Norma, my dear,
Would you like some cheese with your whine? Perhaps some Brie and a selection of goat cheeses from Spain? Or just some St Havre? Just kidding! :)

I find heat helps the most. I don't know of any miracle cures, but I am a big fan of the large/extra large Thermacare heat wraps for the back. Even when I was skinny, I used the large ones as you can adjust them to cover most any part of the torso and the heat lasts for at least 8 hours. If my lower back aches, I focus the heat there. If my hip aches, I spin it to focus the heat on the side. If it's my liver/kidney, I adjust it to focus the heat on wherever that particular spot is. I even used them for menstrual cramps, just put the heat part in the front; worked much better than the ones designed for that purpose (more heat, stayed in place better).

I also have a very large, back sized heating pad. I generally just set it to warm; even low seems to hot lately. If my back aches, my doctors recommended lying on my side with my knees bent and a pillow between my knees. I wrap or drape the heating pad over whatever area that hurts and push a down pillow (it molds to the body) against my back to keep the heating pad in place. This position works much better than the standard "on your back, pillow under the knees" that was previously recommended.

As for when you'll start feeling better, my Magic 8 Ball says: Outlook Good!

Gentle hugs and Happy Holidays!
Ruth

PS Santa is in a supervisory position. He manages the elves and has a computer system that spies on the kids. Lots of paperwork, always checked twice. It's a very sedentary job, thus the big belly! Mrs Claus worries every Christmas Eve because he goes out once a year and then overdoes it with the all of the chimneys, milk and cookies! :)

Hi Norma,
I know just how you feel. I'm tired, fed up, irritable and my back aches, too! I also find the position lying on my side with a pillow between my (bent) knees, and another kind of under the "bump" helps. Sometimes this is too much pull on the opposite side (with the heavy organs) and I have to alternate with the one the back and TWO pillows under the knees. Just so that everyone knows, according to my husband you "leave it" (the work), as "it will sort itself out"! Dare I try that?!

Don't overdo it anyway.

Chewitt

This year it has been "too much" for me to do the X-mas thing so I did all my shopping online! I have never been a planner but it saved my life. We went to the mall today in an attempt to take my son to see Santa...he ran in the other direction and refused to even look at the guy (when you think about it...why DO we encourage our kids to sit on the lap of fat bearded stranger?...but I digress). By the time we left, I was exhausted!

As for the backaches, I find heat, changing positions as often as possible and extra pillows at night help...but it still is hard to carry around the belly. You have my sympathy!

Hi guys, I wasn't looking for sympathy, well, maybe thats a lie...:( But I did get some good ideas..:) Yes, it's all the extra work I have in front of me and I think I'am too old to be doing this every year, but honest to God, I don't know what I would do without my kids, grandkids and Christmas. Every year without fail, I just about kill myself during the holidays. Have to everything perfect ya know! My back has been hurting me since I don't remember when, but now it's so much worse since my kidneys have decided to grow. Doesn't someone up there know that I'am too old to have to deal with this now?? Guess not, it's the disease.
I'am going to try the pillow thing tonight and see if I can't get more comfortable, thanks girls for all your suggestions.

I know what you mean about Santa and little ones and pictures. I have nothing but pics of my kids crying on Santa's lap! Doesn't make much sense, does it, why do we put them through it?? As for online shopping, I'am the biggest offender. I discovered it about 5 yrs. ago and just sit there with my little bank card and order everything I know that they all want, LOL My husband isn't very happy with me at this time of year, but he's ok with it, they are his kids and grandkids too. Ok, I'll stop yaking now, everyone take care and thanks for the good suggestions. "Whine", "Whine" Whine"

Merry Christmas, guess I'am in the holiday spirit!
Norma..

my back has hurt for so long I guess I barely think about it anymore.
of course exertion, stress, osteoporosis, uti's can all make things worse. a sudden cold day after its been warm can tense things up.
whatever the reason its no fun and I hope you get some relief soon.
Ruth has some great ideas, warmth and rest are the most comforting.
when you are able, stretch as best you can, try the cobra or my favorite, lean against something, reach back and raise leg as high as you can with your hand and hold for about 10 seconds, then do other leg. this seems to stretch out the hurty part.

Hi Norma, I feel the pain!!! Actually up until a few years ago I did a whole lot of holiday baking and the putting the foot up hint worked very well for me. I have a small kitchen so use the table a lot to mix nd such so I would just pull out a chair nd put my foot up on it. It only works for awhile though as I am tall and things are not really set for me. My solution is to bake only a few things now and that is it. I also don't have the shopping to do as I once did. Walking around on those hard floors and concrete parking lots is a killer for sure.
I felt guilty cutting back on things at first but not so much now. I send the grandkids money and don't bake for the neighbors anymore; I hope they understand. The pain and being tired is just not worth it. I live in the NE and have to save some energy and time to clear away the ice and snow.
I hope you can relax and enjoy the hoidays pain free! Lin.