The Diazepam isn't working

[Hopefullyoneday1]

I've recently been told I've got two blown disks, one at L3/4 and another at L4/5. Swelling of the bone marrow. Bone spurs and loss of signal at both L3 and L5. Sciatica, numbness etc etc. A bit of a mechanical mess!

Whilst I'm waiting for the app to see the surgeon I'm on tramadol and diazepam 4 x a day.

I don't sleep because of the pain, so I was looking forward to a little sedation from these. It's been two days and nothing.

Does Diazepam take a few days to get working?

The doctors won't give me nothing stronger the moment

[Hopefullyoneday1]

Hi Luxy, in the past I've taken Tamazepam and that worked very quickly. Not for recreation, Im active and ride ex racehorses and eventers so had my fair share of falls. Unfortunately It's taken its toll on my back.

I was kind of expecting the same effect with the Valium, the doctor only gave me 5 days worth because it was purely to give me a few days of relief from the pain.

I certainly don't want to take them if they are not going to work. They are 5mg and I'm prescribed 20mg a day plus the tramadol. I generally don't take any meds but my tolerance appears to be quite high with this. Very frustrating!

[Hopefullyoneday1]

I'm willing to try anything. I'm hoping they are not going to operate yet, I understand from the doctor they may try steroid injections first. I will certainly ask about the pain management.

Thanks Luxyelectro 😁

[FormerlyKnownasFK]

I can really recommend seeing a pain consultant if possible.

I had injections (prolapsed L5 and terrible, terrible sciatica) which weren't successful but after that started on gabapentin which really helped, especially with sleeping.

I'm coming out the other side now touch wood - you have my every sympathy, its miserable.

[freedom2011]

Hello. My disk went at l4 l5 and trapped nerve causing constant pain down left leg. Was in bed with legs raised at right angle for several weeks. Everything else was misery. I also has tramadol and diazepam. Diazepam knocked me out quickly and as pp said highly addictive. Mention to your doctor it's not working.

Neurosurgeon sorted me out with a microdiscectomy and after the operation I felt so much better and could start physio. There is an excellent back pain support thread under general health I think. I'm going to look for the link for you. My sympathies

[gandalf456]

Maybe the doctor was too cautious with the dose. Are you sure they are strong enough?

[freedom2011]

I can't link on phone but the support thread is called Endless Back Stories and first post is by matildathecat

It's in the same section as your thread.

Those ladies helped me so much. Good luck

[MatildaTheCat]

Diazepam works in some back pain as an anti spasmodic which is great if your muscles are actually in spasm ( an awful locked feeling). If not the best you could hope is that it will make you care less!

I second asking for a nerve targeting medication like gabapentin. If sleep is hard ask for amitriptyine as well. They both make you sleepy but that does pass. The relief from the leg pain can be amazing. Your GP can prescribe these today, no need to wait for pain management. Injections are a good idea to discuss there, though.

Lastly don't forget to add paracetamol to your Tramadol as it enhances the effect as well as being a good pain killer in itself. Not sure why it doesn't come combined.

Do join the back thread, lots of fellow sufferers there.

[Hopefullyoneday1]

freedom2011 - thank you, I will have a look at it. I'm quite new here and still trying to find my way round :-)

Gandalf456 - they are 5mg, I might trial a slightly higher rise and see how it works.

Matilda - I had Amitriptyline, it made me really emotional and gave me the most horrid nightmares! The doc did say though I could add paracetamol

Thank you all for your replies. People at work make comments like, 'its only a bad back get over it'. Oh and 'isn't it better yet?' Like I'm suddenly going to wake up one morning and spring through the office! It's nice to hear there are people on here that actually know what the pain is like x

[Hopefullyoneday1]

I have noticed that although the Dazepam aren't making me sleepy, I'm not as ratty as I was. A lot more chilled 😁😂

[Hopefullyoneday1]

dose not rise

[gandalf456]

Check with your doctor first

I know what you mean and the depressing thing is that it is ongoing

[BerylStreep]

I have had acute back / neck issues for the last 5 months. I am taking Nortryptaline (an alternative to amyltryptaline), Naproxen, Omeprazole (a stomach protector due to the Naproxen), 2mg of Diazepam, and tramadol / co-codamol. The one thing that I have consistently been told is take the meds even when you aren't sore. Better to be on top of pain rather than chasing it.

The biggest thing that has made an absolutely incredible change in my health was going on The Whole30. It's basically an elimination diet which cuts out foods you might be intolerant to. It can sound a bit arduous to begin with, but you are only committing to it for 30 days (although most people stay on it afterwards once they see what a positive impact it has on their health, and actually, it's not at all arduous).

Stubborn tendonitis in my shoulder which was so bad I had surgery 5 years ago, and was never really successful, has virtually gone. My ankle would become so sore that I quite literally couldn't walk on it after any time standing on it has all but disappeared. The inflammation in my SI joints has gone. The asthma I have had for the last 3 years disappeared in 6 days. My neck is still giving me problems, but I have finally been able to return to work. Might be worth looking onto. It certainly won't do you any harm.