So frustrated but improving

[Tormentil]

I thought there was something missing at MSQ.

Get well soon mate. We miss you.

[glsammy]

One good thing Roger, the Grebes at Rufford are holding back for you. I've told them on no account to start nest building until your fit again. So far they're obeying me!

[Ollie]

Thanks Ben and Graham. Improving by the day and hopefully a trip to Rufford could be on the cards possibly a week on Thursday, weather and my health permitting.

Roger

[GME]

Well, I don't have a bad back (touch wood and all that) but I do want to wish you well Roger. I always look forward to your photos when you post them and can imagine how frustrated you must be at the moment. As you said earlier, best to not push it and rest up then you'll hopefully be fighting fit in time for the Dragonflies All the best

Gareth

[Ollie]

Many thanks Gareth. As said peviously I'm improving by the day which is a good job as I'm going stir crazy here not being able to get out and about.

Haven't had the camera in my hand for more than a week now and I'm getting withdrawal symptons. Hopefully if I keep improving should be able to get out next week sometime
Roger

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Thanks Ben and Graham. Improving by the day and hopefully a trip to Rufford could be on the cards possibly a week on Thursday, weather and my health permitting.

Roger

I'll keep my fingers crossed for both the weather and your back Roger.

[derekmc]

Roger -

I've had a few back problems myself, and totally sympathise with what you're going through. It can be extremely painful and frustrating - hope things get better for you soon.

There's been some good advice from the other guys, but one thing I've personally found quite useful is starting a Pilates course. It's not too strenuous and I found the stretching and mobility exercises, and the fact that it strengthens the deeper muscles supporting the lower spine, have both been a great help.

Just a thought....

Derek

[nightshade]

I am currently off work with Sciatica caused by a trapped nerve.
A word of warning I was advised to see a Chiropracter I was pushed and pulled and stretched,I called a halt as it was getting Worse! only then did he decide to X-ray my back and having found the problem he backed off rapidly
A BUPA back specialist said that the chiropracter could have done even more damage So Look before you Weep

[Jez]

Hope your back fixes up quickly Roger, best wishes-jez

[smartie]

Glad you are on the road to recovery, Roger. Don't know what you use for an ice pack - I find those collars that you put on wine bottles to chill them are useful as they are quite flexible and can be quickly refrozen - and used on future wine bottles when you don't need them for your back.

It was putting a sock on that did my back in the first time I had to have help for weeks and I'm still very careful how I handle socks. I recovered then with the help of an osteopath who works conveniently next door to me and seems to practice some kind of benevolent witchcraft. She's also freed up ankle joints that were painful for years. Another footwear problem - bad shoes.

I've never understood why GPs are prepared to go on prescribing expensive painkillers but don't seem to be able to prescribe osteopathy treatment. I've been fortunate enough to be able to afford to pay for it, but not everyone is so lucky and it shouldn't depend on income.

I feel a letter to my MP coming on - though I'd better just check first that you can't get osteo or chiropractic treatment on the NHS. I've never heard of anyone who did. Any of WAB's many back sufferers manage it?

[smartie]

Just found an NHS site that says 25% of GPs do offer referrals to osteopathy etc on the NHS, so it's obviously worth asking. Mine doesn't - think I'll go and ask them why....

[Ollie]

Thanks for the best wishes and advice everyone. I have had another session this morning and it's definitely improving, I'm the best I've been for months.

Smartie I think you can get this treatment on the NHS, I think it's possible with a doctors referral. I quite agree that income should have no bearing on the treatment available. The amount of National Insurance contributions we all pay throughout our lives should be enough.

I'm fortunate in having private health cover through my work.

Many thanks again everyone
Roger

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by derekmc

Roger -

I've had a few back problems myself, and totally sympathise with what you're going through. It can be extremely painful and frustrating - hope things get better for you soon.

There's been some good advice from the other guys, but one thing I've personally found quite useful is starting a Pilates course. It's not too strenuous and I found the stretching and mobility exercises, and the fact that it strengthens the deeper muscles supporting the lower spine, have both been a great help.

Just a thought....

Derek

I also tried Pilates and it helped me a bit. I've met many other people who say that it helped them immensely. Once the Chiropractor sorts out your current problem, Roger, it might be worth trying Pilates to strengthen the muscles around your back to prevent the problem recurring (I hasten to add this is just a suggestion and that I am in no way qualified to give medical advice! ).

I mentioned before that, for me, physiotherapy worked better than osteopathy. Like physio, the Pilates exercises are much gentler than those for osteopathy (I believe osteopaths and chiropractors are fairly similar in their methods). They are therefore less likely to cause further damage.

We really are a bunch of old crocks on WAB, aren't we! Perhaps we should start a new thread entitled 'How's your back today?'!

Anyway, I hope your back is still getting better Roger. (Edit: Just read your post, glad your back's improving)

[Ollie]

Cheers Pete. I will definitely consider all options in the course of time. At the moment the chiropractor is doing a grand job and he has given me some gentle exercise routines to do as well.

He is well pleased with the progress I have made and has reduced my sessions from two a week to one. Obviously I can only take his advice at this stage and see how it goes, but at the moment it feels great to be so much more mobile than of late
Roger

[FungiJohn]

Pleased to hear you are making good progress Roger. One step at a time is the key

John

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Pleased to hear you are making good progress Roger. One step at a time is the key

John

Thanks John it really is good to be almost pain free at last and like you say one step at a time.
Roger

[galanthus]

Astonishing, my back has been out two weeks now and this is the first time I've spent more than 2 mins on WAB for that time, then I see this thread Ooooh eerie !!

Hope you're feeling better soon Ollie and back out with your camera .

I'm off work with it too, most depressing bit is that the whole 11 days I took off for the easter break were spent indoors unable to sit, stand, lie etc. I can't believe so much pain can endure for so long On the positive side, and there isn't much , I've had my first eva siskin in the garden at this house, a pair coming every day now so that's cheered me up enormously. I can also make it to the pond in the garden now so I try and get air and gaze at the ramshorn snail and emerging vegatation.

just remember to try and get some air and try and stay relatively cheerful or you'll get very down. x

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Astonishing, my back has been out two weeks now and this is the first time I've spent more than 2 mins on WAB for that time, then I see this thread Ooooh eerie !!

Hope you're feeling better soon Ollie and back out with your camera .

I'm off work with it too, most depressing bit is that the whole 11 days I took off for the easter break were spent indoors unable to sit, stand, lie etc. I can't believe so much pain can endure for so long On the positive side, and there isn't much , I've had my first eva siskin in the garden at this house, a pair coming every day now so that's cheered me up enormously. I can also make it to the pond in the garden now so I try and get air and gaze at the ramshorn snail and emerging vegatation.

just remember to try and get some air and try and stay relatively cheerful or you'll get very down. x

Sorry to hear of your back problem, you have my greatest sympathies.

I know what it's like to feel down I was feeling the same but I am on the mend and feeling much more cheerfull. I sincerely hope you are soon back to full health.

Think we should definitely have a section on here for us poor old crocks, but maybe you are not so old so better revise that to poor crocks
Roger

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by smartie

It was putting a sock on that did my back in the first time I had to have help for weeks and I'm still very careful how I handle socks.

Dangerous things, socks

The first time I did my back in I was picking up a tissue off the floor!

The most frustrating thing when your back goes is not being able to put on your own socks. It is amazing how some of the most simple tasks become so difficult with a back problem.

Jenny

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Sorry to hear of your back problem, you have my greatest sympathies.

I know what it's like to feel down I was feeling the same but I am on the mend and feeling much more cheerfull. I sincerely hope you are soon back to full health.

Think we should definitely have a section on here for us poor old crocks, but maybe you are not so old so better revise that to poor crocks
Roger

not too old just stupid lol motto from now on is when gardening and making logpiles start to hurt, do not go on for another 2 hours just listen to body signs

[Kayleigh]

haa the things we do for wildlife..My back was in two when I dug my pond. Its never been the same since.

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Dangerous things, socks

The first time I did my back in I was picking up a tissue off the floor!

The most frustrating thing when your back goes is not being able to put on your own socks. It is amazing how some of the most simple tasks become so difficult with a back problem.

Jenny

Yep, socks and shoes are a nightmare and I couldn't drive as I found it impossible to get into it. When I told my doctor he sympathised but asked me if I could get out of the car - I thought doctors were supposed to be bright.

[toadpole]

Backs !!!!!i have severe osteoathritis in both knees and in my neck and spine so certainly know the debilitation you are talking about ...cannot walk sit ,stand or lay without pain ....had this since i was 36 ....approaching my50th birthday this month now ....got to the point where i sit and envy people who can just walk normally without pain ....and remember when i took that for granted ...and whilst my friends may stare at a lovely sports car i am eyeing up a nice ''mobility scooter'' BUT by going slower and having to take your time you certainly notice the wildlife a bit more ...and appreciate what bits of you are still working ....id rather not be able to walk than to loose my eyesight and hearing ....so get better soon dont rush it and know others really do know what you are going through luv marion