I almost daren’t post in case I’m tempting fate but it’s been a while and my back may finally be marginally more manageable. Last week I actually wrote a couple of things. And I miss you blogsters more than I thought I could.
Regular readers, twitter followers and friends know I’ve been struggling with back problems for a while. Nothing untoward shows on scans so I’ve been left trying to work through a few theories with a physiotherapist and a chiropractor. My major problem has been a crushing feeling in my lower back and coccyx which has prevented me sitting for long. My sacroiliac joints are regularly misaligned and the joints around L5 in my spine have been squashed.
The precipitating factors though, to this longer bout of more serious trouble, are probably a whole lot more sitting than usual for me than in the past decade coupled with decreasing levels of fitness. (Jeez! 
What an awful sentence! Sorry there’s no time for perfectionism..)
It has been miserable not being able to write – I’ve been sleeping ok, so nowhere near the problems some people can have with a bad back, but enough discomfort going on for the past 2+ months to be a thought-distraction when trying to string words together on the page.
I will have to prioritise but think I can now manage to to say hello and post a quick update on a regular basis. Will you please forgive me if I just click ‘like’ to acknowledge any comments? Any of you bloggers will know that both the greatest benefit – as well as the greatest commitment to having a blog – is the response that posts can generate! Continuing the conversation is at times like having friends round for supper but I currently have only a couple hours in the day to be able to be at my desk and I need to write.
Only this weekend two people urged me to finish the book and then this morning I have yet another request for help through the Endometrial Stromal Sacoma support group on Yahoo. Fortunately in the autumn, I had been working on an information page to add to this blog so was able to send a draft for that in response (and cheekily ask for a bit of feedback as well.)
So, not pain free but getting a pattern going.
I hang regularly from this baby.. 
I have invested in a Varidesk so I can stand to work or sit in an instant (OMG – It is wonderful)
and when I sit, I use a wedge shaped cushion with a divot taken out where my coccyx rests and I put this baby in the small of my back to keep a nice curve going.
I use electronic dude (TENS Machine) for pain management and an ice-pack from time to time.
I have upped my exercise, particularly walking and pilates. Anyone who has ever seen a health professional about a bad back knows that most back problems respond positively to greater muscularity and movement.
This little chap though is my best, best friend..
I roll around on him to reach the small muscles around my pelvis and in my backside which are usually screaming by the end of the day.. It’s not a pretty sight!
Until next time, thanks for standing by
Lisa ❤
Lisa Reiter - Sharing the Story 
April 10, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Came across one of my #BiteSizeMemoir posts and thought I’d hop over and see how you’re doing. Miss you. Hope you’re feeling better.
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March 15, 2015 at 2:44 am
We miss you. But do what you need to do to finish that book and stay as pain-free as possible.
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February 11, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Totally understand where you are at but glad you are improved enough to share where you are at the moment. Totally understand a like is suffice. Just keep using what time you have for computing for your memoir. Hopefully you are getting close.
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February 4, 2015 at 7:22 pm
You’re all just so lovely. I’m going to have to get round these comments despite my buns being on fire!
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February 3, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Good to see you! I have back problems and know a little how you feel. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have one of those cushions, too. I call it “The Royal Tush Cushion”. 🙂 I don’t think my tush is all that royal, I do believe that is the actual name of this brand but I just like saying it. I can’t sit without one. Now there’s TMI. I NEED one of those desk thingies!!! The Varidesk. As it is, I stand at the computer to type and it’s way too low and I wind up hurting my upper back and neck (which is not part of my back problem) and my knees take a beating from the weight.
Anyway, it’s nice to have you back. NO pun intended. ❤
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February 3, 2015 at 12:27 pm
So good to see you back here Lisa, I’ve missed you and been quite concerned for you. I’ve suffered bouts of debilitating sciatica, so even though that sounds minor compared to what you are dealing with, I do sympathise greatly with you. So sorry but glad you are doing what you need to do to get right again. Your desk is amazing, never heard of such a thing! Thinking of you, see you soon and sending love and hugs 🙂 ❤
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February 3, 2015 at 10:01 am
So good to see your face out here, well, so to speak! Argh…back troubles can linger. Be patient, be kind and be careful with chiro. Soft tissue is fussy, but you have some great gadgets and a good investment in your posture with the varidesk. Walking is great for the back, as is relaxation. We often hold tension in areas that we know are troubling us. Keep at the book — you are almost there! Sending you blugs from Idaho! ❤
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February 3, 2015 at 7:51 am
Lisa, It is wonderful to hear from you and to have you back in the blogosphere. I’ve certainly missed your posts and our chats. I’m sorry to hear the pain is continuing but pleased you are managing to get some relief. I don’t like the idea of hanging upside down too much – all the blood would run to my head! But I do love your Varidesk. I think I’ll have to invest in one. Thanks for the tip. The things you have to go through to sit semi-comfortably for a while. Just tells me plainly that I shouldn’t be taking my sitting for granted. I’ve certainly been doing a lot more of that since I have been out of the classroom. I’m excited about your book nearing completion. That definitely needs to be your writing priority. Smiles, wishes and hugs. xo
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February 3, 2015 at 7:11 am
I’ve been hoping you are okay, since I finally notice dyou missing. I feel way off base suggesting this, but I will anyhow, get your ovaries checked out if the pain seems a little different than you’ve had before. Take care.
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February 3, 2015 at 6:00 am
Funny, I was just thinking about you today, Lisa! Sorry to hear about your ongoing back problems – although it sounds as if you’re being very proactive about it, so good for you! Best wishes and I hope you’ll check in from time to time and let us know how you’re doing 🙂
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February 3, 2015 at 1:22 am
A good physio-therapist would have advised you of the great benefits of swimming or exercise in a pool…A person who visits our pool regularly suffered a broken back in a farm accident… 3 months of water physio have given her wonderful results…
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February 5, 2015 at 11:12 am
Ah, would agree with you Paul if only I was any good at front crawl! (Too slow to breathe with that one..) Unfortunately breast stroke leg kick is a total no-no with issues around the sacrum and sacro-iliac joints.
My husband had great release from a bulging disc though – but then he can plough up and down like Yang Sun!
Thanks for visiting 😀
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February 2, 2015 at 8:38 pm
Hi kiddo, glad you’re up and about. Back’s are s**t; we should never have become primates. Indeed I have my own complaint about our ancestors and this walking upright malarkey (say Hi to Bernie the Hernie – operating in a month, yawn). How has the flat hunting gone (one like for done, phew, two for still on going). Love the desk but what’s with the ginormous tureen for coffee? Are you serious? It’s not your back it’s your bladder; it must be like carrying a jerry-can on your hips. Keep writing, we all want to buy the book.
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February 5, 2015 at 11:04 am
Get a grip man and not just on that truss. That was just the afternoon peppermint tea..
This is the morning coffee
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February 5, 2015 at 11:31 am
Well they say it’s not how big it is but what you put in it that counts!
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February 2, 2015 at 7:37 pm
Hi Lisa,
Sorry to hear your ongoing back pain but glad to hear it’s easing.
I love your gadgets, and in particular the tennis ball (The most versatile of equipment).
I’m regularly using a ball, spiky ball and foam roller to massage out all my tightness in hips, Si joint, TFL, IT BAND from all the running I do.
I quite enjoy the pain it brings. Have you tried yoga? I think it may help once you’re in less pain.
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February 4, 2015 at 7:48 pm
Hi Andy
You’re the other end of the fitness spectrum hun! I bow down to your activity induced stiffness! I too have a spiked ball but found it too gentle. My chiropractor loves a golfball but that’s serious masochism! I’m upping the Pilates and walking. Walking is the most comfortable I get. Just shows we were designed to be moving, doesn’t it!
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February 2, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Think of all the references: put your back into it, get your back up, back him against a wail. Backs take a lot of abuse. Take care of yourself, Lisa, and keep doing what you’re doing, making adjustments and trying whatever might work.
And there’s power in the pen, too, so I’m glad you’re still writing.
Welcome back. Ooops, another back reference. 😉
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February 4, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Hi Marylin
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I ‘wasted’ considerable time on the title, googling references to standing, so stand back, there’ll be back to back standpoints as I take to the stand.. (Oh dear..)
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February 2, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Lovely to hear from you again, Lisa, and I’m envious of the variedesk – the husband insists I’m fine with my laptop on a box file, maybe I ought to progress to two box files. I hope things continue to improve and you get on with your writing.
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February 4, 2015 at 7:32 pm
Hi Anne
I had used an old wooden box to raise my PC for sometime but with this, I can sit, stand, sit, stand and rest different muscle groups and joints without any inconvenience. Quite an investment but it had reached crunch point.. and I’m thoroughly impressed by it 😎
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February 2, 2015 at 5:44 pm
So very good to see you here again Lisa. I have been wondering where you were! Very sorry though to hear of your back problems. I, too, have experienced various ailments connected to my spine over the last year, and suspect that they are mainly due to long hours over many years SITTING. Blast! Now that I long to commit more than ever before to writing, have had bouts of numbness and pain in one leg, that, though it has subsided, has left the echo of its loud warning peals in my head. So, yes. Get up. Walk. Exercise. Thanks for sharing your various interventions. Wishing you more and longer pain-free stretches.
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February 4, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Thanks for popping by. I too started with the symptoms you’re describing. Kept making do for 6 months and then nightmare! Take heed! Stand, walk, dance but reduce sitting whenever possible!
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February 2, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Sorry to hear you’re having back troubles. On the plus side it looks as if you’ve got it under control, and all those gadgets look helpful! Just reminded me I need to get some more exercise, especially pilates and yoga:) Hope to read more of your posts!
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February 4, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Thanks Luccia. I think persisting with increasing exercise will be the real long term solution. That and my marvellous varidesk! (..I’m not on commission!)
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