I've strained my lower back...

[notsosmoothie]

... and I'm feeling very sorry for myself.

Luckily DDog's very understanding and is keeping me in motion by asking for regular short (slow) walks throughout the day. But beyond caring for him, I'm struggling to know what to do.

Once I'm on the couch I can only sit in a very specific position, and the pain is leaving me exhausted –I want to sleep but I can't risk lying down because I can't imagine how I'd make it back to standing again!

Never done anything like this to myself before –any survival tips?

Regular pain killers, I use ibruprofen, heat and ice packs alternating, keep up with the slow but regular movement. I use voltarol also...then it will get better in its own time, usually a few days rest will make a difference. Osteopath if you can get an appointment also. I have been in similar situations since Friday - it is totally exhausting, I share your pain!

I feel your pain, literally!! I put my back out yesterday. Its hell so im marking my place. The last time this happened i needed an ambulance

Drugs are helping, i have naproxen, co codamol and diazepam.

Been in bed all day , zonked on drugs and it only hurts if i move.

Just doing some gentle exercises then im going to try and get downstairs az i fear all this ibertia isnt helping .

Shit isnt it

Get a shakti mat. They’re like a miracle.

@wetwiped can you use voltarol at same time as ibruprofen?

You need to move about. Walk gently until you feel looser.
Getting out of bed first thing is a pain but please do rest. It will just take longer to get up.
Do not completely become static.
Regular over the counter pain relief and buy heat pads. Heateeze from Amazon are unreal. They last a whole day. You stick to your clothes. They will help you move.

If you have "red flag symptoms", ie incontinence, numb bum, or loss of power to legs you need to see a doctor now. Otherwise see can you refer yourself for physio online.
GP can give you stronger codeines etc if you need them at night, or a muscle relaxant. They'll do that over the phone.
Did you definitely strain yourself and there's no chance it is a UTI?
I feel your pain. I have been unable to put my shoes on but I moved, went to work, did regular physio and thankfully was right as rain in a couple of weeks.

@TheoriginalLEM they are both NSAIDs
You can only use one or the other.

I alternate the oral ibruprofen with the voltarol as shouldn't use together. Have cocodamol too but then end up constipated so take minimum I can cope with. I'm not good with pain killers tbh.

I end up this way every 6 months or so. How often do you flare up? Have you ever had scans or found any underlying reason? Osteopath says it's wear and tear and I am overweight, largely around the abdomen so really need to work on that also.

Currently laid on yoga mat on living room floor.

youtube lower back exercises were lifesaver for me
and muscle relaxants (gp can prescribe over phone)

@wetwiped - I did mine on Friday too!

I sneezed and felt a muffled 'pop' in my lower back, and it's been rough ever since.

@TheoriginalLEM an ambulance?! What happened? That must have been awful.

All I have in the house is ibuprofen –maybe I should hobble to the pharmacy next time I go out with DDog and ask for something stronger. I've managed to make a tool for putting on socks involving two forks and an elastic band , so getting out the door should take a little less time and effort now.

I've hurt my back too, pushing my chunky baby's pram up the hill yesterday. Exacerbated it with lifting baby and toddler today. Thank goodness my DH has finished work for the day so I can sit on the sofa with a hot water bottle feeling sorry for myself!

Ah, @Emelene –I was literally just thinking to myself this afternoon how hard it would be if I had little ones to take care of in the midst of this!

Sending LOTS of sympathy, I hope you're getting some rest.

@Bloodhoundgang my bum and legs do feel a TINY bit numb. Hardly noticeable but definitely there. Why is that a sign I need to see a doctor? Had a Google but there's so much info about so many things, I stopped reading in case I panicked myself

It is called saddle parasthesia. Tingliness however can be disc related and not actual saddle parasthesia. I've seen it probably twice ever and there was zero feelings in bum and incontinence present.
If you are worried give your GP a call and they can do a quick PR exam. It is rare but always asked with back pain.
Am afraid to tell you google will tell you you're probably dying and seriously ill, have cauda equina and possibly cancer. Google will never tell you anything other than the worst!! Google doesn't recognise sprains and strains🙄

I was carrying a large dog (am.vet nurse, perks of the job) and it gave way, i too am overweight. Made the mistake of laying on the floor "just for a minute". I needed gas and air to get up.

I kept moving this time and had the meds left over from before.

Putting my back out is the worst pain I've ever had, bar childbirth. I remember bursting into tears because I dropped my car keys and couldn't pick them up.

Stay on top of the painkillers. Take them before you need them.
Ask someone to put everything in easy reach for you.
Hope it eases soon. There's nothing worse!

LEM did you do anything to set it off this time that you can recall?
I try to stretches when I can for my back health but my job is very much desk based which doesn't help. I walk a fair bit each day to keep active.
I hate the thought of this just being an ongoing problem that's going to raise its head every so often and possibly even get worse 😣

Yes i was helping dp lift a bed down stairs at my mums houand i bent too far and ping when i say ping i can feel it like an elastic band across my back i suspect a disc issue.