Back pain

I think in the first instance doctors always prescribe rest (cos that's all most people have any intention of doing anyway) and painkillers, then hope you don't come back with it. I think you should go back and spell it out and ask for a more precise diagnosis (like RustyRoots got), and more positive help. If they prescribe exercises I think you'll have to do them though.

 

Hi there Pete! I'm sorry to hear about your back pain issues. I personally would look into being tested for osteoarthritis like "fern4" suggested. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage on the end of joints wears down and exposed bones rub together, this can cause mild to severe discomfort and pain! In your case you may have facet joint osteoarthritis (this is because it affects the facet joints in the spine). It may be worth looking into just in case!

Some other tips which may help you - try to get more exercise, you can do this by swimming and using exercise bikes! Regular physical activity can help ease inflammation and muscle tension. Sometimes it actually makes back pain worse when you limit exercise and rest. Another Tip is to watch your weight! Extra pounds, especially in your midsection, can make back pain worse by shifting your center of gravity and putting strain on your lower back. Staying within 10 pounds of your ideal weight may help control back pain.

If you choose to you may want to look at this site http://www.backpainreliefreviews.com it has some good tips for back care, it also has information on a back pain relief program which I have used with very good results.

I hope you manage to sort out your back pain problem quickly! Good luck!

 

Pleased to hear that JWK as after a visit to the hospital Friday they asked me to give them a try.
Glucosamine 1500 mg and Chondritin 800 mg a day which meant buying a bottle of the 2 together plus a separate bottle of Glucosamine to get the dosage right. Apparently they don't do them on prescription so went off to get them from Boots. they are quite expensive! Hoping they work for me but the girl in Boots said they don't kick in for about 3 weeks - works out at to about £20.00 every 3 weeks.

 

No the doc has never suggested rest, he did say take paracetamol though.
He did admit the job is aggravating the problem as did the physio.

All every one seems to say is exercise, but I'm sure those that say that dont actually understand the problem, I've always been active and still am, its the fact I cant exercise as much as I would like that is getting me down.
Even walking is not good, especially when its all locked up by the evening.
Never been a swimmer, and a freezing cold swimming pool would, I'm sure, be a non starter, I've just had a hot bath and that seems to take the pain away for a while.

Most of the exercises that the physio got me to do made the problem worse, and if I have to stand for 9 hrs and lift things around the next day, the last thing I need is things to get worse.

 

I'm going to get some of the Glucosamine again, not heard of chondritin

If I get a wet nose and long floppy ears, I'll blame you lot.

 

The doctor told my dad it was time to hang his tool bag up. He couldn't do this as he had a mortgage to pay off at the time. He tried Glucosamine but it didn't work.

I think you need to go back to the docs and tell him/her how miserable it's making you feel. Put it on with a trowel as sometimes that's the only way to get them to take you seriously. Mention the pins and needles too. Ask for what you want which is an xray and a test for arthritis seeing as you've already got it in your knee. Good luck.

 

I take Naproxen for my back and neck pete when needed,i think its an anti inflammatory but a friend of mine also takes it for rheumatoid arthritus.I find it really good and i can move within a hr of taking one hope you find something thats works and soon xx

 

I also take Glucosamine 500/Chontroitin 400 ... the only problem being the horrendous size of the tablets ...

Following on from what Joolz has said, I have Reuxen gel which is Naproxen obviously in the gel form, which is excellent but you must be careful not to use it in conjunction with anything else, ie, Ibuprofen or whatever as you can actually overdose ... as I found out one day when I became very ill not realising the consequences. My sister and brother-in-law were down here last month and my b-in-l was in agony with arthritic fingers so used it and was so impressed the first time he immediately went to the chemist to buy a tube to take back to Germany (100g tube is 9€ here).

Edit: Here is where I got my G&C from ...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004TAFCY6/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I've got some of that 500mg tabs, one or two a day.
Took them for three days and couldn't sleep due to acid indegestion, also bunged up other parts

 

I've just ordered some thanks Victoria.
I've been using Ibeleve the strong one, and also so stuff from the doc called Feldene, I've not noticed any difference from them.

 

O dear thats not good
What about diclofenic? they are a similar tablet,im not sure on side effects thou either x

 

If its related to asprin it makes me bad.

 

Whoa, just looked up Naproxen gel on Amazon ... surely it does not cost that there ... ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...keywords=Naproxen+gel&rh=i:aps,k:Naproxen+gel

Hope it gets sorted out Pete ... I'll write soon. xx

 

My husband used this site below, prices are better than in shops. For years now he's been wearing a magnet for osteoarthritis and is that pleased with the results he's stopped taking medication. Again the site is below. If anyone is interested in a magnet wrist band it is better to buy the 'wristwatch' type as they stay in permanent contact with your wrist. We also bought a magnet dog collar for our terrier many years ago as she was crippled with arthritis, it worked wonders for her.

http://www.woodshealth.com/health/tag/ingredient/id/45/

http://www.magnetsforall.com/site/1346576/page/45029?gclid=CLyan5qEkLsCFTDMtAodLEwASg