Why the Stigma????

[Lewis Brown]

I have posted here before - having had 3 discecomies, I find carrying out everyday tasks tough most of the time.

Why is there so much stigma attached to back problems???

I have now been out of work for nearly two years - and I do not like it, but if I am to work again, it must be something that is suitable to my condition.

Every day is different for me. I rate my pain from one to ten - so that friends understand. Every day I am in pain - and I can cope with that - well I have to, like many of you on here. But some days I can hardly move and the pain is unbearable. So I reach for my painkillers - which also cause their own problems.

So why oh why is it that the DWP etc keep saying to me 'oh, you have back pain' and why is it that I have to KEEP repeating to them 'no, I do not just have back pain - I have had THREE back operations'.

Now I know there are people worse off than me - but I am getting sick and tired of this.

So, I find it hard to dress, go to the bathroom, and do other things around the house - but because I can walk 30 yards - I am deemed as ok! Tut tut!

My leg pain has now returned - and I am in the process of requesting another MRI scan.

I would love for 'these bods' to live my life, just for one day - and see how they cope!

Once again - my benefits have been stopped.

I am not work-shy and I have worked since I was 13 - so why am I being treated like a criminal??? (well, that is how I feel).

Sorry for rant

 

[scale92788]

Because it's not something someone can see, it's just plain ignorance in my experience Sorry you are in pain, I've been there with my neck, thankfully I am now back to working

 

[regina]

Thank you for your reply Jo
Sorry to hear that you have been in pain too - but I suppose this site is full of people in pain, but overlooked.
I hope that I will be in a better position one day - it's not for want of trying lol
I just wish somebody would take my ailment seriously.
Oh well, I will see what my new G.P will say - and also see what this new scan comes up with
xx

 

[Justin Morales]

I had op in 2006, 2009 I started working as an Aromatherapist (now studying sports therapy massage, so don't give up) When is your next appointment ?

 

[pomparents?]

Hi there,

I genuinely feel your frustrations, I treat many people with back problems an most have had them for quite some time which I feel is very sad and upsetting.

What have you tried for your back pain outside of traditional medicine, therapies, nutrition etc? I may have some advice which may help, I may not all I know is that i've have good success i helping other with this very problem.

Take care xx

 

[Leesha]

Well, I have just relocated to a different area.
Registered with my new G.P and have 'M.O.T' next week, and I have
emailed a reputable consultant/surgeon already - who has asked me to get a referral from my new G.P - which I will do.
My last surgeon was very good - but his bedside manner was not so good, and could not/would not answer my question about what the future held for me.
I do not want a fourth operation - I just want to know why I have had 3 slpped discs, and hope that it will not happen again.
So, new area and new consultant - you never know - I may receive the the answers and help I need.
I admire you for getting back on the horse - so to speak.
I would like to do Psychology, as my previous profession had some involvement with it, but if I did a course at home - I do not think it is recognised professionally

 

[Abbie]

I wish you well Goody, go for the Psychology course, it will at least take your mind off the pain at some point. Keep us posted

 

[Imran M]

Hi Goody

Welcome to HP. It must be so frustrating for you - and hope you get reasonable support from your new GP and consultant. I don't think it's stigma - I would suggest it is more likely to be ignorance. There ARE those who try and swing the lead, so a lot of the Benefits People will be sceptical - it is just so frustrating for the likes of you, and those with ME to get believed (I have a client with ME who has had a major battle with the authorities).

There are other angles one can come at the problem with. Nutrition surprisingly plays a major role in back pain - depending on your intake as to whether you diet leaves your body in an acidic or alkaline state, whether it is pro-inflammatory or not and what nutrients you may be short of or have imbalanced. A BANT-registered nutritional therapist could help sort this for you on an individual basis. Having trained in the conventional medical field it would never have occurred to me that diet had any input whatsoever - but since studying nutrition (based on biochemistry - and there have been astonishing discoveries in this field recently) my ideas have changed completely.

The other way I can suggest is to look at EFT which is remarkably effective at dealing with any possible underlying issues, past or present, which might be lurking. There are videos to watch - see the client's facial expressions change during the tapping process - and a free basic manual to download here. Read about other people's back issues here. Find a practitioner near you here on HP or here

This is not all by any means but two possible ways to start looking - others will no doubt add their perspectives. People resond differently and what works for one may not work for another, but there are always more options.

Wishing you all the best

 

[Naughty American]

Hi, Sorry to hear of your predicament. I know exactly what you mean about the 'oh just back pain' thing. But I wanted to mention that it's not that good if you go around telling people you have had 3 slipped discs when there is actually no such thing at all. The discs do not slip, they bulge, herniate or protrude. Do you understand why this is happening to you? Do you know which discs were the problem and why? There is a very definite mechanics to the condition, and understanding why it happens I think is crucial to preventing it happening again.


Maybe you know and I have just wasted a post, in which case sorry, but if you don't then please get yourself a good book, the 'Back Sufferer's Bible' by Sarah Key changed my life.

Hope you feel better soon and get some luck from your new team

 

[alexander w]

I started the Paleo Diet back in January and that talks about the acid/alkali balance, which foods and so on and I also bought the athelete's guide and that was amazing how certain foods improve healing and restoration after a race, so I thought I'd give it a try and it has definitely improved my inflammation

p.s. I am not a book salesman lol, but I do find knowledge really helps when it comes to understanding things and discussing my condition with surgeons or DSS etc.

 

[doppler]

Hi Cassie

I'm delighted to hear diet change has made a difference to you! It is a question of listening to your body too.

You are so right about the slipped disk situation and I do agree that it is vital to be able to ask the doctor the right questions when going for a consultation - and the more you know and understand the better. I also write the questions down on paper so I don't forget things - so easy to when one is flustered in a situation like this - AND write down the answers he/she gives you - too easy to forget some details, even when you do know what they are talking about!

 

[Adulthood]

Thanks Caroline

I agree I do that too, it's very importantr as we can wait many months for an appointment.
Do you know I recently started taking my husband to my hospital appointments, and what a difference that made!! Suddenly the consultant took time and explained things and was much more gentle with the tests and also I didn't have to undress! Won't go there though, akk.