Back pain virus?

[MaggieSylvie]

Is there a "bad back" virus doing the rounds? I remember in the nineties where I worked there was a "sore thumb muscle" virus, so why not? Or is it just a coincidence that, in my presently small sphere of acquaintances, a high proportion of them including myself and my partner are suffering badly from non-specific back pain and sciatica.

[kohai OA Ambassador]

Hi MaggieSylvie,

To be honest, I've never heard of any virus that just affects the thumbs or back.

I don't know the condition of your spine, if you have any minor or major damage to the discs, so its not easy to answer.

I do know that when cold weather gets into my spine it can hurt like crazy though.

[MaggieSylvie in reply to kohai]

No - I'd never heard of a virus affecting thumbs but I mentioned it around the school where I was working and found out that a few other people had the same problem and they had put it down to a virus. I wouldn't assume I had a "back pain" virus if it was just me, but it isn't just me, and I am just wondering if more people than usual are suffering.

The weather doesn't seem to affect me, though I know a lot of people it does. So far as my back is concerned, I'm still waiting to see someone about it but will have to go down the usual route of physio first.

[kohai OA Ambassador in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Wow, I've been down that route, you have my empathies.

I would advise one thing. from my own personal experience..

In 2012 I was referred by Physio to the MSK (Musculo Skeletal) team. I walked in on visit 1, they had xrays done. Visit 2 I used a cane, visit 3 & 4 I was on crutches, by visit 5 I was in a wheelchair, yet they kept insisting my disc degeneration was mild (by Nov 2017 they were still going by my 2012 x-ray results!).

If you disagree with something, please don't ever be afraid to speak up, or tell your GP whats going on.

I'd hate to think of anyone going through what I did.

Physios generally help you learn to strengthen back muscles, give you leaflets explaining what pain is, how it affects you and how to manage it, and can suggest items to make the pain more bearable.

The down side - even without covid, it still all takes time, so maybe, if your back is that bothersome, speak with your GP about something to help while you're waiting to see a Physio?

[MaggieSylvie in reply to kohai]

Yes, the physios are triaging me, but I won't get an in person appointment. Meanwhile, they have sent me exercises which I got before and have been doing, with no degree of enthusiasm. I've just been online looking at the exercises and the myriad of other You Tube videos on pain management before - being requested to add things to my online shopping - then your email came up. The GP I've been talking to seems to understand what I'm going through and scans have been mentioned, but I have to start off with physio, probably because a scan might take some time to arrange. Today I am in less pain than I have been but whether that is due to paracetamol or not - well, probably. I also have a new recliner/massager chair that may have a bearing on it.

What you went through is unbelievable! Well, no not unbelievable. I suppose they consider that things don't change much in five years. When my knee OA was diagnosed I was told it was mild, but we now know that the amount of pain that we have anywhere is not indicative of the degree of damage to the area. That pain over a few months changed to unbearable, but over time, I am surprised at how good it is. However, if I ever get rid of the back pain, the knee could come back! It might be being overshadowed; the brain and pain reception is a strange thing.

The GP has already given me three different pain killers, but I have found it's not what I take but when I take it. I need to take it BEFORE I WAKE UP in order to manage getting out of bed. I usually have to struggle to get to the loo, take the pills and go back to bed and then get up again, when it's slightly less painful. By the time I've had a "massage" it's usually ok. But I still have to be careful what I do and for how long. Very limited. I'm sure you're familiar with all of this, but couldn't manage without the walking frame upstairs - just for the most painful part of the day.

While writing to you I've just got a face to face appointment in two weeks with a new back and neck pain physio! Pleased about that. So - it's all happening. It's almost as if things are getting back to normal.

Thanks for contacting me. Take care of yourself. Maggie