Monday 6 August 2012

Silly O’Clock

So here I am struggling to go back to bed at 3:40 in the morning, I have battled with my back pain over the last week, in fact ever since I did the demo at Imag-e-nation.
Over the last 3 to 4 years I’ve learned to cope with back pain, finding ways to cope with it learning new ways of picking up from bottom shelves learning to use things like benches to take the strain from my back when ever I bend.
Learning to ask for a chair or stool to perch my bum onto when doing demo’s as pride plays a big part in it. I awake in the morning stiff and grouchy, pushing the pain just to walk to the bathroom, taking an hour to pull myself together just from the psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia , getting the ligaments stretched out enough to start the day, so then to the back pain, if I spend too long in bed I suffer, if I spend too little in bed I suffer, so I’m walking a thin line.
I don’t want sympathy, I want solutions, I had a serious chat with myself wondering if a stick would help for walking, not sure I’m ready to go down that route just yet but not sure how long it will be before I have to give in on a bad day.
I get sick of hearing myself moaning and grumbling about pain, it gets you down. I started to take action in healthy eating and have been quite pleased with some weight loss and thought it may help but so far nothing in the pain direction, I’m trying gentle exercise although some morning I just cant do it.
I had wanted to be back in bed most of Sunday and gave in to a deep heat rub around lunch time but I knew by 10pm last night that I was destined to an early night. So hence sitting here typing this at a silly O’ Clock in the morning. I awoke at 02:45 and knew that a cup of tea was needed.
Back to the Doctors I think is the way forward.

30 comments:

Edilza Teixeira Scrap e Artes said...

Oi Jak!!!

Também soro muito com fibromialgia, e tenho uma prima que mora na Itália que sofre muito também, aqui o meu fisioterapeuta pede pra fazer uma hidroginástica, ele fala que melhora muito. Somos mais um nesse mundão de Deus.

Beijos

Louise said...

I'm awake at silly o'clock, scared of the lightening!
I hope your doc can help you, back pain is terrible :(
I had bulging discs on my neck. I avoided surgery, as physio worked and now I do pilates. It's great for realigning the spine & strengthening muscles gently. x

Shelly Schmidt said...

So sorry for your troubles! I too have these maladies- I have been doing OK so far lately- I had an ergonomic eval at work where I sit most of the day, and that was awesome- I check my posture and I sit with a foot stool under my feet.....made all the difference in the world- those cement floors are killers too! Blessings to you- will keep you in prayers and I hope you get pain relief and some peace soon!

June Nelson said...

I have fybro too Jak and find it difficult to work my part time nursing job, but needs must! its horrible hunnie im with you all the way on this on, but im sorry I dont have any solutions, im up at four every morning too, maybe we could set up a club!! joking aside sweets I do hope the doctor can sort you a little, its a long and onely road this one, big gentle huggies to you my freind xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Carol Wood said...

Hi Jak, I too suffer from psoriatic arthritis and a couple of others too, a few discs are bulging and a collapsing vertebra. The pain at times is unbearable. I like you, and it seems many other ladies here have health issues. Sleep at funny hours etc. I am now under the rheumatology clinic and on methotrexate and its doing me good as well as other pain relief. I did get a cushion from the O.T called a dyno-flex cushion and it is fantastic, it relieves the pressure on your back. Perhaps you ought to ask for a visit to the O.T dept to see what they can offer you, I also had the offer of a specialist bed but I declined this but there are things to help. Please inquire, it could help you.
Take care Jak. xxxx

Linda Simpson said...

Good morning Jak, I can't begin to imagine what you are going through and I hope that you do take a visit to the doctors.

I hope you have a better day today. Take care!!!

Hugs
Linda xxxx

Mad Mary said...

Sorry to hear you are not getting any relief Jak, definitely go back to your Dr and see if you can get anything else as suggested above. I do hope you can get something.

Mary xx

christine pethers said...

Oh how I sympathise. The amount of time I'm sleeping in our bed is getting less and less at the moment. I have a link somewhere to a Pain support website - when I find it I'll forward it to you.
By the way one thing that really helped me and you should ask your gp for is access to a pain management course. take care
love Chris ( Northampton )

Zosia said...

Hello Jak, I used to suffer very badly with my back. I have retired now but my work entailed me to sit all day - employers provided me with a special chair which did help slightly & also, as someone mentioned above, I was referred for pain management course which was a great help. I invested in a memory foam mattress about 5 years ago and the difference it has made is unbelievable. Like you in the past when I used to wake up sometimes it took me about half an hour to get from my bed to the bathroom which is only a few steps away. Hope you can get something sorted very soon I know only too well how debilitating it can be. Lots of hugs and kisses.

doreen said...

So sorry to hear you're suffering with your back, Jaq, no solutions I'm afraid, but loads of hugs,


Doreen x

Elizabeth said...

A few hours in bed is usually enough for ones back them move someplace else, couch, chair or walk for awhile slow and easy. Steroid shots in my back seem to help. It's a fun part of a night to get up by yourself.

Rhodidodi said...

I sympathis too Jak. I have FB and Lupus and have had real problems with my back. Tried physio and accupuncture and didn''t help. I have resorted to a stick and he is now part of me! (Chick the Stick) It helps when I am walking, as when the pain gets bad at the bottom of my back, I can lean on it and it takes the pressure off just a bit. I hope you can get some relief soon, sending gentle hugs inthe meantime! xx

marilyn said...

Oh I thought I was reading a list of my ailments haha.
I hope you get better help from your GP than I did from mine.
He said being over weight was due to all my problems.
No help no diet sheet nothing.
I was very upset as I feel badly treated.
I hope you get better help.
Love Marilyn
PS I will love to hear how you get on. x

Sharon-The OKI StampQueen said...

Jak--I feel your pain--been there with the fibro! First, check out Sleepnumber beds. We first saw them at a state fair-and a friend let us stay overnight and try hers out. I didn't sleep well-being in a new place-but each time I woke up I was thinking "I'm not hurting!" lol. We bought one. It is AMAZING!!! It has cut down on my fibro pain by at least 80%! Really. Not cheap-but well worth it (particularly if I add up chiropractor visits pain meds missed work/opportunities...etc!) Then, if you have access to an indoor hydrotherapy pool (pool at high temp)--there are some gentle stretches you can do in the water (must be very very warm and chest deep) that will help. A water aerobics teacher tauaght me-basically just gentle repetitive moving arms back and forth, up and down--same with legs--for at least 20 mins. Those were my two saving graces. Thoughts and prayers! Blessings, Sharon

Debra W said...

I just read your post to my daughter, who promptly replied "Was I looking in a mirror!" You are just the same as I am...and by the replies we are not alone. My problems started with a bad whiplash injury many years ago, further aggregated by another whiplash last year. I started to use a walking stick about 4 years ago, I didn't want to, but it does help me, so give it a try. I hope you get some relief from the pain soon. Love Debra

jean confused........ said...

Hi Jak know exactly how you feel, I suffered so much pain nearly 3 yrs ago got to the extent in mornings could not hold toothbrush or flannel and to shower was agonising, in end off to Doctors then specialist only to find out after tests was Polymialga and Rheumtoid Arthiritis, was put on Heavy load of Steroids for over 2 years but my goodnes did it work wonders and after being weened off the steroiods am now on two sorts of other tablets, one lot is once week slow release and other one twice daily and if I don't take any boy do I know it, I have to say after constant coearsing from my family eventually sometimes have to resort to the stick otherwise when having a bad day when walking it effects the back and hip so it definately helps, it is hard to give in but at dame time when you eventually take that step you think I should have done this before. Hope you soon get it sorted and don't leave too long as I did. All the very best.x

Jean said...

I don't have medical problems like yours Jak but I do suffer a lot of back pain at times - standing, bending over, lifting, all can cause it. I do the 'rocker' which helps me get going on a bad morning - lie on back, arms round back of knees and pull knees towards chest, then rock sideways several times then from head to tail pulling yourself into a rather tighter ball. This is an exercise from my physio -lie down, stretch out and raise knees , feet and back flat on floor, bend sideways to right from waist until right knee touches floor, repeat for left side - do these several times. Keep it gentle until you feel your back muscles begin to relax then you can push it a bit by taking the left leg over to touch the floor in front of the right knee and repeat on opposite side.

Trish said...

Jak, I hope you've now been to the doctor and will have some relief from the pain. Do hope that you will feel stronger soon and also get a good night sleep.

Liz said...

Hi Jak I am sorry to hear you are still having so many problems.It is not a solution but have you tried a TENS machine? My hubby Colin has a lot of hip/back problems & started to use a stick & our doctor actually advised against it as he said it could cause wrist & hand problems in time.
You are certainly between a rock & a hard place. Looks like you will have to try a few things to see which helps you. I do hope you find some releif soon.
hugs
Liz XX

Christine L said...

Hi.....

Ooh ouch when I read your post.. I'm also a back pain sufferer.... but have been able to help myself with a few things I thought you may like to hear about...

Firstly, I bought a Back Friend from MEDesign.... I use it a LOT. It pushes your back in the right places when you're sitting. Secondly, in bed.... (and you probably do this already) I use a hottie bottle!! Also in bed, I find a cushion between the knees (if you lie on your side) helps, or... and this is a particularly helpful one.... you know those bean bags full of polystyrene beads? Well I made a square cushion filled with those (you can get them in haberdashers) - and it moulds to your back giving you support in all the right places.

Anyway, hope that helps.... I do follow your blog but don't get a lot of time for commenting now!!

Hugs
Christine x

Renee B. said...

Jak, so sorry to hear you are suffering so much....when your back hurts nothing seems to be right! Sharon (Stamp Queen) seems to have a few good answers for you...hope you are able to try them out & get some relief! I had a back injury from a car accident & for 3 yrs was in pain but I'm lucky...it went away! I did take sleeping pills at the time to get me some sleep...If your tired the pain seems worse! Good luck finding some relief...will keep my fingers & toes crossed for you!
Hugs, Renee

sallysbitz2 said...

So sorry to hear the pain you are in Jak.
I cannot think of any solutions that would help, I bet you have searched high & low for them.
Keep your chin up girl x

hugs sally x
sallysbitz.blogspot.co.uk

Marion Burch said...

Hi Jak, I know exactly what you are going through because I am the very same way, I have had back surgery before and I sure don't want to go through that again and the Doctor don't seem to really care, so I will just put up with the pain, I sure hope you can get some relief someway.

sheffsue said...

Hi Jak..sorry to hear that your pain is getting the better of you. Have you asked your GP to refer you to a pain clinic? My son (who broke his back 20+ years ago) suffers terribly with the pain but the clinic helps him with strategies to help him cope. Ask Jak....you can't lose anything by it.
P.S. Check with your GP whether a walking stick would help you....sometimes it can make the problem worse.

Take care...Sue x

terrie said...

I hear what your saying cause I have the same problem with my back..I've done everything to heal the back ache...I get up and I can't hardly stand up...
I know that a walking cane is not for you or me but it could help it somewhat...
Just know your not the only one going through this...I also know this doesn't help your pain...
I take one day at a time and I do sit as often as I can..I've had this back pain for over 30 yrs from a car accident that I was in..
Hang in there my friend maybe one day you'll be pain free...I'll keep my fingers crossed and pray for you...

Mary Roberson said...

Like you & many others who have posted here, I too suffer from fibromyalgia, arthritis and back/neck pain. I will get the results of my MRI soon. Thinking maybe I also have a pinched nerve or something of the sort...I wish I could have an indoor hot tub. I really think that would help with my arthritis and fibromyalgia. Hope you get some relief soon, Jak.

Maryann Laursen said...

Oh Jak, I´m soo sorry to read this post here.I know only too well, how you feel, as I´ve been there for several years too now, and have had 3 major backsurgeries, where they´ve replaced 7 vertebra´s by now, so PLEASE don´t ignore it because of vanity as I did, but make sure you listen to the doctors and accept, you need to make a lot of changes, cause that is nessecary, and when I first accepted that and started to take care of me before everybody else, I also got better, but because I waited way too long, I´ll never be all good again, but now I´m having a bareable life, as long as I don´t overdo anything, cause then I´ll get the bill right away. At the hospital I was sent to an ergoteraphist, and she has been the best person ever for me. She learned me a lot about me and my bosy and how to do the most daily housework in a different way, and even I said many time, that you can´t do things this way, I must admit, you can, if you will. Yes it does take a lot longer than earlier, but at least I can do it again, which I couldn´t before, and without having to cry myself to sleep at night. And then I got one of these Tempur madrasses, that has also been some of the best I´ve spent money on for many years, and yes it´s very expensive, but worth every penny, when you suddenly can sleep 4 to 6 hours instead of 1 to 2 at a time, and as some has mentioned already I think, a hot SPA bathtub has also been a really good thing, cause you can take a long bath in very hot water and it stay that hot and don´t get cold very fast, and the airmassage is absolutely marveless when your back hurts. It very gentle but still effective, so that´s also the best money I´ve spent beside the madrass, and these two together is definiotely the reason I todayhave got rid of the really bad painkillers and can do with just the normal ones.
But as I said, don´t wait as long as I did, cause I kept on trying to push it behind and just took a couple more painkillers, and then it would probably be gone tomorrow, but ofcause it wasn´t, as it was arthritis both in the joint and Psoriasis too, so it don´t go away, so best accept it and do what you can as soon as possible, so you don´t do as I did and ruined even more vertebras before I would listen, cause it ended up in, that I had to be fully retired in the age of 48 instead of 68, but I just kept on, it couldn´t be true, that I needed this in my age, as I was too young, so I waited sooo long, that my back suddenly broke down and I ended in a surgery in few hours and then I had no more choises, cause they just had to do what the had to at that time, and believe me, that is NOT a desireing situation, believe me.
I really hope, you have been to see the doctor now Jak and he has dddeased your pains, but please think about it, cause how you´ll be the rest of your life, depends on what you´re doing now, so forget all about vanity and do what is nessecary to get a good life hun.
Best of luck sweetie, I´ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers here too.

Jan said...

I don't know whether you got my last comment, but I too have Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, plus I am diabetic and also suffer with Restless Leg Syndrome. I was tld by my Dr not to sufferin silence if I was hurting tell him and we would sort the painkillers as required. He also gave me some cream it is called Capsaicin and is made from Chillies, you don't apply a lot but it does give some ease of pain time. Anyway I hope your Dr does help you and I shall be thinking of you.

Love and Hugs Jan xxx

Lana said...

I've been walking with a cane for over half my life now, so I can understand your resistance, but the relief it has given me through the years is invaluable. I had polio as a kid and am having more and more pain issues as I age, so I can empathize with you. Hope you are able to find a way to get some relief!! Lana

Anonymous said...

Poor you Jak. How awful. You must be passed yourself. I pray you will be free from pain soon. Chin up girl. Gentle hugs. Catarina xx