dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 suffer with back problems? If so, how do you relieve the pain? I am in agony with my back! Every time I move it jars and the pain makes me want to be sick(unfortunately I can't physically be sick).I had a hernia op two years ago and worry about taking anti inflam drugs. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Me Fortunately I keep mine at bay with monthly visits to the chiropractor AND using my brain to lift anything rather than my strength! If it gets a bit niggly because I've not listened to the warning signs, I take a couple of ibuprofen and lay back in a reclining chair until it eases. If it gets too sore, I use an icepack on it to take the inflamation down too. And if that doesn't help, I get myself an appointment with the chiro pronto. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 my hubby has just been to the chemist to get me some thermo packs and ibuleve gel, so I am now sat in my pj's with the pack on hoping it will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Wouldn't say I suffer often, but I do get really sore back for a couple days if I do something daft with it - e.g. carry things badly. It's totally miserable as whenever you move it hurts. I go for heat packs and painkillers (I can't take anti-inflammatory ones either though), and red wine once it's no longer the morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Sorry to hear that you are suffering. I don't have back ache but wonder whether a tens machine would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozmk1 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 ohh sweetpea, poor you. have you tried those heat belts that are advertised on TV? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 I was thinking of a tens machine - you can buy them now can't you? If this belt doesn't help,I will get one. I have to say. this belt feels lovely, although I haven't actually tried to move since I put it on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I do - since I was 26. Apparently the bit between the discs have narrowed (miniscule - hardly visible on an x-ray, but you feel like you have 2 separate parts of your body grinding against each other in the middle - bit like being sawn in half, so I know how you feel). Don't put warmth on it - needs cold (those with whiplash injuries - warmth - very confusing). Your muscles are probably going into protection mode and making it worse. I have a stash of ibuprofen for the just in case it goes again times. Over the years I have learnt to recognise the warning signs and take a couple of tablets before it gets worse - I also have Ibulieve as well. My doctor put me in contact with a reputable chiropractor, and the relief - wowser. Went in like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and came out upright. Have you been to the docs or hospital for x-rays to see what is causing it? Chances are you will be put on anti-inflammatory tablets first (you might need heavier duty ones) to reduce swelling before the x-ray (the muscles tend to hide the problem). You could have a slipped disc. I also know the chairs that I can't sit in, and when I do (and this is very naughty) I tend to curl up and lean on one side and carefully change to lean on the other. Whichever way makes you feel comfy. But overall exercise to keep it moving (and that will depend on what your doccy says). I have several different ones - and again I do them when I feel it's on the blink. Different back problems have different exercises too - mine are totally different from my mum's slipped disc exercises (I blame her for the weakness ). Do check with the docs first - in case you try some relief that will make it worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Thanks - I had a prolapsed disc a few years ago and was in hell for 6 months! I had months and months of physio and had loads of appointments with a chiropractor which really helped. I have had back problems since I was 18 so am used to being in pain. I think I pulled my back when I was cleaning the chickens out a few weeks ago,I thought it would right itself like it normally does, but it has gradually got worse. I think I will be paying a trip to the docs tomorrow if the gel and tabs etc don't help. I feel like an old croc!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I can't think of anything more frustrating - you feel well but the body just isn't willing. I can't tell you how many jokes about zimmer frames I have heard. I also have a photo of on of the ladies at work massaging me on top of a filing cabinet - I got up there, but couldn't get down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 I had to txt my OH from my bed this morning so he could come and help me out of bed!!! My nickname at work used to be glass back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Trips to the loo can be . . . er . . . interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 yup, found that out this morning as well.ouch!! My Oh has just gone away and won't be back til tomorrow night! If I get stuck now I am going to be totally in trouble! You will know if I have got stuck as you won't see me on here til he gets home tomorrow night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Good luck and chin up - even if nothing else works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I suffer from a bad back ( and have done so since I was 17 when I fell down stairs). Ibuprofen and Ibuleve and rest seem to work. A lot depends on wether it is a muscular/soft tissue problem or a bone problem. Mine is a long standing grumpy ligament/tendon problem with a hint of muscular wastage. I have a lovely sports physio who has spent the last two years fixing the problem ( there is no quick fix). I have heaps of exercises to do. If I have a painful spasm I have strict instructions to immediately stop whatever I am doing, make a cuppa, down two ibruprofen and sit down (sitting properly of course) and wait for it to pass. Fortunately the spasms only last about half hour or so but it's so painful. If the pain lasts more than half an hour I have to use the Ibuleve.After that its a relaxing bath. If it lasts more than 12 hours I am to contact the physio. The worst culprits for causing flareups are housework and pushing the shopping trolley......... of course these activities have to be restricted to avoid risk of further pain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Oh yes, the shopping trolley. I have discovered that argumentative ones are easily sorted by pushing them from the side rather than by the ends - awkward down the aisles, so best done while wheeling to the car. Reaching down into them is another problem - not easy to fit all your shopping into the little ones. Mine first flared up after reaching the other side of the bath when cleaning it. I think the main culprit was working in a bank and lifting heavy coin bags incorrectly, swinging them up into the cages - and wrestling with them to pile them neatly, and lifing heavy coins up and down from our swivel chairs. Bad bad bad. I used to stand up in the end and no more throwing heavy bags around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 I originally damaged mine when I was 18 by lifting crates of beer. I then really really damaged it by having a pogo stick jumping contest with my son! Of course I won the competition, but ended up with the prolapsed disc Another job that really needs to be left to OH is cleaning out chicken coops... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Yearghhh! No more bouncing on the bouncy castles either. Backs are such party poopers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Yearghhh! No more bouncing on the bouncy castles either. Backs are such party poopers! also not good when you have given birth to more than one child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I never used to have a bad back, odd considering all the sport I used to do. But then I had a very big baby and that was the end of it all; my back was weak after that and I had a slipped disc a few years back. Regular trips to my wonderful osteopath keep it in trim and the disc where it ought to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I used to see an osteopath regularly after slipping downstairs and landing on my coccyx. I changed to a sports physio for remedial massage after I injured my knee - monthe in plaster and learning to walk again menat theat my back was out of line and really sore. I see her every 5/6 weeks to keep me mobile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Ooh that made me wince Lesley! Hmmm, I actually didn't have any problems with either of my babes, but it was one at a time - more than one ooohhhhh. I have now crossed my legs with the thought of the pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Father slipped 3 disks a few months back (June), was in hospital for a few weeks lying flat, nothing changed so he had an operation to trim all the disks and release the trapped sciatic nerve - more bed rest in hospital then home for a few more weeks, slowly doing more physio and walking about and he's mostly been fine just aching. He went back to the hospital today and one of the disks has slipped again Another week in bed lying on his front and going a few exercises to try and get it to go back in naturally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I had back problems for years, then the final straw came when I had a disc prolapse in the 35th week of my pregnancy. Ouch that hurt and recovery was slow. I had lots of physio. Along side the physio I was given pilates based exercises to do which is designed to strengthen the core muscles. Core stability is their mantra and they are right. I did the exercises they gave me then joined a gym and concentrated on attending pilates and body balance classes. Then graduated to other more physically demanding classes and touch wood everything is now ok. Even the gym instructors recommend these days that even if you run or do aerobics you still combine it with a 'core' based class too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
