Backache again!

[falcon123]

As some of you know I suffer back problems. It has not been too bad for a while but I have had backache since yesterday morning. I was walking the final bit to work when I trod on a paving slab that tilted and dropped a few inches. Half an hour later it started in my lower back - where I have two collapsed discs. Now I am hobbling about like an old man. Trying to avoid taking pain killers as only the seriously strong touch it! I have reported the problem with the pavement to the council and will watch to see how long it takes them to sort. Somebody could have a serious fall!

 

[Steff]

As some of you know I suffer back problems. It has not been too bad for a while but I have had backache since yesterday morning. I was walking the final bit to work when I trod on a paving slab that tilted and dropped a few inches. Half an hour later it started in my lower back - where I have two collapsed discs. Now I am hobbling about like an old man. Trying to avoid taking pain killers as only the seriously strong touch it! I have reported the problem with the pavement to the council and will watch to see how long it takes them to sort. Somebody could have a serious fall!

Hi Falcon sorry to hear your backache has re-apperared hope it goes away soon, the number of slabs around here and chunks missing out of the pavement is ridiculous, they never seem to act unless some kind of accident has occured when it is to late.

 

[Caroline]

Sorry to hear you hurt your back. I hope it is better soon. We have lots of loose and damaged paving round my way too and an elderly friend ended up in hospital after a fall. She took the council to court and won as several people had reported it over the last 6 months...

 

[falcon123]

Hi Falcon sorry to hear your backache has re-apperared hope it goes away soon, the number of slabs around here and chunks missing out of the pavement is ridiculous, they never seem to act unless some kind of accident has occured when it is to late.

Thanks for the thought. I think the roads around where I work are a training ground for the sub-contactors to the contractors to utilities!

 

[falcon123]

At last my back is starting to ease. Although I managed to get out and about at the weekend it was a struggle and a number of jobs I wanted to do around the house never got started. Saturday was by far the worse with sciatica in my left leg adding to the lower back pain. My left foot also had pins and needles for about 18 hours. The thing that annoyed me was people giving me advice they read in tabloids and are mainly aimed at muscular aches and stiffness from when you overdo it. At the moment the only thing I can do is try to increase core strength. The consultant thinks an operation carries to high a risk of ending up in a wheelchair.

 

[am64]

At last my back is starting to ease. Although I managed to get out and about at the weekend it was a struggle and a number of jobs I wanted to do around the house never got started. Saturday was by far the worse with sciatica in my left leg adding to the lower back pain. My left foot also had pins and needles for about 18 hours. The thing that annoyed me was people giving me advice they read in tabloids and are mainly aimed at muscular aches and stiffness from when you overdo it. At the moment the only thing I can do is try to increase core strength. The consultant thinks an operation carries to high a risk of ending up in a wheelchair.

woooo thats tough Falcon, my hubby had serious sicatica a few years back it was an absolute nightmare ! especially as closest hospital was 150 miles away!! it was seeing a specialist pain management nurse that sorted it eventually ...take care

 

[LisaLQ]

Falcon - I dont know if it's any use but have you tried a pain clinic? Mine wasn't very good but I'm sure others could be. I had steroid injections into my sacroilliac joints for my pelvis pain but by far the best treatments I've had pain wise have been amitriptyline and accupuncture.

Sadly I could only get so much accupuncture on the NHS - I had lots at Jimmy's with my physio team, but when they referred me back to me local hospital they only gave me three sessions before saying I couldn't be "cured" so there was no point in it. Erm, the point was it was helping with the pain!

If I could afford it, I'd go private, but alas that wont happen until I'm back in work, cant go back to work til the pain's gone, vicious circle.

Anyhoo - if you've not already tried it - might be worth a go if you can get it?

 

[AlisonM]

I don't know if it will help, but my physio recommended something called Biofreeze, which is a gel you rub on the affected area. It really seems to work on my arm, gives me relief for up to three hours (DON'T rub your eyes after you use the stuff, it's like chopping chillies!). I suppose it's a bit like 'Deep Heat' in the way it works but all natural ingredients. I know it's not a long term solution, but it might give some respite at least.

 

[Steff]

Alison is a star this biofreeze is totally brilliant it has worked wonders for my knee, it is very strong and you must wash your hands after you have rubbed it on as once o/h did'nt and his eyes where stinging for a day.I dont know where tit can be bought as it was given to us bu his dad x id recommend it falcon

 

[AlisonM]

Alison is a star this biofreeze is totally brilliant it has worked wonders for my knee, it is very strong and you must wash your hands after you have rubbed it on as once o/h did'nt and his eyes where stinging for a day.I dont know where tit can be bought as it was given to us bu his dad x id recommend it falcon

Boots have it at ?8 a pop, Lloyds for ?7.65, but you might get it cheaper online. I use a disposable glove when applying the stuff, saves a lot of tears.

 

[Steff]

Boots have it at ?8 a pop, Lloyds for ?7.65, but you might get it cheaper online. I use a disposable glove when applying the stuff, saves a lot of tears.

Its very weird once you get it out the tube its like it goes liquidy real quick lol

 

[LisaLQ]

Sounds good, although where I'd need to rub it might be a problem for me LOL (syphysis pubis).

 

[falcon123]

Three weeks after putting out my back I got an e-mail from the council to say they had inspected a week after I reported it to them. They have decided that that part of the pavement is not their responsibility and that it forms the frontage of the office block. I then e-mailed them back asking whose building (multi-tenanted) is was so I could report it to the owners. After over a week no reply and the slabs are in even worse condition (loose and broken). Probably to busy persuing people who have made a recycling error!

 

[Caroline]

Falcon, I use a site called tai Chi for arthritis. Have a look at the DVDs there and see what you think. There is a seated tai chi routine which hubby uses sometimes when his sciatica is playing up. It is not a cure, but the gentle movements help to keep people a bit more mobile.

The website is www.taichiproductions.com & www.taichiforarthritis.com

If you have any doubts there is also a forum you can log onto and ask questions if you want to.