Back problems

Re: Back problems

Nicola Smith — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:21:26 GMT

I am ok lifting from a table my issue is from the floor, from floor try to stick to 10kg but occas do more in an emergency but usually pay for it the next day. Even hauling big dogs for xray i have to be careful but i just know my limits and if im a bit sore i dont lift until its settled.

Re: Back problems

hannah Abbott — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:40:11 GMT

Thankyou, what sort of amount is a no lift for you? i just wonder if i will ever get back to lifting and feel bad for everyone else doing it.... 10kg is my absolute max and thats only on a good day?

Re: Back problems

hannah Abbott — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:38:06 GMT

thankyou, i was considering sidestepping into something else for a while possibly teaching or insurance. Not sure repping would suit me. That sounds awful that after five years they have fused. Im just getting fed up with the constant battle, i try to do eveything right back excercises and pilates, not overdoing it at work. Im still not lifting yet as im wary until im off painkillers not to do any damadge. What is repping like as a career?

Re: Back problems

Sal the 1st — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:58:09 GMT

I have had an L4/5 disc problem since 2006 .I already have surgically fused vertebrae in my neck so had always been very mindful of protecting my back and had always advised others of the same - and then one day was helping to lift a very fat labrador out of the back of a Range Rover. Dog yelped, owner panicked and left me supporting the whole weight of 40+ kgs.

I have to be very careful of what I lift these days, my back just isnt that supple anymore but it has got a lot easier. Is often painful in the winter but I am not a fan of heavy duty analgesia and manage it with either hypnosis or acupuncture. I do use a lower back support when its really acting up which helps a lot.

I wouldnt say it creates a lot of problems for me at work now unless I am doing a lot of lifting, I can still manage to get in and out of kennels to clean them and do most things without too much trouble but I had a spell of it being very painful which did limit me a bit.

Will also add that I have used a back swing in the past which helped.

Re: Back problems

Nicola Smith — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 07:15:21 GMT

Hi. I had a similar thing when I had been qualified 1 year. I had 3 bulging discs mine was sciatic pain but also constant pain and had to be taken in an ambulance on a few occasions when physically unable to move due to intense pain. I was told to think about my career etc. I decided to go into repping for a few years as this was something I was considering anyway.

I went back into nursing 5 years later. My discs disintegrated and I now have 3 fused vertebrae. I am on the whole ok. I do the lifting everyone else does but do get sciatica days. I just know when I need to be careful. While my discs were settling even as a rep I had bad days - one day got stuck in car at services so just be aware if you do have a career change even for a short time you may still get issues.

If you want anymore info pm me.