:^O  yes moon you are right.     He could also be right jean.  Not to say he shouldn't have it checked out.   At the beginning of this year my back began to really play up.  Until this time I had not really had any back trouble at all.   I had to give up gym and when I went to my chiropractor he took Xrays.   It turns out I have a curvature of the lumbar spine... that's the bit that goes from your waist (I can't find mine :^O) to your hips..   within that are a couple of missing discs and a whole lot of arthritis.   This has curbed my actions and interests drastically over this year.  The chiro said there was little he could do to help it, the doctor said the same, so I finally took myself off to a remedial massager.  She helped a bit BUT what I have found that does the trick is Panadeine!   I take ONE only, every 6 hours... never take more than 8 in 24 hours because they are dangerous.     Those 4, sometimes 5 Panadeine make life possible for me.   So if you can't get him to a doctor put him on Panadeine... just make sure he doesn't overdose or he'll hit serious trouble.   Also be aware that they do cause constipation, so he would have to take something for that until his body adjusted to them.   Of course if he wants to whinge then just don't mention it :^O

Darkie. You are amazing. After reading your post I showed it to OH. He spoke to the chemist who checked that it would not interfere with his meds and he gave him two on the spot. My husband said that the relief was evident with two hours. He has since taken another one and is so relieved at the result. The chemist repeated your advice about them causing the "trots":^O Thank you so much.:-x