More Terrible Back Stories

[Matildathecat]

This is the support thread for all sufferers of back pain. Acute, chronic, agony or niggles, we are strictly non competitive. All newcomers very welcome. (Though be warned, the language can be a little 'ripe' ).

Here are our previous threads:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1871592-The-Back-Story
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/1992406-The-Back-Story-Continues

My story long and grim but basically had failed surgery for disc prolapse, then further failed surgery to attempt to salvage the situation. I have nerve root damage and severe scarring around the nerve at L5 which won't get better. I'm 48, can't work, take a lot of drugs and have a blue badge. Currently battling several different agencies for ill health retirement and other benefits.

But I'm ok, having some fun despite the pain and have made some lovely friends on here.

So come and join us for moans, advice, downright rants or just a laugh.

[Matildathecat]

Ha! Meant to include a link on the last thread but I'm guessing the title will have enough hints to be obvious .

[LostInWales]

I have to go out (to pick up moar drugz) see you later .

[GotMyGoat]

Hello! I would LOVE to see what scarring around a nerve looks like, is that weird?

I just had an MRI today to check my coccyx pain isn't down to a tumour rather than just injury from childbird 2.5 years ago, have been in constant pain for those 2.5 years, but luckily not completely disabled by it - just always in pain.. have spent £1500 on seeing the chiropractor so far, been dismissed by gps and rude consultants... had letters for hospital appointments go astray and have just been trying to get some pain relief since October... but we have to wait for the results of the MRI. It's taking so long!

I just want them to cut out my coccyx really, or slither out my spine like they do with fish - imagine the relief! Oh wait... i'd be dead. Back to the drawing board.

[nicename]

My Osteopath deserves a sainthood. My discs are slowly popping/tearing/squishing like a Chinese firecracker from my tailbone up. As it moves up the spine it gets more painful.

[Matildathecat]

Hi goat, perhaps a little weird. I believe it's very easy to see on the MRI especially with contrast dye.

Sounds like agony. I know the coccyx moves naturally backwards in childbirth to create more space (midwife!), has yours ever been x-rayed to exclude fracture or dislocation?

Hopefully your results won't take too long. It is extremely variable. If you see our last thread, some have almost instant results and some, well...

In the meantime, hope you have good painkillers and frankly your chiro isn't helping so maybe not worth it. So frustrating.

[Matildathecat]

nice, please,no! One disc exploding was bad enough...

[GotMyGoat]

Chrio has helped a lot with my upper back pain (i have scoliosis) but I think he might be aggravating the coccyx in the process. Yes - I have had x-rays at the chiro you can see it's very inflamed, but no obvious cracks etc. took them to my gp and he couldn't see anything so didn't bother forwarding me for an x-ray at the hospital - but it was all fuzzy so hard to say.

I will have a read through the previous threads.

I love the noise my spine makes as it is squished about nice!It is very satisfying -particularly the 'hunch' at the top of my back - the force of that one is terrifying.

[Fizzlebiscuit1]

I just want to die. I feel so terrible. Doctor has diagnosed pneumonia and I have a disc herniatiom which requires surgery. Up to a 18 week wait to see a consultant or pay £8000 to have the op privately.

I know worse hinge happen but this has knocked me for six

[Matildathecat]

fiz I'm so, so sorry. Only a consultant neurosurgeon can decide if you need surgery. Get on top of the pneumonia before you make any decisions at all. You have far, far too much happening. Also, if you are stopping bf you can get much stronger painkillers from your GP.

I'm holding your hand. Pm me if you want to discuss the surgery option but as I said, get rid of the infection first.xxx

[GotMyGoat]

Oh fizzle, you poor thing - Hopefully they'll be able to see you much much quicker than the worst case 18 weeks.

[Fizzlebiscuit1]

Thank you xx

[LoonvanBoon]

Oh fizz, you poor thing. What terrible timing for you. Sending sympathy & hugs (you'll have to get the good advice from the others!). Hope you've got someone there to help?

[LostInWales]

PM'd you Fizz.

[17leftfeet]

Ow, I'm stuck on my hands and knees on the floor!

I knew this was a bad idea -I need a cleaner I think but can't afford one

[17leftfeet]

I'm up

[Matildathecat]

I've resorted to the tramadol. Did a short supermarket shop plus sat to write a letter (appealing against Congestion zone ticket...I'm fucking registered with them as disabled). Obviously too much excitement for my back.

Fiz we are all cuddled round you very gently. This Will Pass.

17, good.

[PavlovtheCat]

wow you all talk too much, 18 posts before I even knew a new thread was started!

I am gonna go read. But. I am on annual leave until Thursday!!!!! Yey!!! I made it! .

[PavlovtheCat]

fizz is there an option for you to afford to pay privately to see the consultant now as he can take a look and if necessary can put you on urgent NHS waiting list which can be weeks, rather than months? I know that has happened to others who have had back problems, saw the neurosurgeon privately at around £250-300 then he operated within a week as it was he felt necessary, on his NHS list as an urgent case. And this is urgent, as it is not just affecting you (which is of course horrendous. But you can vaguely cope with that better if you have nothing else to do but lay there in a drug induced stupor, but you can't, you have babies, newborn and little toddler babies).

Gentle careful hugs. We are here and will try to list your spirits with tales of shopping purchases, designer recliner chairs for back pain sufferers, pain transfer devices etc, if we can't do much else.

But. Also, do consider a&be if you are not getting pain relief, gps are good but can only do so much. Maybe they can bump you up the list to be seen (expedited I think that is called).

[FIZZLEBISCUIT]

Thanks everyone for virtual hugs and great advice. I will write more when I've got more energy but just completely wiped out at the moment. Thanks again xx

[Maiziemonkey]

How horrid for you fizzle, hope you are getting some much-needed rest and sleep. We will all be thinking of you xx I have also heard of this possibility to fast track people on the lists if they need it.
If you can try not to worry and concentrate on getting better, one thing at a time as it were.

[denialandpanic]

fizzle you can ring the appointments team and tell them you will take a short notice cancellation.This can help get seen quicker. I'm so sorry you are in this position

[Matildathecat]

fizzle, another thought is to consider injections before surgery.

Problem is that neither injections or injections are great for disc related back pain. Much more likely to sort out leg pain.

For now just concentrate on getting rid of the infection and getting some robust analgesia.

pavlov, hey to annual leave! Enjoy without any skydiving if you can .

goodness, hope your day at work went well.

[Matildathecat]

Sorry, should have read neither injections nor surgery...

Tramadol brain.

[LostInWales]

I was going to say head for injections first and see. DH had very bad back pain and spasms that meant he had to ask an old lady for help getting up in the car park at Tesco once but he is unrecognisable now he has 12 monthly injections. The first one was literally like a miracle, he stood up after and was straight and perfect again.

Anyway, football training, extra tramadol, wine. If you see me posting later just ignore everything I say .

[GoodnessKnows]

Hello!!!!!!
Here's the slimming world cheesecake I'd promised (no gagging noises please!). Lol
Fizz. Oh darling!
I know of three people of our age (guessing-ish) hospitalised with pneumonia. WTAF!
Right. Wouldn't think they'll operate until you're better (pneum-wise) anyway. Even going privately would entail a wait.
Waiting for (tumour-dodgy) MRIs and operations is ... scary shit!
I so feel for you as, everyone will tell you, that was my situation (minus the news baby and pneumo-crap) for 6 weeks. Holy cow, was it hooooooorrible. If you want to chat to me, PM me and we can swap numbers.

I'm pooped, people (taught in school today then home to tutor). But I looooooved it!

Still gutted after friendship smack in the face (metaphorical but may as well gave been kick in the stomach).
No, I chucked her out of my Fb group. I can't even put into wirds what she did it deserve that. Quite incredible. But I'll try.
A Friebd called to say she was sorry to hear I'd not been well. I said thx etc and asked how she knew.
She told me that X had told her.
I texted X to ask, politely, say that I knew she'd had good intentions but would really rather she dudnt tell anyone about my recent illness as it is still too raw.
I kinda expected a quick 'oh I had no idea that she dudnt know (would've been obvious, non?) and an apology - or at least reassurance that she'll not tell anyone ekes / respect my preference for it not to be talked about.
I'll quote you part of what she responded:

'I thought she was a good friend of yours. I think you are being a bit silly here. I assumed she knew. I hardly know her. I am not interested in talking about anyone else's life and mist people are not interested in yours either!'

I know that most people aren't as sensitive as I am about feeling the need for privacy (particularly since the tumour was cancerous and I'm desperate for my DS not to hear scary things in the playground). However, am I mad or is she ... a total bitch?