Oh, my aching back!

[Daisy]

I've suffered with back trouble for over 30 years and mostly I just live with it, but sometimes random things seem to make it much worse and leave me tottering round like an old woman. I know I am and old woman, but I don't like tottering round like one.

This morning I was going up to DS1's (about 75 miles away) to collect Bailey their Border Collie, while they're on holiday. OH's eye was quite sore and painful so he stayed home, and I decided to take his car. I hardly ever drive it because I've got the child seats in mine and the boot is the customised dog transport area, but I thought it would be nicer for Bailey in OH's car - no Cooper smells and probably not much evidence of Eva. He's not a great traveller so I wanted to make it easy for him, and also gives me a chance to gain practice in the car.

So off I went, having adjusted the seat and wing mirrors etc. It was a long slow journey, but I got there eventually. But when I tried to get out of the car I couldn't move - my back was agony!! It was like I'd been kicked hard. A quick sandwich for lunch and chat with DIL1 and her mum, paracetamol, and back home. Bailey, bless him was sick about half a mile from our house, but otherwise ok.

Meanwhile, I am suffering. I hope it feels better tomorrow!

[Oma]

Daisy the thing with bad backs is that it effects lots of other parts like legs neck arms , you must be in agony you poor thing .
Have you got a TENS machine ? They do help if you haven't got one it may be worth thinking of getting one ,
Hope you can sleep tonight and rest it tomorrow xxx

[Plantaholic]

Oh poor you Daisy, have you ever had X-rays done on your back? That was a long journey for you to undertake. They say it isn't what you do but the way you rest, when OH had been gardening he always sat on a dining chair with a straight back to rest his back.

[Nana]

Ouch. You poor thing. Is it your spine or muscular? Or sciatica? Either way I'm sorry to hear that you're in pain. Hope it sorts itself out soon. Oma is right, tens machines are good for muscular pain. Does Ibuprofen work or a rub in cream/gel? I hope it improves quickly for you.

[Daisy]

Thank y ou for the sympathy and advice, ladies.

Plant, it's basically a disc problem and I've had years of treatment on it including over 20 lots of injections to supposedly strengthen the ligaments or whatever they are to hold the disc in place. But I think, like everything else, there have been knock on effects, and I've found our lovely local osteopath the most helpful option. I haven't had a flare up this bad for years though.

I hadn't thought about a tens machine - but perhaps I should. I take paracetamol and use Volterol gel which both help a bit. I find it's better if I keep moving carefully, but it's very frustrating!

Oma - I did sleep well and I'm just off for a hot shower which also helps.

Nana - I can't take Ibuprofen but the gel is quite good.

I don't think I'll be spring cleaning the house today, although I do want to go to our dog training group at lunch-time, even if I don't do the full 2 hours.

[Mimi]

Daisy as a fellow suffer I know how back problems can understand how doing the simplest thing can result in back pain.
Hope you fell better soon.

[Clover]

Oh dear Daisy.Sorry you are suffering. Hope the pain settles down soon.You’re wise to only do half the Eva training even though you have to keep moving.

[Daisy]

Mimi - it seems silly doesn't it that you can't say, lift a kettle or something simple like that without causing even more pain. I'm sorry you suffer too.

Clover - yes, half was more than enough, but at least we tried.

[Qwerty]

OUCH !!!!!!!! Daisy you sound really fed up, I get a pain in the back and use Volterol but sounds like you need something mighty stronger, would a chiropractor help?
Wonder if you are aggrevating it rather than resting , its a devil what to suggest OH gets a pain deep in his ribs and has a pen thing that he puts on the spot and fires it about 30 times like an electric shock but doesn't always work , I rhink its a doctor for you my love

[Daisy]

Qwerty - noooooooo, not the doctors!!!! I'm sure doctors over the years have made things worse. I always remember a friend whose OH was a GP saying he doesn't know much about backs - and I'm sure he wasn't alone!!! We have got a doctor in our practice who trained as an osteopath, but I still prefer to go to the osteopath who isn't a doctor.

We've got a jacuzzi-style bath and I'll have a long relaxing wallow in that tonight. Perhaps with a glass of vino - just to help the relaxation process of course.

[Gemini]

Do you often drive that car Daisy? A friend of mine had to sell her new car as driving it gave her terrible backache.

I do sympathise, look after you back and feel better soon xxx

Jacuzzi bath and wine - excellent idea

[Qwerty]

🍷🛀Eat cake too Daisy it’s good for backs

[Daisy]

Gem, I don't often drive OH's car now we've both got estate cars. But I don't want to be in the situation of feeling I "can't" drive it just because I'm not used to it. It's the one we use to tow the caravan so if we're doing longer distances I want to be able to share the driving. I remembered afterwards that OH's previous car was also a Honda and I found that uncomfortable to drive long distances, although it wasn't too bad being a passenger.

Your poor friend must have been so disappointed to have to sell her new car.