Bad Back....so painfull

[Fadcode]

I did a small amount of digging on Sunday and my back kills, :aargh4:
Managed to do a driving job yesterday on Monday Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, heat pad, and wearing a back support but after 2 days later I woke up and couldn't walk, so I crawled to the loo upstairs, a little later I could stand (I guess when the meds kicked in.)my back isn't stiff, it's now just a constant dull ache but feels like painfull electric shocks if I bend the wrong way.
no doubt I'll be ok again in a couple of days, but it does worry me how dissabling it really is.

Outdoors I would be unable to carry any weight and was thinking what if I get a bad back on a Bushcraft event?

Obviously the simple answer is rest, some say omn a flat surface, My Mum Who suffered for years was told by a Dr body flat on the floor or with legs at right angles, not very practical on a campsite especially if you are setting up packing away or leaving.

Are there any back pain sufferers with kit or medication advice?

what sort of bag?
long or short back?
internal/external frame?
Hammock or camp bed?
roll mat or thermarest?

any advice would be welcome, many thanks

Make sure when you see your Doctor, he refers you to a specialist, sounds like you have a nerve problem in your back,
I have just got over a bad back problem, my sciatica nerve was jammed between 2 vertebrae, the local GP just gave paracetamol, saying it was probably a strain, eventually I talked him into sending me to a specialist, after X-rays, scans etc, the specialist said it would be risky to operate and he informed me that I would probably end up paralysed, pointing out, basically I would have to live with the pain etc, at this point I was finding it hard to walk,sit, get back up etc, and my left leg would go dead making me unsteady on my feet, I started exercising and stretching, and every weekend I would go out to Dartmoor and go for a good hike, painful though it was, I took my time, never pushed myself, and after about 6 weekends, almost all the pain was gone,(probably due to the twisting and uneven steps on the uneven ground) I now get about ok, legs are no longer dead, the worst thing you can do is to be immobile, get up and get on with it, find a way to relieve the pain, I found sitting down and putting my head on my knees took all the pain away, and everytime it got too painful a few minutes sitting down would help tremendously, then I would get up and carry on.............the one thing I always remember is Pain is only a memory, and when you do remember the pain, it doesn't hurt. Don't let pain get the better of you, Life is too short, Incidentally my back problem was probably caused jumping off the back of trailers, carrying timber and having to climb up to get the straps over the load, and shimmying back down, so if you are driving for a living be careful.

 

[Janne]

Fadcite, you experienced the classic Sciatica, where a disk is damaged, the inside gelatinous content is squeezed out and presses on a nerve.
Bloomin'n painful.
If it returns time after time the only treatment is immobilising the two vertebrae so they do not put any squeeze on the disk. Routine operation, but of course, all operations carry a certain risk.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm gradually trying research them all...apart from the alcohol one....I know roughly how that works

An update...
2 weeks have gone, reasted and walked a fair bit (without a bag) I've heard walking can help. I've worn a Bought DIY back support to help(which is comfortable and genuinely helps). Sadly the pain is still with me, I've been on Ibuprufen all the time, and the back pain is still with me, so it may be a more serious problem than I first thought.

The constant dull ache even with pain killers has been getting to me, and my sense of humour. I have had encreasing amounts of back trouble as I've got older so I'm assuming it might be with me a while yet, but constant use of drugs isn't ideal and support belts only do half the job. I will excersise to build up strength but in the mean time I wanted a drug free and smelly linament free solution.

I remembered using a TENS machine my mum had which worked well on a sore shouder, tiny electric shocks reduce pain??? It's a crazy idea, but it genuinely does work and My wife gave birth 3 times with one.... which is impressive pain relief!
I looked around and found this rather good product:

http://www.boots.com/boots-tens-back-pain-belt-10165888

It is basically a padded and supportive belt with built in TENS machine, It supports the back but also gives TENS pain relief.
The huge advantage over other older designs is you don't need to replace those sticky rubber patches and there are no wires to pull out or get caught.
rather than using sticky pads you just wet the electrode area with water.

Because of where the belt sits (in the small of the back) It is bulky in just the wrong place and interfears with my jeans/belt so probably best worn with sweat pants
but it's not particullaly obvious when under clothing, unless you are a chubby funster like me.
I haven't tried it with a bag but the rear is padded in the same way rucksacks have a padded middle back section, so I'd imagine it's comfortable with most rucksacks.
it uses 3 AAA bateries which are easy to come by, and it has various settings which seem to do the trick!
the only downside really is the battery/control, which is permanantly attatched to the belt it would almost certainly get in the way of rucksack or webbing type belts but then if your back is bad enough for a tens machine you probably shouldn't be carrying one
The electric pulses do work, it feels a bit like running water or perhaps vibration a bit like leaning on a lawn mower a sort of painless tingling. it's not unpleasent at all but feels odd at first, after a few minutes it almost feels like a gentle massage.

I've used it a few times since yesterday afternoon, and I've found it seems to work for a long period an (hour or more) after it's removed, which is probably a placebo effect but even so I'm happy with the effect!
Oh and it has a belt extender for the more "portly" or "jolly" person(which curently am).
It's £39.99 it isn't cheap but much less than other versions which retail well over £100 (and require expensive replacement pads after a few uses )
well worth a try if you have ongoing back problems.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Hi John, I'd be interested in the basic design, is it literally just stiched up along the sides, or is it done some other way.
also when lying on it, is it solid or does it bow in the middle? although I guess more to the point, should it be solid?

just thinking, if getting out of a bed whilst camping is a problem you could rig up a rope/handle to help getting up/down.

and theres only one main flaw I can see with the design it's a bit big and heavy....i.e. the long bits of tree to lash together...they look like pioneering poles I used to use in scouts,
I sense an invention coming on!

 

[Robson Valley]

I suggest that you consider walking with a cane. That takes some of the load off your back to maintain your balance and posture.
For me, my sense of balance is very poor. Leaning on the cane (to keep from falling over), I can feel my legs and back relax a little.

 

[TeeDee]

Once you are better ( you will get better ) give Yoga some thought.

 

[Janne]

I am sorry to hear that.
Have you been to a specialist, or been referred to one?

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

ok so this is like a month later, and some good days some bad, been using a TENS most days, still on Ibuprofen, when driving I'm fine and if sat for a long time (i.e. watching tv) when I stand I'm all stiffened up and walking is "limpy" for a few minutes starting to really worry! I will see a specialist.

 

[Hunkyfunkster]

I've been given capsaicin cream for my sore back. It's much better than deep heat or any other creams I've tried. In conjunction with my painkillers I'm actually getting some relief these days. I would definitely recommend asking your gp for some of this

 

[Janne]

I would have liked you to see a GP sooner. If he needs to refer you it will take longer to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Damage can heal wrongly if not treated in time.

I am a perfect example myself.

 

[Harlequin1974]

I feel for you squire: 2 herniated discs in my lower back mean that I wake up to sciatic pain and a dead left leg every morning and have some pretty powerful meds on repeat subscription. The good news is that you can learn to live with long term back issues (if yours turns out to be such) - recognising danger signs and protecting it as a matter of course (+all the good advice on relevant exercises above). One god send I have found is the use of a lumbar lock back support for short periods when any movement is agony: avoid using for too long though as will lead to weakening of the back muscles. Good luck.

 

[Janne]

You can those vertebrae fused. Pain will disappear and you will have a good life again!

 

[mrcharly]

ok so this is like a month later, and some good days some bad, been using a TENS most days, still on Ibuprofen, when driving I'm fine and if sat for a long time (i.e. watching tv) when I stand I'm all stiffened up and walking is "limpy" for a few minutes starting to really worry! I will see a specialist.

TBH, once you have an injured back what you have described there sounds pretty normal.

I would say sitting still for a long time is really hard for anyone with a bad back. Even just standing upright in one place. I was standing around in the cold at a rally for 40 minutes last night and after 30 minutes it felt like hot wires were running down my back. Just standing still for too long.

Physios recommended that I tilt my office chair back as far as possible so I can lean back and forth, give myself chance to move. Strengthens muscles and stops things seizing up. That helps.