge efforts to return to work but the nature of the work is simply not conducive to recovery. The reception post would be totally suitable. Please, please do something even if it's go off sick or just leave. Your back is growling at you and I'm not at all surprised.

msdj, hi long time no see. How have you been? Have you tried diazepam? Oromorph is my last resort but you've probably had that.

Berrie, nice nightwear is a lovely thing. Like nice undies.

I've been feeling horrid all day. Dopey and nauseous.mi upped the dose of my patch on Friday so think it's that but hope it passes. I hate feeling ill.

Diazepam not done anything. Called 111 and got a doctor to ring me. He told me to take two cocodamols and have total bed rest and he will call me back at 11 tonight. So far nothing has changed. Feel like I have a tight band around my back and even stomach and every movement I get a sharp pain

Thanks for the birthday wishes Hexie, Long, Pavlov, Loon hope I didn't miss anybody out - you guys are lovely!

Eww Pavlov that sounds nasty but hopefully brief. Lol at coffee with straw - I never want to see another straw! Sorry you are sick too Matilda hopefully that's brief too - why do these things happen to the nicest of people?

Had a lovely weekend of it thanks and yes there was cake - 1 enormous slice from Mimi's bakehouse which we both had yesterday and there is leftovers for me today (day off to use up my annual leave from last year before I leave - its all they deserve lol). I have to stop with the cake as am in danger of putting on ALL the weight I lost during tonguegate!

Best wishes to all who are suffering (almost everyone). Pavlov I am so sorry you are feeling poorly. Hope the leak self fixes- and soon. I've subtly name changed, and I think I'll stick with this now.
I'm doing a bit better backwise but that may be because other things are keeping me resting. I definitely seem to better avoiding my pilates class. I am still waiting for my MRI date.

How did you get on MSDJ?
Matilda sorry you are feeling unwell with the new patches.
Ally how is work going now you are back? Hope you had a lovely birthday.
Sorry your sciatic pain is back Loon. I have never worked out what cause the relapses for me. Hope tonight is better.
Inselaffe how are you?
Good luck with the form filling for changing jobs Pink.
Ooh nice PJs and nighties Berrie! I'm afraid my weakness has been cashmere jumpers (have been under the weather so feeling chilled). I have to send 2 of the 3 back. Also we have ordered a Nexpresso machine (too far to pop round for you Pavlov) sa ds who loves the machines can make his own hot drink, without DH and I doing it for him (he is 15 but has LD/ASD so cannot safely yet use a kettle) We are hoping it will give us potential lie ins at the weekend as he is an early rise and we are feeling are age on this point! I did get some shoes - platform brogues with a very slight wedge-but haven't tried them yet. They look very like fly soles but somewhat flatter as I need almost flat. I hope they will be as comfy.

OHD called back and asked how I was doing. Back tightening has lessened a little after taking diazepam and zapain. So he said to have total bed rest and call my gp today. I am now waiting for my gp to call me back. Not really sure what he can do or what I am asking him to do. But the pain yesterday and today is a different pain as to what I usually get. And my usual painkillers are not helping it. Will see what he says anyway. Didn't make an appt to see him as they are always so busy and I feel like I am wasting their time and secondly I can't get downstairs let alone drive myself there!! So thought a phone call would be easier. Thank you for asking x

The shoes sound nice Mag is there a picture?
Hope all those having a rough time just now are feeling a bit better.
I went for a new mini pill prescription today. My blood pressure is up again I think because I have put on 12lb since my last check just before the fall that set my back off in September. I'd like to blame the inactivity but I know it was the cake and biscuits too and you did warn me
I have been - as promised- dieting all morning so I think I deserve a nice piece of reduced to clear luxury stollen. It would be much nicer without all the almonds on the top!

Gp just called. Said I need to see someone today So he made me an appt for later

How will you get there?

I will have to drive myself. No other choice. I did tell my gp that I couldn't move and that every movement was painful. He just kept repeating that there was an appt available for tonight. My doctors just don't have time for anyone. You are just given a prescription, fobbed off and rushed out the door

Oh dear...what time? They should have put you on the home visit list. I've had a home visit when unable to move.

Poor M

msdj that's a disgrace making you drive in that state - it makes me so angry

work bearable maggs but only cos I know its short-term - my upper back and neck/shoulders are killing me - I think its sitting for 4 hours at my desk - hopefully that'll go away when I leave

pavlov loon hi - pavlov - that leakage sounds horrid - hope it gets better. How was your night loon? Any better - chemical irritation - I didn't even know this existed. I had my first physio session today which included some very light strengthening exercises, massage and warmth therapy. It was lovely. The lady is lovely. Although she did say she doesn't understand why I am not why more flexible as it's 4 weeks since surgery tomorrow and I should have made better progress. I explained the neurosurgeon said Do Nothing other than lie, walk and rest. And also that I am terrified of reherniating which blocks me a bit. And that I had a baby so my base strength and flexibility was already a bit weak when my disc went. I feel positive though. Via knee bends and squatting, I can empty the whole dishwasher now - not just the top level.

oh dear Msdj. is there anyone that can take you tonight? I know that is not the perfect answer as being driven is nearly as bad. Do you have any sticks that help? - walking poles may be better than nothing.
Berrie I had some success getting unwanted weight off despite forced inactivity by going low carb - but I gave in over Christmas (the stollen being one of my weaknesses) so I guess I'll have to be stricter. Sympathy.
My shoes are no longer on the Zara website. They are nice, but still not tried them on. I have had a busy morning taking ds to the hospital as he broke his brace - all fixed now (and ds delivered back to school) but another appointment afterschool. His school is a special school so further away than MS would be and the hospitals are in the other direction, so by the end of the day I will have driven nearly 100 miles. Already struggling! One of my ears has gone completely deaf and full of white noise and is painful despite drugs so driving is a bit scarier than normal! The only good side is that I cannot hear ds stropping - which can be even more distracting!!
Thinking of you Pavlov. I had a CSF leak before my sinus surgery ( leaked down my nose- lovely) but it self healed. Awful headache you have my sympathy. I hope yours selfseals too.

No one to take me. I do already walk with one stick but think two might help today. Appt is at 7.40 it's to see a doctor I wouldn't normally see as I haven't heard good things about her but we shall see

MSDJ let us know how you get on. What are you hoping she will be able to do for you?
Mags Ooo - poor you for the ear. DH has tinnitus and the noise makes him very miserable. It started when he started his blood pressure medication. I can't see how it would be a good idea to stop that really.

On another medical issue - my Dad, for years, has chest and arm pain which makes him breathless. He has had many investigations and his heart is fine. He did feel it might be related to eating and tried lanzoprazole in case it was acid reflux irritating some nerve at the top of the stomach or something. It didn't work. Anyway - he doesn't ever burp and when my brother got him to try some bicarb of soda to ease his stomach he was sick as he couldn't release the gas. So I got to thinking...could a stomach full of gas press on a nerve causing pain in the chest and arm? See how much faith I have in you all!