Office Work vs Labour intensive work

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nowtide

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Hi Everyone,

I have been diagnosed with a Bulging disc in my lower back and am experiencing sciatica and other pain. I work as a diesel Mechanic and am hoping to hear from other trades people about their experiences with back pain and bulging or herniated discs.

I would also be interested in hearing about other opinions regarding white collar vs blue collar work and the impact on herniated discs.

I am worried that I will have to give up my career and move into something else but I have heard a lot of stories here and elsewhere about those with office jobs being debilitated by their back problems despite not having a labour intensive job.

Any stories or opinions would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Nowtide:confused:
 
Your story is precisely my fear. If you had left your job when the Doctor recomended doing so would you have saved you back or are your conditions such that it would have become this bad regardless?

I am really afraid of having to give up my lifestyle, no job is worth that but like you say I have insurance here that covers my physio etc and won't until my wife's benefits kick in.

That said I am fortunate that I am in Canada and have most things covered, just not prescription drugs and physio but should I need surgery I don't have to worry about the bills...just the recovery and the fear.
 
Hello and welcome to the board, nowtide...You will easily find that everyone here is more than willing to help you with any questions or problems that you may be experiencing. I have Degenerative Disc Disease, which is causing various spinal abnormalities. It has spread from my lower lurabar spine to my cervical spine. I am a stay-at-home mom of two young children (ages 6 and 8) and go to college full-time. I have to admit that some mornings I wake up and wonder how I am going to make it another day at college. It is my passion, although, to be the first in my family to achieve a college degree. Not only that, I want to set a good example for my children. I have learned that every meraber on this board is so courageous and strong for their families. There are several merabers on here that are in more pain and in worse shape than I am in, but they carry on and are so helpful, no matter what pain level they are currently experiencing. I know that you will find inspiration and courage on this board. Everyone here are my guardian :angel:s!
 
Unfortunately, both types of jobs can cause havoc for people with spine problems. Heavy labor is obvious why it can be bad, especially with all the lifting & bending, etc. But sitting for long perioRAB is also bad as it puts the most pressure on your spine. Bending & twisting is also very bad. It doesnt leave us with many choices in my opinion. I've had a desk job now for many years but I have alot of problems sitting. And when I get a herniation with sciatica, sometimes I cannot sit at all. I've had times where I couldnt sit, stand, OR lay down. The thing is with a sit down job, you have to hope you can have times where you can get up and stretch and walk around some. FOr me, I would rather sit, though, because im having more problems walking/standing again.
 
I think if I would have stopped working when the doctor said I should,it might have slowed down the progression a little, With that being said, it probably would have come to this eventually. Everyone in my family has spinal stenosis but it didn't get this bad for them until late sixties and everyone of them has arthritis too. so at least part of my issues are hereditary, and there isn't a whole lot to do about that. I think going back to school would be fun! Just make sure you get one of those backpacks eith rollers. You would be surprised how many people hurt there backs due to an overloaded backpack and a full backpack with lots of stairs is asking for trouble. Oh I was wondering, Does Canada have something like Vocational Rehab? Good Luck and I hope your back gets better. Take care, Dee
 
I agree with dee...be sure to get a bag on rollers, which is the type of bag I use at the University. Also, be sure to always use the elevator...I used the stairs once and had to carry my bag (which weighs 30 pounRAB) up two flights of stairs because of the remodeling that was taking place in the building. Needless to say, that is when my cervical spine issues spiked! I was in the doctor's office the next day with a severe migraine (which I had never had before) and now have them often. Also, be sure to make accommodations with the administration about any disabilities that you have. I pray for the best for you!
 
I imagine your job has tons of heavy lifting. I worked in auto parts and waitressingmy entire life. and lifting was always a part of it. My last job was working at a major after market parts retailer that also did service and thats what put the final nail in the spine so to speak. I had to go up and down ladders with huge tires and lots of heavy stuff. My neuro, warned me , He said if I stayed with this work that my spinal issues would get worse and they did. I became disabled in 2001 and have had a cervical and lurabar fusion. Has your doctor said anything about changing jobs? Maybe with a lot of physical therapy to stengthen the back you could continue for awhile. I can tell you office workers can have back issues too usually from being stuck in one position for a long time. I hope this was helpful. Take Care, Dee
 
Thanks for your response. You have basically confirmed my worries and I am in a place where I can go back to school and/or become retrained without too much stress in terms of money etc. I don't have kiRAB, or a mortgage and my wife is working so I suppose now is the best time to change careers.

My Doctor is not very good at explaining things but he did say that I should find another career. The bottom line is I don't want to live in pain and I certainly don't want to have to give up too much of my lifestyle (I am an avid camper, canoer, hiker, bicycler...pretty active).

I suppose I should make the change on my terms rather than waiting until I am too hurt to keep working.

What are you doing for work now?
 
I was pretty active before all of this, fortunately I can still camp. we did have to by a popup caraber cause my back will not do the tent thing anymore. I can't work anymore I am on disability. My back is really bad. I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteoarthritis, and spondylosthesis. Even after surgery the spinal stenosis is worsening which makes walking much very difficult. I get burning nurabness in both thighs and lower back. I wanted to tell you that my neuro said I needed to find a new career in 1998 and I didn't and became disabled in 2001. I stayed working in the same place ironically because they had such great insurance and I was afraid if I left that my back problems wouldn't be covered by a new employers insurance. (preexisting condition.) If you have the option of going back to school with no worries than I sure would! I think you will be able to save your lifestyle if you do. Take Care, Dee
 
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