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

I am making an orange and passion fruit cake

Wow, that's a great loss. My mum and aunt have done the 5:2 and lost a LOT of weight, aunt in particular who was quite overweight. I still can't get used to the new slimline version! The good news is that they have both maintained their loss. Having said that they still have fast days and were also both 'good' on non fast days. Some people seem to think it's ok to gorge on non fast days. Uncle who was really very overweight, still is . Think there must have been some extras being eaten there.. I tried and kept losing and gaining the same few pounds. Re the Sloop maybe call them because I've no idea what that means.. Any B&B in the area will give you an idea of the place.

I was in bad pain last night so took a dose of oromorph at bedtime then couldn't sleep well at all which was annoying. Surely supposed to knock you out a bit . Seems a bit better this morning but that's always the way. The day goes on and it gets worse.

Finally, is anyone watching Critical on Sky 1?? It's brilliant if not for the squeamish. Best thing I've watched for ages and no one to talk to about it. available on catch up. Episode 4 tonight. Can't wait.

Sorry - we don't have sky...
I can't sleep well after opiates either. They make me all jittery. Sorry you are having a crappy time.
Are you suggesting I shouldn't have too much of my lovely cake?

Not till thursday Berrie. Lol I hate emails you can't understand - no idea what that means other than free this weekend.

I am watching that Matilda but not really getting into it. Very odd.

I have a drug hangover today if there is such a thing - feeling sick and headachy so ... probably take more drugs!

Berrie, I am suggesting you send me a large slice of your delicious cake to help with your weight loss.

Ally, No! But he's so hot [hot flush emoticon], though even I did wince a bit at the last episode. Hard core medical drama.

Bleurrgh - you can have it all!
Now if it had been called a marmalade cake instead of an orange, almond and passion fruit cake I would never have made it. I am not sure why I didn't expect a cake in which you boil and the puree whole oranges to taste of marmalade though.
I do like marmalade though - just on my toast where it belongs.
I say again - Bleurrgh!

I didn't think it was possible to make a horrible cake! Berrie you have clearly invented something haha

We are hard core Matilda - we love zombie and vampire stuff so seeing heads chopped off etc is normal for us ... not sure I'd like it in rl but hard core tv gore is fine

Walking Dead then Ally?
Not sure if that which we watched last night was the season finale or not. Know we are up to date now which is annoying!

Good news Matilda, but horrid you had to wait so long! As Berrie says it's must be bitter sweet. I hope getting that settled you can relax a bit now. Well done Berrie for the weight loss and surviving work assessments and all the other major stresses at once.

OK you lot?
I am off to work in a mo. Am just drinking a tumeric, lemon and ginger tea. I made it my self so it has chunks of ginger and tumeric in it which I have to keep spitting back into my mug! I am not sure that I will make it again but ordered some tumeric root as I read it was going to transform me into a health goddess
Anyway...just a quick question - do you ever get needling sensations on/under the skin. I have always imagined they were new stretch marks growing but since I am shrinking rather than growing and they are still happening I am wondering if they are nerve related. Still shouldn't complain - they have kicked me into being able to diet!
shuffles off to tip disgusting tumeric tea down sink

Sorry, yes, for me the pinprick stuff is, indeed nerve related. My shin is particularly bad for this. I sleep with one leg hanging out of the duvet. In fact last night DH asked why I was doing this and I was very that he hadn't noticed this in three years. [grinn]. What an attentive DH.

I've also read about the transformative effects of turmeric. It would be a good thing if there were a capsule since I don't like it much and the thought of turmeric tea makes me want to heave.

Enjoy the day. Btw where is the pinprick thing happening? Might be something different for you.

Waves to everyone else and feels happy because it is spring.

bookmarking as I keep losing you. Feeling glum as pain has returned with a vengeance, and today in particular has been hugely painful in my right leg, can't weight bear on it really without it causing shooting pains through my butt/hip and down the leg, walking well, ouch. So, not really been up for much chatting as I am mostly feeling miserable thoughts, but am popping in to read.

berrie re local accommodation, not sure I am the best to advise, as, living relatively locally, we don't tend to visit overnight to South Hams areas, but, I can probably tell you if a place should not be visited I do like the look of that basic campsite, but that's might kind of camping, I am not hugely into entertainment and men dressed in giant bear outfits charging for children to have photos with them. I like space for running (not me, obviously), ball playing, scooter/bike riding, scenery, and importantly being allowed to either have a fire pit, or bring a raised fire pit, as camping is best with a fire.

Hi Berrie - campervan is bigger than ice cream van! It's a Fiat Ducato base, but with the body on it. Very like this - m.chelstononline.co.uk/view.asp?ID=8781 I love it! Best of both worlds in that we get to use it but didn't have to buy! :)
I wholeheartedly recommend getting one!!!

Matilda I can get the needling anywhere from the neck down but not really my back. I became suspicious this week though when it was just in my left leg and arm.
Pav I have been thinking about you. Sorry you are having a rotten time. I just want you to have some time off and rest but I know it isn't as simple as that. We love a bit of wild camping and a spidery toilet/shower! Having said that - if we go for any longer than a week then we like a bit of electric hook up so we can have the kettle and toaster. Same if it is very early in the season...then the electric heater. A club house would be a big no no though even then.
Casper Wow... but it will never ever happen. Not one that posh anyway!

Turmeric (which to me tastes awful) can be bought in tasteless capsule form in healthfood shops. There is also a hugely expensive form (I think its from turmeric- I'm easily confused) with just the active bit (curcumin) called Curamin. I take them when I'm going through a bad patch with joints, and I think it helps but I am never sure. I tried drinking turmeric in water dayly but the more I drank it the more I hated the very sight of it!
Pavlov, sorry you are in pain. Fingers crossed for you.
We have a little elderly camper van but have not used it yet as it has just come back from its engine rehaul, and we need to sort out the cooking/heating next. Hopefully we will have a weekend in it soon- its not yet well enough insulated for this time of year. We hired one some while ago (worked very well with ASD ds and me needing to rest) hence buying an old one to do up.
Good luck with holiday planning Berrie.

Sorry you are in pain again Pavlov ... hope its short-lived!

Berrie we are not at finale yet ... season 6 I think ... are we behind or are you?

5 hour round trip to hospital for a 5 minute tongue check ... not sure that was worth the pain. Had to get 2 buses which went on a tour of Scotland as scary place to drive to and I am a big chicken - was worked up enough about appointment (which was nothing) so didn't need driving and parking worries too ... I can see me stopping leaving the house at some point but hopefully not soon.

Glad the tongue check was good. I hate scary drives and have ordered some massive detours to avoid them.

Pavlov, sorry you are sad.

Will I remember to take turmeric? I'd like to say yes but fear they would sit with my Vit D capsules and every other supplement I've ever bought.

Had an early start with massage/ Pilates at 8.30. Tough getting up and out so early ( sorry, I know normal people do much earlier starts every day) but a good feeling to be done and home by 10. Swim jacuzzi next then dentist. Busy Matilda.

Hello!
Ally we are now caught up and have to wait for each episode. DH told me it was last ever ever but further research reveals not.

First you lot all lived near the sea - now you all have camper vans (or access to them) Why are you all living the life I wanted?
The builder came back with a quote of £23,000 to move the sewer on top of £120 for extension so it's all over.
No idea what to do now. There just isn't anything we want to move into in this village and we don't want to relocate. Our house is modest but we are a bit spoiled by our location, lack of people over-looking us and land around our house. We could I suppose plan a less extravagant extension but the thought of starting all over again makes me feel very tired!
How are you all today? Anything exciting planned?

Berrie, what a pain. Do you have to move the sewer? My db has a manhole cover in his kitchen which is a lot less hideous than it sounds. It's properly insulated and covered with the same flooring. Take some time and reconsider the plans. There is almost always a way round these obstacles.

I do not live by the sea or have a campervan. We survive.

We do live by the sea but can't see it. No camper van. We are looking at carpets for the hall and stairs. Torn between sensible small striped wool one or large stripey wild manmade one .... hmmmmm.

Berrie I can barely cope with having a room decorated ... my head nearly fell off getting the bathroom and kitchen done (many years apart) so an extension would kill me I'm sure .. good luck!

Matilda - I am impressed by getting out at 8.30am ... I rarely manage outside till around 10 ... am so spoiled!

Trust me there is no way round it. It is not an ordinary sewer. It is a massive surface water sewer. We have already paid hundreds and hundreds of pounds for them to even consider our proposal and that is on top of the vast amount of time and money it took to have the plans drawn, the cctv survey of the sewer, the habitat report, the where actually is it probe survey oops under the conservatory we had built we have finally reached the end of the road.
However... I will not be defeated! I am hatching a cunning plan for a single storey 6m extension out the back under permitted development (temporary rules until next year) which would extend the kitchen and then provide a bedroom and bathroom beyond that. Thus allowing DD to have a decent sized bedroom and us to have a downstairs loo and more space downstairs as well. It ought to be cheaper than original plan too. A downstairs bedroom is not ideal but the children are growing up so less needy at night. I can also see myself escaping to my bedroom which would also be a sort of garden room with doors out...I have drawn it so that there is a corridor to the bathroom meaning that the bedroom is not directly off the kitchen which would be odd. I have gone from despair to excitement! It is only because DH is asleep that I have been able to get so carried away! Am wondering though whether it would be worth going down the planning permission route in order to get a couple of extra metres...

Was it really inappropriate to intimate that I envied your lives when you have so much more pain than me? Really sorry if I caused any offense. I didn't mean any at all.
Wild one Ally !

Lol Berrie feel free to envy me - since I stopped working everyone else does! Not sure I've ever been envied before though ... I think I like it!

I knew you'd pick wild haha ... the walls are already bright orange so maybe play safe for once with sensible one .. not decided yet though

An orange wall I am not altogether sure about...
We had a lovely day out at a castle yesterday. The sun shone, we had a bit of a picnic and it was just nice to do something out of the ordinary. Today though I am in pain and I didn't even do any steps in towers (because of panic rather than pain) There was only one dodgy moment for me really as we moved through one of the exhibits where the exit wasn't obvious and there were people coming in behind us so all was well really.
Today is ironing/cleaning day especially as I would normally have done some of it yesterday. Not really feeling like it though. Better take some painkillers and push on!
Hope everyone had a nice weekend too. What did you get up to?

Hi
First time posting here, just looking for a bit of advice?

I've been having pain in my lower right back for about 3 days now.
It came on Friday evening, very sore in bed, every time I moved the pain woke me. Stiff and sore sat morning but seemed to loosen sat eve and thought was just about gone yesterday. But back to being very sore again this morning.
I've been taking over the counter painkillers which help a little. But how long should I leave it before seeing GP?
Cheers