Back problem and upcoming course

[cutlass]

...

I also am getting early impetigo around my mouth (yeah, pretty) - for me this happens only when my stress levels are hitting fairly big highs (ok, really big highs). My holiday was pretty stressful, won't bore you with the details but this and giving up smoking seem to have put my body in a stressed state. Adding vigorous exercise to this and some heavy-ish lifting seems to have caused my symptoms. I'm guessing here of course but with the onset of impetigo stress must be a factor.

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Is your "impetigo" painful?

Impetigo typically results from bacterial infection and is not directly associated with stress. OTOH, cold sores which are related herpes zoster can be triggered by stress. These lesions resemble impetigo but are usually painful.

If it is zoster, it may be complicating your pain presentation.

 

[InTheDrink]

Cultass, I'm only going on it being impetigo based on the GP diagnosis first time I got it, about 15 years ago. It always starts the same, have had it 4 or 5 times, at the joining part of my upper and lower lips. Each time I've had it I'd been run down or stressed. But perhaps it is something other than impetigo - fairly sure it's not a coldsore tho.

In any event, chilling out and watching my diet normally sorts it quickly, plus dabbing it with afteshave.

Back is markedly improved today. On way to next physio session now, expectant of more magic

J

 

[vshearer]

Only an MRI can really tell, at least that was my experience. I had the RHS nerve/muscle pain for several months, and the first doc I went to did tell me it was in my neck (which I thought he was nuts) but that is where it ended up being. Hopefully yours is just something minor though, but since you are in UK with all that free health care ask about the MRI.

 

[cutlass]

IME, impetigo isn't predictable by stress. A simple swab test should decide if there's a bacterial cause.

The potential problem with herpes zoster is its impact on the nerve roots connecting to the spinal cord. I believe it's quite rare but flare-ups in certain root locations can produce pain ("posterior horn" of the cord's gray matter) and/or muscular weakness ("anterior horn") which could involve muscles of the torso*, including back and shoulders. Moreover, such weakness may lead to compensation by other muscles which then may lead to straining those and so on.


*In fact, I recall a case report of inguinal hernia attributed abdominal wall paralysis secondary to an episode of shingles.

 

[InTheDrink]

IME, impetigo isn't predictable by stress. A simple swab test should decide if there's a bacterial cause.

The potential problem with herpes zoster is its impact on the nerve roots connecting to the spinal cord. I believe it's quite rare but flare-ups in certain root locations can produce pain ("posterior horn" of the cord's gray matter) and/or muscular weakness ("anterior horn") which could involve muscles of the torso*, including back and shoulders. Moreover, such weakness may lead to compensation by other muscles which then may lead to straining those and so on.


*In fact, I recall a case report of inguinal hernia attributed abdominal wall paralysis secondary to an episode of shingles.

Hi Cutlass.

The words/terms in your post actually made me forget about the pain in my back .

I'll see if I can see someone to make a firm diagnosis of what it is I am periodically getting that is definitely immune system/stress related. GPs in my opinion aren't normally the people to make firm diagnoses.

That said, I'm pretty sure this is a sports injury compounded by stress and that the "impetigo" was caused by the back (and surrounding shared holiday home, penny pinching companions, whiny not mine children and pyscho random will be 'Jason' in 8 years time child issues) and not vice versa.

Who would you see to to get a diagnosis of this kind of thing? A dermatologist? In any event, I've lived a fairly 'colourful' life so lots of weird things crop up that are best left officially un-investigated. But I am curious to find out whether this is indeed impetigo or something else?

Cheers,
John

 

[cutlass]

A dermatologist sounds appropriate. As for GP's and specialists, all I know about the UK system is what was related in a book. But that was well over 10yrs ago and things may/must have changed? I know a bit about the system in Japan although that's likely outdated too; circa 1995.

Yes, I understand about "colorful" lives that best be left unsaid; at least publicly. I have two close relatives (one retired military, the other an active "contractor") who love to say, "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you". Maybe so, but at least they never said anything about having to eat me.... But seriously, you should always confide with your doctor; it might make a crucial difference in diagnosis and treatment.

 

[InTheDrink]

So bit of a post script.

I've decided to proceed with the course, with some apprehension.

I saw an Osteopath this morning. That was a mistake and not one I will make again. I cut the hour long apt short after 20 mins as I was genuinely terrified she was going to do irreparable damage. Of course I could well be wrong but it seemed like a very blunt (and very dangerous) instrument to fixing back problems. Way to aggressive. Rant over but I'd advise anyone considering this course of therapy to proceed with major caution.

Sports massage much more benign approach achieving same result via muscle relaxation rather than snapping spine into place and probably damaging both spine and muscles in the process. From my completely un-medical opinion, but I certainly won't be seeing one ever again. And I rarely say never.

Anyhow, proceeding with course. It's an additional task load. I'm probably at 60% which isn't ideal and I don't know how my back will respond to cold water (I'm diving wet) for longish periods. Will let you know on my return, in the meantime thanks for all your helpful responses.

J