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

tough why do docs do that? I am a relatively articulate, intelligent enough woman, a good communicator who is confident and assertive when needed. But, when it comes to doctors, I feel like a child trying to make myself heard unsuccessfully, asking questions with looks that reduce me to feeling so stupid. I always go in with intentions of being seen as fully knowledgable about my own health, my spine, what's going on, what I want to happen, and I always come out of there feeling bamboozled. One of the reasons for me seeking my second opinion with Mr S is because my last surgeon simply disliked me asking any questions, having any opinions, and didn't like that I didn't simply accept his 'there are changes, which I don't need to discuss with you, but I won't offer any further surgery', without explanation.

I could have said all that solo much quicker!

longdistance I get nightmares when I am 'withdrawing' from it. And what I mean by that is simply if I miss a dose completely - I take 12hr slow release, so if I don't take it one morning, that night I will get nightmares or anxiety type dreams), or if I miss my afternoon dose sometimes I will get them.

When I said my kitchen was grim, I meant by bathroom. My kitchen continues to be glorious. I made cupcakes as well as muffins. The kitchen is so easy to clean now and the cupcakes were so easy to make. The children are having muffins for breakfast - they are banana and oat muffins so technically are breakfast all on their own. That and a glass of milk, they are very excited about that!

ally I guess 4 weeks post recovery is still early but it seems to be takes ages. I feel reasonably good right now, yes I have pain, but that's not flooring me particularly, I knew it would be there, so not upsetting me too much. And I even vaguely considered returning to work next week. Only vaguely mind you I have another 3.5 weeks off for disability leave, and also around a week or so annual leave to use before April (think maybe even more, but need to check). I might ask them if I can carry it over and take it at Easter time. Then I'll have lots of holiday for August as I am hoping they will let me take most of August off ha yeah right. matilda I will try to rest tomorrow, but want to visit a friend who has had a knee op. He is the DH of my best friend, the nurse, who has been my rock outside of the family, so want to be there for them, even if it is only to take biscuits (he loves them) and have a natter. He is recovering well, and doesn't need much in terms of looking after as his DW is off this week, but moral support is important too isn't it.

and good to hear that lumpy scars are normal, and will settle down in time. My previous scar was very small indeed (micro-discectomy so like 1.5 inches, 2 max) and neat and faded into a tiny little line, but also below my bikini line for trousers/shorts/bikini (although, this last year they are out as my tummy is too sticky-outy now as I have no core muscles). This time it's definitely going to be visible in the gap at the back of my swimming costume, but that's ok, growing older scars are just part of life.

Taking dh with me. Trouble is I found out with the phone call that I am seeing the same pain consultant that I saw at the other hospital. The one that referred me to this hospital. So not sure what I am going to gain from it. Like someone previously said. Before you transfer me to a pain psychologist to get my head around the pain, can you please get my pain under control first! Which he hasnt done

long yes just about all the drugs give me nightmares (and some hallucenations too) and although they make me dopey don't help sleep at all - oh and the itching

maybe I should give up - drugs and me don't mix!

good luck Msdj and anyone else with appts I missed

bless Pav you must be young (I forget that conversation and who said what) to worry about scars - old gits like me not only is no-one but hubby going to see but I don't care either

Hope your appointment is useful Msdj.
I have heard aloe vera cream is helpful for scarred skin, but don't know if it is suitable for a surgical scar. Perhaps your nurse friend would know. We use it on Ds from time to time to help rougher scars smooth down (he was badly scalded as a young child). But of course being very youthful it may be nature not nurture doing the healing!
Pavlov I have the same trouble with doctors - somehow I diminish to the air headed women they are expecting. I am better able to fight ds corner.
No cleaning for you today Pavlov please if you are saving your energy for visiting.
We've just bought a 350 year old house Elf- but there is lots to do before we can move in. It is next to an older 'hall'. Feeling excited and intimidated all in one go. Had not thought about Drs - hopefully mine will still be the nearest. I am hoping this time we will pay for help with moving when the time comes!

Itching - getting itching with morphine is almost a given and with quite a few other opiates. It does go after a while, but I always ask for a low-dose antihistamine when I'm in hospital and when I first started the morphine last year.

Good luck with the house maggiso - we're having to live in it and just camp when the roof comes off and the wall comes down! Is the 'hall', a Wealden Hall House, or a mansion type hall? I know the excited/scared thing all to well! Three weeks to go... yikes!

Lady maggs!

I quite liked my scar and wore a bikini vom most misguided and not because of the scar I think I felt it was a symbol of something hugely positive an escape from the pain that had been blighting my life for so long. There is a little bobble at one end where a thread hung out and I used to fiddle with it but it's mostly smooth.

So DD is off school today ill. Should I (going nutty and needing the normality of work not to mention huge new gossip event occurring at mo and need to be there to join in - oh and 4 weeks off with back last term) or DH (just had 2 weeks away and would have to use holiday to cover it) stay at home? I suspect it should be me... DD not hugely ill but not entirely well either. She does have a little form for pleading illness. I shall probably just try and hustle her to school and tell them to ring DH!

Hello, sorry I fell off the thread. I've had about 10 days with no cocodamol and withdrawl has been awful. I'm not really with it still! I didn't realise I was mildly hooked; only one or two a night and only 8mg codeine. When I felt better the day after taking two I twigged but then all hell broke loose!

I've skimmed a bit - I've just been checked over by the Dr as itching - inside, itchy bones and muscles, has been horrendous especially following any attempts to exercise (ha!) can this be the cocodamol?

He did comment that 'most people can't touch the floor with hands flat' too. I'm starting to think my back issues are all 'Simply' linked to hypermobility in some areas and the negative affects of not enough thyroxine and iron plus not maintaining muscle strength.

But here's my biggest issue - cos I can't say "I've got (insert named medical condition)" I find it difficult to tell others and most of all struggle to say "I can't xyz, I feel shit, I'm not strong enough, it hurts."

Because to look at me I look young, slim and fit. But I've got no core nor spinal muscles it seems!

So consequentially I've got a psych referral :/ I'm not depressed. I guess it's anxiety? Or a sort of trauma? I first 'fell' at university and it was pretty awful as teenagers aren't too supportive and expect you to go out drinking lots!

Not sure what to think I about that but I guess I do have an issue recognising and SAYING I'm not coping physically. In the past I battled through though mh suffered.

I'm trying not to take pain killers / inflammatories at the mo (they don't really help anyway!) but I guess it's a sign there is now improvement. I've seen an osteopathic, physio on nhs is going to be 6 weeks. Was supposed to go on a 'spine talk' today but I'm too emotional to go. I've got an alexander tech book on order and might book lessons but I'm going to book a Pilates course first.

I will try and keep up.

OC health tomorrow :(

berrie I think I will grow to quite like my scar too, like a war wound, shows the battle that's been had. It's not too hideous really, in fact my appendix scar is uglier (from when it was removed aged 12). I tend to send DC in to school when poorly, unless they have been sick, or has a fever or has been clearly unwell for more than a few days and needs a day to recuperate. I generally think the school with either distract them or send them home. Not been sent home so far. Did you send DD in, or did you end up taking the day off? I don't normally mind a reason to take the day off, although it does come out of AL, so it's just an impromptu AL day really, not an extra day off.

ally I am not too youthful, 38 this year (I think, i often forget what year I am in, am I there yet or is it the next birthday that I am that age, happened most years since I was 36. Hmm. I blame the drugs and lack of sleep...) However, have been lucky enough to get away with a bikini up to the last year or two, now have gone from skinny and reasonably well-toned to skinny and pretending to be well-toned, to scrawny and haggard-looking with floppy midriff. My plan this year though is to get a little tone back.

I was driving today in the sunshine, and thought how nice it would be to run to work again, like I did once upon a time (takes about 15 mins, it's about 2-3 miles? but across the lock and harbour so a lovely run). Now I know this is not going to happen any time soon, but do you think running is something I might be able to consider in the future if I recover enough? Or do you think, with all the shit going on in my spine, which will be happening, pain or no pain, that hard impact exercise like running is out of bounds forever? I know the odd one or two do jogging here, how far do you go? Do you go outside or use gym to run?

I know I am recovering ok, as before christmas I felt so horrible I didn't even want to get fitter, I had no urge to swim or do anything exercise wise as I knew it would fucking hurt. But now, I am back to wanting to go do huge amounts of Getting Sweaty Exercise in the gym so awesome music. I won't do it though, promise. I am not even going to swim this time around until I have been to my review with Mr G and we have discussed if I need physio and I will ask him about gym and what I can do.

I have done no housework today. I didn't see my friend, as our car is not working brilliantly, and I don't fancy getting stuck out on the Moors today as it's icy here/there. I will try tomorrow if the weather is looking better. I have spent a couple of hours going through my thousands of photos to organise some for my Family & Friends Wall. I have deleted 200, and put 30 in for potential photo wall choices, but am not even third through them, and I have about 1000 on my camera still. It's gonna take fucking ages!

I also have a plan to renew an old but lovely red coat of mine that looks tatty due to buttons missing. So, if anyone knows where I might be able to buy some funky chunky black buttons, send me a linky!

I love the idea of Lady Mags too! Will you walk around wafting your hands and ordering people around ? can I visit for afternoon tea when you are in?

Of course you can visit for tea, but I should explain that its on the wrong side of the moat and was the stables back in olden times, and requisitioned during the 2nd world war as garages. The big house (a medieval manor house, updated in tudor times) has a much more exciting history.
Glad you took a break from housework Pavlov. John Lewis used to be good for buttons but last time I looked the range was much reduced. There was a shop just off Marylabone high street in central London that had a very good stock of trimmings, but I have not been there in years. Oddly I was looking for buttons in hobbycraft at the week end - and although they had some charming buttons for childrens clothes I could not find what I was looking for.
Hope DD recovers fast Berrie. Ds was ill (horrid hoopy cough) but he went back today. I have spent all day trying to get on top of the chaos he always produces. Dh is now coughing (but being a man is at work anyway), so no doubt it will be my turn next.
Clarella, Its hard not having a diagnosis, but could you say a longterm health condition or even hypermobility syndrome (I have forgotten if you have HMS or EDS) - most people won't know what that is, but you could explain.
Good luck with the move elf. I hope it will be warm and dry when the roof needs replacing.

Im not at work today which is probably why I gave in. She probably would have been ok but I do believe she doesnt feel too good. Luckily dh has come home feeling ill so I have suggested a day off!
I was told not to run in future. Ha ha ho ho- if you insist...not run since I was 15 at school shouldnt be a problem!

Try eBay for buttons!

So me times dream about running. That effortless looking running where you don't get out of breath. Odd because, I, too haven't run since I was a child. I do see the appeal. Why not dream of it, Pav, if it helps you get through this. I'm certain you will be back swimming and surfing by the summer. Life should be focused on what we can do rather than what we can't or so I say on my positive days .

I've had a horrid day of really severe aching in my back and butt. No reason I can think of. I've now stopped any pretence at doing anything and back lying on my bed on a hot water bottle with drugs inside me.

Car was due to be collected for repair between 1-6 and no show which is bloody annoying. No reply when I called,of course .

Berrie, I was a total hard liner re going to school. So much so that my boys very rarely even asked to stay off. Once I was called to ds2 when he was about 14 and had a headache or something. I had a huge, huge clinic full of angry pregnant women and simply couldn't leave. Told school to give him some paracetamol and send him back to class in half an hour . Think that was an 'unusual' response!

Clarella, I struggle a bit with explaining what is wrong sometimes. I hate it if DH says 'she's got a bad back' but sometimes I can't be bothered and say it myself. I hope you get a diagnosis soon. Btw, I could put my hands down flat, too ( not any more!) and could never understand why others couldn't do something so easy.

So, Lady Maggs and Lady Elf , all sounds very lovely. We await lots of updates on your moves and renovations could be a long running thread if my kitchen is anything to go by

Running! I had a go on an "anti-gravity" treadmill the other day and I actually managed to run for a few minutes. Not the same as running in the past, but I captured a little of that feeling of joy. I really miss things like that.

Pavlov I did run one of week four of couch to five k today.It's only taken me just under a year to get this far with more setbacks than I can count. Three minutes "running" 1.5 rest five running 3.5 rest twice. Ask Mr S and be patient (and stubborn). My knees have been worse than my back but then I don't just have back issues....

I'm not sure why I've stuck with it have never been a fitness type just got suddenly sick of being broken (so determinedly trying to break myself??!!).I am thoroughly enjoying it though but strangely it's a secret to most of my real life people other than Dp.

There's a running in the pool thing you can get

Sorry I've been so absent(I really need to lose the Xmas name!). I'm also sorry so many people are in so much pain. I've been trying to cut down on my smart phone /computer time as I'm really suffering with this neck problem. But it's having a very negative impact on my mnning (and I've been addicted to the snow threads)

I usually do pack them off but she had a bad year health wise last year with recurrent urinary tract infections involving strange bacterias thus usually wrong choice of antibiotic. My judgement is now off!

Ciarella codeine withdrawal is not fab, take it slowly, there is no rush to come off it and feel rotten, gentle and slowly is ok. I think emotional issues with chronic pain are inevitable, and it manifests in us in different ways. Interesting that you have a psych referral, how do you feel about that? Do you think it's the right call? Do you feel that you have significant anxiety? If you do, then it certainly won't hurt to talk through what's been happening and how you are feeling, but also, don't let your medical teams pressure you into thinking this is all emotional/psychological if you know it's rooted in pain. They of course go hand in hand, but it's important to address pain as well as mental wellbeing if they are intrinsically linked.

festive oh go you!! I am impressed with your running! I am also interested in this anti gravity running machine charming, how cool is that! Although, won't get me to work. I used to LOVE running to work, having a shower there (ok, that bit not the best as the shower is not flash At All and used mostly by the men), putting on some make-up with that slightly glowing Just Exercised look, then stuffing down 4 crumpets and jam with a cup of coffee as I settled to work Only in the summer/nice weather though. I don't like it that much. That seems like a lifetime ago now.
How are you finding the reducing computer time is helping your neck? Have you looked at those sort of upside down tables you can get for laying down typing? They look cool as!

matilda that you have a high pain day. I hate that sometimes pain can increase with no clear explanation. And how annoying about the car.

berrie hope your DD gets better soon.

I'm liking the crumpets with jam and coffee

Haven't visited for a while, how is everyone. I am still trying for the reception job, but my line manager still saying if any shifts need covering then I have to do then first even if I have done my contracted hours, I am putting it in writing and handing it in tomorrow, I also have my yearly appraisal on monday so not looking forward to that. I have also been poorly last week wuth that coldy bug thats going round.
I am volunteering in dds school with the yr 1 to help with their reading m changing books etc, I have hinted about a perm job but they few and far between and they did say they tend to take people that they know, as in those that already do voluntary.
My back seems to be getting stiff again, I am hoping it isnt a sign of what is too come, do you of you know if the cold weather would have any effect on my back. It doesn't feel as flexible ad it did when I was having physio more often and doing less, at the moment I have gone back to doing everything I was before and extra.
Berrie, hope your dd is feeling better, there still is alot of bugs about the mo.

Forgot to say our puppy, now 7mnths old decided to jump up me as I was emptying my work tunic top and knocked my mobile out my hands and it smashed my screen as it landed face down on laminate, I wasn't too happy with him.

38 seems pretty youthful from here

lol Berrie - I was actually just starting to run when told to stop - guess that marathon is never going to happen for me either

Hope the drugs kick in and you feel better soon Matilda - struggle with what to say too and sometimes end up with "weak back" or "bits removed" as can't be bothered explaining

Hh pink how can you be angry with a puppy? I am so jealous - never had a pet and always wanted one.

I am still addicted to cake here (as if I am not fat enough!) - I am telling hubby I have replaced alcohol with cake and he doesn't seem to mind as long as I leave him some

Hope today is not as sore as yesterday ladies! Sad that would be good for us but true.