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[Dapph2]

when you sit, pay back as far as you can

according to consultant I saw about my back, sitting puts 4 times as much pressure on your spine as standing does


I always thought my back was just muscle pain and powered through, now my back is knackered


I always prided myself on how hard I worked, made sure I worked harder than the guys working for me and lead by example, did crazy hours when it was needed... didn't realise how much of my identity that was... being told no more physical work for 3 or 4 years to stop the damage getting worse is a bit of a kick in the teeth

There are special back help chairs that do that , where you sit on a Z shaped stool with your knees bent under you . I had one found it excellent till a few years later when my damaged left knee injury got really bad ( from injury 30 years earlier ) and that put paid to using it as the knee kept swelling up whenever I used the chair for more than a few minutes .

 

[Dapph2]

so, todays update. slightly better night last night. fell asleep around 11pm, seems that rolling to my left isnt a painful now as rolling right and all positions seem to be comfy when i evetually gte into them, so thats gotta be progress.

getting out of bed is also slightly easier and less painful now. before i had to shimmy to the edge of the bed on my right side, lower my left leg over, use my arms to twist my body round then lower my right leg and sort of press up my way out of bed...this morning i was able to push myself up into a seated position, then lean forwards and rock my self onto my feet using the crutches to support myself, and again less pain.

walking is by far the most progress so far though and i can only put that down to the exercises ive been forcing myself to do. once im up and on my feet, i can walk slowly without needing the crutches, although still holding them close to the gorund in case i need them, but there pain is virtually non existent while im upright.

the best bit is, this was all before i had taken any pain killers, so the reduced pain is actually reduced pain and not an effect of the medication. i tend to take the reducaed pain with a pinch fo salt wheile im on tablets as i know its not a true representation of reality, but for the pain to be lower without medication thats gotta be a good sign.

i joked in the hospital that i have always had a history of healing quickly, broken bones healed in 3 weeks sort of thing, badly sprained ankles being fine after 4 days and back in work with no paind relief etc...im hopefull that my seemingly genetic ability to heal faster is also at play here as once im healed up enough to be fully mobile again im after booking a CT and then finding the best phsyio/therapy for whatever the CT shows on both my back and my knee as ive had issue with that since i destroyed it 17 years ago

Careful when using crutches to get up , hold the shaft in a fist grip with arms bent slightly upwards . Trying to do a bent over the top arm push pull puts a hell of a strain on the shoulder joints.
I've been on crutches for 20 or more years it was at one of my first rehab sessions that I was educated .

I too used to heal very quickly , stitches were always well skinned over till I got to 60 , then things took longer . Now I'm almost 75 I have to be careful the maggots don't take up residence .

 

[BrokenBiker]

Careful when using crutches to get up , hold the shaft in a fist grip with arms bent slightly upwards . Trying to do a bent over the top arm push pull puts a hell of a strain on the shoulder joints.
I've been on crutches for 20 or more years it was at one of my first rehab sessions that I was educated .

I too used to heal very quickly , stitches were always well skinned over till I got to 60 , then things took longer . Now I'm almost 75 I have to be careful the maggots don't take up residence .

thats a good idea. at the moment i have 1 crutch infront and then the arm of the chair as ive found its easier to sit slightly sideways, back straight then lift agains tthe arm of the chair til im half up, then take over with the crutch to get all the way up. im able to keep my back straight and its relatively pain free that way with no twisting or bending.

i will try your method next time i get up though

 

[BrokenBiker]

@Dapph2 spot on advice, by far the easiest and quickest ive been able to stand up all week

 

[pedrobedro]

I know it's no help with your problem but I have had to stop using my hands to push up out of my chair since a few weeks ago when I was getting up and pushed down and sprained my left wrist. I thought it was a one off and when it got better I went back to my old ways and it has happened again so I think it has weakened something. I now lean forward and lift with my legs and feel a lot safer for it. I hope you recover soon and don't ache too long, get off the prescription meds as soon as possible they have too many side effects for my liking.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I know it's no help with your problem but I have had to stop using my hands to push up out of my chair since a few weeks ago when I was getting up and pushed down and sprained my left wrist. I thought it was a one off and when it got better I went back to my old ways and it has happened again so I think it has weakened something. I now lean forward and lift with my legs and feel a lot safer for it. I hope you recover soon and don't ache too long, get off the prescription meds as soon as possible they have too many side effects for my liking.

I've already dropped the codeine...wasn't doing anything and if im honest, I'd rather not have to explain why ive failed a random drug test for opiods for any longer than I need to.

The diazepam is still working, however I am down to the last 2, so by about 2pm tomorrow that will be the end if that and honestly, I feel like I should be ok without them after that

 

[knighty]

There are special back help chairs that do that , where you sit on a Z shaped stool with your knees bent under you . I had one found it excellent till a few years later when my damaged left knee injury got really bad ( from injury 30 years earlier ) and that put paid to using it as the knee kept swelling up whenever I used the chair for more than a few minutes .

I read they're good... at first but after an hour sitting don you start to slouch and that's just as bad?

surgeon told me I need a standing desk, but I don't fancy standing at a desk for hours

getting a new mattress, asked him about that, he drew a diagram of the type of mattress to get, pocket sprints then memory foam then comfort layer, said which shop to go to, and to tell them to stfu if they try to tell me any different / sell something else

 

[knighty]

I've already dropped the codeine...wasn't doing anything and if im honest, I'd rather not have to explain why ive failed a random drug test for opiods for any longer than I need to.

The diazepam is still working, however I am down to the last 2, so by about 2pm tomorrow that will be the end if that and honestly, I feel like I should be ok without them after that

taking any ibuprofen? you can get higher strength 400mg from the chemist - they're the only thing that's ever really helped me (had strong stuff in hospitals before)

important to eat before you take one, so they don't mess your stomach up, or have a glass of milk first

 

[BrokenBiker]

so todays update, last night was amazing. my daughter has gone from being a suspected ADHD candidate to being very quiet, gentle and caring. she came up to bed with me around 8 and we watched a film until she fell asleep and the mrs moved her. i then rolled over, pain free and watched a few videos on youtbe before falling asleep and then waking up at half 7 in a different position which means i was able to move about without waking up in pain...i thought this may be the turning point...then i tried to get out of bed...thats when i realised the pain is 100% still there and worse than it has been. i put this down to the healing process seeing an opportunity and being comfy must have allowed my back to stiffen up again.

so, a 20 min struggle to get out of bed followed by 5 mins stood there on the crutches to wait for my back to release and i finally made it down stairs. now sat on the sofa with 2 cushions to suppprt my back and im as comfortable as i can get which is depressing, as im not comfy at all...

waiting for the diazepam to kick in and hopefully find some actual comfort then.

going to give it an hour to let everything sort of find its place then im going to attmept a few stretchs to try and loosen up which so far has been helping so i have no reason to belive it wont help now. i have already decided i am having a rest day (so to speak) tomorrow and basically staying in bed becasue i need a day of comfort all day now as the pain is wearing me out.

i still feel like im making progress as walking seemed a lot easier, im walking more naturally and without needing to touch the crutches down for every step so still think im heading the right way, but anyone that has been to the gym and overdone back day will know exaclty how i feel today. this actually feels like a strained muscle now.

im going to the GP (or atleast attemting to) monday for a sick note to cover me til next thurday (technically 7 days sickness, even though i did it tuesday, i was still effectively in work that day and was able to do the work related zoom course wednesday so getting paid both those as if i was in work) and although i could self cert, my employer will want a note on record should i fail a random drugs test on my return for opiods or whatever diazepam shows as, at least then i have a record of what i was on and why although explaining this to my GP will likely reuslt in me being escorted out again as apparently being a GP at my surgery means you have to forget how to understand simple explanations...last sick note i needed only needed to say i had a sprained ankle and was on tramadol prescribed by hospital and would require up to 2 weeks to heal up...the actual note read that that i had broken my ankle and signed me off for 3 months rather than 2 weeks...that was a massive hassle to get sorted. fortunately the employer belived me over the GP and my GP only gave in and changed it when i asked how they knew my ankel was broken when there was no Xray taken. useless is an understatement, ive applied to move to a different surgery so hopefully that comes off soon.

 

[zzr1200]

Remember what I said the bodies ability to lull you into a false sense security.

When you stand up try and relax your whole body, especially the back area that hurts.

By all means rest but you do need to move or you'll set in position and it'll be even more difficult to get moving again.

It sounds stupid but anyone who's had back pain/slipped disc, knows what I'm trying to say.

You need to relax and then move/stretch until it just starts to get painful, then stay in that position until the pain eases off as the muscles relax. Then as you slowly get better, push to the point of pain/relax/then push again to the pain again. By doing this your slowly stretching the back muscles out.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Remember what I said the bodies ability to lull you into a false sense security.

When you stand up try and relax your whole body, especially the back area that hurts.

By all means rest but you do need to move or you'll set in position and it'll be even more difficult to get moving again.

It sounds stupid but anyone who's had back pain/slipped disc, knows what I'm trying to say.

You need to relax and then move/stretch until it just starts to get painful, then stay it that position until the pain eases off as the muscles relax. Then as you slowly get better, push to the point of pain/relax/then push again to the pain again. By doing this your slowly stretching the back muscles out.

I will still keep to my 2 hourly exercise routine but I think the comfort in between is needed.

I cant explain in words what I feel is happening, but its like being comfortable is the same as getting into a warm shower after being out in the cold...I know it feels good at the time but just like stepping out of the shower back into the cold again, getting up from being comfortable is still painful...however I think at some point everyone just needs the warm shower knowing the cold is coming again soon, rather than just staying cold, and thats where I am with the pain at the moment. My father is having the baby from 10am, and my son from 11 although he would likely be more help than anyone else if im honest as he will sit next to me playing games and can cook, but I'd rather him not see me in this pain when its bad, as daft as it sounds, he has seen me brush off a broken collar bone and a broken hand like it was a minor bump without as much as a murmur of pain so to see me as I am now may worry him more than is necessary and he doesnt need that at 12 years old. As far as he is concerned, im the one that fixes pain.

But there is a saving grace that is making me feel a bit better today...its hammering down with rain so I couldn't be outside on the forge even if I wanted to be

 

[zzr1200]

It'll teach him to be careful around people possibly with invisable injuries, a broken arm/leg is visable (plaster cast) there are lots of others that are not, and sometimes a hell of a lot more painful long term.....

Just don't let him run into your leg or bump into you, because he'll soon find out how well your voice still works.... be careful.

 

[BrokenBiker]

It'll teach him to be careful around people possibly with invisable injuries, a broken arm/leg is visable there are lots of others that are not, and sometimes a hell of a lot more painful long term.....

Just don't let him run into your leg or bump into you, because he'll soon find out how well your voice still works.... be careful.

to be fair he is pretty good with unseen disabilities. he has dealt with cancer in his mothers side of the family, dementia on my side of the family, his great grandmother is a raging alcoholic although wont admit it...

he is one of the kids in school that is called on to support other kids that are struggling socially, or dealing with some issues outside of school. dont know where he gets his kind side from becasue as a kid i was more concerned with punching people in the head and his mother has been a C*£% all her life.

but id still rather he didnt see me in this much pain. ive told him what ive done, and how i did it, what the hospital said and how long ill likely be out of action but thats as much as he needs to know for now

 

[Dapph2]

so todays update, last night was amazing. my daughter has gone from being a suspected ADHD candidate to being very quiet, gentle and caring. she came up to bed with me around 8 and we watched a film until she fell asleep and the mrs moved her. i then rolled over, pain free and watched a few videos on youtbe before falling asleep and then waking up at half 7 in a different position which means i was able to move about without waking up in pain...i thought this may be the turning point...then i tried to get out of bed...thats when i realised the pain is 100% still there and worse than it has been. i put this down to the healing process seeing an opportunity and being comfy must have allowed my back to stiffen up again.

so, a 20 min struggle to get out of bed followed by 5 mins stood there on the crutches to wait for my back to release and i finally made it down stairs. now sat on the sofa with 2 cushions to suppprt my back and im as comfortable as i can get which is depressing, as im not comfy at all...

waiting for the diazepam to kick in and hopefully find some actual comfort then.

going to give it an hour to let everything sort of find its place then im going to attmept a few stretchs to try and loosen up which so far has been helping so i have no reason to belive it wont help now. i have already decided i am having a rest day (so to speak) tomorrow and basically staying in bed becasue i need a day of comfort all day now as the pain is wearing me out.

i still feel like im making progress as walking seemed a lot easier, im walking more naturally and without needing to touch the crutches down for every step so still think im heading the right way, but anyone that has been to the gym and overdone back day will know exaclty how i feel today. this actually feels like a strained muscle now.

im going to the GP (or atleast attemting to) monday for a sick note to cover me til next thurday (technically 7 days sickness, even though i did it tuesday, i was still effectively in work that day and was able to do the work related zoom course wednesday so getting paid both those as if i was in work) and although i could self cert, my employer will want a note on record should i fail a random drugs test on my return for opiods or whatever diazepam shows as, at least then i have a record of what i was on and why although explaining this to my GP will likely reuslt in me being escorted out again as apparently being a GP at my surgery means you have to forget how to understand simple explanations...last sick note i needed only needed to say i had a sprained ankle and was on tramadol prescribed by hospital and would require up to 2 weeks to heal up...the actual note read that that i had broken my ankle and signed me off for 3 months rather than 2 weeks...that was a massive hassle to get sorted. fortunately the employer belived me over the GP and my GP only gave in and changed it when i asked how they knew my ankel was broken when there was no Xray taken. useless is an understatement, ive applied to move to a different surgery so hopefully that comes off soon.

I have a walk in power shower ( straight off the combi condensing boiler ) with no cill , modernised the place 20 yrs ago when I knew which way my health and disabilities were heading.

Every morning when I shower I sit on a plastic armed high shower chair and slowly turn up the heat in needle jet form till it is as hot as I can bear it , so it hits me on the back of my neck & shoulders, by then standing up moving around on the grab rails I can position myself to get it on my shoulder , arms , middle back , lower back , bum cheeks and calf's . Once this has happened I grab different rails and start doing very gently controlled exercises to build my core up.again . four years ago I could not lift either knee much to get my foot six inches off the floor . These day whilst holding the rails I can gently lift my knee to right angles to the floor this has given me quite a lot of pain relief .

The needle jet's piercing heat is magic ..most days , I get almost instant part relief after 6 min of being in the shower from my very regular overnight muscle spasms.
I've also got and electric single under blanket ( I have to sleep in my own single bed . ) for use in the day time for when spasms hit me . Again 3/4 of an hour flat on my back with the quilt laid over me blanket set to top level of heat does wonders for me a lot of the time ..
Alison also used a 300 watt infra red heat lamp ion me at about 18 inches from my skin /head .. that also helps a lot on really bad days . Touch wood , I'm only on MST slow release morphine tablets twice a day ( Yep I'm addicted to them , as I get all scratchy & hurting as well as starey eyed if I miss even one of them ).

Not too bad as previously I had so many mind bending meds in my system that were prescribed that bunged me up like concrete & made me feel very in ill in my whole body and confused my head so much I didn't know if it was assole or breakfast time

 

[BrokenBiker]

Day 5 and I have a new passionate hatred for A&E doctors...

I appreciate the NHS in all its glory and understand the pressure that the staff are under on an unrelenting basis...

But who in their right mind thinks its a good idea to medicate someone knowing that medication will run out on a saturday, knowing more cant be obtained til monday...

Absolute agony again today, the spasms are back with a vengeance, no diazepam and the codeine is still doing less than a crackheads accountant...

Today is going to be rough

 

[Robotstar5]

Does your local hospital have a pharmacy?, if you can get there they can pull up your notes and prescribe some more.

Mrs Robo has to get a hospital prescription every 3 months or so as her Creon 25000 tablets are only available from the hospital pharmacy (local chemists can only get Creon 10000 tablets} only remembering this as we have to call in next week to pick up the latest batch.

 

[BrokenBiker]

The closest one only prescribes to current ward patients, the one I was in is a 30 min car ride away because the health board thought it a good idea to close 3 community based a&e departments and replace them with 1 in the middle of nowhere and you have to wait in the a&e queue as a cat 5 non urgent visitor before seeing a prescribing doctor, which means a 10-12 hour wait just to be given a slip of paper that you cant get filled til monday anyway...when I was prescribed them on Tuesday I had to take the script to a local pharmacy Wednesday to actually get them.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I need a sick note tomorrow off GP anyway more for the drugs being in my system than the time off as I can self cert that, but I can see that being an argument...its hard enough to get basic things out of them let alone something they need to think about, but I shall be requesting another few days worth of diazepam. Until yesterday, although the pain was getting me down I was feeling more mobile and loose and had actually said to the mrs about potentially doing half days in work from Thursday just pottering about in the yard, ideal time as we apparently have a new girl starting Wednesday that has no tickets so I did mention to my boss about mentoring her a bit on the slinging techniques to give our trainer a bit of a break as he is flat out and has always been good to me and i know that course like the back of my hand, ive taught the practical a few times, been on the crane on test day god knows how many times and supervised when we have had testers in that havent got supervisors cards (neither have i, but in house is fine for that purpose as its our facility)...and my role would literally just be stood instructing, explaining load ratings and how different attachments affect the load ratings and then signalling the crane so she can get a grasp of what it all means before actually doing the training...but I dont think thats an option at the moment now