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 everyone,

Pink, sorry you are having such a crap time. OH shouldn't be a bad experience, they are supposed to be offering solutions to help you works the trouble is that your line of work is, unfortunately just not great for anyone with a back injury. As you know I was dismissed in the end and I'd been there since 1987!!!. However, money and pride aside, I wasn't fit to do the job and never would be. The longer you work there the higher your chance of really screwing your back up big time. Sorry, I'm not being much help. I can only recommend letting them fire you ( they have to pay you in lieu of notice) and then look for a more back friendly job where they treat you like a human. Your manager sounds a total bitch.

Mags, great news re the MRI, and physio, too. Hope something helpful comes from it all.

Have had a reasonable week but now having a bad day which is a shame because we are out this evening. I will still go, it just means enjoying it much less. Have been having a Mad Men fest all week...anyone else like it?

Well, just an update. I went into work today to take note, spoke to two headsof dept and ssaid can they give me some bank hours on reception andddomiciliary care when my note runs outand fit to work, they both said yes. Then went to see my manager and told her off for two more weeks, then when I am fit to work I may decide to reduce hours or go bank over dom and reveption, also asked when we getting occ health in, she said if the gp saysyou fit to work then you can work, I feel like maybe she was trying ti scare me with them this time.

Hello there.

I'm rubbish at staying on threads, but advice given here has been great.

I've definitely got hypermobility syndrome, though it's really been made worse by thyroxine and low ferritin issues as I couldn't maintain muscle mass and then developed muscle wasting and restless leg syndrome, fatigue etc - massive deconditioning.

With correct thyroxine and better iron I've started to improve but can see where the hypermobility is. Periods are tough joint wise and I suffer stiffness and fatigue.

I've finally found a sports physio who really gets where I need to strengthen - treating dancers he sees similarities - and this is helping stiffness but not all of it. Plus I can see I was coping with it (well) pre baby as I found I was so much better if exercising, doing strength yoga, swimming etc.

I'm doing pilates now plus physio exercises, but after going to yoga today clearly see that helps hamstring wise and core. Physio actually agreed some of yoga is good as long as my lumbar isn't pushed back and arms aren't over stretched.

Question: I know someone mentioned a good vibrating back massager, hand held. I really need one! (!!!!) any recommendations?!

I'm hoping to go back to work in a month. Clearly NOONE there bloody understands it despite half the children we teach also being hypermobile! Ah well, at least I can make a difference there! And we can sit on pilates balls if we want to

Pink to echo what has been said below oc health have been really helpful for me, esp regarding hypothyroidism which she said was in her opinion covered by disability act, and she knew about hypermobility. They can very much be on your side if you show lots of willing to max your health.

My physio used to work in oc health too. He reassured me in that sometimes you need to look at it from the works pov and that sometimes being signed off is better for them as they can get cover through insurance and you can focus on getting better then return when well. Due to this gp has also insisted I have to be really well to return. I sort of feel I'm pushing the return but I have the summer holiday to continue to improve too. Oc health could be very useful for you in order to actually recover well and safe guard you in future regarding duties etc.

Pink, glad you are signed off, and finding a better work solution. I think you can still get help from OH if you are at work, but changing to a less physical job may be the better solution for you.
Nice to hear you have found a good physio Clarella, and have some help building up muscles again. Its hard to know where to start, especially when your health has crashed in many ways. My back recovery pilates class, combined with physio from the hospital seems to be helping - but I know the NHS can only give a couple of physio sessions. So I will be looking for a good physio style massage.
I have a Homedics hand held massager. I think we got it from Costco, but Amazon and mobility shops do similar. Ours has an infared function (so you can have a warm massage) too. I bought an expensive back rest style mechanical massager which for some reason I rarely use - its almost too powerful- and bulky to move around. We all use the hand held massager.
Well we went to try out a swimming spa (oblong deeper spa style pool with jets top swim against at a show room. It was lovely! I liked the warmth and the jets can be made powerful or gentle. The best bit was how chilled autistic ds was on the way home- so worth saving for. The pool we tried out had seats in each corner with jets to massage different parts. Our new house has a barn, which is just big enough for the smallest swimming spa and a compact shower.
Hope you are all having better days.

Oh, I want a swimming spa! DH has just bought a fancy exercise bike so I must be automatically entitled to a spa???

Clarella, nice to hear of your progress and general upwards turn.

Pink,my our manager sounds like she is trying to intimidate you. Please call hr and clarify whether an oh assessment might be helpful. Oh and GP are totally different. She just doesn't want to hear from oh that you need x,y or z to support you at work. She is not on your side.

Well jell of your garden spa maggiso that sounds lovely- you could make it a sensory room too if you had some kind of lights in there etc...Iam full of ideas for sensory duty from a group i am part of on fb. hope you are all well. Seems like Summer is at the door now, and now i have finished my exams, looking forward it.
I had spinal injections in january and they worked partially but it took so long to get follow up and now a new appt to go back to see another (! no consistency i'm afraid) consultant to review- I need some more as soon as possible, can feel things sliding back as it wears off properly.
i haven't been to a class for ages- so busy doing essays, then revision, then exams so i have gotten out of the habit of exercise- and gained 7 pounds, so have to make myself go to pilates on Friday and then I really want to get out on my skates this summer as it gives your whole body a bit of exercise. I will need to be medicated and go slow but feel like i need to get my system going- getting into a vicious circle of inactivity and I hate it.
So much stuff to organise now i have done my exams as i shelved so much things because they were more important. i think they went ok, some right some wrong but fx not too bad.

Ahhh garden spa!

I looked into hiring a hot tub for my birthday this year but I wasn't in The end well enough. Not sure if could be brought through back gate though :/

Feel quite vindicated that my physio who I've found through work insurance said he'd like to keep an eye on me though needs to find out if insurance can cover. I wouldn't be going back to work any time soon if it weren't for the exercises he's given me.

I managed yoga (forrest so good for core, mindful of back) yesterday for the first time in ages. I do need to do it for legs and thoracic spine and arms/ shoulders, it really strengthens them, and maintains rom which I now know is really important. I am using my pilates and physio advice to inform it and avoiding back bends of any sort. Then had a deep tissue massage - apparently I won the most knots of the week award! My shoulders are so tight I struggle to sleep properly. It helped, and physio used a big industrial vibrator thing today plus gave a good stretch to do with golf club, so I've ordered the homedics one mentioned below, thank you!

I do fear coping when back at work as its so physical but hopefully a phased return will help and then I have the 6 weeks holiday to continue recovery.

Matilda yes I think you are due a swimming spa. Should be VAT free Hydrotherapy for us lot I should think!!
Hope you are still doing well Clarella and not suffering from your return to pilates. Hope the massager helps.
Maizie hope your exams went well and you are not too exhausted. Are you finished or have you more years of study ahead? My fingers are crossed for therapy that helps you - - presumably more injections. Our first plan for the barn was for a sensory space. Our present house (old house - we have not moved yet) is tiny -it will be nice to have a spare space.
I have a bit of a cough at present - not bad but its making sleep very tricky because even the gentlest supressed cough gets my back and hip. No exercise seems to help and painkillers do not do much for stabbing pain.I don't even get as far as drifting off before the next stab! I am sure you all know what I mean. At least I am not sneezing! I always get sorer through the day - mornings are bliss in comparison, so struggle to sleep at the best of times. I'm taking it easy today as DH is home and Ds has been playing with cornflour and water (very calming for him- it forms a colloidal solid/liquid - very good sensory play) and its the sort of mess everywhere I can only clean up without ds around 'helping'. We have white dust in every conceivable part of the house!
I hope everyone has a good bank holiday.

For those that have had Physio, how long does it take to completely cure the problem? Have mild lower back ache and sometimes a sore spot mid back.

Physio signed me off as it was improving and suggested swimming and general exercise but it's been nearly a month and it seems the same.

It's very liveable with, just annoying now more than anything.

Sounding good Clarella. Spa for all is great idea Maggiso I wish! And no to sneezing .. its a killer for us gals

Little - in my experience 1-2 months is about right .. you should be seeing some improvement but sometimes its so gradual its hard to tell

Have a good day if you can ladies!

Hi, new here. I've just got a referral for a back pain clinic as surgeon thinks nothing surgical can be done.

Am feeling a bit despondent and unsure what to expect. Can anyone advise please?

Thanks.

I've just been watching a live 'tapping' workshop online where one of the ladies in the audience suffered back pain, it was really interesting. Ways to go back and find the root cause of the problem which can be back from seemingly insignificant things in childhood. It was on something called LearnShedLive, very interesting and free, even better!

Hi Lil, don't think we've met? Can you tell us some more? Do you have a diagnosis? Where is your pain and what treatments have you had? Meds? Sorry for all the questions but it's a pretty big topic. Anyway, not sure if a back pain clinic is any different from a pain clinic but I have been under two of these and had most of what was on offer with varying degrees of success.

If you can tell us more, will try to help.

Little monster, sorry but this depends on so much, mainly what actually caused the pain in the first place. Physio can be great, really helpful but isn't a cure for an injury. Again,more detail and we might be able to help with our experiences.

No specific injury just posture. The Physio really helped with the high back pain but the lower part still niggles especially in the morning and I have a sore/numb spot mid back on the left side. Still doing the Physio exercises as well as swimming etc but it seems the same a month later. Maybe i was expecting it to go quicker.

It's mild and I rarely take any tablets so I can't complain its just a nuisance more than anything.

Oops meant to say no injury but posture from work station. Have rectified this as much as possible.

Hi. I've not been around for a while as feel that things have been very stagnant and really not getting any better. Sorry to come on like the voice of doom but wondered if anyone had any thoughts re what happened today.

I've been referred back to consultant neurosurgeon as things are slipping, and not good again, after my 2 microdiscectomies last September. We've discussed possible scar tissue or further reherniation. After 9 weeks wait for a contrast MRI, which was specifically requested by consultant, I went for the appointment this afternoon.

The Dr who was on with the radiographer said I would have a regular MRI and she would look to see if I then needed a contrast. Well, she says 'it's clear - you don't need one' after looking at the initial scan.

What would you take from that? I don't know if it means it's very clear there is or isn't an issue, or what? I feel really unhappy, given the consultant specifically requested a contrast, and this Dr said no.

I pushed on it, and was told to call the consultant's secretary (different hospital). I did so as soon as I got out, but as it was 5.10pm, they'd closed for the day. I'm quite hacked off, and worried that it won't show what we need it to (I explained this).
Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi Casper, I would be very,very about this indeed. I have extensive scarring from my first surgery and yes, it was extremely apparent on a normal MRI when pointed out to me. Anyone could see it. However,the consultant still sent me for a dye contrast scan because that, in some way was able to be certain it was scarring as opposed,for example, malignant tissue. Do call up tomorrow and complain, the radiologist sounds VERY out of order. They are not asked to comment on or decide what scan to perform. Sorry, just reread you post and it was a doctor,still an annoying decision if the cons wanted the dye . I would take it to mean something was apparent but please don't quote me on that.

Sorry you are still in such a bad way. It's so depressing. How are you coping with life and are you having any treatment atall?

Little monsters, so your workstation is sorted, that's good. Can you stand at your desk.? And have a really decent chair? I'm sure you know all about getting up and moving every thirty minutes or so and doing stretches. Boring but effective. I also very highly recommend the Alexander Technique, I cannot recommend This enough. Also Pilates and anything that improves your core and posture. As well as swimming try walking in water both backwards and forwards with your core held tight. Hope that is helpful.

Thanks Matilda. I'm actually sat in the bathroom having a wee cry. I feel like I will never be any better and that I had the surgeries for nothing. Which isn't the case, as it IS better than before, but worse than it was after the surgeries.
I'm getting no other treatment at present as the consultant said he wanted the outcome of this scan. Just feel it's 6 week here, 8 weeks there. I'm so worn down by it all.
Back on increasing doses of gabapentin & cocodamol, and trying to manage work, home, kids. Not doing any of it very well.

Anyway sorry. How are you Matilda? What did they do with your scar tissue in the end?

Thanks Matilda, will check out the link. I've just ordered a Pilates dvd and will add some walking when I go swimming. I do try and move round but never thought to do stretches so will try and remember those.

I hope you and the others get better soon, it's awful as it can affect so many things.

Little, I would very much recommend either joining a beginners course or having a few one to one sessions when starting Pilates. It's so vital to get right and so easy to do wrong! If you have a pre existing injury then you could make it worse. If that's really not possible then start very slowly and follow the instructions to the letter. Have you requested a workplace assessment of your working environment? You are legally entitled to do this and your employers are obliged to make reasonable adjustments...this could be as little as raising the level of your screen or as much as a full new adjustable desk that you can raise and lower or a very fancy chair. Anyway, worth asking. ps does heat help? Our best friend on here.

Casper, i so sympathise with all the endless waiting,waiting. It's so wearing and you are doing fantastically well to be doing so much. Do you have help and any chance of reducing hours or anything else to reduce the strain?

Keep posting and let us know what the consultant suggests. Have you had any injections? In the meantime please try to look after yourself.x

Matilda - thanks for the quick reply, sorry it's taken me so long.

I've always had a weak back but through my 20s chiro and massage kept it under control. When I was pregnant with dd nine years ago I had severe spd but 90% recovered before I had ds four years ago. Back went to bits and since then I've done a back recovery course, physio, mri x 2, and prolotherapy and steroid injections to si joint. mri showed L5/S1 to have degenerated to bring bone on bone and a couple of bulging discs.

I requested a re-referral to surgeon as it's been a couple of years since hen and he's written back saying that there's still nothing he can do. I now have parasthesia, pain and weakness in left leg.

Am totally worn down and feel like it's the end of the road.

Sorry for typos, on phone. It is surgeon who has referred me to pain clinic.