Carrying pouches all those years wore my left hip out and I used to carry them correctly: i.e bandalero style. I had to have hip surgery and now have 2 implants in my hip. I resumed work after some while but felt it was putting too much strain on the new joint and so went for IHR. It also affected my spine, as I have 4 disc bulges. That's where constant pressure on the spine actually forces the disc outside of the outer rim. They are not too much of a problem but if turn too quickly sometimes, it feels like I've pulled a muscle in my back and it's difficult to move for a couple of days.
Since my 'retirement' from RM, I now go to the gym 3 times a week and my legs and hip feel a lot stronger. I actually feel like I could go back to work there, as I feel very fit again but would be difficult, as I now live in Florida!
So I can sympathise with anyone who is suffering one way or another. I have to say, I did have good support from ATOS over this and also from Cliff, my manager. The only decent manager in my office.
All I would say is, don't jeapordise your health because of this job.
