The Back Pain Emporium is Open For Business. Browsers Welcome. Thread 7

[MatildaTheCat]

For anyone experiencing back pain it can be a terrifying 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 , 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 and say hello

Previous thread for anyone interested

Hello, DH is feeling a lot better, thank you for asking maggiso. His pain has eased considerably, and today he went to the park with the kids for a couple of hours. Just need to keep an eye on him as he thinks he's ok now and I imagine he'll be planning a bike ride in the woods or some such venture any day now. He's still taking all the meds. But I'm so relieved to see he is recovering quicker - last time this happened he was in pain for 5 weeks!
Maggiso, I'm now starting to wonder where I could fit a tiny swimming pool...

Photos as requested. Looks a little dark in the pics but you get the drift.

oh nice! Looks like a showhouse!

Hi all :)
Sorry I've been AWOL. Work has been Crazy and I've been trying to study. I have a TMA due in on Thursday and I'm so so behind!
Just wanted to update you all. I had my manipulation and spinal injections yesterday. Was asleep for it which was a nice surprise. I don't feel any difference yet which I am not allowing to depress me. But I have had a problem which you lovely people may be able to help with?

Alot of you are on or have taken naproxen yes? Have any of you had eye problems with it? Where you lose vision and get dizzy?
I stopped taking it because my vision got so bad I felt unsafe driving.
since I stopped I have had the most godawful neck and head pain. And tinnitus. Tinnitus to make you cry. Like pulsating. So bad I don't want to.move my head.
when I Google all of this what comes up is TMJD which I know I have but I thought had got better....so I guess my question is have any of you experienced anything like this while coming off naproxen or if not I guess it's more likely to be my TMJD. Which means a trip back to the Dr tomorrow and I'm sure he already thinks I'm mad and want to be ill. I wish I felt normal! I can't remember the last time I wasn't in pain..anyone who had the spinal injections how long till they started working?
Hope you're all ok. So.sorry for me me me post. It hurts.amazingly to use my phone at mo due to my neck pain

Ps Scmeegle no to dungarees!

matilda that looks absolutely gorgeous, you must be thrilled!

tickle I know, I know but it's tough. The more pregabalin I take the better they look Have never taken naproxen so can't help you there. Tinnitus is horrendous, I really feel for you.

I stopped taking naproxen because I was bruising badly ( it can interfere with clotting) but didn't get any side effects at all. Didn't really notice any difference in pain either other than my knee so now take it very intermittently.

Has the neck thing started since the GA? Not sure from what you've said. If so I would question whether your neck was at an awkward angle when you were anaesthetised.

I would see your GP. I suspect it's a separate issue. Sorry. And I think you need to allow a couple of weeks for the injections to work.

Thanks Matilda
no my headache and neck pain started the day before. Vision has been going funny for about two weeks. I shall go back to GP tomorrow, joy!

Matilda your kitchen is so lovely I even found myself telling DH I was coming round to a more modern style of kitchen when we have the extension. He would have a black shiny one if I let him whereas I am more...quirky. I love yours though...can't see the tiles properly though!
Tickle I felt I had vaseline in my eye for a few days recently which would coincide with starting Naproxen again...

That's interesting Reep I shall let you know what dr says tomorrow

I don't take Naproxin ,Tickle, but I do get pulsatile tinnitus which always seems to be worse when my neck is at its stiffest. I hope the GP can help.
Keeping my fingers crossed that you get some benefit from your manipulation and injections.
Matida your new kitchen looks really lovely, and those little tiles are very unusual. Gosh your house looks lovely and tidy. The kitchen in our new house is a bit dated but perfectly useable- and 70s style is supposed to be making a comeback...so I don't think it will be first on the list.

I luurve the tiles Matilda are they actual mother of pearl?

No sign of mouse/baby son of THE RAT. I wanted to take a picture for identification purposes. However thank you for all ideas such as getting a ninja hamster and possible underground rat empire...

Well, saw the neurosurgeon in Dublin this morning and was told I need an emergency microdiscectomy. My sister (a doctor) organised a second opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon which was the same.

Booked for surgery 8am tomorrow.

Fairly shocked right now.

But also bloody relieved there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope you're all well, I'll keep you posted!

The dungarees, or My Pregabalins as I have come to call them, will have to wait a few weeks

Good luck Schmee!
My discectomy was an emergency one. Hope it all goes well. Mine did!
Re. dungarees - the Lord moves in mysterious ways!
Let us know how you are.

Wow, that's quick, Schmeegle. Good luck and do keep us posted. In some ways I think it's easier if you are told it's necessary and that's that.

Very best wishes and will be thinking of you.

schmeegle good luck tomorrow. I agree with matilda, this way, you know for certain that you need this, that it won't get better on its own and so this operation is needed right now, no decisions to make.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow. I hope you wake feeling so much better than you do now.

Thanks a million ladies , and thanks for all the information everyone posts here. It's a great resource when you're on the flat of your back in agony in the middle of the night and you just have no clue whatsoever what to do next It's a comfort.

Yip, the decision was pretty much made once the extent of the extrusion and nerve compression was explained to me. The ankle weakness was the icing on the cake.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Can I ask those of you who had this operation, how did you find/manage the car journey home? I have a very long journey. Forgot to ask the surgeon today.

Thanks in advance.

Schmeegle, Pavlov did this exact thing after her laminectomy about six weeks ago. She wrote about it on here. Do you have a comfy car? Seat fully reclined back, regular stops and plenty of oromorph. I only had an hour and pretty much slept. Hopefully she will be along soon to tell you more.

Couple of tips in case you are a hospital novice:

Earplugs and eyemask ( hospitals never get properly dark)
iPod with music and stories
Sports water bottle
Wet wipes, lots of.
Chargers
Own pillows
Fresh smelling perfume spray
Lip balm and lots of moisturiser
Hair bands etc
Magazines

Keep your own drugs in case the staff keep you short. ( ie waiting for dr to write things up.)

Hope that helps. Very best of luck.

schmeegle yes yes to what matilda said. I had to travel from London to the deepest Darkest South West (ok, not too far, not as far as cornwall, just!). Do you have a newish car? If yes, then travel back in that - with passenger seat pushed as far back as possible for max feet room, as fully reclined as possible (i didn't want it fully back as it was not the same as a bed, but over halfway reclined).

Then, put fluffy cushions on the carseat and against the back, as many as you need to get comfy (I had three) also something to lift your feet up from the floor a little, a little bag/pillows/similar.

Before you are discharged, ask the consultant/registrar (it might not be the consultant who finally gives you the nod to go home, it may be one of his team) that you need maximum pain relief for the journey home (you might not need it, but definitely make sure you have it). They will get pharmacy to write it up, but if not, ask them to give you a small bottle of oramorph. Take the maximum dose of everything you are allowed before your journey, and then some more oramorph on route/any other meds when it's time.

Factor in several stops on the way back so you can have a wee/get out and stand straight. Ideally you should do this once every hour minimum, but in reality, you may feel comfortable and actually just want to get home, so I don't think as a one off, being in the car for just over an hour at a time will damage you greatly. Make sure whoever is with you comes into the toilet with you if you need to go, as you may feel a little faint going from standing to sitting for a couple of days post surgery, and also in case you get stuck/fall etc (you won't I am sure but just in case - use the disabled loo).

You may find that Foofighters is a bit heavy for the journey home, so gentle music is needed That's from experience, as DH put new foofighters album on and I was like 'aaaaargh can't bear it!' although I love the foos. Or, complete silence might work!

Now, if you don't have a relatively new, or comfortable car for long journeys, or you have something like a BMW 3 (?) Series which is sporty and very bouncy, then I would recommend hiring a car. We did this, and it was the best option for us, and surprisingly not hugely expensive. We got a people carrier as it meant lots of leg room in the front, seat reclined well, I could get in and out of it without either climbing up into it or ducking down, and it was a smooth comfortable ride without being jolted around.

I was actually quite worried about coming home from London as you may tell when reading some of my old posts (last thread, but not too far from the end), but actually it was fine. I was perfectly well medicated and it sort of blurred into quite a quick trip, including a burger king stop! The weather was god awful and so we stopped an extra stop as it was really badly raining and windy and DH was getting tired (he had driven 4 hours the other way already that day), but even then, it was fine (for me, maybe not for him ).

Ladies, thank you thank you thank you for all this information! I had myself worried sick all evening about this, I really appreciate it so much. In fact, I might have a wee weep to myself..... but just wee one and then I'm going to dig out that old thread and go through it forensically

Hope all goes well tommorrow Schmeegle, and you somehow manage a good sleep tonight. My friend had a microdiscectomy and has recovered very well. She runs for fun now and has almost forgotten she had a back problem.

Hi everyone, its been a while, I had my appraisal it went well, no mention of the sick time I had, they were pleased with my work and how I care for the residents. I handed myy letter into reception for the manager so should hear soon.
I am still doing my voluntary teaching assistant role and have spoke to several other tas and they all started voluntary then some did a home study in early years and supporting and teaching in class and now they are permanent, so that seems to be the way to go, do any of you know any reputable home study colleges.
Also my mum poorly with her back and neck, think its slipped disc and something called rye neck, I am not sure if the neck thing spelt correct.
I have offered to go and stay at my mum and dads to help out as my dad works full time and so does ny sister, she is a senior nurse. Its half term here so dd is off school so dont need ti worry about her missing school. They live in Worcestershire and we are northampton so cant just pop in for couple hrs every day to help.

She has been given co drydamol and 2mg diazapan, she doesn't cope to well with some meds they either knock her out or have her climbing the walls, she cant take ibrofen.
How is everyone here doing, matilda your kitchen looks lovely, very smart. Wish mine was as tidy as that.

That sounds like progress pink. Awry neck just means you wake up with your neck to one side - it goes away by itself. I've had that too. I'm not good with meds either but paracetamol is the best anyway if she is fine with that.

Good luck schmeegle - nothing wrong with a good weep. We will all be thinking of you!

Wonder how Shmeegle is...