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Original poster

Very sudden debilitating lower back pain!!

107 replies

ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 11:18

What on earth has brought this on, and how do i fix it???

Woke up this morning totally fine, noticed a slight twinge when i was pulling my leggings on, but nothing major, just figured i had slept funny.

Was fine, sitting watching tv and had my breakfast, went upstairs to use the toilet and noticed my lower back a bit sore and stiff, by the time i had finished using the toilet and come back downstairs and went to sit down again i was in agony. Couldnt sit, dp had to help me stand back up again, which was agony to do.

Standing up was ok so was walking around the room trying to stretch it out. Went to make a hot water bottle, holding the empty kettle caused another twinge and then standing was also agony.

Im now lying flat on yhe sofa with a hot water bottle on my lower back, but im worried that soon this is going to be unbearably sore as well, and i have no idea how im going to get up from this position.

Dp is worried that he needs to call the hospital, i dont know whether its that serious or if it'll go away on its own, and from a practical point of view i have no idea how i would even get to a hospital atm as i cant move without excruciating pain. I was crying with pain when i was standing up.

What can give me some relief from this????

OP posts:

BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 11:22

Could be a slipped disc or hernia, i would call for an ambulance and try and lie still. Have you got any tingling in your legs and feet, can you wriggle your toes.

FlibbertyGiblets · 16/04/2022 11:23

First of all have you taken any painkillers?
You would likely get relief from codeine, cocodomal tablets from the pharmacy. In fact speak with the pharmacist, they might have additional ideas like those single use heated wraps and lidocaine type gel?

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 11:25

No tingling in legs or feet, can wiggle my toes no issues.

When i was getting the shooting pains it was going down my legs, but now im lying down its more a dull ache and just in my lower back.

Ive taken solpadine and neurofen so hopefuly that'll kick in soon and I'll get some relief. I would be so embarrassed about needing an ambulance, in my head it doesnt feel warranted even though i currently cant move so no idea what logic my brain is using for that one...

OP posts:

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General health

TonyBlairsLover · 16/04/2022 11:27

UTI? I couldn’t walk for a week when I had one

abigailsnan · 16/04/2022 11:28

OMG you have my total sympathy I have lower back pain which after xrays showed 3 discs had slipped on to my sciatic nerve causing untold pain,at first I eased the pain with heat pads bought in a pack of two from Savers the heat eased the pain for a while but in the end I needed very strong painkillers from my Dr. which seem to work for a while before coming back with a vengeance I am on a waiting list to see a specialist at the moment.
It could also be kidney stones so ask you GP to get you seen asap you have my sympathy I hope you feel better soon.

Beamur · 16/04/2022 11:31

Back pain can be like this. I'd take the strongest pain relief you can lay your hands on and call your GP if they have an out of hours service or 111.
Mine went like this a couple of years ago, poor posture and back went into spasm. Pain like I have never known! I could barely move.
Once you rule out anything more serious - like a slipped disc- try and keep active, I found going for a walk really helped, but make sure it's safe to do that before you set off!

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 11:36

I do have poor posture and have previously had minor issues with a weak lower back but never had anything anywhere near as dibilitating as this, nor anything that has come on so suddenly out of nowhere.

I was trying to keep moving when i realised i couldnt sit down without being in agony, was stood up walking slowly around the living room until suddenly that was agony as well. Dp had to come and rescue me clinging onto the kitchen door in tears to help move me onto the sofa lging down. He suggested lying flat on the floor but that scares me as i would not be able to get up if i lay down on the floor.

OP posts:

amylou8 · 16/04/2022 11:37

I get exactly this. The last time I did it I turned strangely to say something to DP while cleaning my teeth. It just twinges initially, then within a few hours I'm in agony. Everything that involves anything other than lying flat brings on a spasm. For me it's bad for about 48 hours and gets worse before it gets better. Then I'm delicate for another 2 or 3 days and then back to normal.

DragonOverTheMoon · 16/04/2022 11:40

Ice packs work better for my slipped discs. You have my sympathy OP. I've had it for 5 months now. Most likely you will recover within 4 to 6 weeks. If you have any numbness around your bum or trouble with weeing or having a poo go to A&E.

You don't need an ambulance. You could ring 101 if you wanted reassurance.

BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 11:42

Why dont you ask your dp to call 111 for you, it would be better to seek medical advice, its better to get it sorted out properly and get the right treatment.

BlackandJello · 16/04/2022 11:45

OP just keep an eye out for any loss of feeling in your legs and any signs of incontinence. Although rare, cauda equina can lead to significant damage if not treated quickly.

Blert · 16/04/2022 11:56

You have my sympathy. All the classic symptoms of sciatica, which is much much more painful than is realised by those who don’t suffer from it.

Hot water bottle helps. TENS machine can also help.

Take pain relief which is designed for nerve pain (ibuprofen), but you can also alternate with other pain relief to take the edge off.

Don’t get down on the floor, you will get stuck and be in agony trying to get back up.

Alternate lying flat in bed for an hour (use your normal pillow but don’t prop yourself upright), with gently mooching around the house for 20 minutes or so, or if you can going for a slow walk about outside. It will hurt when you first lie down, and then just when you first get up, but it will pass within a few minutes each time.

Don’t just go to bed and stay there, it will feel better in the short term but ultimately make it worse.

LakeIsle48 · 16/04/2022 11:56

Lie on your back and put your arms behind your knees and very very gently pull your legs towards your chest and hold that position. No sudden movements. The tablets you took should kick in. Just try as much as you can but I know it can be very painful. I did yoga years ago and our tutor said this stretch works. It worked for me. Dont do any crazy moves. Do it extremely gently and slowly

MissMaple82 · 16/04/2022 11:58

I wouldn't call an ambulance, its not a medical emergency is it. Ring 111 for advice

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 16/04/2022 11:58

I get this from time to time. Mine is 'just' muscle spasm. Horrendous pain.

During a recent attack, I got a fabulous lady to give me deep tissue massages and muscle relaxants from the Dr.

It took about 4 weeks to calm down this time... it had been 9 months since my previous attack'.

Regular massage, swimming and playing sport keeps it at bay for me. I sympathise, it's awful having a bad back.

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 12:04

Im not going to call and ambulance, i think that thought of panic about how i would get to a hospital if i needed to was my panic spiraling a bit due to the pain. Now im lying down im a lot calmer and thinking a bit more rationally. Would have always called 111 if i need further help.

Im worried about being still for too long and making it worse, but theres no way i could think about moving atm. I can even turn on my side or readjust my lying down position. When i had the solpadine, dp had to fully support my upper body so i could sit up slightly to drink it, and even that was agony.

OP posts:

Orgasmagorical · 16/04/2022 12:05

@BlackandJello

OP just keep an eye out for any loss of feeling in your legs and any signs of incontinence. Although rare, cauda equina can lead to significant damage if not treated quickly.

This.

MargaretThursday · 16/04/2022 12:37

I had similar several years ago.

Got up, was fine, getting children ready for school. Ran upstairs picked something off the side, and by the time I was downstairs again it had started to hurt.

Got back from the school run and it was hurting more so thought I'd take 2 ibroprofen and sleep it off.
Woke up in absolute agony, and with children to pick up in half an hour and I'd left my phone charging downstairs.
Bad move.

Eventually I got up and started downstairs, thought I was going to faint from pain on the way down, which would have been bad. Phoned a friend to pick up the children, dh to come home from work (only time I've done that) and begged the GP to see me.
So I limped very slowly to the GP and my back had gone into spasm. I spent the next 2-3 days in bed on major pain killers. Gradually it improved to the point I could move without much pain, but that was a couple of weeks.

BUT: It didn't totally improve until I gave up about 3-4 years later and asked to be referred for physio.
I had 6 weeks of physio and, oh dear, I wish I'd had it way sooner. I won't say that I never get twinges, and I'm still careful, but it's made a huge difference. I used to feel like my back had separated from my legs when I walked, now I can walk as much as I want with no problems.

Sadandfedup2 · 16/04/2022 12:40

Can you get an emergency appointment with an osteopath? They should be able to tell you what the problem is

Nicolarer · 16/04/2022 12:44

I would ring 111 you might need an ambulance to take you to be examined. Best wishes.

Nicolarer · 16/04/2022 12:47

Keep us updated if you can please op.

Thymeout · 16/04/2022 13:01

When I had sciatica and went to an osteopath, he saw the mottling on my back caused by hot water bottles and told me I should be using ice packs instead. E.g. a pack of frozen peas. Physio gave me exercises and a sausage shaped pillow to use for driving, tucked in where my belt would be. The idea was to restore the natural curve in my back, in between waist and buttocks. I often felt better after a half hour drive than I did before. GP prescribed Valium when it first came on. Worked better than pain-killers, but it took a cortisone injection to finally get rid of it.

Good luck! I was a teacher and had to do my marking kneeling. The pain was so bad when it first came on, I fainted.

Thereisnolight · 16/04/2022 13:05

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

I get this from time to time. Mine is 'just' muscle spasm. Horrendous pain.

During a recent attack, I got a fabulous lady to give me deep tissue massages and muscle relaxants from the Dr.

It took about 4 weeks to calm down this time... it had been 9 months since my previous attack'.

Regular massage, swimming and playing sport keeps it at bay for me. I sympathise, it's awful having a bad back.

Im having this at the moment. Since April 2nd when I had a very mild missed footing on a walk. V v painful - finally beginning to subside but keeps flaring up randomly. Stretches do help!!

Thereisnolight · 16/04/2022 13:06

My posture is also poor.

42isthemeaning · 16/04/2022 13:06

Call 111 for advice. In the meantime, alternate ice packs and heat if you can. This is what I was told to do when the same happened to me. Try to mobilise as soon as possible. It sounds like sciatica and / or back spasm from your description. There really is nothing worse. They wouldn't send an ambulance anyway in my experience. They'd expect you to make your own way to be checked or manage at home. Brufen and codeine are the best painkillers for the inflammation.
Read up on symptoms of cauda equina and call 999 if you experience any of those.

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