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

Did your GP give you any diazepam for back spasms? If so, it might not be a bad idea to take 2-4mg to help with any increased pain, with the added benefit of it reducing anxiety a little and help you sleep some.

Thank you. I think it's the leg weakness that's freaking me out, i had no idea it was so bad, I can bearly lift it. Combine that with the weeing problem and I am freaked out! I do have some diazepam Pavlov, and yes I'd love to see your shoes and dress!

And you're right long I should not Google!

ok, so take some diazepam, it will help with spasms, anxiety and sleep until the morning. Have you had an MRI before? If not, maybe take a small dose before you go in, or ask for some at the hospital, some people get claustrophobic. I personally had to be woken up on two occasions as I drifted off to sleep, the noise is monotonous and you can usually listen to the radio through headphones while you are in it, it was the most peace I had had for ages

[[http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_63411+20656_-1 possible dress] I am going to buy, before I post the others, need your opinions on this quickly - it will be for a wedding in california (BIL to second wife but her first wedding so likely a grand affair). I have short dark hair, size 8/10 (will get a 10 as last dress the 8 was too tight around my ribcage).

I'll post the ones I actually bought in a mo.

Ooh thats lovely! I love the colour

That is a nice dress Pavlov.

No I've never had an MRI, I will take a diazepam. That's good advice cos I do get claustrophobic

this no idea when I'll wear it, will probably just wear it with my teal or patent black mid calf Fly London Boots, black leggings to the shops or something
you might have to zoom in to see the detail on the front of this dress, looks lovely with my short hair. Again, either black patent FL boots, or my new shoes that are here:
[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fly-London-Womens-P500489003-Mushroom/dp/B00LD2X1H8/ref=sr_1_21?s=shoes-outlet&ie=UTF8&qid=1421364349&sr=1-21 shoes]]

and I also bought a 'boyfriend' work jacket, but that's a bit dull, so won't bother with that one

oh rubbish, links are not working

Links are working for me! Love both those dresses, I've got a soft spot for a bird dress and have been looking for one that will suit my voluptuousness

and you've found total bargains as well, excellent shopping
I love fly boots, I've got the calf high lace up ones and they're so comfy. I tend to live in my doc marten triumph boots at the moment though, they make me feel so cool (which I'm most definitely not!)

I spent many many hours on those bargains I can tell you. I put something like £400 of clothes in my basket (not ever going to buy them all) and weeded out the ones I actually wanted could afford

I also bought some converse for DH and some jeans and some pants, so he doesn't feel left out. And the children, Oh, they have some adorable things, also absolute bargains from Vertbudet (sp), mostly DD as she grew an entire size over christmas, some of her christmas clothes didn't fit her! And DS has been fortunate enough to be given clothes from other people so he has shedloads. I did buy him some cool orange combats so he can wear them with his green top and be 'shaggy' from scooby doo, some socks, and a t-shirt . I am now done, my debit card is locked away from me

tickle I think that one will look good on voluptuous women - it's buttoned down the front and is waisted just above waist height, I think it would look fab! It would look fucking awesome with your DM boots!

I just went to check to see if they had it in my size but it's not to be :(
Both my boys have had massive growth spurts and are well overdue a shopping trip, I may have to go online to do it as there's no way I can do shops!
Thanks so much for all your help and distraction tonight, I'm going to try and get some sleep.
I will come and update tomorrow after my scan

Good luck tickle for tomorrow. hope you get some sleep. will come back and check on how you got on tomorrow.

Sorry to start the day with a moaning post but it's gotta be done as I've got no one else to moan to except the dog.

Do not read if eating breakfast

So, as soon as I started the patches I became constipated. Usual lactulose which was fine on old combi of cocodamol, tramadol, oromorph wasn't doing it. So dr gave me movicol. I had a few small results but knew there was more. Felt sluggish and bloated. Then yesterday morning it began . At least 15 trips to the loo yesterday accompanied by hideous wind and full scale churning and gurgling noises. Everything coming out is just fluid. Sorry tmi .I sound like a really old central heating system. It got so in the end I was literally leaking on a couple of occasions.. Overnight not too bad, up twice. Oh, patch came off in the evening.

I saw GP yesterday and she looked sorry but no real advice. I was looking well, am not dehydrated so what can she do, really?

This morning it has started up again. I'm so fed up because it's the day of my art talk in the National Gallery which I absolutely love. It's only once a month.

So, questions or opinions please: do I give in and take some Imodium. Or is that wrong and should I let it out? Anyone else had this?

Am so fed up. I had such hopes for the patches and it seems they have screwed me up. I can't face putting one on again right now. Ironically my pain isn't an issue at the moment. I suppose some codeine might be an answer since it will tick both boxes.

Sorry for such a miserable and moany post.

Good luck today, tickle . MRIs are fine. I am another who drifts off. Just be aware, they LIE about how many minutes each part takes. No idea why?! Just drift, it doesn't take too long. Hopefully it will be reviewed straight away and you will be sent home and told not to listen to horror stories from strangers on the internet.

Glad to hear you are up to shopping at least pavlov and yes thanks - nice birthday with lots of - love the dresses!!!

Oh tickle so sorry to hear about the pain - its no wonder you feel sorry for yourself and we've all been through it just wish we could do more than listen but I see Matilda has taken you in hand . Good luck for MRI - I've had loads - just close your eyes and think of nice things.

OH Matilda you are so kind with your advice and kindness to us all when you have your own pain to deal with - you are a treasure to us not a bully As regards the other end being an expert on this I shall give my tuppence (though as it takes dynamite to make me go we are very different) - Movical does have side effects as you have discovered and prolonged use (years) can make you incontinent (like me). If you feel stuffed up still it could be a blockage which you need to attack from both ends as it were (suppository and Movical x 10 twice over 2 days does it for me but that would kill normal people). I find Dulcolax nice and gentle and take this when taking Co-codamol (along with Movical and Dioctyl). Personally I never touch Immodium (unless abroad and desperate) as I then won't go for a week - but that's just me. Not sure if any of that helps! . Perhaps some indigestion relief will get you through the day and then it should stop naturally anyway.

Sounds like progress Berrie yay!

Ally thanks for the advice. I think it is tailing off now though I haven't moved from my bed yet. I have passed a LOT of diarrhoea it's just really watery (sorry). It's as if the patches literally stopped all bowel movement as in moving food through my bowel and no reabsorbtion of fluid which makes a formed stool. I've removed the patch and taken some codeine, now fingers crossed. I've dropped three pounds in a day so I was right in regard to feeling saturated with fluid.

Maybe the patches aren't for me which is sad because I took so long working up to having them. Really sad. I never dreamt I wouldn't be able to tolerate them.

Thanks for replying.

Tickle, so glad to hear you're getting a scan at last (probably right now?) - hope it's going well & you get some reassurance / action, depending on results. Awful that it's so hard to get a GP visit these days.

Matilda, sorry you're suffering. I wouldn't take the immodium either. Not sure I have advice but I do get the same problems fairly regularly. Have been somewhat sluggish ever since my thyroid became underactive, & even though I'm on thyroxine & have no other symptoms now, that one is still an issue. Just adding in more than a couple of co-codamol a day for me & things grind to a halt. Even eating a sodding egg can do it, actually!

I then take the lactulose & was prescribed movicol too in December, & get explosive results a couple of days later. I also get the astonishingly loud gurgling, like there's a swirling ocean in my gut! Not good, but I think immodium would just contribute to a constipation / diarrhoea see-saw (sorry for unpleasant image). Personally I've stopped with the movicol & am taking a gentle fibre supplement, benefiber, that can be added to drinks & doesn't taste of anything. I still use the lactulose when I'm taking co-codamol too.

It does seem weird that a patch could do this when you've been okay on so many drugs. You kind of expect them to have fewer digestive effects, but I guess not. Hope it improves as your body adjusts.

Pavlov, hope your symptoms are easing. I've been spending too long browsing sales online too & have ridiculous shopping baskets full of stuff that I'm never going to buy, as I can't afford it. Still, they say that just searching for the stuff satisfies the hunter gatherer instincts involved in shopping, so you get the kick without actually spending the money. Possibly. Oh, & I love your quote upthread - "If I believed everything I googled, I'd be dead by now". That could be my motto too!

Off for another exciting dog shit dodging walk now. Doing well re. activity, but still getting sciatic pain at night.

Typing from a&e. Seen the spinal registrar who (shock horror) isn't worried and doesn't think I need an MRI scan. He's going to get me to try and have a wee and then will scan my bladder to see if it's still full. If it's still full then I MAY get an MRI, but if not then I won't.
So it looks like I may not get my MRI today after all. I was expecting this. And I give up.

Sorry that's such a woe is me post. I think I just am so scared and desperately want to know what's wrong :(

Apparently there is 210ml of urine left in my bladder so they have paged the registrar back...

Jeez, these people! How hard is it to do the bloody scan??? So on your behalf. Keep us posted.xx

Gah I lost a long message! Thanks Matilda, I thought I may cry on him. I still feel like I need a wee, might try and go again. I will be having the scan today, so will finally know what's going on thank god!
They said I will be having same scan as I was due to have in Feb, do you think i should mention when they come to get me that it was supposed to include the coccyx, do I mention this?! I don't want to take the piss...

matildaPM'ing you.

Matilda I missed your post! So sorry:( does it still seem to be staying away? Are you going to get to the art gallery? I hope so
I have no knowledge of immodium so won't even attempt to give any advice thete but I have taken movicol. I didn't have diarrhoea but just very loose stools to help me.
I so hope you are well enough to go to your art talk