Endless Back Stories. Support For Back Pain and Sciatica. Thread 8.

[MatildaTheCat]

Sadly there seems to continue to be a need for this thread as many of us continue to suffer from back related pain. There are many causes, the pain and misery is shared here and hopefully some comfort derived from knowing we are not alone. We are strictly non competetive and newcomers most welcome.

We can offer advice on medication and effective drug combining plus other methods of pain management.We have used different treatment options from hydrotherapy and physio to surgery. We can share our experiences of navigating the big and baffling medical world, both private and NHS 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. . We are not doctors just people who have trodden the painful path of obtaining a diagnosis and dealing with our conditions.

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.

If you have advice, need advice, need a hand to hold, want to do some shopping another skill obtained along the way , then come in. We are friendly. We talk a lot. Come in, have a and say hello

Our Last Thread

Cauda Equina Syndrome. A must read for severe acute pain with Red Flags. Please Read

Constructive Rest. A Simple Exercise Anyone Can Do

Hi all hope u r having a good day. First physio done exercises to do feel like I have been hit by a truck aparently I do not use my lower back so I need to get it moving fingers crossed this will help 4 months of pain is enough I don't k ow how people do this all day everyday you all have my admiration xxx

Good morning, all. Gandolf,mgood luck with that appointment,mi hope it comes quite quickly and you get some help. You do sound quite compromised by the nerve pressure and a bit differs to many of us in that pain isn't your main problem.

Lozwil, sorry the physio has made you feel that way. It would be better, maybe to know why you don't use your lower back...protecting an injury could be an answer. I would keep pestering for a referral using your private care. I'm really shocked at how you have been treated.

I went away for the weekend which is always a mixed blessing. Lots more pain after sitting lying in the car for a couple of hours plus pub meal etc. New bed which is rarely a good thing and a few little outings all add up to a big increase in pain. However, since staying at home forever is a bit dull I'm glad I went. I did feel crap not being able to help at all,mthough. You know, just helping to prepare a meal or clear up.

Busy week here with horrid legal things so off to the park to meet my dog walking friend for therapy next. Coffee, stroll and a good old moan, perfect.

Sorry I can't keep up but hope everyone is having an ok day.

We are having a clearout of a huge cupboard and I just did about half an hour of sorting before I remembered the last cupboard I tried to clear out rewarded me with a back spasm. Nervously waiting for payback now ... stupid woman doh!

Oh oh. Hope it's ok

Here I am, after a long moan elsewhere on here.

I'm hurting although today hasn't been bad, pain wise. Monday and Tuesday were beyond dire.

Hello Garden,sorry you need to be here but welcome. You've been amazing to get through the term but can you devote the holidays to rest and self care? Rest, heat, meds (regular and regardless), pottering and avoiding all activities that aggrevate your pain.

Thermacare heat wraps are good for going out but a hot hottie best for resting. Lying flat or semi recumbent with knees propped up by pillows helps to ease pressure on the lumbar spine.

Bed rest is frowned upon but I find a lot of rest helps acute phases. I also have a lumbar support belt bought from Amazon for a few quid which really helps when I'm up and doing for longer than is comfortable.

Do you have leg pain? If you can describe your symptoms a little more we might be able to offer more suggestions.

Hi Matilda :)

Symptoms vary. Mostly, intense pain in lower back, can't straighten up properly, spasming, shooting pain. Numbness in one leg () also very painful between shoulder blades!

My bed is my home. It's the only place I come close to comfortable although I struggle in the mornings.

I am seeing a chiropractor on Tuesday and I have Naproxen from the GP. It seems to be helping the pain but it makes me nauseous.

From what you say it is highly likely to be a disc prolapse atL4/5 or L5/S1 but only the MRI can tell you. However, conservative treatment is recommended which basically means rest, painkillers, potter about and gentle physio. Keep an eye on the leg and watch for red flags as in the header post.

Sadly, or not as you see it, when a disc prolapse is causing back pain rather than leg pain, surgery is not very successful. Injections might help but again, not as much as leg pain.

Once you break up and can rest please do. Take the meds...naproxen regularly plus the paracetamol. Tramadol can work well or ask for cocodamol from the GP. If your back feels solid and in spasm ask for diazepam for a few days. Getting the pain under control is crucial in terms of trying to avoid chronic pain. I suspect the upper back pain is a red herring, real but caused by holding yourself in a tense position. Try the Alexander Texhnique above for losing tension and realigning.

Ask for help...carry my bag, lift my shopping,mcan you cook, put on the washing. Don't be proud. Do you have support?

Well, I woke up at 03:50 today Cats are thundering around thinking its morning. No!

I'm not sure why I'm up so early. I've been struggling lately (a lot) with general low mood and feeling very, very down - does anyone else find this with back trouble? I'm also feeling very sick again.

At least it's a half day today - children go home at lunch. I doubt I'll finish notably earlier as some staff are leaving so will be saying goodbyes which I'm dreading as this is in the school canteen and the chairs are unbelievably painful.

What's the recovery time for disc problems matilda? I was reading a post on another forum I use where I said how much it had started hurting in mid February - I didn't dream I'd still be feeling it in nearly April

Sorry you have so much pain Garden. I suffered with low mood too (might be hormonal as having horrible menopause) and am on anti-deps. I came off for a while and felt worse so back on. They do help honest. Depression can cause pain and pain can cause depression ... pick one lol. As far as I can gather GPs like to wait around 3 months for pain to resolve ... tough luck if by then some damage is done which lots of us here have.

Thanks, ally :)

I realise most back pain will resolve itself but the brush off I got when I initially made contact in comparison to the level of pain I was in did shoxk me to be honest, especially as I'm not one for going to the doctor and I think I average about once every two years or so!

If I recall correctly, 19/20 cases of back pain resolve within a few weeks which is why GPs will be slow to react and just prescribe meds and reassurance. Which is good for the 19 who get better, of course.

For those with disc prolapse the vast majority do recover spontaneously but, sorry, it can take many, many months. That doesn't mean total agony, of course, but for a full recovery. As I said above, surgery isn't especially effective for back pain so there isn't a lot of choice other than to wait. I wish I had known all this.

When it first happened to me I was a wreck, physical and emotional. In awful pain, off sick for the first time ever and absolutely panicked. Depressed? Yes, probably. That's why it is good to talk to others who understand and try to find the bits of advice that help you get through. There is no one thing that will solve this, more like a jigsaw and you need to find which bits fit. Let's hope you can really rest after today and take a decent amount of painkillers. Avoid all sitting if you possibly can and try (not easy) to view this as a longish term problem to be managed rather than a personal disaster. You will get better.

Yes GPs can be very offhand about back pain .. you get used to it!

I was a wreck too .. in lots of pain for months ... then waiting months for the op ... I try not to remember it to be honest. It is a jigsaw for sure but we mostly find ways (or drugs) round things and I am 80% improved (says so in my file lol). Wish I'd had this thread then and it wouldn't have been so bad but hey ho I have it now.

I am so glad to have found this thread, I haven't read through it all properly yet but I am definitely going to.

I'd be so grateful if anyone could offer me any advice.

Back in early November I began suffering from lower back pain, a shooting pain through my groin and down into my thigh. After a couple of weeks the GP diagnosed sciatica, gave me painkillers and a print out of some exercises to try and said I would recover in around 6 weeks.

She was right, after approximately 6 weeks I felt a lot better, never seemed fully recovered and the pain was still there if I did too much exercise or too much physical work but it was bearable and a million times better than it had been.

However, at the end of Feb the pain was back and at full intensity. I went back to the GP who has now referred me for physio, though it will take around 6 weeks to get an appointment, and has changed my painkillers to co-codamol (was on naproxen before.)

I have had 3 weeks off work now and I'm struggling so much with every day life. I can't walk for more than 10 minutes without having to sit down as the pain is so intense. It is mainly in my lower back, but also in my left hip and thigh.

I am due back at work in 2 weeks and I'm panicking about it. I do a physical job working with young children, lots of lifting and carrying, sitting on the floor, lots of cleaning and tidying.

My employers are aware and very understanding but it's just impossible to do my job well while I'm in so much pain.

I don't have much money, but I was thinking of paying for either a private physio, osteopath or chiropractor. Can anyone recommend which of these would be best/most likely to help? I'd probably only be able to afford 2 sessions, is it worth it?

Not sure I can help much Mum as my pain was mostly in the legs pre-op although now I get lower back pain a lot. My experience was that this happened to me and resolved several times before it didn't get better. Can you try calling the physio and explaining how much pain you are in - maybe cry a bit? These tactics can bump you up the list and lets face it - its not hard to burst into tears given the pain. I worried about my work too and was sent off sick eventually and was then off for 6 months (3 pre-op and 3 after) during which time they made us all redundant and I found a part-time job instead (now not working at all but am old lol).

Certainly a private HCP would see you in days .. most physios say not to go to a chiropracter with back issues but I've seen all 3 - IMO the physio was the most useful but we are all different.

Hopefully someone more useful will be along shortly!

Golly, muminthe city that sounds very tough. I'm really loathe to recommend a certain profession as none of them will be able to get you cured in two sessions. Perhaps ask around for a local osteo but I would consider saving the money. If you are doing any exercises be absolutely sure you are doing them correctly as you need to strengthen your core not put strain on your back. A really good Pilates instructor may be helpful.

Your work doesn't sound at all back friendly, I guess you see how it goes but if you are in such pain now it's possible likely you won't be ready in two weeks. Are there any adjustments that would make it easier?

Re meds it may be worth asking for a nerve pain med to be added...not instead of. All these meds do different jobs so naproxen is good and reduces inflammation. Cocodamol numbed the pain. Pregablin and that group of drugs are specific in reducing nerve pain ( buttock and leg). They can be very effective indeed but can carry side effects and need to be built up so perhaps ask your GP now and start getting used to them?

Sorry, not much help. There aren't that many jobs around that can be done lying on one's bed or none I fancy .

Does heat help? I love heat.

Thank you ally and Matilda - I know 2 sessions with an osteopath won't cure me, I suppose I'm just clutching at straws really . I am desperate to get back to work and regain some normality. I did actually have a really good day today, managed to do a 15 minute walk after picking DD up from school to take her for ice cream and wasn't in much pain at all. I do have some good days, unfortunately they are currently way outnumbered by the bad ones.

Thank you for the advice re different kinds of pain meds, I'm pretty clueless about that sort of thing. I will make another GP appointment and ask about the possibility of new painkillers. While I'm there I will ask for the contact details of the physio to see if I can contact them directly and beg ask for an appointment.

Thanks again

Still of work 4 months after fracturing my T12 and L1. Lower Back below the break is exceptionally painful and stiff. NHS Physio has been a waste of time. Given a few stretches. I need to get back to work but I've had no improvement in the last month. Can't get private physio until I know the CT Scan results. Tried all sorts of bed supports and pillows but still can't sleep.

Got work coming out after easter and I doubt I'll have any good news. I can't sit upright for long even now.

Still avoiding pain killers as they add to other problems with hormones.

It's strange how your life can start to look different isn't it?

I already find it odd that there was a time I wasn't always in pain! It's only been 6 weeks but it's just become my miserable life.

Hi everyone I know what you mean about pain becoming normality in just a couple of months and wanting to get back to normal a few months ago I was ttc and trying to create what I though was the perfect family but now this has happened that has gone out of the window and I totally appreciate what I have and if this is it for me than I am lucky (as long as I can get my back sorted ). I totally understand the low mood too I have had a lot to deal with over the last 8 months and did so fine but being in pain and when I am not waiting to be in pain is enough to give even the strongest person a bit of a low mood.

Happy easter everyone I am spending mine at Alton towers lots of pain killers packed I might regret it in a couple of days but I am not letting my back spoil ds hols he is only 5 so doesn't really get why mummy can't run round after him. Take care of yourselves everyone x x x x

Oh dear so much pain in here at the minute. It makes you really appreciate the good days .. sorry I am an annoying optimist and glass half-full type ... on the down side I get disappointed a lot!

The sun is shining and I am off for a shower (and grateful that I can step over the bath today as its not always the case).

You guys seem quite new to all this .. I am 9 years into it and its a lot better honest. Yes you do get used to it and cope better and find drugs that suit you (although I will still take ones that don't on desperate days). Fuzz I am interested to hear your drug/hormone issues. My anti d's fight with the scary drugs so I try to avoid but am hormonal (menopause) too. Enjoy Alton Lowzil - sometimes we can do more than we expect to.

OMG, Fuzz. That sounds a nightmare. Enjoy Alton Towers, lozwil. Which medication do you take, allypally? I find most painkillers are either ineffective or mess with my stomach. Diazepam works but they doctors don't like prescribing it because it's very addictive.

Sounds like a lot of pain going on right now here, oh dear. I'm feeling quite lucky now as the tramadol is helping with my pain lots and its bearable, except for a weird pain on the sides of my hips/tops of my thighs which makes lying down to sleep pretty difficult, really sensitive skin in those areas too, but apart from that feeling so much better. Thank God for drugs!

I take paracetamol and ibubrofen most days and reserve codeine for bad days (cos I then need dynamite to go to the loo). Co-codamol and tramadol both gave me funny turns when mixed with anti-ds so I avoid them if possible. My GP won't give me diazepam although I have had them from call-out GPs when I have had a spasm and can't move. After waiting 8 hours last time I'll just neck some gin next time as it has the same effect!