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

God. Never thought about the medication/driving scenario. Another thing to worry about!

It seems many if us are having low moments these last few days, whether it's fear of current pain or fear of pain returning, anxiety about trying to do things and go places that maybe we aren't really able to at the moment.

It's tough.

My DH has been a great support to me. Today however I know he's just as fed up as I am. It sucks. The kids are acting up and the house is a mess. I wish I had a magic wand.

I'm 11 days post microdiscectomy today. Feeling good generally but have to fight the rising panic with every little twinge and ache in my legs. I'm trying to focus on the fact that while i may be experiencing some pain and twinges where i didn't have them before, I am in a much better place than i was pre op.

That's my life raft and I'm going to cling to it!!

schmeegle what is microdisectomy? yes let's keep clinging on your right it hurts bit not as bad as it was before.

Pancakes, sorry, I've glanced back but can't remember your problems? Yes it's true a lot of our meds will be listed but I feel that I can tell when I am safe to drive. Mostly I am. Yesterday no. I don't drive after diazepam or oromorph ( for a few hours). I don't think there will be finite lists because different people do need different doses etc though I may be wrong.

I do think common sense prevails here. Being very rural would, for me be massively hard.

We love being rural but i do take 80 mg of zomorpha day and 20mg ofdiazepam a daytoo which areon the so called band lists! Morphine is inculded in any form. I will have to ask for anemengency gp phine call and taper down down if need be. The dvla haveasked the gps for anyonewho ison any form of benzoad otherdrugs. Seems bonkers asyou do gain a tolerance tothese things!!!! Wankers.

I have been taking three different morphine tablets for two years now. Does anyone know the long term effects other than addiction? Can they be harmful as well as helping pain?

kitten it's where they remive a bit of a herniated dusc in your soibe that's pressing on a nerve. Mine was in my lower back, L5S1, pressing on and actually stuck to my sciatic nerve.

I'll probably have nerve damage so I'm moderating my post-op expectations accordingly

I'm afraid I don't know much about medications so can't offer any advice on that front.

Anyone going to watch the rugby today?!

Typos galore.

Apologies.

Here are the government guidelines on the new Drug Driving laws effective from March 2015.

Unfortunately they are pretty unhelpful. The crux of the matter is that the drugs must be prescribed to you and you must not be unfit to drive. How this is to be evaluated is not made clear. I do not drive if I have taken diazepam or oromorph at least for a few hours. They make me drowsy. Sometimes I feel a bit drowsy after my usual meds, mostly not. I still feel safe in that I know I need to concentrate hard and only drive short distances anyway. I think this is going to be tricky to police. Hopefully we all have the sense not to drive if we are feeling off our heads on drugs.

msdj I've googled long term morphine use and addiction/ dependency do seem to be the most widely reported issues. One study reported better mood in those who had used morphine for over a year and had good pain control. . Who'd have guessed it?

Had an awful car journey yesterday followed by a meal in a restaurant with hard wooden chairs chosen by ds1 . So expected to feel rubbish today but so far so so-so. Have been madly shampooing carpets with some success using borrowed machine which is quite easy to push. Top tip, allow neither animals nor children into your house. The are filthy creatures.

Another newbie saying hello, if that's ok?

Two herniated discs at L4/L51, and some ligament damage, and attendant referred pain in quadricep. Not very sure how I did it - sometime last summer initially, with recurring episodes, which I don't fully understand. Doesn't the disc just desiccate, and thus stop pressure on the nerve? I had physio and went to an osteo - found the former more effective tbh, but was discharged by him in December.

Subsequently have had 3 nasty episodes of increasingly acute pain - 100mg diflocenac and co-codamol not proving very effective, but numbing the hell out of the area with ice packs seemed to be only way of getting relief then starting to move after 48 hours or so of bed rest. Dr has now prescribed cellebrex and diazepam, which I am keeping in reserve for any future bad patches.

I realise that I am very fortunate to not be in constant pain as I realise other regulars here are, so please forgive my moaning as frankly at the moment it's mostly bearable. I just feel confused as to why the problem hasn't resolved after several months, and desperately want to be able to re-engage with physical activities I enjoy (e.g. I really like hiking but have been told to stop walking downhill). Is this a feature of age (mid-forties)? I'm trying to just keep the exercise gentle and have been told to try BET Pilates - any thoughts on that? And to work on static core strengthening exercises...

I am sorry if this sounds a bit 'quality problem'-ish; I would hate to alienate any of you by whinging on, but feel a bit low and don't really know when I can expect my back to get better. Any wisdom would be much appreciated, thank you.

Hi Brit!

From my experience, and my issue was in the same area as yours, I would be very very careful to watch for any deterioration.

In hindsight, my injury occurred last year, was stable for a while and began to go downhill in the weeks before Christmas. I wasn't aware of the gravity of my symptoms until one day over Christmas my 'bearable' pain instantly descended into agony and I was completely immobile until my microdiscectomy two weeks ago.

If it's bearable atm then happy days. Please God the offending dusc will shrink or whatever amd you'll feel the benefits. If you feel for a second it's getting worse then act on it and get the very best advice you can.

There are many more ladies here with much more knowledge than me but this is just my tuppence worth!

Hello Brit, it is indeed a very imprecise science this disc prolapse thing. Some people seem to get disc bulges which gradually resolve ( you, perhaps?) but are very prone to re-bulging at the least provocation. Eventually, IME they will prolapse so badly eventually that it doesn't self resolve until it does, eventually and painfully dehydrate thus removing the pressure from the nerves.

AN experiment did MRIs on a large number of nurses and apparently about 50% had disc prolapses or bugles but few had symptoms. So I suppose it's possible that the bulges don't subside but for some reason the pain does? Since we dont get MRIs each time our condition changes we can only guess. (And be glad). Are you mainly getting back pain or leg symptoms? I would second Pilates but only with a rehab expert and done one to one or in a very small group. I'm lucky because I have just such a person who does 45 minutes massage then 30mins Pilates which is very tailored to my injury.

Keep posting and welcome to our group.

brit just quick (ha! Me, not quick ever) post to say we don't do competitive whinging, we are all experts at it so you will not be alienated. We are also experts at support, advice, handholding, Internet shopping, wine

Will post properly later.

competitive whinging!

Thank you all for your welcome, kind words and carte blanche to whinge!

schmeegle - thanks for the heads up. I think with hindsight, I ignored the niggles for weeks on end last year and no doubt exacerbated the injury by carrying on gaily regardless until the point of horrible pain... and now I have scared myself stupid that it might not go away. But I'm very grateful that at the moment it seems to be a bit better, and I need to appreciate that and be very careful in the meantime. The pattern seems to be two or three days of horrible pain, then an easing to not so horrible pain and then relief with the odd 'reminder'... but whether this is healing or respite, I don't know?

Is the microdisectomy done via keyhole surgery? And do you feel it has worked? (-BIG question, perhaps you aren't yet in a place to judge that yet?)
Sending you warm wishes for your recovery and hope for relief from the pain.

Matilda, thank you very much for the information and advice. I have been doing 'ordinary' Pilates in a small group, but although my teacher has been adapting for me I think I need to stop and start the one-one rehab stuff... horrified at the cost of this. Got an appointment with physiotherapist Pilates practitioner for Friday, but heard that the session will be just over £100 for 45 minutes (no NHS where I live) so am desperately hoping my medical insurance will cover. My pain is in both back and leg, with the leg pain sometimes more acute - but it is on and off, rather than continuous, so I realise that I am lucky and v much hope it will not deteriorate (blind optimism, perhaps!)

Pavlov am liking the idea of wine and shopping... and whinging in good company, thanks!

Do you know how your back injuries/problems started? I really can't pinpoint what I did or how, which I find a bit strange, but maybe that's an age/degeneration thing?

May I ask if others have tried hydrotherapy - and if its worth paying for it (expensive)? I am a member of a spa (just for the moment - I will not be able to renew as I got a very special offer which is unlikely to be repeated now it is not new!!) There is no NHS hydrotherapy where I live (the one and only facility closed down), but there is a private one at the other end of the county where I could get assessed and a few teaching sessions . I was wondering if once I've been shown what exercises to do, would be suitable to take on alone in my local spa (until my membership expires in May), or if its not something to do without a therapist.
I am afraid to do too much until I get my MRI to assist diagnosis. I seem to be doing not too badly at present with regular pilates and balance work(I started with 1:1 a few years back but now join a class and pick and choose my level to avoid injury). Mostly back only hurts if I move - but also if I sit or stand for more than a few minutes so I have to move - leg pain usually only on sitting at present (touch wood) so I don't want to worsen things and get back to not being able to sleep/eat/work and constant horrible leg pain.
As I have limited funds would it be best to pay for AT instruction or hydrotherapy? (I think my problem is spondylolisthesis at L5/S1 with mild scoliosis, but have not had an MRI yet. (Xray several decades ago showed spondylolisthesis _ I may have the wrong technical word as there are so many similar words, but the pictures on google match. I also have upper back issues since my teens. Everything is therefore on hold until x months ( its been 4 so far waiting for MRI - its not urgent.
On the subject of things getting better - well I go through subacute phases for a few months and then it settles down to 'the grumbles'. However my grumbles are worse than they used to be - so I am getting rather fed up with it. I was hoping seeing the chirporactor regularly would help. And is has in some ways - I don't get the really acute miserable phases I once got so I should be grateful! But I don't think I can advise others because I am neither fully fixed or fully broken IYKWIM.
Hope others are having a better than average day - but not overdoing it (looks at Pavlov, Matilda and Schmeegle amongst others).
Brit that Pilates 1:1 does sound a bit expensive, but its a few years since my 1:1 and I was lucky to get a reduced rate because I was not able to work at that stage (another health condition). Looking back it was worth it, as I am in a better state than back then. Hope your insurance pays up!!

Brit, that is expensive. I pay £45 an hour which is very good value and she's really good ( works with the England rugby team) so it might be worth shopping around. I've been going weekly for two years so doubt the insurance would cover that.

Re leg pain,this is nerve pain. Also commonly coupled with numbness, pins and needles, burning sensations and many more delightful problems. The good news is that specific meds like amitriptyline and gabapentin are really effective at controlling this pain. Note the word control. With pain this is the best you can hope for from meds. It's called Pain Management for a reason. So if this becomes a long term problem do ask about trying one or both. They can safely be combined with other meds like naproxen, paracetamol, codeine and tramadol. Then you rattle but are more comfortable.

In all honesty I think you are right to be concerned about these acute episodes becoming a chronic problem. In my case this happened and I was super fit, had abs of steel and swam long distances. I was unlucky. I also cannot pinpoint any specific thing I did to start it off. Many of us on here do not fit the stereotypical 'bad back'( how I hate that phrase) image. I was slim, active and health conscious yet it happened anyway.

And whinging is totally fine. Don't apologise. It sucks and we know it.

Ps can you say where you are? I have family in the Far East. They are Brits in Asia, too!

Mags hello, how are you? < goes to the naughty step as has indeed done too much and now on the oromorph >

Hydrotherapy. I belong to a private gym and was a keen swimmer so exercising in a useful way in the water made sense. I asked one of the attached physios ( she was also a Pilates and swimming instructor) to come to the pool with me and devise a set of exercises. She wrote them all out and I laminated the sheet. I then incorporated them into short swim sessions and have done it on my own ever since. It's not quite the same as hydro, I suppose but it's perfectly adequate. I do Pilates,too and now incorporate some of those exercise into my routine. It feels nice and also purposeful.

Incidentally I thin have a lovely jacuzzi and a steam. If it's not too busy I do my Alexander Technique constructive rest in the steam. That's really nice.

Hi Matilda. Thanks for the reply , but sorry you have overdone it. I really joined the spa for the steam room (dodgy lungs) and I've used the steam room for constructive rest too. Its also a bit too hot for me sitting up - I know never happy! However even better are the heated (yes!) benches, although they are not flat - reclining benches for those that read, (most just relax) so its not quite a proper rest, but they are jolly lovely and very popular. I usually sneak in to have a warm up on one early before my pilates class if one is free - in my gym kit. Come to think of it my better spell might coincide with my spa membership (tries to convince myself it was not profligate to join).
Sounds like it might be worth getting a hydro assessment and a couple of therapy sessions booked. I have got a few ideas from the internet. My POTs is less troublesome in water, but I have a long way to go before I can swim for fitness (and the spa pool is only tiny - about 2 strokes long)! I am still interested in getting a swimming spa/ endless pool - if we can sort out the finances- which has peeked my interest in hydrotherapy. (It might just be too costly as the prices quoted are starter prices - the spa jets and heating might be extra and are essential. I am hoping it would be not just good for Dh and I (both with dodgy backs and worn out joints, but for autistic DS who has quite a lot of sensory seeking behaviours water seems to calm ( and he is getting too big and squashes/hurts me when he hugs me now so I am looking for gentler ways to meet his sensory needs).

That pool idea sounds like heaven "Maggs" - I'm sure I'd never leave it - hope you can work out the finances for it . I can't swim (terrified) but I could handle that I think

Alright you lot?
Looking forward to World Book Day? Sigh. I hate dressing up. Bah humbug! I am going as Miss Root - the Demon Dentist. DD says I need white stilettos but that would finish me off for SURE! As it is I have a white lab coat, white face paint, white hair spray and a drill! I am sure that I will break out on spots following the face paint as even normal makeup makes my skin bad.Oh well!
I was a bit naughty yesterday. DD had an appointment at the hospital to get the results of her nuclear kidney scan and we nipped into town afterwards instead of going straight back to school to get bits for my costume. I couldn't have gone by myself but although the children don't usually count as my safe person I found that since we were already out I could do it!
DD is going as Hermione again and thankfully DS doesn't have to do that anymore at his new school.

Should clarify! I wasn't at work yesterday - it was only DD who was missing school (and it was lunchtime) Looks round for skiving police...

World book day? Never heard of it - it this because I don't have kids? I don't do dressing up so glad I'm not involved

Yes Ally...it's a school thing which is why I have to do it too.
I am not looking forward to driving to work looking so silly. Hope I don't break down...there will be no time to apply the face and hair once I get there
NEXT time though. I am going to choose a character which requires the purchase of a long blonde wig. I rather fancy that!

Ah, world book day. Gotta love it. DD2 was flirting with the idea of Minnie the Minx but I couldn't find a black and red stripy t shirt for love nor money (that could be shipped here, anyway) so she now quite fancies going as Willy Wonka. Far easier, obviously....

maggiso, my DM has had great success using hydrotherapy for a leg injury and am sure would recommend it, so hope it works out for you. matilda, hope today is better after the over-exertion? Have sent you a pm, btw!

Tried to persuade ds to go as Tintin (using his own clothes- he's got the right colouring, and flicked up hair is easy), but he wanted to go as a dalek (not a book but he doesn't understand- another class mates is going as Dr Who) then changed to Harry Potter- which is at least a book. I had ordered a cloak from an online store (DS is a tall teen in a SN school) with expected delivery yesterday but they delayed dispatch and eventually via a lot of chasing from me said they were out of stock, so I rushed about locally to get a cloak that is a bit short (its age 10!), and not as nice, but better than nothing -I hope. Ds has yet to see it as he was at respite last night. I then drove out of a one way street from the car park and drove onto the wrong side of the road! Its several weeks since I drove in France so goodness knows why - except DH was there. Fortunately a patient delivery driver waited till I sorted myself out! I can't even blame meds as I avoid when driving. Perhaps its the early(med induced) dementia!