Back pain....help!

[wineandsunshine]

I hurt my back picking up the bin to empty it (when I bent over I felt almost a snapping feeling) and almost fell over. Since then I can hardly twist, get out of bed, get changed etc.
I called the GP who has given me diazepam and naproxen.
My question is - firstly what could this be? It's middle region in line with bra strap to one side of spine. Secondly, how long do the drugs take to work?

Thanks!!

[ViaSacra]

How many hours ago did you take the medication?

If there's no improvement by tomorrow morning, I would head to A and E asking for an x-ray.

[wineandsunshine]

I started it Friday morning - he's given me enough for a week. I'm just not sure it's warrants an emergency visit to a&e...

[avocadochocolate]

Naproxen is an anti inflammatory ...... but I'm puzzled about the Diazepam - that is for anxiety.

Did your GP not see you? Most back pain is muscular and just gets better by itself, and you can take some thing like ibuprofen and paracetamol to help with pain. I would have expected the doctor to check it's not a slipped disc.

[LickYouLikeACrispPacket]

The diazepam is to relax your muscles and ease any spasm.

[UpToonGirl]

This happened to me today! Couldn't believe how much it hurt, thought I may pass out for a second. It's eased off through the day but I'm still gasping in pain when I move in certain ways. I'm always a little wary taking pain killers for this type of thing in case it masks the pain too much and I end up doing more damage moving more freely than I should - is that stupid?!

Mine has been my lower back rather than middle. I've got so much to do in the next week, I had actually booked my youngest into a few more sessions at paygroup to get on with some stuff, typical!

[avocadochocolate]

Good point @LickYouLikeACrispPacket .

Beware OP Diazapam is addictive. My DSIL was an addict.

[wineandsunshine]

Yes the diazepam was for spasms which were happening as soon as I tried to stand straight.
I'm on 5mg so quite a low dose.

No the GP did a phone consultation - so didn't actually see my back.

Can I ask how you know if a disk has slipped?

I've booked a physio for Friday - can he confirm it?

[wineandsunshine]

PS ibuprofen and paracetamol were not touching the pain!!

[FabulouslyGlamorousReindeer]

Back pain can be unimaginably painful and nothing 'serious'.

It could be a 'slipped disc' (a disc bulge) and the physio will show you exercises to help with this. If you have any problems wee'ing then it is becoming an emergency so call 111

Don't be afraid to take the drugs to enable you to move, gentle movement is good and is encouraged.

It will get better but may take a couple of weeks - keep the faith and don't get too despondent. It's very depressing!!

[wineandsunshine]

Thankyou - I am moving slowly - I work in a school so I am trying to avoid bending down etc but still managed to cope yesterday!

The GP did check re urinating and all is fine in that dept!

Thanks for all the replies - I'm hoping the painkillers do help over the next few days!

[avocadochocolate]

To test for a slipped disc, the doctor or physio lies you down and picks up one of your legs. If you have a slipped disc, this will be very painful.

Muscular pain is also agony. Hope the meds help.

[user1469525654]

Sounds like a facet joint problem. I have exactly the same symptoms and the pain has been so bad I have almost ended up being admitted. Facet joints take the slightest of movements in the wrong direction to bring on very sudden pain. I am on diclofenac and paracetamol and after a week I am now feeling better

[wineandsunshine]

I'm
Definitely feeling less pain at the end of the day - once I've had medication all day. The worst bits are sleeping and waking until 11am ish - thanks for all the replies though hopefully it will go away over the next few days x

[allypally999]

It should resolve itself over the next few weeks which is why the NHS have a "do nothing" approach. This happened to me a few times. Drugs and physio (cautiously) do help as can heat or ice packs. Sleeping is hard but you get used to it. Good luck!

[coconutty101]

I had this problem about 3 years ago,
Bent down to pick something up and my back just went.
I was in agony for weeks, months even. Mine is/was lower back.
Kept getting spasm down my leg, so it was put down to sciatica.

Had to keep going back to GP telling them how much pain I was in to eventually get an MRI scan, which confirmed a disc buldge.
I had physio which helped.

But it still flares every now and then, just had another round of physio actually 3 years on!

Swapping jobs now too as my current job we wear lead aprons for xrays, and they just aggravate my back. Gutted cos I love the job.

Rest up OP and don't be afraid to go back to GP and push for scans / physio.

[wineandsunshine]

Thankyou - I'm feeling looser today!!

Have physio on Friday so will give an update once I've seen him!

[wineandsunshine]

Update - the diazepam has stopped the spasms so that's no longer needed! The naproxen is still definitely needed as the pain is still there so I will use those until the packet has finished.

Saw a physio today who basically said the small bones that stick out from the spine (can't remember the name) have been inflamed in the lower thoracic region and that in turn has caused muscle spasm. Apparently this is more painful/longer to treat than a slipped disk! So he wasn't surprised I was in so much pain. I'm starting a strengthening plan once the pain has reduced via stretching/etc and hoping this builds up the lower muscles where my scoliosis is as ultimately that is weakening my upper back. He also wants an MRI done to check what's going on. So not a quick fix but just thought I would let you guys know!!

[avocadochocolate]

Merry Christmas, OP! Hope you feel much better very soon.

[wineandsunshine]

Thankyou - you too!!!