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

Wow schmeegle now your talking I love dungarees with a black tee maybe.??

Ooh, I'm cross, I've missed a shopping chat because I was, guess what, out shopping. I'm a serious shopping addict. Every Saturday afternoon my lovely friend collects me and takes me into town ( live very near an excellent shopping town) and we shop.actually we spend a lot of time each week returning the impulse purchases made the week before. She then carries all my purchases. We have coffee and a biscotti and people watch and natter. I love it.

Today have bought a very orange top from M&S with 20% off all clothing. Side zip jeggings, ( never believed I would buy these but actually just stretchy jeans), two beach cover ups and two birthday presents so a jolly good haul. Most unusually no returns will be made.

I made a rule recently to only buy things if I have nothing like it already. It's encouraged me to move away from grey cashmere . Now, I need some clarity on the 33 items. How does it work? Details please!

Re holiday insurance, I have investigated this. Obviously have an ehic card for Europe so you can get basic medical care for free. With my regular insurance my back is simply not covered. This doesn't worry me much because it's a chronic condition and I've never needed emergency treatment as such. Hahaha, I'm going on holiday quite soon. Very excited. Nearly three weeks in the Far East a mix of visiting family and short trips away from base. Hence buying holiday clothing. I ordered a load of swimwear and tried it all at home. As an experiment I went low end (tesco), mid (m&s) and higher (bravissimo) to see if there was much difference. I've ended up with a mix of all three. So no more swimwear required.

schmeegle surely just very gentle pottering right now? And plenty of rest. How's the pain?

kitten, hi and deep commiserations. I lost a tooth recently due to grinding. It's a bummer. What's more I do it in the day, probably pain and med related so a night guard no use really. I try to use Alexander Technique which does help a lot. It's also very good for necks so I'm going to link you to This brilliant website and highly recommend doing this and even having some sessions. I was lucky enough to get eight one to one sessions on the nhs but now pay to keep it up because it's so good. Plus who can complain about being told to lie down ?

Is this a place I can talk about my neck problem or is it strictly for the lower down issues?

I think I have unstable vertebrae in my neck. I damaged my neck one night, just woke up in pain after hearing a snap and I couldn't move it for ages. Stupidly I didn't seek help because I assumed it would heal. Then when it didn't I sort of got used to coping with it. I felt for ages like something in my neck was stuck. I used to shake my head like a dog trying to free it, and I stretched my neck so much that a chiropractor I saw said that I could turn my neck so far I was almost a barn owl! I think one of the experts I saw fixed the original problem, she said that all the adjusting I tried to do had left me with, can't remember the exact word, hyperactive (?) joints in my neck. Around this time the muscles in my neck started seizing up, and I was told this was my neck trying to protect itself - not sure if I believe that.

My current issue is that sometimes my neck snaps on the side and I get headaches and feel a lot of pressure in my head and neck. Other times it's the back of my neck or even my upper back. I feel really bad until I get something in my neck or upper back (spine area) to 'release'.

If some of that sounds very articulate it may explain why my GP doesn't take me seriously and won't refer me for any kind of scan. His advice was to buy a firm pillow. This is an issue that overshadows every day of my life. If anyone has any advice at all I'd love to hear it. Thanks! (And if this isn't relevant to your thread apologies!)

*hypermobile, not hyperactive

Gatorade hi and of course you are welcome. Actually there are a few neck sufferers around. Not really my thing I'm afraid but I do highly recommend the AT link I've done above as being fab for realigning spines and especially necks. Sorry about your GP, how annoying. Can you see someone else and say you need a diagnosis and therefore need a bloody scan?

Gatorade I agree with Mat above. You need a scan.

For any of you who have had discectomies, how long did you keep wearing TEDs?

Thanks.

Hello, I've been recommended this thread from my panicky severe muscle pain one, and just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to advise me, I feel much less worried and am about to give the AT constructive rest a go - wish me luck, it might be a cold night on the floor if I don't make it up

Thank you. I have decided to change GP on Monday. I didn't want to be disloyal to my current GP which is so daft because he has been useless to me on the last three major issues I saw him about.

Sorry for the stupid question, but is there a certain type of scan to request? It's just my current GP would always ask exactly what I wanted and why (and then tell me no...) so I feel I have to be ultra prepared for any appointment!

Having a rough time at the minute. Lots of stress and worrying. Went on a pain management thingy organised by the pain management team. It was a group session dealing with pain with a clinical psychologist. Now I have to go to another one which is three hours long. No idea how I sm going to manage sitting for that length of time. I struggle sitting for more than ten minutes. But it was interesting

A few days ago I got what I think is a trapped nerve in my neck/shoulder. I can't move my head without extreme pain and I have a gnawing pain going all down my arm and have tingly fingers. Tried diazepam which helped a little. As did oramorph. It just doesn't seem to be going away. Any ideas please?

On a plus note I have treated myself to a new car. As much as I loved my performance car. It just didn't help my back pain at all. So I have had to grow up and sell my baby and get rid of my girl racer days and become practical but it is very lovely

TEDs, just a few days as not totally immobile. Was also given an anti clotting injection at hospital no 2.

Gatorade, reading all your symptoms it is a tricky one. An MRI will show up all the structures such as bones, discs and nerves so if you had a disc pressing on a nerve for example it could be helpful but tbh that doesn't sound like your problem. Have you seen a physio? The explanation re muscles protecting an area is, indeed what happens. Very common in lower back injuries. The muscular spasm is often more painful than the injury so not of no consequence. Write it all down and ask for a referral to someone for an opinion. Necks are so painful and complicated.

Msdj, I, too found the pain management course interesting. There certainly is a place for psychology in pain management. Learning to let the Gorilla into your house sort of thing! I'm sure they will move you around over three hours. My group was a wriggly lot, me most of all. They are used to it. I'm meeting up with my lot tomorrow after more than a year since the group finished. I think we actually realised with hindsight how much we had enjoyed the course. It was ten mornings altogether so quite a lot.

Swear, hope you've managed to get up from the floor . Did you enjoy your rest? Keep it up daily, it does help.

For anyone who can find the right person, a good release massage is a fantastic thing. Someone trained in rehab and injury.

Schmeegle - I have a possible stroke on my records as well as 2 surgeries for oral cancer and a host of other annoying chronic conditions - mere back surgery is fine as long as you declare it on insurance and as Matilda points out you can ask for it to NOT be covered anyway as we are unlikely to have an incident on hols. I have the EHIC card and fingers crossed as last insurance was nearly as much as the holiday and that was before "tonguegate" . We are only going to Yorkshire so far this year so should be ok there!

Welcome gatorade - I too am struggling with neck issues and like you have been moving it around to "crack" it which relieves it a little. Maybe stop that . I'll be watching to see what advice people have for you. Msdj - more neck suffering. Does sound like a trapped nerve which should get better but I'm new to all this neck stuff myself. Stress probably not helping.

What's a TED? Am guessing I didn't get one whatever it is - should I be annoyed?

Off to do some RL shopping now so probably not get anything - online is more reckless lol.

ah swear I see you are here already - I like the AT too

Thanks Mat.

Ally TEDs are those compression tights they make you wear after surgery. I'm sure you did get them, but were called something else.

Hello lovely lot!
Its been a while since I've been here, sorry.
Matilda how lovely to have a holiday coming up soon! I swear my holiday in Corfu in August is keeping me more positive.
I cannot wait.
I am one week post steroid injections and still in pain so am going to start some pilates and a daily walk.
My Mum came over yesterday and I was explaining that we have hired a cleaner as, when I get home from work, all I can do is lie flat and I just want to spend time with my children. It's not fair on my husband to have to do everything so we have hired and cleaner every fortnight to do the big jobs.
My Mum said to me "Surely you should be more mobile?"
I work 5 days a week, 9 hours a day. I'm pretty fucking mobile! It's when I get home I'm not
Pilates would help though I'm sure. And luckily there is a call 30 seconds away from work. It's like a sign.

How are you all? Schmeegle hope you're recovering well. I can't remember the name of the poster who was suffering from post pregnancy SPD but I suffered with that through 2 of my 3 pregnancies and it's a horrible thing to have to live with. My problem now is lower back pain (probably not helped by weakened muscles from SPD) and coccydynia
Anyway, happy Sunday everyone

Hi

Do any of you suffer from back pain and still manage to work? If so what work do you do and how do you manage?
Do you take pain killers regularly to cope?
Can you manage any sort of family life after work?

I've suffered from intermittent back pain for years and am now thinking of returning to work. My pain is activity related and the more walking/standing or sitting in wrong posture brings on pain. I'm very worried if/how I'll manage.

Saga I work full time.
I work in an office, I have a special coccyx cushion and get up at least once an hour. I take tramadol, naproxen, amitrptyline and paracetamol for pain relief. When I get home I'm worse than useless, I'm very lucky that I have a DH who is very understanding and does most of the physical stuff.
What work would you be doing? I won't lie, sometimes I wonder how I will carry on...

But of a random question but I think I might need to change my car. While I absolutely love it, it does not have a great driving position even though it has all sorts of built in lumbar controls etc.

Essentially, the seat sits too low to the ground in it and I think I would be much better off in a seat that was more upright.

Any ideas?

Doesn't have to be massive, just have 2 kids.

Thanks

And too all of you out there who manage to hold down a job while suffering from chronic back pain, hats off to you, you're incredible!

Thanks Schmeegle how are you feeling? Hope you're recovering well .

We have a Vauxhall Zafira which is probably too big for you but had an adjustable seat which is good. So maybe a smaller Vauxhall?

Well I did make it up from the floor, but it was touch and go! I think when I'm less rigid then it will help massively. I'm perfecting the zombie walk quite nicely atm. Thinking about cars, no model in mind, but was once told by a chiropractor that you should aim not to have your hips lower than your knees when driving, and to pump the lever as high as you can on your seat. Hope that doesn't sound condescending!

Just changed to a new Honda CRV which I love but is stupidly big for me and the dog! High seats, heated seats and generally very smooth. Auto,of course. Highly recommend a test drive.

Yes, hats off to those who work. Disability rights do mean employers must make adjustments, though ie rest times, standing desks and special chairs.

Thanks tickle.
It would be an office job. I haven't worked since my back problems started. It's due to having an extra bone in one side of spine so causes imbalance.
I don't know if I'm being pathetic.
Feel like I should give it a to then resign if I can't manage.
Also worry that after work I'll have no "back capacity" left to play with dd, cook or anything.
It's encouraging to hear that you do manage to work. Do you take medication daily?
Thanks

Well you're NOT being pathetic! Chronic pain is utterly exhausting. I do take all the medication daily or I wouldn't manage.
I don't tend to have to cook as both ds's ate in after school club if DH is working so will have tea there. If DH is home he does it. Try and if you can't do it then you can't do it. I adore my job which keeps me going. If I didn't I think I would have left. The love for it keeps me going. I am attempting a degree as well but struggle alot with that.
I have to do the first two years in my own time but am then hoping to ask my work to Sponsor me so I would get time off for study. Its something I really want to do though, and if it wasn't so important to me there is no way I could do it.

Would part time work be possible? So you could have time to rest as well. I have guilt about my children all the time. I'm lucky that they're older so understand but my 6 yo does often say to me "I wish you'd never fallen down the stairs. Then you wouldn't have a bad back"

I was working part-time but just gave up (but then I am 57 so don't feel too guilty ). I spin out the house stuff (changing bed, washing, etc) and manage most of it eventually.

I had a Chevy Spark for 4 years and now have a Hyandai i10 which is quite comfy though I never go very far in it (you can pump the seat up).

Swearby the AT has a great method of getting down to and up from the floor - not sure you can learn it other than personal demonstration. I'd come round and show you but I am the Scottish contingent