We've got your back

Ouch @tyme ❤️

Ohh my hips are bad today

Through the night I find it hard to move with the aches and pains @Dimity

Thanks for tagging me @Dimity and no, you are definitely not intruding.

I'm sorry you are dealing with all this. It sounds painful, as well as restricting. Back pain really is the worst!

I have dealt with severe lumbar back pain for many years as a result of a serious injury some 24 years ago. I managed it over the years, with osteo, physio, chiro, hydro, anti inflam meds, strong pain meds as needed, bed rest at times when I was unable to roll out of bed, etc.

Then a couple of years ago the nerve pain increased to the extent that the pain became unbearable. I had no choice then other than to agree to major spinal surgery. Something I avoided over the years.

Last year I had major surgery in Feb just to basically get me through to later in the year when I could be scheduled for further surgery. Spent 2 months in hospital then. But it relieved some of the pressure off the nerves. Still had big problems with legs though and needed walking stick to get around as I awaited further surgery in November last year.

Last November I went through 2 major spinal surgeries 4 days apart to free up the impinged nerves, remove the damaged disc material, jack up the spaces between several collapsed spinal discs, put in some bone graft in a cage to hold them up, and fuse the spine at 3 levels.

Again I was in hospital for 8 weeks recovering. Rehab was tough and is still ongoing.

I know you hear some awful stories about unsuccessful spinal surgeries. But touch wood, it was a success for me and I dont regret it one bit.

I live relatively pain free for the first time in over 24 years. And most people cannot even imagine what that is like. 😊

Yes I have restrictions, and always will. But thats nothing compared to the restrictions I had before, due to pain.

So yes, if you want someone to talk to who understands ... thats me. And although I dont come on here all that much these days, I am happy to chat when I do come on.

As for your treatment, I hope you find something that provides some relief, from both pain and symptoms.

Emelia 🌷

Thank you for sharing @Emelia8 . It's great to see you online. It feels like it's been a long time since I last saw you.

Hope you are okay.

Hugs my @Emelia8 ❤️❤️

Sorry to hear that @Shaz51. I find some positions give relief re back. But arthritis and nerve pain (pinched nerves) not so much. Actually my cat had good relief from an arthritis injection that the vet said was so good it was being trialled on humans.

Actually he (the cat) just yelled st me for dinner - I'd better feed him.

Ha yes my cat did that too @Dimity 😁

What kind of cat do you have

Mine was a tortoiseshell like @Jynx cat

Called Missie

Thankyou @Emelia8 for responding and sharing. I'm sorry you've been through so much, and such massive surgical interventions, but it's good to hear they were successful and you're now relatively pain free. I hope and trust your rehab continues to go well.

I've been inconvenienced more than anything, with the intermittent pain and restrictions. My gp's ongoing dismissal may be mh stigma but I found a physio and osteopath who diagnosed likely causation and the osteopath insisted I follow through with the MRI that confirmed it. It's good to know there's light at the end of the tunnel (I've been very depressed, which is also limiting.

Thanks again, I appreciate your support - and I'll look forward to hearing your progress.

@Shaz51 mine is a brown tabby short hair tripod. He's got arthritis in the remaining hip. He's probably the most demanding cat I've had, and very talkative when awake.

If you got another furbaby do you think it would be a cat or a dog?

One of each @Dimity would be lovely 😍

@Dimity

Back issues are a real challenge. They are unlike other sources of pain, so many people have the view that because its not so easily quantifiable or visable. A sore arm, you can see someone carrying that, you can see them holding back, holding the arm gingerly etc. Sore leg, there is a limp but a sore back, its not something you can really avoid using, take pressure off in anyway, there is no real visable signs that your actually in pain for the most part. You might be hunched over a bit, walking slow etc. but people write that off.

Im really sad for you that you are going through challenges with your back. Having my own issues, I feel for anyone with severe back pain. I have other chronic pain issues and there isnt anything that compares to chronic back pain. You cant be gentle, take the pressure off or anything like that, no matter what your doing, your engaging your back and its eventually going to hurt as a result.

If you have muscular issues as a result of your pain, Tiger Balm is my go too for a heat rub type thing, its far better than anything else Ive used. It helped me a lot in the early days but as the muscles became more messed up it helped less, though I still use it for strained muscles, particularly in my neck which helps relieve headaches. Its also really good for headaches etc by rubbing on your temples.

If your GP isnt supporting you fully with your health issues, any but inparticular your back, really consider changing GP. Its so important that you are supported by your GP, they need to be on your side and understanding, especially when it comes to pain medication.

If your on strong pain medication, request to see a pain specialist. There are lots of options, not just typical pain medication, some anti-depressants can assist in pain relief and so forth. There is also pain relief that lasts much longer than typical stuff that you would be prescribed by a GP. They all have pros and cons which is where a pain specialist is helpful.

The other reason to have a good GP who is on your side is if you are going to suffer significantly long term and you are limited or restricted as to what you can now do. You might want to apply for a disability parking permit, very helpful to minimise the strain of shopping etc. You might also want to apply for NDIS, which I am in the process of doing, a good GP is the cornerstone of this process.

If I can provide any help or advise Im more than happy to do so, so many people find it hard to accept what people with back issues are going through, but those of us who are going through it understand and we should stick together and support one another.