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

Hello everyone!
I had a terrible nightmare the other night - you all came round to visit and the bathroom had not been cleaned for a while. I didn't get to talk to you as I spent the entire time upstairs cleaning the bathroom...
I woke up the next day and cleaned the bathroom for which I feel much better!
Otherwise feeling really low.

Sorry you're feeling crap, berrie. How long is it 'til DH is back home? I think you're doing really well managing on your own. I love being on my own in the day but really hate it at night. Miserable weather doesn't help.

Have you taken your bonkers dog out yet today? Wish I was close enough to borrow him - am struggling to keep motivated re. walking loads, even though I know my back is happier when I do.

Matilda, sorry you're not getting to be on your own when you want to! You're obviously too very hospitable to have people desperate to come to stay. We've managed to avoid overnight guests completely over the past couple of years. Don't have a spare bedroom (though the boys' bedrooms are big enough to share if they really had to) & I also replaced our sofa bed with an ordinary sofa. PIL stay in a B&B now. Doesn't get you out of the meal planning, though, & the constant polite conversation.

So glad to hear you're making good progress, pavlov, & have managed to get some fresh air.

Actually looks like the sun has come out here since I started writing so I'm going to pop out for a brief walk. Have been sorting stuff out & listing on ebay, so I need to wrap loads of stuff up later - v. exciting. It's all light - clothing - but will still involve more than one walk to the PO. I buy too many clothes & don't even wear some of them. I seem to have five cropped cashmere cardigans and I hardly ever wear cropped cardigans, as i hardly ever wear dresses. Admittedly I buy stuff in sales or sometimes on ebay, but even so. My wardrobe is stuffed so full that everything gets creased & needs re-ironing, & I don't even know what I've got.

Oh huh, Loon, I love a cashmere. I seem to have quite a collection, though somewhat depleted by the bastard moths last autumn. I've sold on eBay, it's very satisfying watching things sell. Apparently Saturday and Sunday evenings are the best time for your listing to finish.

Berrie, I was thinking about you and hoping you were ok. I promise I didn't. Consider the state of your bathroom . Sorry you feel low. Do you have some cheering things to break up the week? It's a grind being alone fly such a long stretch.

I need to do a bit of meal planning. We have family abroad and tbh we do benefit sometimes. It does make us a hub, though. My parents are coming back after a month and SIL coming to see school of her son. I'm his guardian nah had him this weekend. So it's rather frequent all this coming and going. Must consider buying a large and spacious one bed house .

Back was foul all weekend but has eased this morning. Need to make some kickass phone calls. Always a good way to start the week. And have rediscovered proper porridge. So much better than the microwave stuff. Though did do it in mw, jumbo oats so yum.

DH is not back until Sunday night. It's just a bit hard having to field all the squabbles and problems on my own (like the freezer door falling off - now held on with masking tape!) and I need a big, prickly DH hug. I know it is not the case but I can't help worrying that DH will find he enjoys not being with me since I can be a bit of a misery. I managed to go out twice at the weekend though for the DC sake and though I felt sick doing it - we did at least do it.
Loon tell me where you are and I will bring said dog! There were motorbikes yesterday which he hates. He was so agitated when we got back to the road that he leaped and writhed at every car that passed. At least he didn't bite me this time.
Pavlov can we all come for coffee by the sea? If I had my time again I would definitely do a season working in a cafe or ice cream shop by the sea.
Matilda care to share your menu?
Tonight DS and I will have the last shepherds pie out of the freezer and DD will have an omelette as she doesn't eat shepherds pie apparently. I am annoyed because when I made them I took a lot of trouble to cut up vegetables really small so I could hide them in there for her to eat.
Tickle Sorry about your daughter. I was much like her at a similar age. It must be very hard for you all. Whilst it wouldn't be true to say that all my mental health issues completely resolved - I have a very happy life now.
Thanks all for being nice - as ever. It helps.
P.S. Apologies for the missing apostrophe on shepherds pie - I really couldn't decide how many shepherds the pie belonged to...what do you think?
Wanders off pondering the fact that shepherds tend to be solitary but the nativity shepherds were in a group and then how exactly would a shepherd on a hillside cook a shepherds pie...and then my pie is made with beef mince so it is actually a cottage pie but what is cottagy about mince anyway...and maybe the pie does not in any case belong to the shepherd and the shepherd is just acting as a noun...?

Proper porridge is lovely, Matilda, although I cannot get ds to eat it. Its a shame you have house guests coming, just when you could have had some time to yourself. We also have a small house and haven't had house guests for many years since we discovered mice had invaded the sofa bed - just as we opened it shortly before the guests were due (the evidence not the mice)!! We no longer have a sofa bed - or mice I hope - although they do tend to come foraging for nest linings as the weather gets cold. We saw one once and it was tiny and squeezed under the door to escape. Our house is older and near fields so difficult to make totally mouse proof. Perhaps those mice did us a favour - I am sure the word got around! We use local travel hotels now. Have your presumed four legged visitors given up Berrie? Sorry your SIL is so ill Berrie. It must be hard for you managing on your own for this extended period and also worrying about DH and SIL. My DH used to be away 1 week in 4 so I got used to it, and enjoyed a few nights to myself, and be a bit more slobby, but longer would have been difficult.
Hope today is a better day today Matilda.
Loon I have just bought an over embellished bright pink cashmere cropped cardy which I cannot return as it was reduced to clear, so you are not alone. It was reduced so heavily it seemed a bargain - but it was silly as I don't like the embellishments (black glass stones) or need a pink cardy. I have decided to risk dyeing it black as I need a black cardy (grey would work fine too) - and can afford for some shrinkage. The black glass beads will look better against black I hope - or might even fall off. I only popped in to replace some school socks for ds. (He often looses them at school as he does not replace them after PE- there must be a whole pile of dirty grey socks somewhere). I live near an out of town store which is a terrible temptation, especially in the sales when it is now or never!
Mama I hope your tests and consultation go well and the specialist can start some effective treatment very soon. I find not knowing what is wrong is very difficult.

Bit early to say as only day 3 of freedom but despite long walk (by the beach nearly losing my ears to frostbite) my back is quite good so far! and my mood is through the roof ... might stop the anti-d's altogether soon!

Lol Berrie I wouldn't have noticed if your bathroom wasn't perfect - I rarely clean but then no kids or dogs here ... and no visitors either haha . Sorry you are alone (must have missed that bit) - I hate it too but OH doesn't go away much anymore thank goodness. Very funny re shep pie - I'd stick with cottage - much easier - can you tell I love these wee fellas - such a child!

Again continue to lurk and not post much, just saying I am reading through posts and nodding and agreeing to some, comiserating with others and generally hoping everyone is recovering as much as possible from your problems

Oh Berrie I can quite understand you needing a hug from your DH. I am sending you some and to see you through. It must be so hard.

Thank you as well, dd seems alot better today. I wondered if it was karma as I was very much like that at her age. But it has meant I can be very open with her and tell her that she isn't weird for feeling this way. Sending you a big hug x

Grrr, just lost a long post. It was very moany so maybe mn deleted it to save you all the misery?

By tremendous coincidence have made cottage pie this evening. Was to be shepherds pie but Waitrose helpfully printed the fat content on minced lamb so cottage pie it was. Also to come Chez Matilda, bream with samphire and wedges, deboned chicken thing with jacket potatoes and salmon roulade with mashed swede. Bit uninspired but hopefully easy and tasty. I like toast..

Am in a huge sulk because I scraped my brand new Motorbility car today on a bastard bollard after collecting dn and dn from school. I take them home and read with them once a week which is usually nice but today must confess I was sour of temper. Called to enquire about repair and it's actually all arranged and only £75 excess so miles cheaper than Real Life insurance. Now, quick poll: car desperately need valet. Shall I leave for them to do next week and look like a dirty mare who trashes her nice new car but save £20. Or get it cleaned and look like a nice careful person who doesn't deserve such bad luck? To be fair the rain has been filthy and the park a swamp. And the mud does disguise the scrapes a bit .

Ally, long may you enjoy your freedom. I have no trouble wasting filling my time.

Berrie, glad you got through the weekend and got out,too. Does breathing help? I kept my dishwasher door attached with Velcro for years. Marvellous stuff should your current arrangements fail .

Bubs, waves and hope you are ok?

Mags, is your wrist fully recovered now and hope ds not wreaking havoc. Must be super hard to feel sore and having to keep going regardless. Hats off to you. Claiming a mice invasion could be a very good ploy, my SIL is phobic . I'm not keen but could claim to have seen a few... Berrie, mice or rats?? Ask the expert!

Back aching but that's not new so won't mention.

Btw, why is it tbsmile etc?? I'm guessing it's re Burns night but surely he was Robbie

Tee Hee Matilda. Glad you lost the other post - that one was v. amusing (though I am sorry about the car) I would wait for the valet but then my car has actual leaves in the foot-well and has not been hoovered out since...well who knows when
Mice preferable to rats I'd say. Mags did you actually sit on the sofa full of mice? I wish I lived near fields full of mice rather than sewers full of RATS. Far more stinky piss in a rat and when it is in your tupperware cupboard you can hear it!
Thanks everyone for your support (and cake) today - you lot are great. Though not, I note, much help with the apostrophe problem

Oh also - does anyone have a solution to the skyping on a pad problem. There is only so long that I can hold the pad above my head at a flattering angle - I am then obliged to lower it beneath my double chin which makes me scowl which makes it worse.

Matilda I was thinking tb was "tartan bunnet" (you have to say it with a Scottish accent) - maybe just me though lol [fbgrin]

aarrgghhh then I mistyped it what a wally!

Berrie, sorry, no answer to that one. DH does call when he's away but our calls tend to last for about thirty seconds. Chatty he is not with me at least. Can you ask your Head of The Apostrophe at school or would that expose you as a very poor teacher indeed and make you the talk of the staff room?

I can't be bothered to get up. Spent all night having deranged dreams then woke to the news that amitriptyline increases the risk of dementia. Happy days.

Ally, I think you have it. I'm a soft Southerner. . I like them, can you tell?

no

damn! I've been on amitryptylene for years - explains a lot!

Oh no ! I also use antihistamines so I should be doubly demented! (Ok already am). What about corticosteroids - lets hope that one has the opposite effect!
How are you Bubby?
Tickle very different I know but ds (15 but LF ASD) self harms (biting his hand, hitting himself- has done since little) - out of frustration and panic. It is a lot better at the moment, but I don't know what strategies has helped- but to be totally honest I think it is the medication- although school also have started to understand his anxieties better. He is not able enough for talking type of therapies. He is an teen with the understanding and needs of a young child, but is mostly cheerful at home. He sees specialist Cahms, and has had some medication changes. He is much gentler (to himself and others) on his new medication, but I know it is only short term, to get him over the teenage changes. I have always been a bit anti medication, so it was hard having to consider such things, but he a much less anxious young person now.
Berrie I spoke too soon! There was a rustling under the fridge last night. No other evidence except a school notice (presumably fallen from its magnate above) which had been dragged under the fridge, presumably ready for shredding for nesting! Oh no! But the weather is warmer today. Perhaps they will give up on nest building? Could it have been the draft from the fridge fan- no unlikely! I think the sofa chewing mice had moved in whilst we were away visiting family. They had chewed at the folding mattress (and made a mess) that was sort of slung under the sofa. We replaced the mattress, but it didn't fit properly, and made the sofa particularly unsuitable for sitting on with a bad back.
Matilda sorry about the extra sore back, and that the patches were not your answer. I scratched my car a couple of months ago too. Its so upsetting, but its fixed now. The neighbours visitor whose car I drove into trying to get out of our very narrow drive (tricky with a stiff back- but truthfully on that occasion I did not see the car - it was raining hard and totally black- and ds was in the front) parked in the same location opposite our drive this weekend making it impossible to get out. That accident has made me a bit nervous but I suspect you are made of sterner stuff. Perhaps we should start a MN campaign for red flags to be place on all bollards and low gate posts, so that they can be seen from inside a modern car. Commiserations! My wrist is doing better - and is out of its splint. A bit weak and not good at fiddly things but I count myself lucky that it has healed - I know a lot have complications. Thank you for asking. I jolted my back yesterday when I stepped a bit too heavily from a curb I nearly missed (ds was dragging me too fast) onto my right leg (the dodgier side at present). I am still waiting for an MRI date.
Ally you sound like giving up (that) work really suits you
Hope today is a better day for everyone

Hope your back has eased a bit today, matilda. Sorry to hear about the car. I'd go with the not having it valeted (one t or two?), but then I haven't cleaned my car for years. Haven't driven it for about a year either! I really should try some time, now I don't get many shooting type leg pains. I can walk pretty much everywhere from where we live though.

Not surprised you get so many guests if you cook them such delicious sounding food, btw! I love samphire - our local Morrison's started selling it about a year ago & though I don't shop there much I always get a bag of samphire if I am in! The rest of the meal can be planned around the samphire.

How are you feeling today, berrie? I'm up in Yorkshire so probably too far for you to bring the dog, sadly! I live in a fantasy world re. animals where I have an amazing affinity with them & they all love me. In reality I've been hurt by more animals, in more ridiculous circumstances, than anyone I know. Managed to get attacked by a goat in a French petting zoo when the boys were little: & even more stupidly had to have an antitetanus a couple of years ago after being bitten/pecked by a parrot in a park in HULL. In my head, though, I'm Dr Dolittle, & I just know I'd get on brilliantly with your dog!

magg, I think I've seen that cashmere cardigan you bought - was it an m&s one? Saw it online in black & quite liked the look of it. Good luck with the dyeing. Have posted some of my ebay stuff today & listed more items. Changed my mind about one navy cashmere cardi, though, after going to all the trouble of photographing & listing it. Decided it was probably one of the more versatile ones & I should hang on to it. Sometimes I get rid of something & end up buying an almost identical item of clothing later.

Didn't see the thing about the amitriptyline. Read about the antihistamines but didn't realize ami had been included in the research. Re. the former, it's only the old-style, drowsy-making antihistamines that are an issue, isn't it? DH takes loratadine for hayfever throughout the Summer, but I think that's okay. He's forgetful enough as it is.

Hope you're still recovering well, pavlov, & you too, buddy & freedom. Waves to tickle & ally & everyone else as well. Hope things are okay with you, Ins, if you're still around.

Yes Loon it was from M&S and it cost around £15! I hope dyeing it works. My very first bit of cashmere was a black cropped cardy -about 20 years ago and it has gradually got too small. Quite a revelation as I cannot wear ordinary wool - too itchy. So now I am hooked. Hope your ebaying goes well.
I got attacked by a swan once- when in our canoe. Unfortunately the swan family had taken a shine to the boat ramp we needed to use - there was no other safe exit for miles around, and ds was getting cold. The daddy swan took a running flight at my back (we were waiting some distance away) - fortunately I was well padded, and ds was in front of me and thought it funny. Daddy swan moved his family along eventually. Come to think of it I've also been chased by a huge buffalo (in Australia) and ended up running around our camp fire until I shouted and it took fright.
My guess is that Shepherd's pie is made by a shepherd- although why or how I don't know. It is hardly campfire food. But then my grammar is awful.

Oh no mags! Mice in the kitchen--bringing it all back!
Loon- I'm happy to try posting him!
Quick question...would you buy a house with no garage..mor maybe you gave one. Where does all the crap go...bikes scooters tins of paint tools...?

lol loon - I got pecked by a penguin at the zoo once (they let them out for a walk here)

also attacked by an alsation but thankfully owners leapt on it and dragged it off - had to be locked up whenever I came over after that

oh also first and only pet (budgie) hated me and nipped me whenever I went near it (although happily sat on sister's head and "kissed" her) - bastard budgie!

nothing last 20 years but tend to avoid animals now

I hate birds. Horrid pecky things. I like watching the garden birds from the safety of my house but that's it.

Re garage, we have one now but for many years didn't as they are rare within London postcodes. We had a tiny shed which was permanently stuffed full. Garage now has a life of its own. No sooner I knock it into shape it has leapt into action and held a gaint party, possibly attanded by both toddlers and teens or even very old people, too. The three messiest groups of people I can think of.

Hi All,

I hadn't realised this thread was here, and thought I'd come and join in - and also have a few questions. Sorry, it's long...

I've had back pain for as long as I can remember, but it got significantly worse back in 2002. After the usual lengthy NHS waits, I had a laminectomy and discectomy in 2004 for spinal stenosis and two herniated discs - L4/5, L5/S1

I got the 60% pain reduction that my surgeon had said I could reasonably hope for, but 5 months on, the L4/5 disc developed a new far-lateral herniation.

Surgeon didn't want to operate again at that point (scar tissue formation possibly making things worse), but said more surgery was in the future but he'd rather wait as long as possible and then look at either fusion or artificial disc depending on what was right at the time.

I trogged along on a cocktail of Tramadol and Lamotrigine with some codeine chucked in when it got really bad until September 2013 when things were getting really bad.

Before, my pain had always been in the left leg down the femoral nerve (never had sciatic pain) but now the pain was far worse in my lower back. Always been told that leg pain could be improved, but back pain not so much.

Went to GP and ordered a new MRI so I could see if there was any point going back to surgeon. MRI was dreadful. No disc left at L4/5, new herniation at L5/S1 and massive oedema and modic changes within the vertebrae.

Waiting the usual months and months to see my surgeon (fortunately I'd done a deal where I didn't go to see him but stayed on his books as got too pissed off with cancelled appointments etc). He's a spinal neuro-surgeon at the RNOH who I have absolute faith and trust in. I'm from a medical family so I'm fairly tough on specialists, but he is really good. I also have a brilliant and very sympathetic GP who is doing his best to help

I did the new antibiotic trial but had to stop as the pain got so bad I had to start taking morphine which wrecked it for them. I'm now down for a fusion. Having problems because he wants to use BMP and we can't get the funding approved, so everything is on hold.

I'm currently on 30mg SR morphine, 200mg SR Tramadol, 200mg Lamotrigine, and I get 1/2 litre of Oramorph a month. It just about keeps the pain tolerable, but I get quite sleepy when I need to take a lot of Oramorph.

I don't work at the moment - had to leave my last job as I couldn't really sit, and when I started the morphine I kept falling asleep. I'd only been there for 9 months so it was easy for them to get rid of me. They did give me a bit of extra money at the end.

I can't apply for another job as I don't know when the op is, I'll need months off afterwards and can't sit or stand for long. I can walk but if I do a shopping trip of over 2 hours then I'm screwed for the whole evening and following day. I also have a 5 year-old DD.

My husband is a higher-rate taxpayer, and I earn a bit of money with a small business, but literally a couple of hundred a month if that and no guarantee of earning anything unless a commission comes in.

Would I be entitled to any benefits at all?

Also, has anyone else had an anterior lumbar fusion? My surgeon plans to do a bikini line incision which is unusual I believe.

Finally has anyone else had issues getting funding for BMP and managed to get it in the end?

Many thanks if you've got this far!

Oh, if I can help anyone with advice on drugs or my experience with the laminectomy and aggressive 2 level discectomy then ask away.

With the drugs, I took Tramadol, lamotrigine and codeine through my very carefully pre-planned pregnancy and 3.5 years of breastfeeding, so can help on advice for anyone who is pregnant and whose baby will be opiate-dependent at birth.

With drugs, there aren't many that I haven't gone through over the years (my father, who is a GP, rings me for advice on painkillers!) - I'm getting ketamine for the op which will be a new one.

I've also been on the useless 2-week inpatient Input pain-management programme at St Thomas's and spent 2 years with a specialist spinal physio at the RNOH who taught me some useful things.

Quick reply Berrie if you have no garage then you need either a large cupboard or a shed- preferably both (IMHO), since inflammable things might be safer outside. We started in this house with no garage and a shed was one of our first purchases, although we had an outdoor coal cupboard- and outside loo.