Housebound at 57 !!!!Help I want to get out and and about

todoy

Lumber decompressions, cervical decompression and yet another compressed lumber nerve causing severe sciaticia - no more surgery as muscles too badly damaged by previous surgery. Doped up on cocktail of pain meds which prevent me from driving. Only 57 yet housebound and just received early retirement from a professional career. Always trying to look on bright side of life but days are very long, any suggestions. I have been a very outgoing individual and now find it hard having to rely on husband (who works shifts). To make things worse have ordered new car which arrives at weekend and will not be able to get out in it, :idea: I might add car paid for out of own money (turned down repeatedly for DLA which I am taking to Tribunal).

stickywicket

Welcome to the forum, todoy. I'm sorry you needed to find us and I'm afraid I'm not much use to you as my back's not bad. I'm sure someone will be along soon with more experience of backs than I have.

The car situation sounds very frustrating. If it's only due at the weekend, does this mean your back has only suddenly got this bad? There might be adaptions you could use.

If you are able to use a computer without too much pain, there's probably quite a lot you can do to keep yourself out of mischief And there are a lot of adaptions you can make to the house to make your life easier and more independent. Have you spoken to an Occupational Therapist? They have helped a lot of people on here. Also our 'Simple Ideas...' thread at the top of the page has some useful hints.

elnafinn

I am sorry to read your story. Life sucks at times, doesn't it? I am 6 months post op from a spinal op and fully realise that once one has an op the vertebrae below can begin to weaken in time. I had the op to stop further deterioration but unfortunately my symptoms have not improved much at all but I was never told they would, only may do and to give it up to 2 years.

You have probably tried all avenues but would a pain clinic help you? Since having injections for sciatica I am pain free from those symptoms since December 2009.

Elna x

todoy

My symptoms started to get worse in September had injection for severely inflamed facet joint got over that then over very short space of time developed sciatica which had progressively got worse since mid January had nerve root block done in February and wow was like z new woman... No pain... Unfortunately only got 36 hours relief. Now have got up
to 50mcg fentanyl patch gaberpentin cocodamol
And amitriptyline at night ... I still get break through pain. Waiting for appointment for specialist pain clinic not sure what they will
be able to offer.
In response to getting up to mischief on internet the little White van man knows my address well keep finding bargains on variouswrb sites .. Onerous thing is husband doesn't see ne coming home with items bought in shops ad they arrive when he is at work

dreamdaisy

Hello todoy, it's lovely to meet you and I am glad you have found us because we all understand very well the frustrations of our various afflictions. My Ma had severe sciatica for a couple of years but over time it eased - with your situation, however, I doubt that that is on the agenda. The new car will hopefully be comfortable enough for you to be in as a passenger and perhaps The Husband would oblige with chauffering duties? I know this is hardly an ideal solution but it could be a start.

Re. other getting out and about, I have a four wheeled rollator (complete with seat) and I use that to help me walk to my local shops. Every step hurts thanks to arthritis-affected toes, ankles and knees, but it means I can still get a little fresh air when I feel up to it. I do not know much about backs (apart from the fact they are crucial) but perhaps this could be an option for you? You can try them in the shops that sell them but be warned - on a smooth shop floor they are lovely but outside in the real world there can be some juddering which might upset your arms and shoulders. However, the slower one walks the less the judder. It's lovely to meet you and I hope that talking to us will help to pass some of the time. I wish you well. DD

lululu

Hi there Todoy Have you considered a mobility scooter, they are wonderful! :P
As already mentioned ask OT if they can help, you can find them via your GP or Social Service. You can contact them yourself, they will probably send a form and the arrange a home visit they can loan equipment to make things a little easier. And again as already mentioned have a look at the simple ideas thread there are some good tips there.

suzygirl

Hi, I was going to suggest a mobility scooter, and also try ring and ride. I am only 40, but have been advised I am able to use the service and have qualified for hospital transport for 5 years.

As the others have suggested, speak to your gp, physio and OT. Adaptions can be made to the car if necessary.

I wish you well.

todoy

It's great that people have replied .... Thank you. They are all positive suggestions. I would like to try some but pain and the meds I'm on is currently preventing me. I am so doped up it's scary and I'm in so much pain I can't reduce dosage. I dont know how many of you have had, or know someone that has had renal colic. Its meant to
be one of the most painful conditions a person can get ..... Ive had it and i can honestly say that nerve pain from compressed spinal nerve equals renal colic. I am waiting anxiously every day for the postman for an appointment with pain specialist. I am even more frustrated cause the weather is so gorgeous. Most of may day is spent sleeping. I just am amazed by the kind words that people have posted. THANK YOU

barbara12

Hi todoy
And a warm welcome from me, I am so sorry you are suffering like you are, the one thing that helped my sciatic pain is gabapentin, and I see you are on that, there is the newer drug pregablin, some people have had good results with it.
I do hope you get that appointment very soon, and dont forget you now have us lot to talk to, it really does help to talk to people that understand some od what you are going through.
Please let us know how you get on x

lululu

Don't worry you are very welcome. Pregabalin is verry good for nerve pain.

Folara

Heya todoy and welcome. Sounds like you're going through a very difficult time and you need lots of support which you will certainly get here.

I have severe sciatica among other things and will be having some injections on Friday to see if that helps. This is via my Pain Consultant. When I was referred to the Pain Clinic I was very skeptical but was hugely surprised at how understanding and compassionate the Consultant was.

I'm also on a huge dosage of meds, much the same as everyone else here and it does get depressing. I wonder if you could ask for a review and say how exhausted you are feeling? They might be able to try something different. Since seeing the Pain Consultant I have started on some different meds and have actually managed a few nights of 7 hours sleep - ah bliss.

I wonder if your hubby could get you a lounger in the garden where you lie down in the sun for a little while. The sun on you is a great pick you up.

Good luck with your appointment and keep us posted with how you are doing.

Fols xx

suzygirl

Hi, as well as inflammatory arthritis, I have cervical spondlylosis and disk problems, cervical, thoracic and lumbar. I am currently having acupuncture on my neck to relieve the muscle spasms. I have my appt next week with the ortho people to see if I need spinal surgery. So I understand pain, and appreciate what it is like to be drugged up. I am not allowed to drive at present, but have slightly reduced the pain meds, to enable me to be withit enough to manage a semblance of a normal life. Just little things.

I can manage, despite the fact I thought I wouldn't be able to. My friend came last week and jazzed up my zimmer and my triwheeled walker. Little things that bring a smile.

I hope I am not coming across as patroninsing, as that is not my intention. Its just I am so determined that I will not be a prisoner from this beast. I have to watch I don't get cranky though :oops: as when I overdo it, :shock:

Its the little things that give me pleasure and keep me going. Sorry for rambling.

todoy

I was convinced that the 'beast' wasn't going to get me, but the last month I think it's winning especially when the nerve root block only gave me 36hours relief. I'm off out Friday night to a monthly get together with girlfriends ..since my problem has got worse we have started taking it in turns to meet at each other's houses as this allows me to sprawl, lie down or do whatever I need to get comfy. I know I will give them some side-splitting stories about how I am coping and I think humour is a great healer. Husband is taxi and it's quite amazing how intoxicated one can get on orange juice when the company is jolly. I am trying to reduce amount of pain med - started last night at only took 20mg amitriptyline instwad of 30. I wan't to stop 'nodding off' during the day as it is so charateristic of elderly people and I refuse to go there. Looking forward to going away for a few days over Easter am escaping to our Narrow boat I used to troll of on my own down the motorway to the Marina and leave hubby at home working and dog sitting and am determined that as I now have summer free due to my early retirement that I am going to make the most of it.

stickywicket

You are quite right to make the most of your early retirement, todoy, though quite how one even gets into a narrow boat with arthritis, let alone copes with life onboard, would be beyond me. I am impressed and I wish you luck!

I do hope you have a good time with your friends. Personally I hate being the only sober one (It’s lack of loo access for me) but, if you can get high on orange juice, I envy you. Don’t try too hard to be the life and soul of the party. If these are good friends they won’t expect it. There’s a balance between being a total dampener and being hyper.

I’m sure I’d be doing as you propose with the meds if you are nodding off during the day. There are times, during flares, when the sheer exhaustion gets to us but, if ever it has got to a point where the meds are interfering with my life as much as the disease itself, I always opt for more pain with more alertness rather than less pain and comatose. I hope the reduction helps.

hileena111

Hi Todoy
Good to meet you.....sorry I'm late answering this.

I have OA in hips, 1 replacement which made me worse rather than better, oA in neck one ankle and lower spine. Also kypho scoliosis.

I can drive.......When you get the car and try sitting in it think about adaptions you can get for it......you can get lots of things.

I use a mobility scooter for hilly and longish walks but for shorter ones I use my four wheel rollator.....that is great....The scooter lives in my OH car I cant cope with taking it to pieces and putting it together again...too heavy and it wont fit in my car but my rollator {with a seat} fits in......Standing is worse than walking so its a boon to be able to sit down occasionally.
I have been on certain meds that have made me drowsy and zombie like and have come off them. Now only on paracetamol and naproxen but I would rather have some pain than be like a zombie. I understand you saying that if you cut yours down the pain is too bad. What does your GP say.....is there anything else that mightnt make you so zombie like?
Sorry not a lot of help
Let us know what happens
Love
Hileena