http://backpain.blog.co.uk/My blog is all about back and neck pain and everything that comes with it. It starts with my low back problems, spinal operations and things that went wrong. I've also included the different types of treatments I've had from chiropractors and physiotherapists to alternative therapies and treatments, spinal injections and pain management. You name it, I've tried it, in a bid to find true and lasting pain relief. I've even done a home study course on pain management and attended my local pain clinics. My blog also has some newspaper articles and other details I have collected from websites on treatments and types of pain relief. It's also about my quest to find out if a diagnosis that I was given that I also have Fibromyalgia, is correct, as so many of the pains are similar. And finally its about sharing tips on how to beat that pain in the neck and back which has been the bane of my life for over 20 years. Hopefully lots of other people along the way will benefit from my blog and pick up some pointers to help them with any back and neck problems they may have.en-EUhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://backpain.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/eb/086c7cab2114c30c80acb8c85ffc79_160x200.jpg <p>I have completely overdone things today and yesterday - just by way of a change. I'd noticed the Debenhams 25% sale and I'm not one to miss a bargain so my other half and I trotted of to town yesterday to get some bargains and some Christmas presents. Well you know what us women are like once we get into a department store with lots of goodies to buy ............<br> the rest is history. But, instead of being very sensible and going straight to bed when I got home I was on such a roll with my endorphines well and truly kicked in, that I decided to finish making my Christmas cards.</p> <p>Big mistake ! - my neck went into such spasm that I just couldn't look in any direction and it felt like someone was sticking a knife in my neck. My other half was a bit cross with me but got me lay down with a heat pad on my neck and took my laptop from me and anything else I could reach and made me rest. It eventually went as it always does but it did do me in a bit and I needed the pain to go away for today as I had a coffee morning planned at my house for the ladies group with some stall holders selling Christmas goodies ( yes, more - I'm nearly done now).</p> <p>Anyway, I woke up feeling the usual (rough) but once the medications kicked in I was ready for the mad house which it certainly was. The last person left at 2ish and by the time I'd tidied up it was three and I nearly ran upstairs to bed and slept until my husband (who I'd sent out to look for my xmas prezzy) brought me a cuppa up to bed at 5ish.</p> <p>I know I've said it before but it is just such a bind that bells ring when its too late and to have a brain and mind that want to do everything at full throttle. As my husband always says to me "you just NEVER learn, do you"? I think I just have a mental block of how bad the pain can be - either that or I've lost the plot lol ! I think its that really.</p> <p>I'm now watching the fantastic Children in Need concert at the Royal Albert Hall on the box, which is enough to put a smile on anyone's face - I think it's absolutely brilliant and have always supported such a worthy charity. </p> <p>Until next time friends, I will try and not be toooooooooooooo naughty tomorrow (but I can't promise you) lol. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/i-have-completely-overdone-it-yesterday-and-today-7416641/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/i-have-completely-overdone-it-yesterday-and-today-7416641/Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:44:44 +0100 <p>Nearly every week in the Mail Health Pages there is another article on a spinal operation to cure all back pain but everyone that I read seems to be only suitable for people with new spinal injury's and not for people like myself who have had surgery after surgery and back pain for the last 20 + years.</p> <p>The one in the Mail today was about how a prosthetic neck joint called Prestige ( a surgical wedge) was placed in the spine to replace the bulging disc which in this case was in the patients neck ( same as mine) and although the surgery was still quite big in that they have to cut under your chin to move the windpipe to one side. The devise has undergone rigorous testing in America ( just by way of a change) and it has shown that people are in far less pain after this type of surgery. The surgeon was a Professor Steven Gill at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital. </p> <p>I'm not frightened of having surgery, I just won't go through with it until I find the right one for me and I know that could take years but its amazing how fast things are advancing in that type of surgery. Deciding which area of my spine to tackle first will be the biggest problem for me as my bulges are in my cervical, thoracic and lumber and some eighteen years ago a top spinal specialist said that he thought the only option would be fusion from top to bottom but my movement would be very limited !!</p> <p>Of course, the trouble with leaving these sort of decisions can mean that you have other problems to deal with, for instance haemorrhoids, which I'm sure I will not be alone in suffering from this because of the side effect of the pain and other medications you take.</p> <p>I've already had surgery once for this problem but it was so painful that I said I would never go through that again. But again in the health section of the Mail an article was written a couple of weeks ago on the latest surgery for this type of problem which leaves you with NO pain after surgery - amazing or what. </p> <p>So, I guess I just have to be a bit more patient and see if they come up with a spinal surgery that is pretty painless as well. You never know miracles do happen.<img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/18/spinal-surgery-haemorrhoids-surgery-is-it-the-answer-7403273/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/18/spinal-surgery-haemorrhoids-surgery-is-it-the-answer-7403273/Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:51 +0100 <p>I feel shattered today after a long day in the car. My back is now playing up something awful but I had to go to see my dentist who is my cousin and he lives in Lancashire which is about 2 hrs from us. I know your thinking I'm mad but he has looked after my teeth for I guess you could say forever, and knows all about my back and neck and what medication I'm on and is so careful with me. But after a long time in the chair then another 2 hour journey home its obvious I would be feeling a bit rough now.</p> <p>To be honest with you it really took it out of me last week in London and I spent most of Friday and Saturday resting in bed then the sunny weather on Sunday prompted me to go for a long walk so my husband and I went to the woods with out dog. It was truly gorgeous and I managed 45 mins which I was really chuffed with and collapsed in bed when I got home but woke up feeling a lot better.</p> <p>I've been busy taking my mind off the pain by making my own Christmas cards - the mess everywhere when I make them is always awful as I just drop everything and deal with it at the end but I'm chuffed with the ones I've made. I might have a go at making some mug cozies tonight for a bit of a fun as a present for the kids and their partners for Xmas, but I will wait until the medication has kicked in.</p> <p>It does really work for me focusing on something else when I'm in pain, but I always have the same problem and that is when to stop, as the bell tends to ring when I've overdone it but hey we only have one life so I've just got to make the most of it.</p> <p>I love the tv programmes at the moment and will settle in front of the tv with a hot bottle and watch I'm a Celebrity and all the X Factor and Dancing programmes until then come out of my ears. lol <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"> So, until another day, take care my online friends.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/its-been-a-long-day-today-7386920/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/its-been-a-long-day-today-7386920/Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:52:19 +0100 <p>If only the pain would go away then I could help all my family that need me. I know you will all say its my fault for the pain I am in at the moment but when your family needs you, you just go and deal with it.</p> <p>After a couple of days with my daughter in London who looks after me like a Queen I am still in a mess with terrible lumber pain today but I am soooooo glad I went. She had a very bad night on Sunday with pain and I will be anxious now until her operation in December but with her partner away on business I decided to go down and stay with her for a couple of days.</p> <p>London is always the same with anyone and everyone in what seems like a rush to get from a to b and although my daughter carries everything for me and sees me onto the tube, I still find it exhausting.</p> <p>When I got home yesterday afternoon I just collapsed as I felt so tired and didn't phone my Dad until this morning and now I feel really guilty as he was not impressed that I had not phoned him last night but I just didn't have the energy to even talk.</p> <p>I feel like I'm being torn from pillar to post and just feel that if only the pain would go away I could help both Dad and my daughter at a time when they both need me so much. I've got the social services assessing Dad again today and am awaiting her phone call to me to tell me how things have gone on but really the only way I can look after Dad is if he came to me for some rest bite, but I just can't seem to convince him of it.</p> <p>My daughter would never ask for help (she's just like me) but I know when she needs it and being closer to home would be just great but you can't help where you all live. A friend has just sent me an email which I just had to put here as so much of it is so true ............</p> <p>Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The<br> Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio</p> <p> "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.<br> It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to<br> 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"</p> <p> 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.<br> 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.<br> 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.<br> 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and<br> parents will. Stay in touch.<br> 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.<br> 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.<br> 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.<br> 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.<br> 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.<br> 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.<br> 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.<br> 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.<br> 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey<br> is all about.<br> 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.<br> 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God<br> never blinks.<br> 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.<br> 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.<br> 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.<br> 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is<br> up to you and no one else.<br> 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an<br> answer.<br> 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't<br> save it for a special occasion. Today is special.<br> 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.<br> 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.<br> 24. No one is in charge of your happiness, but you.<br> 25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will<br> this matter?".<br> 26. Always choose life.<br> 27. Forgive everyone, everything.<br> 28. What other people think of you is none of your business.<br> 29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.<br> 30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.<br> 31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.<br> 32. Believe in miracles.<br> 33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did<br> or didn't do.<br> 34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.<br> 35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.<br> 36. Your children get only one childhood.<br> 37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.<br> 38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.<br> 39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd<br> grab ours back.<br> 40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.<br> 41. The best is yet to come.<br> 42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.<br> 43. Yield.<br> 44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.<br> It's estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will,<br> forward this with the title '7%'. I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will<br> always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for<br> ourselves.</p> <p>I am sure you will all agree. Thank you my online friends for the support you have given me since starting this blog.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/11/if-only-the-pain-would-go-away-then-i-could-7352840/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/11/if-only-the-pain-would-go-away-then-i-could-7352840/Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:11:34 +0100 <p>I had a terrible night with my back last night but also felt as though everything was hurting. My husband knocked me by accident in bed and I could have screamed but I guess its the weather thats irritating my Fibromyalgia at the moment, so it will settle down again.</p> <p>I got up and felt so lousy but still had my feeling in my foot and took my usual medications with my first cup of tea then after my shower went for my usual walk with my small dog Bess but I had to turn back after just a short time as I knew I couldn't make it.</p> <p>One minute my other half saw me struggling behind as he walked ahead to the paper shop and then next minute I'd disappeared !!!! lol</p> <p>Normally I pick up when I get home as the walk seems to help to kick my endorphines in but today the only thing that kicked in was pain so I just went to bed and slept and slept and slept and got up this afternoon feeling a bit better.</p> <p>I've sat with my grey toy poodle shaking on my knee tonight as she is so frightened of fire works (bless her) but finally she's settled down. This happens every year and the only trouble is she will refuse the walk in the morning as she thinks another noise is about to come and it usually takes me a few weeks of coaching to get her to enjoy her walk which she normally loves. Its such a shame it has to go on for days and days and I'm out tomorrow night so I will have to leave the radio on loud in the kitchen.</p> <p>Well that's it for today, I'm off to start a new book ................</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/my-dog-hates-fireworks-7315632/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/my-dog-hates-fireworks-7315632/Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:02:33 +0100 <p>I woke up this morning with a surprise !! When I put my foot out of the bed, I could feel it !!! I was soooooo pleased I woke my husband up and sang my heart out when I came down to let the dog out. She thought I'd gone potty but she could be right their !!!!!<img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0">lol</p> <p>The numbness has come and gone all day but at least its on the move so I've tried to rest most of the day with the heat pads and will keep doing that for the time being. I've also been searching the internet and found a few new ideas on back pain. One being laser treatment on your nerves and a friend is going to find out the name of someone she had heard of that did it.</p> <p>I can't tell you how much better I feel today knowing that it is going the right way and realize that resting often just has to be a big part of my life and if I need to go and help my Dad again I will just have to fit in a rest sometime in the afternoon.</p> <p>I could be quite depressed about it all but its not in my nature to give up and it just spurs me on to get myself right again. I hope I can also help others in a similar situation. Life's short enough as it is and with the access to the world wide web you can learn and find out anything you want to know about your condition. The other advantage are the forums and blogs like mine where you meet other lovely people who will support and keep your chin up when your feeling low. Without this I think everything would be much harder to deal with.</p> <p>So, thanks all of you for your kind words and opinions on my problem which I hope I am getting to the bottom of. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/some-of-my-numbness-has-gone-yipeeeeeeee-7307788/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/some-of-my-numbness-has-gone-yipeeeeeeee-7307788/Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:47:46 +0100 <p>After reading my comments left from online friends I decided to go and see someone this morning as the numbness was no better and I felt pretty rough.</p> <p>I went to see a Physiotherapist who has a private practice in our village and she immediately said it was L5 and explained that some people get pain others get pins and needles or numbness but its the first time it has effected my left foot as I get pain all the time in my right foot and down my toe but not my left. The funny thing is that its my left leg that is the weakest.</p> <p>My Physio has advised me to use heat or ice in the hope that it maybe just inflamed and then it might settle again so that's what I have done today but no change yet. I guess I shall just have to wait and see.</p> <p>I guess I'm a little bit anxious as any sites on spinal problems say any type of numbness is a "red flag" which means go and get it seen to asap but as my Physio didn't say that I'm being a bit cocky and trying to ignore it !!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/03/numbness-in-my-foot-7302000/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/03/numbness-in-my-foot-7302000/Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:23:59 +0100 <p>I'm having a really bad day today. For the last couple of days I have been experiencing numbness in my left foot which now feels quite strange when I stand on it.</p> <p>I went for my usual Reflexology treatment and mentioned it to my Reflexologist and she had a good massage and dig with it but I couldn't feel much as it is numb but she did touch some points which were extremely painful and she thinks its coming from my neck.</p> <p>I came back and had a rest straight away but even though I've taken some more meds I feel awful, in lots of pain and very very sickly and I am now wondering if it could be my balance thats making me feel sick.</p> <p>I don't feel that I am standing different but you must do if half your foot is numb. My sister wants me to go to the Doc if its no better tomorrow but they won't be able to do anything so I'm just hoping it clears up.</p> <p>I definitely overdid it last week so it took it out of me but my Dad needed me at the end of the day. It just really frustrates me that I have to suffer like this after just helping him. The pain down my arm is a joke !!!! </p> <p>Feeling a bit sorry for myself I think - will snap out of it soon when the pain subsides !!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/having-a-bad-day-7293895/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/having-a-bad-day-7293895/Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:09:44 +0100 <p>Well I'm back home again now, so exhausted that I don't know what hurts most. My poor Dad has been to hell and back since Monday and was desperate for some tlc which I think I managed to give him. I just wish I was fit enough to do more.</p> <p>The operation went well but because of his heart condition they decided against a general but gave him a local then at 11pm asked if he would prefer to go home. As the only other person on the ward was a prisoner surrounded by four guards my Dad opted to go home. They organised a taxi and took him down in a wheelchair but the taxi broke down on the way home and he had to walk the last two blocks after a day without anything to eat or drink ( bless him).</p> <p>I left early and arrived late morning after getting stuck in a traffic jam and gave both Dad and my step Mum (who has Alzheimer’s) lunch which I’d taken with me. My step mum was really, really confused but I think a lot of it was because she had not been fed while Dad was in hospital as her sister who was looking after her is also suffering from Alzheimer’s!!</p> <p>I then got my Dad to bed and when my step Mums sister arrived I borrowed her keys to avoid waking my Dad up to go and do some shopping for them. Whilst I was walking round the supermarket my Dad phoned me to ask if I had seen my step Mums sisters keys which I explained to him I had taken to get back in without disturbing him. When I got back I found my Dad feeling worse lying on the bed - my step Mums sister sobbing with her head on the table and my step Mum none the wiser at all that was going on - to say it was chaotic is no joke !!! </p> <p>What had happened was something that you would read in a good book or see on a tv programme, but not in real life. My step Mums sister thought she had left the keys in the main flats entrance door as she had forgotten I had taken them from her, so she went downstairs to search for them and locked herself out and so could not get back into the flats again. She then had to start ringing the bell to get Dad to open the door but Dad was asleep so my step Mum eventually realised that a bell was ringing and managed to shuffle into Dad to wake him up to open the door for her sister as she has no idea how to open it (It’s a button under a counter).</p> <p>I eventually got dinner sorted and got them both fed and I could see Dads colour coming back in his cheeks and so I thought I ought to make a move home. By that stage it was around 8pm and I was staying with my son and his partner in a new flat they are renting in the Peak District which was about 30 miles away from my Dad. I arrived about an hour later and after a cuppa and a chat I collapsed in bed and took a ton of meds.</p> <p>I've went back yesterday and cooked meals until Saturday and listed it all for my Dad and had a long chat with the powers that be to organise rest bite for Dad but he's now saying he's not sure he wants to leave my step Mum, so that’s another problem I need to sort out.</p> <p>At around 3.0pm yesterday, I could feel myself slipping down and decided I needed to get home to bed but I felt so ill driving back that I had to stop for a sleep in the car and to take some more meds, buy some chocolate and drink a coke to keep me awake.</p> <p>Today I've been resting but my mind is full of what I need to sort out for Dad - it’s going to take a while for him to recover from this operation and ideally he could come to me to recover if I could organise nursing care to tend to his wound every day. But, my biggest hurdle is persuading Dad that would be the best option.</p> <p>I am in such a lot of pain today and feel so exhausted that I know I cannot manage to keep popping over to help him but I can’t really think of any other option if he wont come to me.</p> <p>I was lying in bed this morning watching GMTV and listening to Dr. Hilary explaining that most people with back pain have it bad because they are not using their muscles and just sit around all day. Well I can tell you now I have hardly sat at all of the past two days, apart from in the car and my back pain is terrible. I think people who have not experienced back pain do not understand that we sit or lie down because the pain is so bad when we stand or walk. You should have heard me shouting at the TV – it did me the power of good.</p> <p>Anyway, I know I’m certainly not alone with these sort of problems but I must admit it did make me think that I don’t think I want to get old, in fact I think I’d like to just stay in my 50’s for the rest of my life lol </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/dad-s-slowly-recovery-from-his-op-7268597/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/dad-s-slowly-recovery-from-his-op-7268597/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:24:48 +0100 <p>Oh ! Gosh what a day !!Just when I thought things were getting a bit better and enjoying my hugs and vibes from my on line friends, then it all went wrong. I was just about to go upstairs for my rest when my mobile phone went and my step Mum who has Alzheimer's, was on the line trying to tell me that Dad had been taken into Hospital - I don't even know how she found my mobile number let alone phone me as she cannot even answer a phone so I just tried to reassure her I would sort it out and get back as soon as I could.</p> <p>Talk about finding a needle in a haystack - I live in Nottingham and my Dad in Manchester and my sister in Spain and thats our total family. Our respective kids are in Cheshire, London and Spain so you can appreciate how hard it was to find anything out. I knew Dad had been to the Manchester Royal Infirmary before with his Diabetes and had seen someone last week about his abscesses on his back so I tried there first. About an hour and a half later I found out that he had been taken to A & E for emergency surgery on the abscesses but they couldn't get him to the phone and he wouldn't answer his mobile even if I tried to phone him. </p> <p>I explained that not only did I have Dad to worry about but that the carers with my step Mum would be leaving her and she cannot be on her own but they couldn't help me much and just said Dad had not gone down to surgery and maybe try in half an hour. In desperation I phoned a friend of the family who said she would go to the Hospital and get Dads keys for the flat and go round to sort my step Mum out and fill me in on how Dad was.</p> <p>By this time it was 5pm and I had still had no word from Dad so I tried the Hosptial again but they could only tell me that he was waiting to be assessed and that they knew he was a diabetic. I did try to ring my step mum but as usual she did not answer. </p> <p>I can't tell you how fast my heart was beating as I just didn't know which way to turn. My sister would not let me drive over in the dark because of the medication I'd had today and my husband couldn't take me as we are dog minding this week and although the dog we are looking after is ok in the car, out dog gets car sick so it would have just been another thing to worry about.</p> <p>I decided to hang fire by the phone until I heard from anyone. At 6.30pm my Dad phoned to say he had been admitted and that he was going down for surgery and was having a general anesthetic within the next hour. He was obviously worried about my step mum but I reassured him we had it all sorted.</p> <p>The trouble is Dad has Melanoma and after he had massive surgery on his chest last year they said he could not have another general anesthetic as his heart stopped twice during that long surgery. I obviously didn't want to worry Dad so after I spoke to him I rang his Doc straight away who reassured me that they will have all his notes and that it is such a short surgery and that it was nothing to worry about. I then started telling him how bad my step Mum is and he was shocked that she had not yet gone into care as it was quite obviously too much for Dad to deal with.</p> <p>The trouble is that its half Dads fault as he is frightened he will lose his regular carers that know my step Mum very well but he's worn out which I'm sure will have contributed to his low immune at the moment. </p> <p>I'm now sitting by the phone and will be phoning A & E at 10ish to find out how things went then I plan to get to bed and try and have a good nights sleep as I am going to go over at the crack of dawn to relieve my friend who will have slept in the chair all night. Then hopefully get my step Mum in care and then get my Dad over to me to recover so I thought I'd just put all this time as I may not be here for a while. I'm just hoping that my bag holds out as I just can't deal with that as well at the moment so keep sending your vibes and hugs my way to get through this. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/dads-been-taken-to-hospital-for-surgery-at-86-years-young-7249909/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/dads-been-taken-to-hospital-for-surgery-at-86-years-young-7249909/Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:51:52 +0100 <p>Its been a while again, since I've been here but I have just been busy sorting through drawers and putting bits on ebay which once the children had heard about also gave me a load of their gear to put on ebay!!!</p> <p>Then, last week I went and did something really silly. I was watching my husband playing tennis on the wii game and thought I would like a go and although he wasn't that keen on me playing it, I managed to convince him that I could not possibly hurt myself with something so light.</p> <p>Anyway - you've guessed it - I spoke tooooooo soon and on my fourth hit I felt something go in my back which wasn't like a disc pain more like a nerve pain - just like someone had stabbed me in the back !!!! Will I ever learn ? I only wanted to have a bit of fun.</p> <p>Well since then I've had to rest up and take extra medication and use heat pads as within a couple of hours the knock on effect to the rest of my spine was dreadful. By Saturday I'd already decided that if it was no easier by today that I would go direct to the Hospital and ask for an epidural or anything extra they could give me for pain.</p> <p>Fortunately it seems to have settled a bit now and I'm coping on the medication I'm on but I was sooooo frustrated and mad with myself for putting myself in that position and although I know my family love me to bits, they were all cross because of the way I did it.</p> <p>The nerve pain I get shoots down into my big toe but only comes on after bending over but you would be surprised how many times you do that, and I think that might push me to go back for some type of injection as a pain killer can't really work on a nerve pain.</p> <p>Still, their are people out there who are much worse off than me so I will keep my chin up and get on with it and might even start making my own Christmas cards today, propped up with cushions and using trays on cushions to work on - there's always a way to do it somehow.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/back-pain-and-the-wii-fitness-games-7245998/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/back-pain-and-the-wii-fitness-games-7245998/Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:43:51 +0100 <p>The lovely sunny Autumn days have got me out and doing a bit of walking after my hectic week and although I'm still suffering I do think the sun kicks the endorphines in.</p> <p>I feel quite chuffed with myself this week after helping an online friend when she needed a bit of tlc and cheering up last week. We met through my blog and I think my ideas to help her pain have worked and she is also seeing another consultant.I was really chuffed that not only had I helped her but also that the friendship came about via my blog !!</p> <p>I could actually just sit here and just type about anything and everything and probably some rubbish as well but the title to my blog is what I should be writing about so I've been doing a bit of a recky on articles on back and neck pain over the last week and have found some interesting posts on neck pillows for back and neck pain.</p> <p>Pillows are so personal don't you think? After my first cervical surgery I had to wear a collar so it didn't really matter what pillow I had but after the second cervical fusion they did not advise one but neither did they advise any type of pillow, so I've stuck with the same soft type for years. So much so that if I go to a Hotel and the pillow is hard I find it very difficult to get to sleep.</p> <p>However, they have now found out that certain neck pillows can not only help with the pain from disc injuries and whiplash but also for back pain, shoulder pain and even chronic pain.</p> <p>There are obviously quite a few different types advertised and the tempa ones are advertised everywhere but when I started looking a bit harder I found one called a cervical traction pillow which had great reviews but I can only find it available in America <a href="http://www.neckpillowstore.com">www.neckpillowstore.com</a> and arc4life.com and its quite expensive. </p> <p>I then came across another one in the UK called a water pillow which I have never heard of? <a href="http://www.waterpillow.co.uk">www.waterpillow.co.uk</a> this is a water based pillow which has been rated the top bed pillow over all others for improving the quality of your sleep and has been clinically tested and proven to be the best neck support pillow to reduce neck pain, shoulder pain and chronic pain. But, at around £45 it's not cheap and I feel sure that is why I have not heard of this one before. </p> <p>The makers are Mediflow but I found quite a few other sites that have them (including ebay) and they also advertise a travel one for £29.99 and a King size for £65.95 and then I found one on special offer with £6.50 off for £43.45 at <a href="http://www.swanseawaterbeds.co.uk">www.swanseawaterbeds.co.uk</a> but even then its more than my egg shell mattress topper and how can I be sure it will work for me?</p> <p>I mean I know they say that its been rated the top bed pillow but surely after years of sleeping on a very flat one something like this would be really uncomfortable. I then tried to see if anyone hired them out,which you think would be a good idea as I'm sure more would sell that way. But again, I could not find any site that hired them out.</p> <p>I would be really interested if anyone had tried this pillow as I am definitely thinking of buying one or maybe adding it to my Christmas present list but would be really upset if it did nothing for me. I'd love to hear from anyone who may have used these and their opinions on them.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/19/neck-pillows-back-neck-pain-7199725/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/19/neck-pillows-back-neck-pain-7199725/Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:05:34 +0200 <p>Gosh, I haven't felt this ill in months and months. I just don't know what to do with myself except sleep to try to ease the pain but even then it keeps waking me up.</p> <p>I guess I just totally overdid it as after London I had a wedding on Saturday and two events in one week is a no, no for me but I've not felt this bad for a long long time.</p> <p>When we got back on Sunday I slept all afternoon and went to bed very early but the pain in my foot would just not settle down so I was tossing and turning all night. Yesterday I did the same again and thought I would feel a lot better today but in fact I feel worse and now I'm finding it really painful to walk on both feet.</p> <p>I've got a ladies lunch I have been asked to today and just don't know how I'm going to manage sitting through it even with my cushion but with it being for a charity I don't like to let anyone down but would rather be in bed sleeping my pain away.</p> <p>I took some photos of the fashion show last week which I meant to put on my blog with my last post about it, but just haven't had the energy to sort them out but I will when I feel better. </p> <p>I won't come back and write another post until I feel better as they only become a bit of a bore. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/pain-pain-go-away-7159456/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/13/pain-pain-go-away-7159456/Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:16:25 +0200 <p>The Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show was as usual a fantastic afternoon's entertainment with so many fashions that you just couldn't keep up with the amount of changes the twenty five models must have made. One thing that did seem to stand out is the military theme and shoulder pads are definitely back. The day after the show I went through my wardrobe and ordered some military style buttons on ebay to transform some of my old jackets!!!</p> <p>The show started with an amazing performance from three world class gymnasts and Andrea McLean from Loose Women was the afternoon's host. She was really lovely and so natural. Beverley Craven was the singer who had also experienced a diagnosis of breast cancer. She had a lovely dry sense of humour and sang some very emotional songs which brought tears to quite a few ladies eyes. </p> <p>The show seems to get bigger and bigger every year. We were on Table 1 - all the tables are for 10 people and there were 91 tables !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other fantastic thing that you get at the afternoon performance is a goody bag full of treats from Urban Retreat, Nivea and QVC.</p> <p>After the show finished we came out to pouring rain outside but we got a taxi to St. Christopher's Close and didn't let the rain dampen our day. I waited in a Restaurant for my daughter to join me after work and the girls had a good shop in Selfridges then joined us for some food before we got the 8.20pm train home. </p> <p>We had lots of giggles and although I felt exhausted by the time I got home and in terrible pain, it was all worth it. My husband knows how I am when I arrive home after this event and had a gin and tonic at the ready to relax my back before I went to bed, but all of us have already said that we know we will be attending this annual event again next year and lots more years after that.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/breast-cancer-care-fashion-show-at-grosvenor-hotel-london-7149278/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/breast-cancer-care-fashion-show-at-grosvenor-hotel-london-7149278/Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:50:56 +0200 <p>Isn't it just typical that the one time I need my rest before my special day out I have big problems sleeping. I know its my Fibromyalgia at the moment, with the weather not sure if its summer, autumn or winter and one of the classic symptoms of Fibro. </p> <p>I had a good rest yesterday afternoon then went to bed last night and couldn't get comfy with my nerve pain so took another muscle relaxant but still seemed to wake up every hour. At one stage I was so hot I threw the quilt off then the next minute I'm cold again (I know its not the change). So consequently I feel terrible today but I'm determined I will not let anything dampen (apart from the rain) my day at the Grosvenor tomorrow.</p> <p>I'm going to take lots of pictures and then write a post on it on Thursday, then maybe even more people with go along next year. At the end of the day we all know someone who has breast cancer so the more the merrier to help raise funds for such a worthy cause.</p> <p>I have also had a lovely tx from a friend today who lost her Mum to breast cancer and I just felt I had to tell you what it said.</p> <p>"YOU'VE BEEN PINKED! OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! HELLO, PRETTY LADY! YOU HAVE BEEN HIT. YOU HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED ONE OF THE 10 PRETTIEST LADIES WITH A KIND, WARM & LOVING HEART. ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT, YOU HAVE TO HIT 10 PRETTY LADIES. IF YOU GET HIT AGAIN YOU KNOW YOU ARE REALLY PRETTY AND KIND. EVERY MESSAGE SENT RAISES AWARENESS FOR BREAST CANCER. THANK YOU FOR PASSING ON THIS MESSAGE. "</p> <p>Soooo go on all you pretty ladies out there. Copy and paste this to your mobile and get sending it to your friends. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/fibromyalgia-and-sleep-disturbance-breast-cancer-awareness-month-7110952/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/06/fibromyalgia-and-sleep-disturbance-breast-cancer-awareness-month-7110952/Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:18:28 +0200 <p>Eight of us are going for our annual trip to the Breast Cancer Care Fashion Show and afternoon tea at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Wednesday. Its one of those events that makes you feel lucky to have nothing life threatening wrong with you. Pain is draining but you can at least deal with that sort of illness. All the models are either recovering from breast cancer or having treatment for it and includes a few men.</p> <p>The fashion show always seems to bring on your emotions and a few tears as its one of those events that seems to effect you that way. They raise a lot of money at this event for Breast Cancer Care and the tickets are not cheap but worth every single penny in the hope that it might help someone who is suffering from it.</p> <p>I've been resting up today and will do the same tomorrow ready for Wednesday as it is a long day for me. We leave around 11am and get the train to London then a taxi straight to the Hotel for the start of the event at 1.30pm. You are given a glass of champagne on arrival and then you have the opportunity to look around at some of the stalls and spend your money on a fantastic tombola and buy some raffle tickets before you go in for your tea.</p> <p>I can't imagine how many ladies are in the room but there are tons of tables of ten and the atmosphere is brilliant. The fashion show starts almost straight away and then your afternoon tea follows after the speaker and raffle. It finishes around 4ish and then we usually get a taxi to Oxford Street for a little browse and some dinner before we get the evening train home. </p> <p>Its surprising how my adrenalin kicks in all day and its usually not until I'm sitting on the train home that it hits me what a long day it has been, but I would highly recommend it. A simple change is as good as a rest as they say. </p> <p>Well I'm off to do a bit of studying now as I really want to finish my home study course soon so until next time.............<img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/breast-cancer-care-fashion-show-at-grosvenor-hotel-london-7106751/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/breast-cancer-care-fashion-show-at-grosvenor-hotel-london-7106751/Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:33:02 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.wellsphere.com/back-neck-pain-article/falling-asleep-on-tramadol/817483">http://www.wellsphere.com/back-neck-pain-article/falling-asleep-on-tramadol/817483</a></p> <p>Do take a look at the Wellsphere site it really is great. Whatever your problem someone will be online to help you. I have given you the link to my site which has links to this blog as well so its definitely worth doing if you have a health related blog. </p> <p>I have joined numerous Communities - Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Back and Neck Pain and have found a few interesting articles which should help my daughter with her IBS.</p> <p>Well that's all for now - I'm in demand, I've just had another couple of emails from Wellsphere !!!!!!!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/http-www-wellsphere-com-back-neck-pain-article-my-computer-crashed-omg-i-was-in-total-panic-817482-wellsphere-website-is-brill-7106184/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/http-www-wellsphere-com-back-neck-pain-article-my-computer-crashed-omg-i-was-in-total-panic-817482-wellsphere-website-is-brill-7106184/Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:56:01 +0200 <p><img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0">My computer crashed on me last night after spending quite a long time setting up a "Fighting Chronic Pain" group on the Wellsphere website and I felt as if I'd had my left arm taken off. <img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I could hardly sleep worrying about how I could manage until it got fixed and realised just how much I am online and use my little laptop. Its always near me as I can even use it lying down my putting it on a cushion. Being secretary trained I never have to look at the keys so its very easy for me. I just can't tell you how I felt. Awful wasn't in it.</p> <p>Anyway I spoke to my son this morning and he said try rebooting it which I did last night and nothing happened but this time its come back on again - phew !!! what a relief, and what a buzz I got when I saw how many people had left comments on different posts. This is soooooo therapeutic you have no idea. Trouble is I just can't understand people who don't enjoy being online and either writing or finding out anything you could possibly think of. Am I sad or what?</p> <p>Well now that I know its all ok again I guess I ought to wash the breakfast dishes and get some food in for the weekend then I can get back and settle down with my laptop later .......<img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/my-computer-crashed-omg-i-was-in-total-panic-7083131/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/my-computer-crashed-omg-i-was-in-total-panic-7083131/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:48:51 +0200 <p>I've got sooooooooooo much I want to do online but I'm really struggling keeping awake which is not something new as the slow release Tramadol sends me a bit that way but also with my back being so bad at the moment its draining me of my energy.</p> <p>I've tried eating some chocolate and having a black coffee so far but its not helping which is a bit of a drag. Fibromyalgia sufferers know that it is part of the disease but when you are also trying to fight pain and take drugs as well its a bit overwhelming.</p> <p>Its only 12.45 but I'm going to try and sleep for a while then get back on here after my forty winks in the hope I can keep motivated before yet another day flies by where I've got very little done. Its a good job this laptop is lightweight and wireless otherwise I don't think I would be able to get much done at all and I loooooooooooove writing.</p> <p>See you later alligator. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/falling-asleep-on-tramadol-7077011/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/falling-asleep-on-tramadol-7077011/Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:49:32 +0200 <p>As you can see I am a member of the Wellsphere Health Blogger Network where anyone can have a link to my blog if they want to find an answer to a question about back pain. Obviously there are plenty of other bloggers on board who are professionals and so obviously get approached much more than me.</p> <p>I've received an email to say that they are organising a health conference in San Fransisco that will have links on big screens to articles you have written about and they are asking members to write in if they wanted to be featured in this event and I just wondered if anyone had heard of this before and if so was it worth getting involved with.<img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/blog-advertising-lower-back-pain-at-health-conference-7076959/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/blog-advertising-lower-back-pain-at-health-conference-7076959/Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:41:53 +0200 <p>Its me again - three blogs in less than 24 hrs !!!!!!!!!</p> <p>I had a lovely Reflexology treatment this afternoon which seemed to react in every part of my spine so I came home afterwards for an hours rest as recommended by the Reflexologists, but it seems to have really stirred up my lumber back pain and I'm just so uncomfortable.</p> <p>Just wondered if anyone else was in pain at the moment like me? Its boring I can tell you that for sure.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/lower-back-pain-is-soooooooo-draining-7072334/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/lower-back-pain-is-soooooooo-draining-7072334/Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:18:11 +0200 <p>I was reading the article in last weeks Daily Mail about a new surgery for lower back pain. The technique was developed in the US six years ago with only 15 surgeons in Britain performing it.</p> <p>The Xtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion means that the surgeon can operate through two small incisions in the patients side and using this technology can avoid nerves as they operate. They then fill the gap left by the removed disc with a plastic cage, like a matchbox with square holes in it. This contains artificial bone graft which acts as a scaffold for the patients own bone to grow into. The surgery is also slightly shorter than other disc surgeries and recovery quicker.</p> <p>The surgeon in the Mail is a Mr Alwyn Jones who is a consultant spinal surgeon at the University Hospital of Wales and the Spine Hospital in Cardiff. However I cannot seem to find any link to any other surgeons in the UK who perform this operation. I have also been trying to find out if this type of surgery is also suitable for patients who have had previous fusions or just for first timers. So, if anyone can give me any links about this surgery or the names of other surgeons who perform it, I would be ever so grateful. Thanks<img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/xtreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-the-latest-technology-in-low-back-surgery-7068326/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/xtreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-the-latest-technology-in-low-back-surgery-7068326/Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:12:39 +0200 <p>Does anyone know if there is a link from having Glandular Fever, followed by Chronic Fatigue and IBS and Endmermetriosis? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/glandular-fever-chronic-fatigue-ibs-and-endermetriosis-is-there-a-link-7068187/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/glandular-fever-chronic-fatigue-ibs-and-endermetriosis-is-there-a-link-7068187/Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:47:21 +0200 <p>Hi, I can't believe how long it has been since I last wrote here. There have been a number of things that have kept me away but the main thing was the fact that I wrote in the last post that I would find out some hobby websites and put it on my post. I don't know why I push myself so hard sometimes, as at the end of the day it doesn't matter if I don't find out the details but I feel so guilty if I don't finish a job I have started !!!!</p> <p>Well, I'm probably about half way through the list I wrote but I've been itching to write another post so decided to put the list on the back boiler for a while and just write my usual posts. The other reasons that have kept me away was a lovely break in sunny Spain or not all sunny Spain as we had quite mixed weather. Still very warm but quite a few overcast days. I love my breaks but 10 days is enough for me and this time we went for just over two weeks and I was dying to get home. </p> <p>When I got home I realised why I missed it so much. Not just the comfy bed and cooler temperatures but I just love the UK. There is no where quite like it even though the change in temperatures have played havoc with my back and my Fibromyalgia I still love being home.</p> <p>I'm sure other Fibro sufferers will be in the same boat at the moment. I have even found the bed at night painful to lie on and last night put a quilt on top of my mattress topper to ease the pain. It definitely helped a little and would highly recommend it to other Fibro sufferers.</p> <p>I have also been researching a bit more about Fibro and other similar diseases as I have a friend who has been really suffering with her IBS and Chronic Fatigue for quite some time now - so much so that she is seeing a specialist next week. Last year she was diagnosed with suffering from IBS but the Chronic Fatigue had been with her since she had Glandular Fever about four years ago and the more I dug into it, the more you realise the link to all these Syndromes via your Immune System and it just seemed so obvious to me that this should have been spotted before. It also amazes me that there is still such a stigma with some Doctors about these Syndromes which are quite obviously not something in your head but a real disease that needs treatment.</p> <p>I read again and again and again on forums sufferers asking why they are being ignored and why no one will believe them. I always reply and reassure them it is real and to pursue it and get second opinions until you have exhausted every possible route and diagnosis. I had to and that was over 20 years ago now so you would think that Doctors would be thinking differently by now. </p> <p>I've really enjoyed being back here again and I won't leave it so long next time. You never know I may even be back again before the week is out. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/29/immune-system-and-fibromyalgia-and-season-changes-7065475/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/09/29/immune-system-and-fibromyalgia-and-season-changes-7065475/Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:12:32 +0200 <p>After my last post and me mentioning that a hobby can help to take your mind off your pain, I started to put a list together of hobbies I have and others which I think could help and came up with a long list so I am going to work on each individual one that I have put down and post as much info as possible to help anyone else who might need help with their pain.</p> <p>Comping<br> Get a penpal<br> Sewing<br> Photography<br> Writing<br> Card Making<br> Art with Mosaics<br> Antiques<br> Scrapbooking<br> Jewellery Making<br> Learn a new language<br> Knitting<br> Reading<br> Book group<br> Music<br> Webpals<br> Travelling<br> Blogging<br> Crochering<br> Online scrabble/games<br> Cooking<br> Geneaology & Family History<br> Crafts<br> Cross Stitch<br> Astronomy<br> Stamp Collector<br> Poetry<br> Calligraphy<br> Suduko<br> Surfing the Internet<br> Home Study Courses</p> <p>Well that's really all I could think of but if anyone can think of more please let me know and I will add them to my list and find out as much as I can about them as this takes time and I have plenty of that !! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/hobbies-that-help-with-back-pain-and-fibromyalgia-6836598/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/hobbies-that-help-with-back-pain-and-fibromyalgia-6836598/Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:37:01 +0200 <p>I had an email from a lovely lady who started writing to me after reading this blog and we have developed a lovely friendship and keep in touch with each other via email. The other day I received one from her and she was really really low so I spent some time writing back to her and she sent me a lovely email back and has said I could put my note to her on my blog for others to read, as I had made her feel a lot better.</p> <p>24 August at 19:37<br> Hi Sue,</p> <p>No need to thank me for reading your message - its a pleasure - just hope I can help you.</p> <p>Firstly, stop pulling yourself down - pain is draining in any shape or form and although at the moment you cannot think positive until you know the full score on your back it still fills you with negative feelings if you cannot take the pain out of your mind.</p> <p>One thing that definitely helps me is hypnosis which I do when things get really bad and the best way to do it is to get some cd's - i have relaxation cd's positive affirmations cd's and relaxing music cd's (bought on Amazon)and the best time to listen to them is as you are just about to go to sleep then it stays in your subconscious. It takes a few days, even weeks (not many) for it to stay in your subconscious and I also use it for weight loss and went to see a hypnosis women for that and at the moment i am listening to those every night as they also start with relaxation. They DO work and are worth the money in gold and I bought a small cd alarm clock which sits next to me in bed and some extra long ear phones. If I'm having a really bad day I also listen to them when I go for my afternoon rest.They wear off and all your do is listen to them again, but do try them.</p> <p>Talking of rest - you mentioned that you are now thinking that maybe its time to take some medications but you don't want anything that makes you sleepy, well why not? your body may need a rest every day to cope with the pain - if you still don't fancy it then go for Paracetamol x 8 a day and take them all the time so its in your system then when you are having a really bad day top it up with anything that has fen (ibrufen etc) and as long as it does not have any paracetamol in it, you can take that as well. Also why not ask your Doc for a muscle relaxant/antidepressant - I take two different types and only take 10mg of each for sleeping and they work to relax your muscles and put happy endorphins in your brain. They are not any where near as strong as depressed people would take and I know I will be on these for life but my attitude to taking pills is just that if you have a headache or stomach ache you would take something for it so why not for backache.</p> <p>Also a couple of websites I would recommend to join are <a href="http://www.spine-health.com">www.spine-health.com</a> - join this one (its simple) then click onto pain forums and then back and neck and tap in your discomforts and you will get lots of people telling you they have the same pain as you (or similar) and what they had done etc etc - this is an american site and excellent for back problems and the other one which is a uk site is <a href="http://www.painsupport.co.uk">www.painsupport.co.uk</a> and when you have joined that one you can go into the discussion forums. They work like the American one but I met a lady in Nottingham online who is even seeing the same Pain Consultant as me and if you needed any surgery doing that one is the best place to ask for recommended names of consultants.</p> <p>And finally, (I bet you wished you hadn't written to me now) think of a hobby that you could do using your hands which will take your mind off the pain. If you can't think of anything go onto the internet and tap in hobbies for the girls and you will soon find something. I agree with you that neck pain is far worse than low back as you use your neck for everything but my laptop is my hobby and without it I don't know what I would do. I could not do it however if it wasn't a wireless laptop as I can even surf and type (trained as a secretary in my early years) when I am lying on the settee at the same time.</p> <p>Well, I think that's all I can think of for now (thank goodness thinks Sue) but if I do think of something else I will write it down and let you know and don't forget to keep a pain diary ready for your next visit to the pain consultant or doctor or both. Basically they like you to put where the pain is and on a scale of 1 - 10 how bad its been (10 being awful) and how it effected your day. </p> <p>Look forward to hearing from you. Thinking of you. Keep your chin up Sue, you are not alone. Barbara x </p> <p>24 August at 22:33<br> Thanks bar,,,must be having a low, had a lump in my throat when I read your message, I have all those CD's have em on my ipod too but haven't listened to em for a few months, will have to make an effort and give it a go this week!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/what-s-life-without-friends-6836489/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/what-s-life-without-friends-6836489/Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:22:24 +0200 <p>I don't know why I do it, but I'm always putting myself under pressure to do this and do that. Before I sold my last business back in 1999 I'd already had to give up two other businesses due to my back problem.</p> <p>I had my first spinal surgery a month after I moved from Cheshire to Nottingham leaving behind friends and family, and my twin sister. It was the first time we had ever been apart. We were so close we would talk on the phone and see each other most days. My sisters second child and my first child even had the same delivery dates !!</p> <p>We went through everything together and she helped me start up my first business back in the 1980's, selling jewellery on a party plan basis. I had quite a good business going when we knew we had to move to Nottingham due to my husbands relocation with his work and at first I thought I would be able to continue with my party plan business. But I was in such a mess with my back that I decided to put it on the back boiler for a while until I had completely settled in and made some new friends.</p> <p>Unfortunately my back deteriorated and I was rushed back to Cheshire for my first spinal operation. Back in the 1980's spinal surgery was a much bigger operation than now and had about three months recovery time !!!</p> <p>By the time I had fully recovered I realised that I could not carry on with the business, with two young children and no family or friends nearby we never really discussed whether I should get a job or not but as my husbands hours and trips abroad were long it meant I needed to be around full time for the children.</p> <p>But, as usual my mind would drift into business ideas and I decided to start a Dress Agency from my front bedroom. Nottingham was a little bit behind trendy Cheshire at that time so I got most of my stock from friends and family in Cheshire. I then advertised it in a local newsletter and quite soon had a nice clientele of ladies who would come regularly to see my stock. </p> <p>All was going well until I decided to do a big Fashion Show to raise money for a local hospice and it was only a few days after the event that I developed terrible pain in my neck and arm. Over the following months I had various treatments for my neck, and was even put on traction in hospital and so with me out of action so was my business. </p> <p>My neck just got worse until eventually I had to have what ended up to be emergency surgery on it. The biggest difference with the recovery after this operation was unreal. Immediately after the operation I had no pain at all and after some weeks with my neck in a collar I was out of trouble and pain free.However lifting clothes on and off hangers was something I was advised not to do so I decided to pack it in but I was lucky enough to sell it to someone local.</p> <p>I never felt as if I had been a failure with either of my businesses I just felt it was circumstances that closed them and so it wasn't long before I was thinking yet again about what I could do to earn some money. As before we never discussed whether I should get even a part time job. In today's day and age you would get a job and sort your children out with a childminder but we weren't that way inclined in the 1980's and with all my family living a long way away from me, I had to just plod on.</p> <p>It wasn't long before a new business evolved and I started a balloon decoration business and this time I managed to keep it up and running for some 10 years which was quite a while in comparison to my previous businesses. Then, quite a few years down the line my neck became so bad again that I had to have a repeat of the first surgery. The only difference this time was that I continued with my business as I had others working for me who could run it while I had the operation. I can remember speaking to some of my clients from my hospital bed to reassure them everything would go ahead as planned.</p> <p>Then it was only a few years later that I was in a mess again with my back with crippling pain in my lumber region. I tried everything available to cope with the pain, I had injections, tried different medications, had physiotherapy, you name it I tried it. But, just as before I ended up needing yet another operation on the disc above the previous fusion surgery only this time it all went wrong. I had developed an infection and a hematoma which had to be operated on twice and left me in hospital for some months on an iv drip. It didn't take me long to realise that my health was not only affecting me but also the ones closest to me and I had to think long and hard if yet again I should finish the business and concentrate on looking after myself and my chronic back problem.</p> <p>It was decided the best option would be for me to retire but I was lucky enough to sell it to someone who had worked for me and to this day continues to run it. I really struggled doing nothing and I would come up with other projects to do in the house and the trouble was the bell didn't ring until after I'd finished the job !! I did think of another business venture but it didn't come into fruition as I knew deep down that I couldn't manage it but my silly brain still keeps thinking of ideas all the time, it actually drives me mad.</p> <p>Anyway I've carried on doing lots of writing and I honestly think without my lap top and the Internet I would have gone potty before now. So, why why why, after a Reflexology treatment a few weeks ago did I think that I could do a home study course on it with a view to maybe making a new career out of it?? </p> <p>I did my first module this week which I found really interesting and it came back with flying colours and I was then sent the second module which had to include some hands on work on my guinea pig patients which I had allocated to be my husband and a friend then as I watched a DVD which showed you the techniques on the massage used in Reflexology I noticed that the Reflexologist kept stopping to stretch and move her neck and shoulders because of the position she was in. So really it should have been pretty obvious to me then that I might have the same problem with my neck but my mind just seems blocks out my neck problem completely.</p> <p>I then tried to do my first treatment on my husband and was very soon in a lot of pain and in fact the pain was so bad last night that I had to top up my medication with some morphine in order to get any sleep at all.</p> <p>Today I've just kept questioning myself as to why I keep doing this when I love to write so much (as I'm sure you can tell) so why can't I be content with just that. I know my grammar isn't up to much, but I still get quite a few comments on my posts which gives me a real buzz.</p> <p>I feel quite down today, and it's not like it's the end of the world, there are lots of people far worse off than me, I know that. You would have thought I would have learnt by now but nature has a strange way of making you forget pain. I mean I'm in quite a bit of pain now after typing all this lot.</p> <p>Maybe I will tap into google "work for people with chronic pain" - hang on a minute I will just try that. Oh! dear, it may take me a while to get through them as google says there are about 3,190,000 sites to look at ! lol Any more ideas would be greatly appreciated (only joking).<img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/22/why-do-i-put-myself-under-so-much-pain-and-pressure-6796266/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/22/why-do-i-put-myself-under-so-much-pain-and-pressure-6796266/Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:56:37 +0200 <p>I was just browsing through recent viewers on the blog but couldn't find mine which I wrote a couple of hours ago and yet it went as far back as two days ago - anyone any idea why mine wasn't listed???????Thanks<img src="/img/smilies/grayconfused.gif" alt=":??:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/20/blog-co-uk-viewers-listings-6768249/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/20/blog-co-uk-viewers-listings-6768249/Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:21:32 +0200 <p>After reading up a bit on the pain killing medications I am taking it makes you wonder why you bother with all the side effects and problems they can cause. There is no way that I will be changing them but I then started looking into help through herbs and LAVENDER seems to be the most popular. </p> <p>Lavender has been used as a culinary herb since Roman and Greek times. It lends a delicate flavour to casseroles, scones, roast lamb and even ice-cream. It is a tonic to the cardiovascular and digestive system, it can lower blood pressure and can help to thin the blood due to the presence of coumarins.</p> <p>It's good for muscle spasm, sprains, strains, cramps, and rheumatic pains. It can work as a sedative to the central nervous system and can relieve headaches, nervous tension and insomnia, mood swings and pms and even keep the moths away (we have loads at the moment).</p> <p>The list is endless - its antimicrobial, anti-infectious and antiseptic, making it effective on wounds and as a front-line defense against respiratory infections.</p> <p>Looking through the Internet brought me some brilliant websites - <a href="http://www.yorkshirelavender.com">www.yorkshirelavender.com</a> <a href="http://www.penninelavender.co.uk">www.penninelavender.co.uk</a> - this was a brilliant site with lots of ideas and gifts at very reasonable prices. </p> <p>Some others worth looking at are <a href="http://www.snowshill-lavender.co.uk">www.snowshill-lavender.co.uk</a> which has some good products to help you sleep including slumber gel, which you apply to your temples and pulse points and at only £3.95 it's definitely worth a go. Another one <a href="http://www.mayfieldlavender.com">www.mayfieldlavender.com</a> had some really unusual teapot oil burners and <a href="http://www.thelavenderfields.co.uk">www.thelavenderfields.co.uk</a> was another one with unusual gifts. </p> <p>I am now off to buy some of the sleeping remedies and will get back with the results after using them for a few weeks. Just to have a night without continually waking up would be amazing. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/20/lavender-a-herb-that-can-help-in-many-ways-for-back-pain-and-fibromyalgia-6767596/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/20/lavender-a-herb-that-can-help-in-many-ways-for-back-pain-and-fibromyalgia-6767596/Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:37:50 +0200 <p>This was our second year at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire for the Last Night at the Proms on Saturday night. Last year it rained and it rained and it rained and it rained but we still enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided to go again this year.</p> <p>The biggest difference this year was the weather, which was dry and windy but not cold and so it brought out the crowds. We arrived as the gates open at 5.30pm and the event started at 7.30pm and finished at around 11pm with an amazing firework display. </p> <p>After lots of singing and swaying of flags I then drove us all home as I had volunteered to not drink as I knew I would need some extra medication for the night. We arrived home just before midnight and although I felt exhausted I was still awake until the early hours as my body would just not close down.</p> <p>I try very hard to not let my back problem disrupt my social life as apart from it not being much fun for me, its not fair on my friends and family if I keep saying no to all and sundry. Today I have been in a lot of pain and could hardly even put my feet on the floor without pain!</p> <p>However, after writing an article on affirmations to help you feel better, I decided to give it a go. I only wrote simple things down like, " I got my husband to move my bird table to a new spot which brought the birds down in two's and three's" and another was that I had managed to get through the day without cheating on my diet. It really worked for me because instead of sitting thinking about my pain it took me into another mood of satisfaction and consequently less pain. Amazing or what? Give it a try and do tell me how you get on.</p> <p>I've even managed to start my home study course on Reflexology by resting on the settee all day with my feet up and my books and computer by my side, so all in all a great day.<img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/17/calke-abbey-s-last-night-at-the-proms-brilliant-6747130/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://backpain.blog.co.uk/2009/08/17/calke-abbey-s-last-night-at-the-proms-brilliant-6747130/Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:55:17 +0200