Back is in agony :(

[ChatterMonkey]

Ive done something to my lower back and can barely move :( think its nervy rather than muscular, possibly sciatica as have pain going down my right leg as well.

Thing thats strange though is any info online say that naproxen is the best medication for back pain, which we have in the house. So had some of that and its done absolutely nothing for the pain. Only thing that gives any sort relief is solpadine max, so codeine based medicine. Which im a bit wary about having too much of, im aware thar back pain can take weeks to improve...

Im using hot water bottles for relief, which is helping a bit, does anyone have any magical cures or pain relief that worked for them for this??

[Marblessolveeverything]

If it is sciatica nerve pain then there are very gentle movements you can do to give relief. I would recommend YouTube to see it as I don't want to describe it wrong and hurt you more. The only thing that works for me is pain relief hot water bottle the gentle exercise and walk walk walk walk. Hope it gets better soon.

[Stath]

Please watch out for any numbness around your groin/bum/problems weeing.

It’s rare but if you’ve disc damage it could lead to Cauda Equina (speaking from experience).

What works for me is making sure I have different painkillers spread out throughout the day so there’s no dip. Can you get an emergency phone appointment with your Gp to prescribe some stronger meds or muscle relaxers?

[CorrBlimeyGG]

Look up yoga for sciatica, only do what you can though. See if you can get a physio appointment.

If the pain is unmanageable, contact the GP, they'll probably give a short course of diazepam.

[daisypond]

Tens machine can help.

[FluffyPersian]

You're right to be concerned about Codeine - it was one of the only things that helped my sciatic pain (caused by 3 disc bulges) and I was prescribed it for over 3 months and my body ended up addicted and I didn't even know.... I stupidly went cold turkey and felt so ill.

I had to have a caudal epidural which actually solved all my issues and I was really grateful for it - would it be worth seeing a GP to potentially get an MRI whilst trying to cope with the pain in case it doesn't get better on its own?

I found a tens machine helped a lot - I also found massage provided temporarily relief as my right leg calf muscle was solid as the nerves were constantly firing. I was told to keep active, but walking was agony so certainly do things slowly.

You could take codeine sporadically? Once every 2 days or the minimum to ensure no dependency? again, it may provide temporarily relief - If a surgeon had offered to cut my leg off to stop the pain, I would have said yes instantly... so you have my sympathies - I know how awfully painful it is.

[ChatterMonkey]

Justnow im trying to limit the codeine to before bed, as thats the only time i cant really keep moving so end up in agony. Im working away from home this week so will see if it gets any better, and if not I'll sort a doctors appointment when i get back.

I have things like deep heat but not sure if thats more for muscular pain which this doesn't really feel like?

[SophieLoafy]

You need to have an MRI to work out what is going on before youbdo more damage. Sciatica can be caused by slipped discs. Expect to go private and pay around £250.

[goldierocks]

Hi OP - you have my sympathies, back pain is awful.

I had an accident and fractured my spine in 3 places. The disc at L5/S1 (lower back) was completely dislodged. I found out I was pregnant in A&E (triage asked me the date of my LMP and I realised I hadn't had one in a couple of months, so I couldn't have an x-ray).

Anyway, I won't go on because I could bore for England with my medical history. I just wanted to say that some people respond better with ice packs (or a bag of frozen peas if desperate) whereas heat works best for other people. I'm most definitely in the heat category.

Pharmacies sell back-support belts (like you see weightlifters wear) which may help; they support your core, which takes the pressure off your lower back.

Also warm baths helped me, providing that you can get out safely or have someone who can help you get out.

I had to have major surgery on my spine in the end. My physio recommended a product like THIS for helping with my recovery. It's great for stretching your spine very gently.

Also try some slow walking if you can and when you sit/lie down, make sure the surface isn't too soft.

I hope you feel better soon

[daisypond]

I’ve had sciatica several times. I’ve had short courses of co-codamol, naproxen and tramadol. I never thought these really helped, though. Diazepam helped a lot when my back went into spasms, but hard to get a GP to prescribe it. I wasn’t able to work at all. I couldn’t really move and was bed bound. Things that also helped after the crisis phase was a Tens machine, and a six-week - I think - course of physiotherapy and also hydrotherapy sessions - both on the NHS. I also saw a private osteopath, but she wasn’t able or willing to treat me in an acute state. I think ice is better than heat - to try to reduce the inflammation.

[purplesequins]

I agree with seeing a physio.

also look up stretches for the hurty area and possibly foam rolling.

[user1493494961]

I injured my lower back in the summer and yoga exercises have helped (recommended by my GP). As well as a hot water bottle, I intermittently used an ice pack.

[RubyTuesday70]

Naproxen has a cumulative effect for me, I take it for flare ups of costochondritis and take for 3 months. So stick with it, just make sure you eat well before taking (from personal experience, it's nasty on an empty stomach).

[80sMum]

How old are you OP? If you're over 50 it could possibly be a compression fracture, in which case you'll need an x-ray or mri to confirm.

[justasking111]

You do need a scan. Pay for it if you can. Can't advise on drugs. A chiropractor has sorted me out now my spine twisted lower back from trauma childbirth

[abigailsnan]

At the moment I am suffering from a bout of sciatica and finding life very difficult, after much persuading my Dr sent me for xrays which showed 4 slipped disc's which where resting on the sciatic nerve he suggested physio which I had via phone I found this very hard to do and requested a MRI scan but my Dr/physio will not refer me until I have had another course of physiotherapy.
I am taking Amitriptyline at night time so at least I get a half decent nights sleep.
For relief during the day I use heat pads bought from Savers they go onto the back over your knicks not next to your skin,they do help with the pain and are reasonable to buy,the cheapest ones are the best for some strange reason.

[ChatterMonkey]

Thank you everyone for the help and advice! Will look up some stretches & yoga positions to try and gently stretch it.

Its strange, once im doing something its ok-ish, but going from one to another is really painful/almost impossible. So standing up after sitting is agony, but once im standing its okish. Then if i go to walk, taking the first step is really painful, but once im in the walking motion its fine. Them same for stopping, or going to sit down etc etc. But trying not to stay sitting for too long as i know thats not good.

Im 32, so don't think its age related, but more connected to bad posture and sagging sofa cushion meaning that im sitting slouched.

Not sure how quickly i would be able to get a scan, online advice say that it can clear up on its own in 4-6 weeks so i imagine it would be at least this period before they would escalate for investigation. Cant afford private. Might be worth an appointment for pain relief though, as its a long time to be taking strong over the counter stuff, and the naproxen we have in the house is actually my DPs prescription so dont want to be regularly taking that.

[ErrolTheDragon]

DH sometimes has back/leg pain, his is usually due to a muscle spasming. He's told me how to find the 'knot' and massage it, based on what he's had physios do to him in the past.

[justasking111]

Dump the sofa sit on floor or dining room chair to watch TV. I bet all this working from home is buggering up spines

[HarrietOh]

Try to keep moving, read up on the stretches to do online.

Once you feel able you need to work on your core stability to prevent it happening again. I recommend physio so you can get advice on the exercises and to check you are doing them correctly.

I feel for you, I ended up with a L5S1 herniation that left one leg very weak, I could barely walk and I've lost my ankle reflex in that leg. I had a MRI etc on the NHS but they're really not keen to operate and prefer you to do physio. I've got long lasting leg weakness now, and occasional flare ups. I love my exercise though I'm just more religious about my core exercises these days, and I'm doing pilates now to try and help prevent it.

[NMC2022]

Keep moving
Try not to sit, it's best to stand or lie
Put a pillow under or between knees if you're lying down
Thermacare lower hip and back wraps
Take painkillers regularly (codeine is fine, I've been on it since 2017)
Physio
Google log roll out of bed for the easiest way to get up
When you first get up in the morning, your back is at its weakest so don't bend!
Squat rather than bending over
ANY saddle area numbness or change in bowels and bladder go to a&e straight away

(Sciatica followed by cauda equina and I had surgery)

[justasking111]

I had that weak leg was horrible getting in and out of the car and into the bath. Was worried then. Thank goodness for chiropractor. It's hard to keep moving but necessary. So relieved to be almost fit again.

[justasking111]

This massager of OH is great for spasms had one yesterday doing the xmas tree so ran it over lower back and buttocks for a minute on vibrate fixed it I've used it a few times now it does help