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, that does sound a nice day out. Doesn't a bit of sunshine cheer one up? We had the inlaws for lunch which was nice. Mil in particular is so frail now. She as sharp as a razor, though and gives very ahem, thorough feedback on things so was pleased to share he opinions on my kitchen now it's finally finished.

Any idea on cleaning a roasting pan that has had lamb slow roasting for five hours? It does occur to me after steeping it for hours and scrubbing it for ages that maybe it's a bin job.

Have Pain Group coffee today. I don't actually enjoy this much but am a sort of lynchpin due to always sending out reminder emails and giving lifts so it's difficult to drop. Hey ho, it's only an hour or two.

I like stripy carpet and have toyed with it for the stairs. One problem is that a lot of them are the loop type rather than twist and I don't think it lasts as well or something. I hate ours but it's all up two staircases and through four bedrooms so would be expensive to change and it's not THAT bad. or old, just gone off it.

Hi Bridgetsmummy, I don't think there really is a definitive answer. If you need stronger painkillers then do see GP because at this stage that's all they will give you. Are you able to potter around and do things? The fact that it improved so much is good. I wonder if you've pulled or strained a muscle hence it tightening up at night and easing as you go through the day. Heat would help this although others swear by ice.

Are you taking paracetamol and ibuprofen? I would take both staggered through the day both for pain relief and the anti inflammatory component. If you are really struggling then diazepam is very effective for reducing spasm, obviously that's a GP job. Let us know how you get on.

Only 1lb lost this week
I think that this is where it gets harder and the Easter holidays next week will not help either...
Not giving up yet though
What have you all got on this week?

1lb off is way better than nothing. Don't give up at all. You are doing great.

God, remind me never to take tramadol at bedtime. I'm not cut out for psycholdelia. Didn't sleep at all well even with amitriptyline. Yesterday I just remembered that it sometimes works if I switch from cocodamol to tramadol for a while. Just freshens the effect up. Which is fine by day.

I'm minding my friend's two wee dogs this morning while she goes for a post breast cancer MRI and then we are walking together which will be lovely. My boy LOVES her dogs. then I'm hoping to catch up on holiday prep! the boring sort! making sure everything is done before we go. Next Thursday and we're off. Can't wait.

Woo hoo!
Thursday next week or the day after tomorrow? How very very exciting Matilda I am very envious!
It's lovely and sunny here so I hope it is where you are and you have a great walk!

Hello! Just joining in. I've been living with the pain of prolapse discs for 9 years now, had one surgery and no improvement. Been on so many drugs but moved onto gabapentin two months ago. Not up to three a day yet, they knock me sideways!

4 hours sleep last night, I'm shattered.

Welcome butterfly!
4 hours sleep is rubbish.

Hello again Butterfly. It does sound as if your meds could be improved. I agree with the poster on your other thread who suggested a pain management referral. I take a huge concoction of meds but do have some quality of life even if not pain free.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself so we might be able to make suggestions that might be helpful? Equally, of you don't want help, just support do stick around, we are happy to do that, too.

So yesterday I did a full day of tramadol instead of cocodamol really just a chance to shake things up a little. I started well but did get increasingly sleepy as the day went on but that should improve. If not it doesn't matter,mi just thought a change might be a good idea. Have to say it took me ages to tolerate gabapentin but did finally manage to get it to 600mg x3/ day and it definitely helps.

Today is sunny and have a stroll with friends planned later and if possible I want to try to swim/ jacuzzi later. It is so relaxing. I'm sure I have something I'm actually supposed to be doing but I forget what that is .

Thank you for the lovely welcome.

I'm 46. I've got two kids, the problems started after the birth of my youngest. I've had epidural, they worked for a while and gave me 6-7 weeks pain free but the last one left me in excruciating pain for a week. Last surgery was Sep 2013 and in Dec 2013 dp had a very bad road accident which nearly killed him so I ended up doing his personal care for months as well as everything in the house which probably didn't help my recovery.

I am allergic to tramadol so had to stop taking that. I've also got bursitis in my right hip so that's giving me grief at the moment, another month before I can get another injection.

I've put on weight and finding it hard to shift as mobility is reduced. Sleep is hit and miss, normally get between 4 and 6 hours so end up cranky and tired all the time.

Oh butterfly - that's really rubbish. It sounds like you may have exacerbated something from when you were caring for your DP/childbirth. Personally, I ignored my pain for too long last year and then it suddenly got a lot worse, so I'm in the 'go to the GP now' camp, but I know that others here haven't had great experiences with drs and back pain, so I could be being a bit naive. But welcome to the thread - there's some really great advice and support to be had here.

berrie - brilliant loss with 5:2 - you are an inspiration. Don't give up! (says she who hasn't actually had a fast day for around 10 days now - does this mean I need to do 4 in a row?!!)

Matilda - yay! Next Thursday! We will be flying east to Thailand next week, so will wave to you. Obviously, you will be able to see me clearly... I'll be wearing a red secret support swimming costume and will hold up a glass for the purposes of easy identification.

Sigh...at the two of you on the beach with a drink Hope you both have a glorious time! Glad you are back Brit - thought you'd left us and you make me chortle
I popped on the 5:2 thread and have been advised not to weigh in for a couple of weeks and to watch what I eat on non fast days. I am not sure I can resist weighing in though. My next weigh in is the point at which I gave up last time so fingers crossed. Half a stone does make a difference to how I feel only another 3 to go!
Butterfly - sounds like you've had a horrendous time. This is a great place for a good old moan if nothing else! (but often something else)
How are you Ally ?
Hope you are OK Pav. Guessing not. Thinking of you.
Is your bikini all packed Matilda? What is happening to the dog?

Brit, excellent plan, I will ask the pilot to slow down so I can see you properly. Some pilots are all about rushing and forgetting we may have friends to greet en route .

Berrie, I can't go one day without weighing myself so no, sorry, I doubt you will manage. however I have no doubt you will lose the weight as and when.putting time limits on it is tricky because we all know the the god of weight works in very mysterious ways that we could never understand.

I have committed to go to Weight Watchers tomorrow for the first time in many months so please wish me luck. I am officially a gold member but if you go 5lb over your target weight you go back to Paying Member. I wonder which way that will go. Wish me luck. Am going for a colonic irrigation and to buy a chiffon garment. What more can a girl do?

Have a nice day everyone. I have physio now. Last week I must have done something wrong because I had a horrid few days afterwards.

Sorry, Berrie, have been a busy Brit and possibly being a bit disloyal with FB.I am so going to have to pm you for your 5:2 secrets cos half a stone will make a difference to clothes, feeling better etc etc.

I love WeightWatchers but sadly it has closed down here - I think the accountability is what helps. Good luck, matilda - I DREAM of staying within 5lbs of my goal weight, so hope it goes well. Sorry to hear that the physio appt made the pain worse. I found that was the case consistently, but usually only for 24/48 hours max, so thats not great to hear it lasted a few days. Good luck today for that too.

How is everyone doing? Pav, thinking of you. How are you ally? And butterfly, please forgive my idiocy - I had actually replied partly to what bridgetsmummy wrote, and not what you said... so sorry.

Brit, we are allowed to have varying views.. I did actually go the day my back went so badly I could barely move ( no option really), but I ignored a couple of previous mini incidents. Going sooner wouldn't have made much difference to me because the doctors have never been proactive with advice. They've been very kind and done whatever I've asked but never suggested anything. It was just waiting to happen, I think.

Physio done, please god don't leave me in agony. It's Pilates exercises which I adore but it's tough. Now lying down on my hottie which is bloody lovely not so tough.

Hi ladies waving. Just had physio appt No 3 .. she thinks I am improving so that's good though I can't repair 40 years of damage but hopefully get my neck under control. Trying to limit things which hurt (surfing, food prep) ... am getting a wee tablet so I can recline and still surf as can't give it up apparently! Hopefully no more spasms though she did some massage which brought it on last time eek!

What's the wee tablet????

...and will it float Ally? I need a hefty body board to keep me afloat in the waves nowadays!

I don't actually believe that I am going to get anywhere near my goal weight. History is against me and I have not been that weight for about 30 years. Also my goal weight differs depending on what you ask by about half a stone. I suspect that if I did lose 3 stone my skin would hang in folds like it does on people on embarrassing bodies and I would feel horrible! See Brit - I have become a dreadful diet bore - don't need much encouragement!
Well done Matilda - how about a sauna? Hope the weigh in goes well!
Hooray! Last day of term today. I am feeling bad though as there was a fire drill yesterday and my class were really naughty and I shouted a lot Got some Easter crafts to do this afternoon though which hopefully will be nice.
I hope a lovely day is had by all!

Tablet/Ipad? Its all new to me - had to do tons of research and will probably struggle to get it set up but sitting at computer is too sore so no choice.

I have been dieting like mad for ages now and put weight on (yes I know sounds like the usual fat person excuse). I know how to lose weight and have done so in the past though it always creeps back on. Am thinking might get thyroid test as started on 1200cals a day for 2 weeks and am now down to 1000cals. Am baffled (and I am the person other people come to for diet advice so genuinely not fooling myself or anything). Fingers crossed its thyroid .. or could be hormones torturing me. Arrgghhh

Ally, you had me confused. I thought you meant a medical tablet that would allow you to surf in the sea...

The weigh in looms. Friend has already declared her cards and will not be weighed. I drank wine last night and up up from yesterday, gah! However, I will weigh because it sure as hell won't be happening after my holiday .

I can bore for England on the subject, too. And I'm not even overweight just paranoid about every pound. It does show on me because I'm of midget proportions height wise. Not anywhere else.

There is a surfing tablet? Now I am confused .. nothing new there lol Only other kind of tablet I know is the sugar kind to be avoided at all costs as 10 million calories a bit. Am impressed you actually thought I would go actual surfing ... can't even swim

Ooo Ally I love a bit of tablet! Yum!
Worrying about the lack of weight loss.
Have you had the weigh in now Matilda?

Weigh in leaves me a Gold member. Just about. More like bronze but that category doesn't exist. Went to the theatre last night, a rare event indeed due to sitting down issues etc. however, this was something I really wanted to see! was local and short so went anyway and sod it. It was great.mid booked months ago and discussed the best seats with the staff and they were about the best possible. So I did it. . Today I would like to be mainly resting but with a holiday to prep for and a friend willing to take me into town later I'm sure you can guess which I will be doing. Fetch the drugs, please.

We can't let that gorilla win Matilda .. like you I stopped going to cinema and theatre but now I just drug up and go if I really fancy it .. sod him! . We have action packed weekend for OH's birthday and I will pay for it later but hey ho!

Lol Berrie

Have a lovely weekend in all you are doing.
We are off to see a friend a couple of hours drive away. I'm not so comfortable at the moment after a staff meeting in an infant classroom on an infant chair! Shouldn't have done it really. Stopping to walk the dog at a national trust place on the way so that should help!