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

Ooo interesting DeWee I'm afraid that I can't help with either of those things as neither of them have happened to me like that but someone will be along soon who probably can.
Cold packs help to numb the pain though heat is nicer. Make sure that you are taking an anti inflammatory like ibuprofen. You might get a stronger one from the GP but will need something to protect your stomach lining too in that case. I like my tens machine when it is really bad. You might also ask for a physio referral if it keeps happening to help you to help with exercises to prevent it happening. haven't done mine in a while

DeWee Hello! :) Agree with Berrie that there is bound to be someone on here who can help. Sadly not me I don't think... I can recommend hot water bottles. If it is your muscles then I have found Voltarol gel is very good (don't take with ibuprofen).

I have found my chiropractor to be very good for stiffness, assuming that you haven't had an injury... as I learned the hard way don't go to a chiropractor if there is any possibility that it is a spinal injury as they don't have access to medical scanners etc. I saw him for back pain and whiplash and he was absolutely brilliant, although expensive, and relieved a lot of my pain and stiffness (for example, one day the whiplash was very bad, I went in unable to move my neck, he did a weird popping thing and I left with full rotation), up to the point where it became apparent that I had an underlying undiagnosed injury (and therefore probably shouldn't have been seeing him in the first place, thanks GP!). I will definitely go back to him once my current injury is sorted out. My caveats would be 1) don't go if you are in any doubt about your bones and 2) only go on a recommendation as there are some cranks out there! Check any qualifications etc.

Agree also that physio is fairly easy to get hold of through the NHS - my GP's surgery has a free clinic. Only snags were that it is only open two afternoons a week and you have to call v quickly to get an appointment.

Operation over. Bit painful at incision pointbut drugs helping. No pain in legs. Already thinking about when I'll get something to eat so can't be too bad. Veryssleepy. Will reread and respond tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know I'm done and say a massive thank you for your pre operation advice and support. for you all.

Yay, now rest!

Glad you are 'all done' Frostydom, and that leg pain is absent. Best wishes for a good and speedy recovery.

Woo hoo Frosty! (Brings large bouquet to bedside and a bunch of grapes in a paper bag)

to frosty so pleased that the operation is over with no big problems, and no leg pain! I really hope this continues. Let us know what you have for dinner! Rest as much as you can, as the physios will get you moving soon enough. Hope you get to rest well.

Yippee for frosty, sleep and rest now. So pleased for you that it's all done. Sending all warm vibes.xx

dewee ... this is how it all started for me .. you need to get some exercises to strengthen your core. It only went pear shaped for me when I stopped going to the gym (after 3-4 episodes like you are describing). Or physio or chiro - whatever helps.

As for living by the sea ... ummmm .... the salt air rots your letter box ... lol its all I've got sorry! We had to paint the wooden window frames and doors a lot until we replaced with wood effect plastic too.

Glad your done now frosty - onwards and upwards!

Yay! and lovely German for you So pleased that you are already experiencing a reduction in pain. Rest well.

Dewee, sounds as if your back is spasming and tightening all the muscles which would make sense if it made you feel smaller. The back muscles are incredibly big and strong. Imagine a huge contraction of your back! I would probably disagree with your GP that you had suddenly injured the muscles on both sides of your spine ( unless you were carrying stupid weights or are in a circus act )

The muscles tend to spasm when they are protecting an injury. So say you prolapse a disc at L4/5, you would tend to have a central spot of pain but a generalised spasming or stiffening. For me it felt like I had a slab of concrete fixed to me.

It's a bit hard to comment on your positioning. I would be comfortable, I think, but move very regularly. Do you need to sit for long periods at work? Where is the actual centre of pain, do you think? Most of us here have lumber pain, though not all. Heat patches are fabulous and of course we take a lot of meds. We can share our info but aren't doctors.

Feel free to ask more questions and to join in the jolly banter.

Just checking in again, went to dds xmas play today, it was the snow queen. Do any of you remember that i filled a dwp form in for pip, they keep wanting to come out and see me, i have cancelled the last three times and have told them i feel ok and am back at work, they said they would backdate to when i was off. I told them i feel a fraud as so much better at the mo, they said let the healthcare professinal make a decision. I have agreed this time. I am not expecting anything though as much better now. What can i expect when they come out.
Hows everyone else doing.

Hi Pink Gosh - The Snow Queen! Sounds ambitious! What was DD?
My DD's is tomorrow. She forgot a line during today's performance and is distraught. She says the audience laughed at her.
Sorry can't help with your question.

at letter box. Must do better!

Hollyberrie, dd was in the choir, but beleive me i knew the songs word for word today after hearing them at home the last few wks. Dd is year 5 so it was yr 4, 5 and 6 today that did snow queen, reception to year 3 do a nativity.
What is your dd playing hollyberrie, i am sure it will be great tomorrow. Dont you feel so proud when they do these things at school.

So glad it went well frostyfreedom, sleep well tonight and take it easy

She is an Alien Robot Pink
Lucky you that DD sings the songs at home. Mine never ever do. Yes I will feel very proud! though DS was the most uncomfortable and embarrassed looking shepherd I've ever seen last year

Pink, are you sure it's PIP you've got pestering you to give you money or PPI? Seriously, it's bizarre, they are the meanest bunch that ever walked the planet, they don't normally insist on coming to your house to check ways they can give you money. Anyway, I would definitely keep the appointment. I think, because the I just has healed now, write a diary of weeks you were completely incapacitated ie couldn't do anything much at all, weeks of partial recovery and weeks almost better etc. have a read through the form again because the questions on the form are basically the same as the ones they ask you. Remember there are two components, living and travel each with separate payments. If they are willing to give you something fly a healed injury, lucky you! Go for it. After all, you did lose money being sick, although strictly speaking pip isn't meant to cover loss of earnings.

Hollie, I'd like to see a festive alien robot. I think. School Christmas plays are indeed sweet and lump in throat inducing. Treasure, they move on so fast.

Frosty, morning! hope you've slept and feeling ok. I need a nice nurse to bring me breakfast in bed. We are all anxiously waiting for updates but only when you are feeling up to it.xx

I Just should be injury.

So glad you got through the op. okay, frosty. Hope you've had a good night & are getting excellent care.

Waves to everyone else. Glad you've checked up about your patches, matilda - doesn't sound like a drug you'd want to take any risks with.

Have had some kind of sickness bug - don't know if part of cold or something else - & now horribly behind with things. Still haven't done Christmas cards, so better crack on.

Pink thats wonderful you're feeling better.

I didn't get much sleep but caught up this morning when mrs Russia went into her operation. So, the good news

• I got the drainage sack and tube removed from my back.
• I've learnt to use a bed pan

-DH is coming to visit today -I was able to stand under the guidance of a nurse, walk a few steps round the bed with no leg pain and actually sit to eat it. (Not managed that in over a month)

• I'm definitely going to be able to follow no bend, no twist no lift rule as it irritates the scar on my back

-Bad news, fainted half way through lunch and didn't get to finish it. Gutted. Felt a bit dizzy then suddenly there was a sister shouting help and about five people lifting me into bed, taking pulse and blood pressure. All I could think was- get off - I want my dessert mousse and to go to the loo in that order.

I fainted after both my ops. It's the sudden fall in blood pressure after lying down plus the drugs. Horrid feeling but since you were still wanting your pudding doesn't sound too serious. Great news all round. Enjoy your DH visit. Is dd allowed in? If not maybe you can get pushed to a communal area to see her when you are a bit more up to it.

Glad that you are OK bar fainting Frosty. What a drama!
Ahh those bed pan days. No one asked me about my toiletry needs after I woke up. I asked for a bed pan in the middle of the night and I weed so much it overflowed. The nurse said she was too busy to help so after about an hour I rang the buzzer again and she shouted at me. I burst into tears saying I was concerned that my wound was lying in the urine and eventually they sorted it out. Praise the Lord you are in Germany.

Oh good - not just me fainting then. DD is allowed in but might have her stay in hospital cafe and get wheeled out to her as ward is obviously full of sick people. Not sure if hospital ward or cafe Is cleaner. They come in and disinfect twice a day on the ward.

Staff are really nice. And patient. Nurse laughed as I shouted feck shIt feck, whilst she showered me yesterday pre-op. She asked if the water was too hot and I shouted no, my fecking arse to my foot is hurting.

Bloody hell berrie what a horrid experience. At least the nurse who shouted at me yesterday came back and apologized that she was totally overwhelmed with two older people who needed everything doing and sorry for being snappy