A model backbone

[bugshaw]

We (docs, chiros, massage etc) do seem to be coming up with a fairly consistent model for what goes on.

Joint in lower back are unstable. (Root cause, but rather vague)
When joints are disturbed or damaged, they get painful and inflamed while they heal. (This hurts. I take ibuprofen.)
While joints are painful, buttocks helpfully seize up to protect the area. (Chiro says "My god, your buttocks are tight." Ten days earlier, I'd had a jolly good massage to sort them out.)
This also maybe crushes the joints a bit, reducing their range of motion. (Hurts more, sharp pains, can't walk)
Then the other bits of the spine start to get hypermobile to compensate for the stiff bits, and they're more likely to hurt...

Treatment plan: rest, stretch, core strengthening, remain active. (Core is already strong. "Lie on your back, and slowly raise both legs together - oh, I didn't think you'd be able to do that!")
Best way to avoid it happening in the future: Don't do things that put my back out. Take walk-around breaks from the computer every 15 minutes.
Line that made me cry: "That just leaves lifestyle changes, and as this has been getting worse since you started that job ..."

I think I'll keep quiet now on the subject of Back. I know I'm not the only person here with problems, and they're not the worst by any means. I thought I'd say a bit though, in case people were thinking "I've not seen Bridget around much, she must be off doing fun stuff somewhere" when really I'm not. I should be more proactive about inviting people over though, if I'm not going to get out much.

EDIT: I shall make this a FAQ. Do you have any questions?
This has been happening on and off for 15 years.
Yes, I have tried different mattresses. Firm is good, but the condition remains.
Is it my discs? We think not. X-rays show no disc problems, the MRI showed a bit of wear and tear in one. It's certainly not a slipped disc.
Do you get sciatica? No - hurrah!

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Well, more information is good. But the lifestyle thing is stressful. I am sure, however, that your employer can find ways to help you.

[techiebabe.livejournal.com]

Is there anything that Access To Work could provide that would help you? Would any equipment or an assistant help in any way?

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

I have home working sorted out, a desk assessment coming, and probably help with cab fares. The physio might suggest other things.

Mostly I could do with taking the number and duration of breaks that makes other people 'tut' loudly :-/ Have to focus on work quality, I think.

[ms-cataclysm.livejournal.com]

Do they really tut or do you just think they do? Get HR to send a note round explaining why you're taking breaks .

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

I just fear they will. When I went back to work this week I was too busy to take the breaks it turns out I needed. I'm still learning how to balance things.

[sparrowsion]

You do have a wrist-rest program going off every 15minutes to tell you to get up and walk around? (There's two of us in this office using them for dodgy backs, and no-one for RSI.)

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to know that you are building a consistent model for what goes on.

My empathies with the lifestyle change. My particular problem seems to be in the chronic fatigue spectrum, and I've been drifting back into problems with that somewhat related to work.

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

:-(

[maviscruet.livejournal.com]

How does diary interact with this?

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

Dairy appears to trigger joint inflammation, perhaps there is some mechanism by which it irritates the joints. These days when I do start to introduce dairy I feel irritation in many joints (elbows, wrists, knuckles, knees, ankles, toe-knuckles) and not just the lower back. I have had a similar reaction to beer in the past - might give that another try to see if it's repeatable.

It takes a while for dairy to start causing me problems, and once it does it takes a couple of weeks for the effects to clear.

[techiebabe.livejournal.com]

Joint in lower back are unstable...
other bits of the spine start to get hypermobile ...
X-rays show no disc problems...

and you're SURE you don't have joint hypermobility syndrome? (That too never shows on X-rays, which confuses people who look at bones and say "you look fine".)

Well, I'm sure the rheumy will rule it out (or in) when you see him, anyway.

rest, stretch, core strengthening, remain active.
Sounds very sensible. But frustrating.

I'm sorry it made you cry. You must be at your wits end, and to not get anything that can really help must be so disappointing. :(

Big *hug* for Bridget.

(you could always start a "back" filter for when you want or need to talk about it. I'd be happy to be on there, although I'm not much use!)

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely suggest hypermobility to the rheumatologist, if they don't suggest it first. pity there''s no fix for it :-/ Thanks for being supportive, I do find it a help :-)

[aardvark179.livejournal.com]

Sorry I haven't been offering more sympathy. Family visitation, plus work, plus con stuff have kept me really rather busy recently.

Have a hug, and I join you in the frustration about lifestyle.

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

And I have been remiss in offering birthday greetings. But they're here now! I hope you had a good one.

[anef.livejournal.com]

We could visit this weekend, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. What time would be best for you?

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

We have a ladymoonray visiting this weekend, I was thinking of inviting you to dinner next weekend if you're around?

[anef.livejournal.com]

That would be lovely - either Saturday or Sunday would be fine for us. Can we bring anything? Non-dairy cake?

[maryread.livejournal.com]

This sounds much like the territory I have been living in, only different of course and without the work bit. Why I love my physical therapist yoga teacher, and am happy that class has started again after three-week haitus. I was practicing daily but less and that was getting down to lying flat on the floor after my walks instead of all the fancy other stuff.

I am so sorry -- your last post about lying on the sofa I was going to pipe up but it didn't seem in any way useful.

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that, stupid tiresome bodies :-(

[dalmeny]

Please don't feel you need to stop mentioning Back on your Friends' behalf. If we're Friends at all, we will want to know how you are doing, even on the days when the news is bad.

I don't always comment, but I always read, and I daily hope that things will improve.