Guest Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 All week I've been shunted out of my classroom due to exams. Yesterday I was 2 hours in non-ICT rooms with year 11 classes who have no work to do (all finished - every other school has let theirs go!). They were revising, I was working on the teachers computer preparing resources for year 10. In the first classroom there was a proper swivel chair but it was broken and sort of "rocky" plus goodness knows what was wrong with the front but if you leaned forward it nearly tipped you off. Plus the screen was on the right whilst the kids were on the left - so I was twisting round a lot. Second classroom had a regular non-swivel chair. After these 2 lessons my back was a bit painful and the pain was going up into my neck but nothing bad really. In the night I woke up with a lot of pain in my neck. I was unable to sleep on either side without the pain waking me but I was OK on my back. This morning I thought I'd stiffend in the night and I would start to loosen up. Driving to work was painful and TBH I wasn't sure I should be driving. Lesson 1 was very active, with a very demanding year 9 class and lots of stooping to look at their work which was making my neck extremely painful. I thought it would ease up lesson 2 when I had a bright year 8 class setting up slides in PowerPoint - a task they could do independantly. During that lesson I realised I could barely turn my head and the pain was reaching the kind of proportions that made me feel sick. I arranged to go home and endured another very painful drive. I arrived home just before Mum returned from the vets minus her cat. I got an emergency Dr's appointment this evening and got Mum to drive me - she says its' definately muscular, keep taking painkillers, have a hot bath, put heat into it and she gave me exercises to do. I've done 40 minutes in the hot tub with the jets pointing at my neck, I've done all the exercises, taken more painkillers and even had a small glass of vino to loosen me up and still I can barely move! Never had pain like this since my pregnancy. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make my hair appointment tomorrow either Which means no hairdo before my holiday next week. :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Oh dear, oh dear, you poor thing. Keep up with the warm treatments and painkillers...have you got any of that rub-on stuff (Ralgex I think it is)? That may help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Awww sounds awful! Have you got a heat up wheat pillow? They really do help. My YD developed a neck problem (Torticollis) due to her JIA and the pillow helped loads when her neck seized up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Sadly I'm allergic to Ralgex - It gives me an asthma attack although I'm not asthmatic! I might get a wheat pillow tomorrow if its as bad. Right now typing is hurting - pain going up my arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 It's easy for me to say (type) but instead of all the treatments and remedies it would make more sense to get your workstation sorted out. Have you had a DSE (Display Screen Equipment) Risk Assessment ? Want one ? Identify the hazards, reduce the risks etc before your off work long term and joining the "no win,no fee" bandwagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 LOL - they HATE you being off and practically want a doctors note for one day of sickness. Which is kinda why I went in today - I had a day off the week before last so I felt double guilty! They make you take unpaid leave for EMERGENCY dental treatment (hmmm need root canal work - go in your own time and come to work in pain every day until the dentist can squeeze you in - yeah right!). Schools are terrible for this though - in the last 2 schools I've worked in I've bought my own chair so that I had a proper one - at least in MY classroom I have one here. They are VERY health and safety aware. Which is the reason I wear 6" platform shoes to work and not my trusty Birkenstocks. The Birki's don't have a heel strap so are "dangerous" Being a rebel (without a clue) I found the perfect pair of ludicrous platforms with a heel strap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 aww, Feel better soon! ((hugs)) Would reccomend infra red heat lamp - worked wonders when my neck was so stiff it couldn't move. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 ouch! I find arnica cream very effective for muscle aches. hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Ow poor you it must be awful. Any consolation Redwing is in the same state. Perhaps you better send her some of your wine if it works. Sorry about your mum's cat as well. What a horrid day. I would think you'd be better to keep the exercises to a minimum just gentle movements for a bit. Hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Oh dear - another Omleteer with a bad back. I am so sorry to hear about the pain that you are in and have some sympathy as I suffer from a bad back on occasion. Hope you are feeling better soon and that you manage to get some sleep tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 A TENS machine might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Well I had a good night but then I doubled up on my "sleeping" tablets (they are not sleeping tablets mild anti depressants to stop me clenching and grinding my teeth too much and I am allowed to double up). I was dreading sleep to be honest as thats when it got worse last night but the excerses seem to have worked and it is less painfull this morning. I can turn it further before it hurts. I shall brave the hairdressers - I'll get them to wash me forwards instead of backwards. I wasn't going to drive there anyway due to parking issues so I'll keep you all posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Sorry to hear you're in such pain Pengy. Remember I'm nearby if there's anything you want or if you need help with the chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I'd recommend a wheat bag or a hot water bottle. I have problems with my neck, i trapped a nerve when i was doing my NNEB training by of all things, tying a shoe lace! Schools are dangerous places Ever since i have had twinges now and again and the only thing that provides any relief is direct heat to the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 My dad has problems with his back, and instead of just pain killers you can get them specifically for your back, and you only take them 8 hourly. He says theyr'e really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Sorry to hear that Pengy. Swivel chairs really do aggravate bad backs - avoid them like the plague. Keep taking the tablets and I hope you feel better soon. Just do a little at a time and don't push it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
