What to do when you hurt your back so bad it hurts to move your legs

[BloodyBack]

I was just cleaning the rabbits out and I picked up a heavy bucket, I've twinged my lower back SO bad, DP had to help me inside, I'm now lay on my back but my legs have to stay up, I just tried to lift myself to put a hot water bottle under but I literally cannot move it, typically as soon as I did it I needed a wee but I can't get upstairs. I've never hurt my back like this before, my feet tingle, my arms even hurt!

I'd phone 111. Feet tingling doesn't sounds normal to me.

I've had sudden onset back pain and it's miserable. Phone your GP to get some painkillers and some strong anti-inflammatory meds like Naproxen or Diclofenac. Rest for a good 48 hours and then push through it to try and get mobile. You need to loosen the muscles back up that have gone into spasm.

Once you're able to move about, an Osteopath is worth a try.

Wait a few hours and see how it goes.

The big worry is if you can't see or control muscles in the part of your bum/back where a saddle would be, including incontinence. That's called cauda equina and Isaac emergency. So see how you feel and go to a&e if you feel you need to. Be prepared for a long wait though!

Try and lie on your front to take the pressure off your back and call the GP to prescribe some codene/ naproxen or whatever they suggest will help.

feet tingling is not good.
agree to getting medical advice.

otherwise heat and cold and gentle movement.
when I have put my back out I slept on a yoga mat on the floor as thd soft matress made it worse for some reason.

I hurt my back like this earlier this year. It was so bad I blacked out due to pain when I stood up from bed on day2. This is despite DH holding me and very very slow movements. When blacked out I also did a wee. I was totally unaware of everything until I roused 5 minutes later.
Called the GP and they gave me a telephonic appointment with a physio. He did some basic checks over the phone and deemed that this was an acute spasm and nothing sinister. Mild exercises few times a day + OTC painkillers. I was near normal by day5.

Looks worse than it is, don't torture yourself at A&E. Take a painkiller and call your GP first.

Thank you everyone, I've got in touch with the doctors, I asked DP to help me up so I didn't stay stuck, he just had to deal with my yelping as I got up 😅 it's very painful, I've taken paracetamol and ibuprofen, hopefully the doctor will be in touch soon with maybe a prescription. I don't know if it's related to this lump that has been growing on my back for a couple of years or so, it's where the pain starts but it radiates all over. Ignore my MASSIVE pants, I like to have a warm bum 😅

Definitely tell the GP about the lump and send a picture if they don't see you in person.

I would say anti inflammatories, ice and osteopath when you can but the lump needs to be checked by gp or osteopath anyway

Since you’ve posted about the lump, I’d definitely contact the GP today for advice and tell them about both.

Thank you, I sent a picture with my request so hopefully they'll be in touch soon and provide some pain relief and some answers! I feel very mardy because DP is never ill and never injures himself and I'm always doing something, but he's nice about it luckily.

Oh good luck OP. I'm so glad you managed to get a DR to take a look.

The doctors got back in touch with this message, even though I got in touch quite a bit before 11am, which is a bit annoying. I have some old codeine but I don't like using them much because they make me dizzy but I've had to take them, also I've found I can move easier holding onto dear life to the hoover, because it has wheels and a handle I can keep my balance and stay upright quite well with it, so that's how I'm getting around today! 😅

Are your feet still tingly? I'd say its medically urgent if they are.

If your feet are tingly I would worry about cauda equina. And that lump is worrying. Can you get to A and E?

Only my left one now, I'm not sure why only the one, it's not completely numb or anything though, just a bit tingly and almost 'fuzzy' feeling if that makes sense? Like when you rub your bare feet on carpet or rug and it leave your foot feeling 'fuzzy' almost. I can't explain it well 😅

Have you had the lump checked out before today?

My DP could take me but there's no way I could get myself there right now, I don't know if I'll struggle on the journey a lot though and my local A and E is not great so I think I would have to travel a bit further and I don't want to take their time up if it's nothing, but I also want to look after myself. Hard to know what to do for the best sometimes. And no, I tried to make an appointment for the lump when it started growing but the doctors wouldn't see it at that time and just said to get in touch again if it ever causes problems.

Here are the list of symptoms for cauda equina syndrome. If you experience any of these seek medical advice immediately.
If you are finding mobilising with a hoover easier you might find self purchasing a wheeled Zimmer frame to use while your pain is very severe makes things easier. Ross Care/ Able World stores will sell them as will obviously the internet.
Keep moving, keep taking regular analgesia, use a heat pack to help with the spasm.

Lump unlikely to be related as pain started with a very specific incident. However it does need a GP laying eyes on it and having a feel fairly soonish.

I would reply saying it is medically urgent as you are in a lot of pain.

I agree with PP

Reply saying it's medically urgent and ask to be seen today

If its tingling, its possibly related to a nerve, maybe you trapped/pinched one? I've been going through a nerve issue in my back since January, it's very painful. I would either tell gp it's a medical emergency or go to A+E