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Bad Back 1, 2 & 3 !!

mike2016

Entry posted by mike2016 in back pain, health

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Not posted an update in a while but was focused on getting the outside of the house rendered, painted, guttered and drill vented before the scaffolding came down. It was off hire on a Monday and I worked 11-12 hours days on the Saturday and Sunday to get through a few tasks including chain drilling the MVHR vents (2) among other things. Basically anything at height. Anyway, while peeling the masking tape off the soffit while lying down on my side I moved to all fours to get up and my back went into spasm! I was still able to move around but the next day it was sore. Off I went to the Chiropractor the next day and he thankfully sorted me out. 

 

A few weeks later and I was putting the floor down in the new attic and again lying down while slightly propping myself up to secure the T&G OSB with screws and I felt my back get sore. The next day again I was in agony and off to the Chiro the next day. The following week I took a different approach to finish the attic, very carefully, and remaining standing on the ladder all the time working backwards towards the hatch opening. Thankfully this avoided any further injury and I completed the task. 

 

Fast forward a few weeks later and I visited my mum, contracted covid and while propped up in bed the OTHER side of my back went. And this was no fun. No Chiro for me while testing positive (had to wait another 7 days) and it really set itself in. As soon as I tested negative I booked in to the Chiro but despite two visits it was still sore. I could do a 1/2 day at the weekend and a good nights sleep could repeat but it was hindering me. 

 

I'd booked 30 x 2x4 and 100 2x6 for delivery this week before the latest episode and had taken the week off work. After they arrived on Tuesday (I insisted on a HIAB thankfully so they could be dropped inside my boundary where I could secure it) I moved the thirty 2x4's inside but felt my back beginning to go again. I lay down but it was getting worse so I covered the remaining lumber and headed home. A few bad days to follow. I tried one Physio my neighbour recommended on Wednesday but it didn't shift the slow, gradual healing along much. I tried Panadol, Ibuprofen, even CBD oil but nothing was helping. I went to a local Physio yesterday and have received some treatment and exercises so I'm resigned to 2-3 months of recovery (my estimate, not theirs) to make sure this is really healed but start Pilates as soon as the Physio says I'm ready. I've been resting up all week and just have to accept I'm the weakest link! 

 

In an 18 month project so a few weeks isn't that much but I'd hoped to crack on this week after covid etc. Not to be!! 

 

Yeah, so take care of yourselves, especially if you are solo. I've accomplished so much over the last 10 months to get here, it was just one deadline where I pushed my body too hard and am now paying the price. It was a fear of mine but now its here I'm just going to rest, get back to work, wait for my back to be comfortable again (it's still sore) and take things easy for a while (I can plan electrical, home automation etc in the meantime!). 

 

How do people in their 60's even do this?!! I'm in my 50's and finding it hard! Fair play to those folks!! 

Anyway, Off to lie down, I'll call a few favours to get the lumber indoors when I fell I can help at least a little and only tackle jobs when I have a good back regime in place. I reckon it's 8 more months to finish. Can't wait!!! 

 

 

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ToughButterCup

'... How do people in their 60's even do this?!!...'

 

By planning for it.

 

I don't know of one builder over (say) 50 who isn't careful with their upper body. If it's not backs, then it's shoulders or necks. And I'm just about the same as you are: cursing quietly when [...] clicks in. That's what young folk are for - saving our backs. 

 

Learn the warning signs, sign off straight away, not '...Oh I'll just [...] ...'

 

For me, it's the single hardest lesson of the build so far. And nobody can see anything except my refusal to get on with it. SWMBO notices the analgesic consumption, but that's about it. 

 

Now I look at jobs done in both haste and pain and repent at leisure. 

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mike2016

I was trying to motor on at 50% but the last delivery did me in! Now aiming for 100% before I pull in some help and keep an early warning eye out for any issues and have a plan to tackle them at that point. Much better today but still finding getting out of the car an issue. 

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mike2016

Finally back to 100% and starting Pilates this week. Brought in the first load of 2x6's from the driveway 30/100 so 70 to go but setup some saw horses to create a conveyor belt of sorts and get these in before the frost hits hard. Not that it will go much harm to the wood but still. 

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BotusBuild

Started our build at 57. After 3 years my shoulders were shot, and I now have to find other ways of getting things done that are above head height e.g plaster board lifter.

 

I've always had niggles with lower back pain, and a bad left knee following a rugby injury and too much off piste skiing when younger.

 

I now spend more time planning the HOW, than actually DOING 🙂

 

Pilates? Might have to give that a go.

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Kelvin

Also 57. On day one of our build I hurt my back due to stupidity and rushing. I went to disengage my trailer which had stuff in it so was heavy. Rather than pulling it straight up with knees bent I yanked it when I was at an angle and pulled my lower back. Bloody agony which knackered me for two weeks. But an important lesson so I’ve taken great care since then and rarely carry anything particularly heavy (bought one of those multi-purpose carts) I also do yoga which has been great. 

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