Anyone know anything about back problems...... (Its a long one)

[lauraloola]

About 8 years ago I put my back by lifting a heavy box the wrong way - Didnt bend my knees. I felt something go and the doctor in a and e said I had snapped a disc although I didnt have any x rays. My gp told me different and I never had physio.

Anyway, about once a year since then my lower back 'goes' again. Once I just got out of my car and it went - When it does I cant walk properly, cant sit down and am in agony for a few days.

On Saturday night I moved a cooker a short distance. Stupid I know. Since then I have had a sharp pain in my lower back as I do when my back goes but nothing actually went this time IYKWIM. When I stand up I am bent forward and sruggle to walk. I cant get comfy sat down only when lying.

Having a 5mo dd is a nightmare!

Any ideas what I have done. I cant get to my gp until next week. I am having lots of baths and trying not to lift etc.

wow, I didn't know that Slubber

I have had the most awful 3 years with my back but thanks to NAPROXEN of all things it seems to be finally under control

Laura, I found the hippychick to be better if I wore it around my front (rather than to one side)

I also found the physios helpful in telling me how to pick up baby etc - I took baby along to one appointment for practical tips

Oooh - More questions for you then Slubber!

What happens when a physio examines you? Is it painful?

Does the patient always have an x ray or scan?

Roughly how long from seeing gp is it until your patients feel a difference?

Sorry, I thought I would keep you busy. I know you cant answer these well but a rough guide would be great x

Hi.
I di mine at work lifting animals about 3 years ago. It flares up regularly.
I saw gp, prescriped
Diazepam,amitryptiline (sp?) and some others, cant remeber what.
was 16 weeks wait for physio so went private.
Had X-rAYS and MRI Scan
Saw orthopeadic surgeon who recommended Epidural cortisone injections. (thata scared me so didnt do that)
Then saw Neoro surgeon who said could operate but would prob not make any difference.
Still no real diagnosis.
Mentioned degenerative, and herniated disc.
Said try chiropractor and pilates.
Chiro does work for me. visits getting less frequent.

Back has flared up since having ds 12 weeks ago and running around after 21 month dd.

hope you get help.
I have found it all so frustrating.

ooh let ME SAY let ME say

because I like interrupting

(from a patient's pov)

What happens when a physio examines you?

As long as you are comfortable, they make you move in all sorts of ways (like 'bend down and touch your toes") and lie on your back and lift your legs up and see if you wet yourself or anything. They do loooooong questionaires with pictures of bodies on. They are usually friendly. Then they decide on a rough diagnosis and maybe do a bit of manipulation (squish your back a bit) if that is Their Thing. Then they give you exercises. You will never do these, obviously.

Is it painful?

No, they stop when you are feelnig pinching or pain.

Does the patient always have an x ray or scan?

My experience: After months of physio I was referred to the Back Team (surgical), then assigned a consultant (surgical), who was the person authorised to put me on the waiting list for the MRI. When I've had x-rays they were pretty quick, I just had to wait around for a couple of hours and they did them instantly - but I think they don't often do back x-rays these days.

Roughly how long from seeing gp is it until your patients feel a difference?

Depends what makes the difference - they will prescribe stuff, which might help, or the physio might do stuff that relieves the pain (so could be same day), or it might take years to improve.

LOL MP - Have had to move position several times after laughing!!

Touch my toes - I havent done that since I was 10!!

Thanks for that. Also, were you able to take your lo with you? Not sure what I would do with mine as there is no one who could have her in the day.

MP - glad it is on the up. I saw your BACK FAT thread haha. Oh yes naproxen is good stuff.

laura as you have asked a proper working for money physio on the other thread I'll wait and see what she has to say....

ime a back assessment from a physio will last between 30mins and an hour. Roughly half of that will be questions. After the talking bit the physio should have a fairly good idea what is going on and will use the physical exam to confirm their initial assessment and rule out other things.

If you are in a LOT of pain then the physio shouldn't really do anything to exacerbate your symptoms. If you have minimal pain, or no pain, well they are going to throw you around a bit more to try and find out what is going on.

At the end of your initial appt there may not be tme for any treatment, but you should be sent away with some advice on pain relieving positions and some exercises (as appropriate).

You will almost certainly be told to
keep taking pain killers (if you are in acute pain)
keep moving

Impossible to say how long it will take until you start feeling better, as you know, acute LBP (low back pain) is almost always self resolving.

and what MP said about x-rays/scans. For a scan(MRI) you will most probably need to be in the hospital system (ie under a consultant)

LOL at never doing your exercises. WE CAN TELL YOU KNOW. Just like when you haven't learnt your spellings.

Thanks Slubber. Going to go for a long walk tomorrow and WILL go to my GP asap. I will no longer put it off.

Thank you all for your help. Im surprised at how many of you have similar issues x

Hi, I'm a physi but musculo skeletal problems aren't my speciality. I would def get to your GP asap and get a physio referral.
I would ask for them to do it as an urgent referral stressing the huge impact it has on your ability to care for your child when it does flare up.
Most pts of your age will not have had any other investigatins when they first get to their phsyio appt. The initial examination will be a series of questions and then a through physical examination involving you moving in different ways and them feeling different joints.
Be prepared to strip down so wear reasonable underwear and/or take shorts. This may flare up some symptoms to be honest but shoul be short lived.
When you can expect to see any improvement will depend exactly on what's causing your problems. HTH.
Just off for a shower now but I'll check back to see if you need any more questions answered.

I took my DD occasionally to physio appointments although this lead to one physio saying "You should really have her on a routine, have you read Gina Ford?" at which point I start halluncinating

But mainly I left her with a friend who works at the hospital (or DH)

depends on whether she is a SCREAMY baby or not

Anyone heard of pilates here?
I kept 'doing' my back for 3 years after DD was born. Again, lots of pain for a few days then back to normal for a few months.
I joined a 'pilates on the ball' class for a year- SUCCESS !
Doing exercise on the big gymball does 2 things:
1 Makes it virtually impossible to hurt your back while exercising because if your back is in the wrong position you fall off!
2 Strengthens all the muscles around to support your back
I cannot recommend it enough! If you can't get to a class, try a DVD (my favourite os from www.fithaven.co.uk ). It REALLY works

Thanks - I was wondering if you have to strip. I will buy some shorts!

How are you supposed to lift a baby? Is there a way you can do it so that it doesnt strain your back much? Dd loves being on the floor but rolls to her front and cant get back so I am forever bending to roll her back - I have started using my knees but it still hurts.

Also - While its bad would you recommend a pram or front carrier for getting out and about. Took the pram today and manouvering it wasnt great.

If my GP just gives me painkillers can I get a 2nd opinion?

How much roughly do you pay for a private session with a physio.

Ooh look at me with all the questions - Thanks everyone x

Not a screamy baby at all. More then happy to self entertain x

I have a pilates dvd - I used a gym ball when I was pg and it hurt my back! I cant win!

I have had private pilates classes but I find it SO BORING I would rather take the drugs and piss my life away on MN

Thanks - I was wondering if you have to strip. I will buy some shorts!

You might need to remove your trousers and hike your top up a bit. Wear loose clothing. I wore DH's pants the first time and was rather embarassed.

How are you supposed to lift a baby?
You will be shown lots of ways e.g. make sure the baby is as close to your body as possible, bend your knees rather than your back - but it is REALLY HARD when a small one. I nappy changed on a bed instead of the floor. It is so hard, I sympathise. It gets BETTER once they can walk/crawl to you.

Also - While its bad would you recommend a pram or front carrier for getting out and about. Took the pram today and manouvering it wasnt great.

You need a pram with EXCELLENT steering and with a lightness to the touch - not a cheapy mothercare buggy. Try some out - in fact, try ALL your friends' buggies out if you can. Any time you see a buggy, grab it and try it out. And whenever your DH is around, make him do the pushing.

If my GP just gives me painkillers can I get a 2nd opinion?

You should get a referral without trouble. If not, ask for one.

Thanks MP!

Oh my God, I hope I get a fat, ugly woman if I have to wear my pants and lift my top up! What is the betting I get a fit bloke

Our pram is very heavy and I think that may have started my recent problems. I have been looking at strollers so may go for the lightest I can find. I think Jane do some good ones.

I have just had dd on my lap today as well as in her chair. She is so good though she doesnt seem to care and she has had lots of cuddles!

I have a changing unit as I knew changing dd on the floor would be a nightmare and it has been great. The bath is really high in it too so no faffing with kneeling on the bathroom floor.

I agree, pilates IS boring. I should have said that pilates on the ball is actually fitness pilates (much less boring).
How do you lift child?
It's all down to tummy muscles & pelvic floors I'm afraid!
They also say the bedroom is a good place to practise these things!
What hardship! Just keep pulling that belly button in

yes big pants and bra on. You have no idea the number of patients who came to see me expecting to have their backs examined who were without even a hint of underwear.

and yes everything else what smartarse MP said about lifting and buggies.

Sometimes if I saw people in acute pain I would give them a lumber spine support/corset, but only if it was really BAD. When it starts improving then you whip that away and make them start working on their core stability. And yes pilates is good for that but if you are going to go down that route you MUST see a pilates instructor one on one first. Don't just do a dvd. You need to be taught the right muscles to work.

sorry karise, what I mean is, get a pilates instructor or physio to show you how to contract your deep abdominal muscles first and then you can do a dvd.

classes better imo, but obviously more spenith.

BACK FAT BACK FAT

LOL!!!

People with no pants - Just wrong. Am thinking what I could wear to best cover up.... My body is like someone elses since having dd.

What is this back fat thread? Put a link to it...

Don't worry, I'm wearing my mother's body, which looks like it has melted

Basically my consultant was talking me through my MRI and started by saying "All this yellow stuff is your back fat" and I didn't hear anythign else, because I just wanted to cry about all the yellow stuff