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

Dd is going as harry potter and ds is going as Peter Pan, thanks to 25 off ssainsburys few weeks ago!

Sometimes often I am very glad my boys have frown up and left school. unless uni at masters level still counts? They ask a lot but so far no dressing up...

IMO the only thing worse was asking the children parents to make some elaborate and artistic scene made from eggs or similar. Artistic I am not.

I made a gruffalo mask and my hand is now in agony! I usually organise wbd so it's nice not to have to do it for others children now!

phew another reason to be glad we don't have kids - I'd have been rubbish at this!

Gah I've written 3 posts and all lost!

I have nhs physio today, and v glad an actual diagnosis of hms. I don't know what to expect? Hoping sympathetic. I've realised (after making a gruffalo mask) I simply can't sit on hard chairs for any length of time without looking like a contortionist.

Think it's been hidden for years as 1) my job is very physical, not much chair sitting, 2) I worked out years ago I'm 'better' with lots of exercise - not better, more can actually live. Fatigue has always been my issue, now pain too. But that's been due to pregnancy, wobbling thyroid meds (I seem to loose muscle strength very quickly and takes a while to build up) c section, low iron and I do wonder what the sertaline did. It caused issues with the thyroid meds which led to muscle loss. I do wonder if it causes issues absorbing iron or something.

Anyhow in really hoping physio is helpful. Any tips?

I'm think of writing a list of main weak areas, and ask for tens, acupuncture and if they do AT. Also, after reading posts below, any good swimming exercises. I often just tread water actually.

Hello all! I'm new here, and just read the whole thread. I'm so sorry so many of you are in such pain :(

I hope you don't mind me joining the thread. I just hurt so much, all of the time. Really don't think I can carry on like this.

The back pain has been there as long as I can remember - well over 10 years. But the last year, and last few months in particular, have been hellish.

MRIs & x-rays show bog standard DDD, herniations at L3, L4 & L5/S1. L5 is worst, but apparently not severe enough to warrant surgery.

I had facet joint injections in the whole area at the end of Jan. They helped for 3-4 days, and now I am in worse pain than ever. It's almost cruel, as started to feel what life in less pain was like - and stupidly got my hopes up :(

Over the years, I have tried everything - chiro, physio, osteo, hydrotherapy, Alexander technique lessons, acupuncture etc. I've given everything a decent go (was seeing chiro twice a week for over a year). Some of these provided short-term relief, but nothing sustaining. Dread to think how much I've spent!

Current daily medication for the last 12 months:

900mg Gabapentin, 3 x times a day (so 2700mg in total)
300mg Tramadol

• Naproxen twice a day.

It is like taking smarties now. Doesn't even take the edge off any more :(

My next appointment at the Pain Clinic (with the same specialist that did the injections) is the end of April.

Any ideas of how to approach the appointment would be very much appreciated! I don't even know what to ask for?

I'm just finding it really lonely - I don't ever moan to DP. I feel sorry for him. It must be boring living with me. I run a business (that I started so I could work around my back pain), but it is steadily failing. I know what I need to do, but cannot motivate myself to do it.

Need a severe kick up the rear, I think!

So sorry for the long post. Thank you for reading :)

Absolutely nothing of use to post EvaBeaver, but sending sympathy, very warmest wishes, and hope that your appointment can help. Am sure one of the far wiser and more experienced regulars here will offer some advice.

I'm so sorry Eva. I really don't know what to advise; I'm finding appointments so hard myself. The only extra ideas I could advise to help healing etc is have they tested vit d and iron? Both could boost healing and/ or you could be running low. With iron it's ferritin specifically.

Mine was 57 which is borderline and probably wouldn't normally be treated except I had restless legs symptoms. I tried upping with vitamins and diet, it fell to 55 so I'm on proper iron tablets. I'm sure it's helped. Vit d - rest of world has much higher doses and ranges. I read the book by the guy who discovered vit d (Horlick) and was pretty convinced it's ok and indeed nec to take more esp with illness.

I suspect this advice is a drop in the ocean for you really

Have you tried amytriptine?

Thank you Brita, your kindness is very much appreciated :)

And thank you Clarella - I know, the appointments are so hard. I'm a grown woman and I'm not stupid - but I seem to lose all my strength at appointments! And just meekly take what they say. And then leave and think of all the things I should have said :(

Want to go in with notes this time & feel properly prepared! But need to work out what to ask for?!

I have tried Amytriptyline in the past, not sure if it's any more effective than Naproxen. But maybe I didn't give it a go for long enough. Will put it on my list for the appointment, I think.

And that's really interesting about Vitamin D & Iron. I've never been tested. Hmm. I do take a multi vit. Maybe an additional supplement would help?

Off to do some research!

hi Eva, Clarella - not sure I am much help either

As regards physio I found the NHS ones pretty rubbish (newly qualified and no experience) and paid for a private one. She didn't need any help from me and has been very useful and I still do some of the exercises she recommended. The NHS appointments seemed to be just making sure I was still moving at all and although they did listen mostly had no advice.

Amytriptyline takes a while to kick in and with AT you have to keep doing it to see the benefits - sorry that's all I have. Fairly sure none of us here are athletic enough to provide kicks up bums!

Someone smarter will be along soon!

If you have 'true' deficiencies a multi vit won't do much - as I've discovered. I'd take the highest dose boots sell. And regarding iron, I didn't realise I think you can buy it over the counter? But best to check with gp first. B12 folate etc worth checking too.
I feel now, after my experiences, it's worth asking to double check these things as both can delay wound healing. If you ask for actual results you can find out whether to try improving into upper range might help a little, if, for example, you're in say mid to low range. It takes a long time to build up ferritin apparently. But chat to gp. I have hypothyroidism so these things make a big impact to the thyroid meds working but I keep thinking it must be similar for normal thyroid peeps too.

Ah well, we'll see what physio offers, sounds like nowt.

Definitely make list of pain, what can can't do, concerns and questions.

I bullet point them and type them up and hand it over now. Typed looks less 'hyperchondriacal'

Hope our physio appointment goes well Clarella. List or bullet points are a brilliant idea.
Eva I am exactly the same when speaking to a GP or specialist. Brain goes to mush, and I meekly go away! Now I always take a list of questions/points to cover - and quickly record answers, as I have a memory like a sieve especially when trying to think/remember things! I am sorry your facet joint injections did not give lasting relief. I cannot help much with what there is still to offer you, as I am fairly new to the back pain clinic - whom I have only seen for initial assessment and to order up MRIs.(I have had back pain for decades but only in recent years got GP to refer me) I take low dose amitriptyline- its supposed to help reduce nerve pain as does Gabapentin. It helps a bit and it helps make me sleepy, so if pain is only mild I get some sleep. I think there are others on here who take both (I don't).
I've tried all sorts to try to self manage as you have. I go to a chiropractor regularly (but as you say it doesn't last long term), do pilates, and have all sorts of pain patch devices (except the most expensive) and loads of special back/seat cushions! I guess I have spent far more than I should on trying to improve life with back pain. I think Matilda has a therapeutic massage physio who helps. I use a vit D mouth spray (and a sublingual B spray) as I struggle with swallowing tablets. I also think magnesium ( via weekly soaks in epsom salts baths) is helpful to reduce tightened muscles if that is adding to difficulties- some medications such as tummy protectors and antacids, corticosteroids and antibiotics can deplete magnesium apparently. I don't know of a test to check for magnesium deficiency, although if you are deficient using a magnesium oil spray on you body - stings (guess how I found that one out!). Baths don't. But these things are only little things - but lots of little things combined can make a difference. I do hope the pain clinic can help.

Many apologies Clarella - that came from my own experience obviously and NHS is very different in differents parts of the country. Your physio could be great - didn't mean to put the wind up you honest!

Just saw the GP yesterday about my neck and got an x-ray this morning (NHS drop in place) where I only waited about 20 minutes. In my book that was excellent service and I didn't have to play the BUPA card at all. Gives me hope for the NHS.

Maggison have you tried AT too? Sorry if this is a repeat conversation but I have no brain! Its not a cure but I do find it helpful (as you say - little things together).

Hello everyone. Had a stupidly busy couple of days with too much sitting, walking and travelling. Also too much eating and drinking. However all lovely things but wish they weren't all together. Took some diazepam with usual stuff at bedtime and think it did improve my state this morning. Now attached to a boiling hottie and a glass of wine.

Eva, sorry you are in such pain. One tip I have gleaned is that good old paracetamol greatly enhances the effects of opiates so that would be worth taking alongside your tramadol. If you need a bit more help I take cocodamol 30/500 x2 three times a day plus mid morning I take a tramadol 150mg slow release which definitely gives me a needed top up. If I'm struggling after that I can have a dose of oromorph or diazepam but don't actually need to do that too often.its reassuring to have them, though. I know what you mean about trying not to complain too much but I was told this week that it is entirely obvious when I'm in bad pain because I just can't keep still.... And I thought I was so stoic!

God luck with physio Clarella. I've had tons of nhs physio and some of them have been fantastic even if they had to discharge me in the end due to total failure to recover. I have another specialist physio who injects my knees each year and I trust her more than most doctors.

Hope everyone is comfortable,has a and a cheery weekend.

Thanks Matilda! I am pretty cheery actually. Got home from work and DH had replaced the busted dishwasher with a second hand BOSH for £50 and DD was watching Maleficent with Angelina Jolie and commented that she looked a bit like Mummy I will happliy leave you with the idea that this is an accurate observation give or take 4 stone
I attracted WAAAAY too much attention in my world book day outfit - the demon dentist. I was horribly uncomfortable with it and the funny thing is it is something I didn't know about myself! I guess people are used to seeing me in a loose frock, opaques and boots (fly London of course) and minimal makeup. Yesterday I had my legs out and heels, an up do sprayed white and grotesque lips and eye brows on a white face with white lab coat and a wide belt.
Have a nice evening everyone.

Wow,sounds like an excellent effort. Unlike the person who sent her child dressed as Christian Grey.

where did everyone go?

Everyone has been cured??!!

I'm here, sulking that I have no lovely plans for the day. Need incentive to get up and find an activity which is not cleaning up. Or ironing < angrily views large accumulated pile. DH going away tomorrow and will want things. Pah!>

How are you, Ally? Good weekend? Anyone else about? Give me ideas to fill my day not wasting time on mumsnet chat.

cured!

I have a clear day too - putting off cleaning and putting a washing on as can't be bothered - not even showered yet! My OH is trained to do his own ironing so I only have a wee pile of mine (he's better at it anyway).

Not bad weekend but suffered during our meal out - fortunately just us 2 as we had to rush and get the bill, pay and run for a taxi as my back caved in. I used to think its the leaning forward to eat but as it doesn't always happen am thinking height of table - maybe take a tape measure! Wasn't even that good a meal! I'll just cook next weekend and we will stay in where its safe (and I can have my plate under my gob!)

Busy sunny weekend I imagine Ally. We have been cleaning and gardening - I'm using the royal we here. I was more on making tea/ taking photos duties, but am still stiff and sore.
Berrie your outfit sounds lovely despite the demonic make up. Ds enjoyed the book day, and it sounds like almost every one joined in. He had a school trip earlier in the week to has been relaxed and happy this weekend. Our new house came with a sit on grass mower (tiny tractor) and ds has been itching to have a go. After DH sorted out how to work it, Ds had a go and was entranced. We did not put the cutter down (too early, and thought it best to learn un armed so to speak), but lawn is now covered in wiggly lines from the roller. He is delighted and we are pleased he managed to cope with clutch, accelerator and steering wheel.
Matilda I hope you are benefiting from a less busy time.
Hope everyone had a reasonable weekend.

lol maggiso I'd like a shot on that myself!

It was sunny here too but mostly raining .. we got rid of the garden both sides and now just paved and chipped (my back was never going to manage that and OH not interested)

Am at least clean and dressed now so that's progress!

Oh I love it when the garden begins to wake up. Ihave shoots and bulbs appearing and planted a new olive and magnolia last week I didn't, someone did.

The lawn looks like a rugby pitch after a long season of international games all courtesy of one dog who tears down the garden and skids to a halt at the end.. I'm done with grass seed, turf will be the way to go.

Sadly it's grey today. I've done a pile of ironing and now deserve a a rest. I have a parcel to collect from the PO. Don't recall ordering anything so any guesses?

Sure its a parcel Matilda - could be a registered letter - last time mine was for hubby telling him he'd won something in the Halifax savers draw .... sadly only £100 lol

Done the washing and dusted a bit - time for feet up I say