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Hi,

I posted a similar thread in january after having L4/5 disc surgery in December. We have just returned from our first trip of the year.

We have a Coleman duel chamber air bed. I had considered one of the aero active beds, but decided to see how we went first with our original. The first two nights were fine, a little discomfort when I woke, but soon Ok. However after the 3rd night I woke this morning at 5.30 in a lot of discomfort. So what was different? It was colder last night - this could have had an effect. I also went to bed earlier and have realised that I struggle after 7 hours laid in bed and need to get up and walk about  (as I was writing this, I also realised that I hadn't been up to the loo with our son in the night, and this short walk may have made a big difference on previous nights). I am generally happy with the coleman, as we were able to pump it up so it was very firm and we just topped it up each night. I think I will stick with it and maybe look at the pillows I am using.....we were short of space this weekend as we had our sons friend with us, and take a spare pillow for under my knees, as I do find this helps. I also feel that my back is weaker because I haven't been very active for the past year. I am just getting back into exercising and feeling confident enough to do so. We had been on a small walk yesterday and maybe my body was just reacting to that too.

I hope you find a solution that is right for you.

I am struggling with chairs though......I feel I need one that is upright, but compact to pack....any ideas anyone?

 I don't have a back problem but do suffer with chronic stomach pain (Can't be diagnosed) and as result I have to take a cocktail of painkillers twice a day everyday,3 of these are stonger than oral morphine. If I have had a really bad day then before going to bed I take some morphine but wash this down with either Brandy or Scotch.

I fully realise that I shouldn't do this, but at least if I can get to sleep I don't feel it for 3 or 4 hrs.

P.S. All the bad days make the good ones extra special!! 

I have a bone deformity in my back caused by a trampoline whilst my bones were still soft as a child, and the regular jarring whilst bouncing for long periods of time.

Over the years this has been made worse by a couple of shunts up the rear in the car which caused whiplash, and now theres evidence that arthritis is setting in, not helped by my being diabetic. I was on co-dydramol for a fair few years, but they made me constipated and drowsy, so last year my doctor changed me over to Accupan, only available on prescription, but they give just as good pain relief and have the benefit of less side effects for me.

I have a friend in Norfolk who has suffered all his life with back problems after he was knocked off his Scooter when he was in his 30s and spent several weeks in intensive care on a spinal board with a cracked lumber vertibra and head injuries. after trying many treatments throughout his life, and now just turned 60, hes resorted to paying privately for acupuncture, and says its marvelous, and so much so that hes just returned from a cruise around Britain which he would never have dreamed of doing before, due to the fact he needed so much equipment to help him get comfortable whilst sitting and lying down at home.

Julia