Am Loolah

Well, after 3.5 years I am heading off for my first long haul trip back.

Not a problem, I am flying solo, so no kids to worry about. However;

I have slipped a disc in my lower back. It's not as painful as it was a couple of weeks ago and I do now have strong pain killers from the doctor. But these are specifically to "numb" the pain in order to keep me active.

I'm worried about arriving at my destinations crippled. Quite honestly at the moment if I sit in my office chair for more than an hour I am stiff and struggling again.

I am going Auckland-LA-NY-London - LA-Auckland in 9 days.

Any advice welcome please.

Stormer999

I had a back injury from playing front row rugby that eventually required the removal of a couple of badly damaged discs. various treatments (steel corset) etc were tried before the op to no good effect. So dealing with a very painful back I am good at. I cannot think of a worse thing to do than going long haul with your condition. I would seriously have a word with the cabin staff to ask if there is anywhere that you can stretch out on a hard surface at times during the flight. You have two options of comfort (or less pain) one is sitting bolt upright as you would sitting at a dinning table feet planted side by side on the floor with a support behind your back to help keep your spine straight. The other is lying down on the floor bum up against something of chair height and legs bent calves on the chair seat almost the same position as sitting bolt upright but on the floor if you see what I mean. Other than that periodically get up find a bulk head to stand toes and nose touching the bulk head then gently raise one leg at a time behind you about 6-12" for about 30 seconds.
If all this fails go up to the cockpit pick the hunkiest man there and ask for a back rub..........might not help but by then you will have forgotten about your back.............

Jan n Neil

Oh dear this is not so good: yes you will need to move around and do everything above, but on a crowded plane....? I have a friend who was in a similar situation and she had to cancel her trip

Hope you feel better soon

Psychopandy

Oh alright.... I will do the noble thing and go for you

problem sorted

xx

sue1234

Hi Am loolah, have you pre-booked your seats? There is a web site (can't remember what it's called) that shows best places to sit on the aircraft. Otherwise phone up the airline, explain, and see if they can help. Hope it gets better soon, sue

Wilester

Man up woman

Its not like you have man flu

nukiwi

I would suggest getting up as frequent as possible on the flight and walking around. I suffer with a back problem and I can't sit for too long. Also my osteopath suggested doing some side-bends and bringing my knee up to my chest, whilst standing, one at a time. I used to go into the toilet and you know how small they are....

Perhaps you'll get upgraded to Business Class then you can lie down all the way.... its never happended to me though

Hope it improves before the flight. Have a great time

cappuccino

www.seatguru.com

Jan n Neil

He,s got a point

alchris

oh poor you,
cant offer any suggestions, sorry, but wondered if you had asked any advice from a chiropractor?
Like 'nukiwi' said perhaps you may get upgraded to first class
hop the trip goes well

MnB

seatguru.com

sirplug

After 3.5 years, it's time to toughen up and be a proper Kiwi!

shirl

I take it you have seen a chirpractor or osteopath or someone like that and not just the Dr. They can sometimes get things moving again.Maybe a good massage before you go and another on landing. Apart from all the other suggestions on here that should help. Have a good trip.

Margaret Parkinson

Hi Caroline

When we come to NZ in January we are flying Qantas this time and we have booked Premium Economy. There are lots of extra features such as wider seats, bigger recline plus loads of other things. Can you not upgrade to this with the airline you are travelling with. If you google it you will find out more.

Scroll down to Heathrow check in to see what I mean

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/150487/

Safe journey

June

hazeandsteve

got

I've got it, been signed off for e week!