Tips for flight with sciatica or back pain

[macy]

Originally Posted by aqualiv

Great tips on here
Me and dh both get sciatica on and off

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You are certainly right, I've just been reading through them. I am amazed at the products you can buy now but also the different tips as well. The family laugh at me because I swear by the DIBB for many things. Now they ask me if I've checked the forum for things. It's brilliant !

[TinselAngel]

Originally Posted by macy

Thank you - medication for nerve pain was prescribed last week. Sadly until the GP considers a scan for a proper diagnoses we have no way of knowing the exact problem. Theres good days and bad days still not quite 4 weeks so a couple more before a referral will be considered I guess.

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Good luck getting a referral. My mum desperately needed a proper diagnosis for her severe back pain last year and ended up getting an MRI scan when she went to A&E after a fall - turned out she had a compression fracture in a thoracic vertebra. (She is 80). She got better pain meds and now has a back brace to help support her, though she struggles to wear it. Had it not been for the fall she would have been waiting for several months more.

[macy]

Originally Posted by TinselAngel

Good luck getting a referral. My mum desperately needed a proper diagnosis for her severe back pain last year and ended up getting an MRI scan when she went to A&E after a fall - turned out she had a compression fracture in a thoracic vertebra. (She is 80). She got better pain meds and now has a back brace to help support her, though she struggles to wear it. Had it not been for the fall she would have been waiting for several months more.

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It's hard to tell with our GP practice, I know they don't seem to refer people for an MRI until very serious. CT scan's seem to be different approach as are ultrasounds. I'm hoping things settle themselves and he can avoid those routes but time will tell.
Your poor Mother - shocking leaving someone like that and yet after a fall A&E managed to organise an MRI. Certainly makes you think. I hope she picks up and isn't in severe pain now. Sadly the NHS needs more funding and the vulnerable always seem to be hit first and the hardest. Hoping this all improves soon, it's cruel leaving people like your Mum to suffer. Sad world at times.

[Andybear]

Originally Posted by WhereIBelong

Trouble is you do have to worry about the person behind - what if they have a baby on their lap and you cannot recline. Good to choose to have family behind where you can - we do that - sit in pairs so that we can swap about if needed.

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Also the person behind might also have health problems which the person in front constantly reclining might affect. I am in constant pain though in my case it's lymphoedema in my feet/legs. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. nhs.uk/conditions/lymphoedema/

I booked an aisle seat in PE for my flights this year but have upgraded to UC both ways so won't have to worry about other people. I can stretch out with my legs raised off the floor.

[TinselAngel]

Originally Posted by macy

It's hard to tell with our GP practice, I know they don't seem to refer people for an MRI until very serious. CT scan's seem to be different approach as are ultrasounds. I'm hoping things settle themselves and he can avoid those routes but time will tell.
Your poor Mother - shocking leaving someone like that and yet after a fall A&E managed to organise an MRI. Certainly makes you think. I hope she picks up and isn't in severe pain now. Sadly the NHS needs more funding and the vulnerable always seem to be hit first and the hardest. Hoping this all improves soon, it's cruel leaving people like your Mum to suffer. Sad world at times.

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My thoughts exactly - seems the GP practice have to try every mainstream painkiller before they are allowed to recommend a investigative procedure that might actually inform how the patient is treated - the GP wanted to refer her but was powerless due to stupid guidelines they had to follow.

[macy]

Originally Posted by Andybear

Also the person behind might also have health problems which the person in front constantly reclining might affect. I am in constant pain though in my case it's lymphoedema in my feet/legs. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. nhs.uk/conditions/lymphoedema/

I booked an aisle seat in PE for my flights this year but have upgraded to UC both ways so won't have to worry about other people. I can stretch out with my legs raised off the floor.

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Economy seats don't cater for comfort and space, too many people are crammed in on some airlines. UC should make your flight a lot more comfortable than the other cabins. I have a couple of friends who suffer with the same condition , so understand how uncomfortable it can be for some. I hope your next flight makes travelling easier for you.

[THOR1]

Originally Posted by macy

Thank you ! it sounds horrendous dealing with this for years as most people seem too. I'll mention the exercises too, he is a regular golfer so open to exercise. Think once he is sorted it will be on the list with golf as a priority for him soon. Hope you don't have any flare ups and manage to keep them all at bay.

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Like your husband I am a regular golfer

Mine started hauling a barbecue out of the garden hut and it getting stuck and me ripping at it in a fit of temper!

It was like nothing I had ever felt before.

It comes back in one of 2 ways for me:

Not getting square to something and picking it up wrongly.

or

Sitting too much.

I have a sedentary job which definitely doesn't help but I can honestly say that doing those exercises umpteen times a day has always cleared it up within 2 or 3 days and the relief starts after the first day.

The more often I do the exercises the quicker it gets better

Last time we were in Florida I did it getting a case from the carousel at the airport but was able to play golf within 2 or 3 days.

Anything that puts his back into a reverse C shape will help

I just about never have a sore back other than if I jerk it as above over the summer months so golf definitely helps too!

Best of luck!

[macy]

Originally Posted by THOR1

Like your husband I am a regular golfer

Mine started hauling a barbecue out of the garden hut and it getting stuck and me ripping at it in a fit of temper!

It was like nothing I had ever felt before.

It comes back in one of 2 ways for me:

Not getting square to something and picking it up wrongly.

or

Sitting too much.

I have a sedentary job which definitely doesn't help but I can honestly say that doing those exercises umpteen times a day has always cleared it up within 2 or 3 days and the relief starts after the first day.

The more often I do the exercises the quicker it gets better

Last time we were in Florida I did it getting a case from the carousel at the airport but was able to play golf within 2 or 3 days.

Anything that puts his back into a reverse C shape will help

I just about never have a sore back other than if I jerk it as above over the summer months so golf definitely helps too!

Best of luck!

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He has said the exercises from the physio were similar to what you have mentioned. He will be pleased if this doesn't impact playing golf, although it is off the list in Orlando for this year. Thank you for the reassurance, much appreciated.

[Ninja]

Another back pain sufferer here I take my wheat bag on the plane, even though it's not warm it pushes my back forward and over there I can pop it into the microwave if needed (I have checked it's ok to use the foodcourt microwave)
Also have Tiger balm and deep freeze, check in Home Bargains, they do these a lot cheaper than chemists

[macy]

Originally Posted by Ninja

Another back pain sufferer here I take my wheat bag on the plane, even though it's not warm it pushes my back forward and over there I can pop it into the microwave if needed (I have checked it's ok to use the foodcourt microwave)
Also have Tiger balm and deep freeze, check in Home Bargains, they do these a lot cheaper than chemists

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We have a couple of Home Bargains in the area so will pop in and see what is available. I had never heard about Tiger Balm until this week, so many people seem to use it . I feel for everyone who suffers with back pain , there isn't a quick fix for it sadly. Thank you for the tip's it all helps.