Any physios out there?

OK, so, exactly one week before we are due to fly out to the US I am officially "unfit to travel". I slipped a disk in my back and have been seeing a physio for 2 weeks, but it is not better. In fact it is worse. I had an x-ray which showed that the jelly stuff in the disc had come out, so my bones are literally clanking together. However, that's not the real problem. In order to protect my spine, the muscles in my back have gone into spasm and I can barely move. There is certainly no way I can sit on a plane for 25 hours. The orthapedic doctor sent me for the physio and put me on Volteron in the hope that it would improve before we cycle, but it has just got worse.

Is there ANYTHING I can do? Does anyone have any experience of this?

God, I hate my life!!!

Worst case scenario you send your husband over to do his thing and then you can go for an FET when you have your back situation all sorted out. It's not ideal but it's fortunate you are using donor eggs and not your own in which case you might have had to scrap the whole thing. Keep us posted and wishing you a rapid recovery.

I hear your pain. I did a similar thing a few years ago to two discs and ended up having to get one of the discs removed as the jelly stuff had escaped completely and was pressing on the nerves in my spine and I was getting terrible sciatica and numbness in my shins and feet. It is the worst pain EVER. But a couple of years later I managed to carry twins despite having no disc and" my vertebrae literally clanking together" as you put it. Actually once the relaxin kicked in around wk 16 my back felt the best it had felt in years! So a successful cycle could be the best thing for you!

Voltaren/Voltarol will help with the inflammation, but taking DHEA is also really good for that too. Massage can help loosen the muscles in spasm as can Valium but you probably don't want to be taking too many meds at the moment. Alternating hot and cold packs can sometimes help - I always found heat more soothing than ice, even though some physios say not to use heat if you have severe inflammation. TENS machines can help with the pain too. My osteo used to use one on me and I have a small one for home use. Probably the best remedy I tried was acupuncture - I highly recommend that. Another thing I used to use was a back brace. Its a corset/belt type of garment that I got from my Physio which supports the spine so that the muscles in spasm can relax a bit. In the acute stage that you are in physio exercises etc are likely to make things worse rather than better, but doing some regular stretching and core strengthening (like pilates) is key once you move out of this acute phase. I would def try acupuncture and get a back brace.

Sorry you are feeling so crappy. I hope you get some relief soon and that it doesn't prevent you from travelling. BTW - stress is the worst thing for these types of back conditions so try and stay calm and positive - I know that is difficult given all that's going on.

Thanks Grits. Sending DH over on his own is a good idea, although I am worried that we could lose some in the thaw. What is the general consensus on survival after freezing these days?

Thanks Matilda. Loads of good advice there! I am also getting terrible sciatica and numbness. I'll switch to 'cold' cream rather than the Deep Heat I have been using. I have the brace thing, but it doesn't fit tightly, it is the wrong kind of shape in that it doesn't go in where my back arches. I am swimming everyday, but I can't drive as I can't get out of the car once I am in. I have a scan booked for tomorrow, but there is no way I can make it.

Matilda, how is your back now? Is it better?

all  of mine made the thaw--the virtification method of freezing is really working well these days!

As for your back, if you cannot get in shape, I would freeze-I think having a major issue inside your body, that your body is responding to with inflammation and pain--I am unsure if your body will welcome the added stress of a pregnancy. KWIM?

Sorry this is happening to you!

Thanks Charlie! Does anyone know if Dr Lin uses vitrification?

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Thanks Michaela!

Can anybody remember the last time one of us had one that "didn't make the thaw"? To me, it seems like ages ago. I am trying to reassure myself that it can work out even if I'm not fit to travel next week.

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Thanks Michaela. That is very reassuring, although I am sad obviously that it didn't work out well for you that time.

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There are several different kinds of brace. Might be worth trying to get one that fits better - it really does help minimise sciatic pain. MIne are all fabric so they can mould to whatever shape. Swimming is a brilliant non-muscle loading exercise but I would take it easy with the swimming while you are in the acute phase as you can make it worse.

My back is.... manageable. I know what aggravates it and what helps but I'm never pain free. Given that I've had my L5/S1 disc removed and have a herniated L4/L5 being completely pain free is probably not going to happen. I suspect the wrangling my twin 2yo boys require does not help matters! And my back is one of the main reasons my DH has been reluctant to go HT for a DD.

I really hope your injury is a temporary one and that it doesn't impact your cycle.... I know how awful this type of back pain is but I would try to avoid spinal surgery at all costs if it is suggested. I only had the surgery because I was threatened with life in a wheelchair but even still I wish I'd held out a bit longer and tried bed rest for a few weeks. MMx

I'm so sorry about your back and your cycle! Don't worry about an FET, though. Vitrification appears to work amazingly well - what an improvement in the freezing method! My girl thawed beautifully, and I'd been terribly worried after past bad experiences (with the old method). I hope you recover very quickly, but if you still can't make the trip, I hope you'll be well enough to cycle again soon with an FET!

Thanks LMM! I so badly want to get on that plane, but it is good to know that there are other options. I am waiting to hear back from Dr Lin's office about whether they use vitrification.

I am also waiting to hear about the donor's scan yesterday. I hope everything went well.

 Oh gosh,  I wasn't expecting this!!  I agree with the others - I would send DH and then go for a FET.  We have seen a HUGE amount of success with those recently. Hoping your back feels better soon though.