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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:
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 13:11

So the painkillers are helping a bit. Managed to go upstairs to the toilet anf back downstairs again. With a lot of help from dp though, and a lot of pain, but i can move so its a win.

Issue seems to be more with my right leg? Im struggling to put my weight onto it at all. So although my leg isnt sore, if i try to step with it it causes really bad pain in my back/right bum cheek. Sitting down is extremely sore. I can just about do standing, but even then a slight movement cause really bad pain, and i can do lying down, but sitting on the toilet was so sore.

No issues with incontinence or anything like that.

OP posts:
Gonewalking · 16/04/2022 14:16

How's it going op? This sounds like sciatica......I got it two weeks ago and I am still in terrible pain Worst pain I've ever had ..... I've been off work for two weeks and the doctor has got me on co codamol and amytriptyline and I can still hardly walk........so I am literally feeling your pain Please keep us updated

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 14:49

Ive looked up sciatica and it sounds luke it fits, particularly as its more down one side, my right side.

Getting a bit of movement back now, can bend my legs while lying down, standing and walking is still extremely painful but its going in the right direction.

Im glad this has happened when it has, as i have the bank holiday monday off work. Hopefuly I'll be ok by tuesday, at least able.to move with medication.

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Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 15:46

Was due some more painkillers, and found some naproxen in the cupboard so have taken that alongside the solpadeine, think the naproxen us meant to be good for this sort of thing?

Also a but more mobile, i was able to stand up myself and shuffle into the kitchen, but after standing for about a minute i became really nauseous, light headed and clammy and had to lie down again. It wasnt so much pain, but more searing pressure that beccame completely unbearable, o thought i was going to pass out when i was on my way back to the living room. Vision started going.

Now im lying down again i feel a lot better.

Its frustrating though as if i look up sciatica, all the advice says to keep moving as much as possible, but i just physically cant atm? Am i going yo be causing more damage if i stay lying down?

OP posts:
BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 15:52

Feeling dizzy, clammy and losing your vision really needs expert medical advice.

Blert · 16/04/2022 15:53

Am i going to be causing more damage if i stay lying down

No, just keep doing your shuffle into the kitchen every hour or so. It’s just to make sure you are moving enough to prevent any spasms getting worse or other problems forming.

(I am doing the same myself at the moment, but I am a veteran of this)

MikeandDave · 16/04/2022 15:53

I have had very bad sciatica and I think the advice to keep moving is for after you have stabilised it a bit. Try to stay lying down until you have it under control. If you need to get up try not to hurt yourself as you stand up or lie back down.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 15:58

The pressure clammy vision going was when i was standing up, it goes completely when im lying down. I can now also do a slight sitting up/propped up position without causing excruciating pain so i am getting a bit more mobile, just need to not push it too much i think.

This is the worst pain I've ever been in I think. Ive been fortunate that ive never had anything serious wrong with me so have a low bar of comparison, and i think dp is slightly eye rolling about me (but is not voicing it and is being very helpful and getting me anything I need) as he has had more health issues so i think he thinks im being dramatic, but it is so agonisingly painful.

OP posts:
Hostaswordwoman · 16/04/2022 16:06

Definitely ice pack rather than hot water bottle.
Does sound like prolapsed disc.

Hostaswordwoman · 16/04/2022 16:07

Also don't lie flat. Bend your knees and put cushions under them to take th expressive off your lower spine when lying down

Iamnotamermaid · 16/04/2022 16:12

I had something similar - twinge one day and complete inability to almost walk the next. Chirpractor reset & realigned bits of my ribs, spine and hip - everything was completely out of alignment plus an inflamed nerve added to the lower back pain.

I also used ibruprofen& ice packs (my back was very warm to the touch). Cold peas, ice cubes wrapped in a towel all work.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 16:19

Because of where im lying, an ice pack would be pretty impracticable, would leave a damp patch on the sofa. The heat seems to be helping a lot, will it do any damage if keep with the heat?

OP posts:
Blert · 16/04/2022 16:22

he thinks im being dramatic, but it is so agonisingly painful

Yes. Worst pain I have ever been in. And I am counting both natural childbirth, and broken bones in that.

Made worse by employers who state “the advice is just painkillers and carry on” when forced to take time off work due to being unable to move.

dragonDan · 16/04/2022 16:23

Sounds like a muscle pinged and then it went into muscle spasm. I get this about once a year. It is horrible and the pain makes me want to faint. You need to get really strong painkillers. If you ring 111 they will do a call back and send a prescription to your local chemist.

Once the pain has subsided enough to be remotely bearable you need to try snd keep moving because lying or sitting for too long will make it worse.

Roselilly36 · 16/04/2022 16:26

Are you under a lot of emotional stress? DS1 had these symptoms after his Grandmother died.

greenbirdsong · 16/04/2022 16:35

Sounds like a spasm. They are very painful and I get them maybe twice a year. Can't move. It's unbearable.

I would recommend doing this to help you get up:

You need painkillers. You can get Nurofen Plus (ibroprofen and codeine) over the counter. If you can get a out of hours doctors or call 111 then a diazapam tablet will help with the spasm to get you moving again.

It is very painful but will improve in a couple of days.
Lay on your back, bend your knees and rock them side to side. That helps keep things moving. Just laying can make it seize up further.

Hope you feel better soon!

Sittingonthefence83 · 16/04/2022 16:36

Heat will help for tightened muscles if your muscles has gone into spasm but if it's a prolapsed disc, which sounds like it could be due to your sciatic symptoms then ice will help any inflammation.

Ice will be so much better for you.

DragonOverTheMoon · 16/04/2022 16:40

Honestly I was sceptical about the ice before I tried it. I hate feeling cold, now I always have ice packs in the freezer. Works so much better. If you wrap peas or a pack in a teatowel your sofa will be fine.

Sunshinegirl82 · 16/04/2022 16:46

I have a very large prolapsed disc in my lower back (which was finally discovered after I used my private healthcare at work to access an MRI having been told that the agonising pain I was in was "probably muscular" for 6 months).

You may well have a slipped disc but sounds like your back is in spasm which is causing the intense pain. I would call 111, they may well prescribe diazepam which will help the muscles relax.

You may also need a painkiller like amitriptyline or gabapentin longer term as traditional painkillers don't work brilliantly on nerve pain (which the leg pain/feelings almost certainly is). I'm now on a cocktail of naproxen, paracetamol, dihydrocodeine and amitriptyline whilst waiting for a painkilling injection which is a final option before surgery. My issue was caused by a fall nearly a year ago now, unless you have suffered from severe back pain I don't think you can understand how debilitating it is.

111 will want to rule out cauda equina so expect to be asked lots of questions about bladder/bowels. Hope it improve you soon.

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 16/04/2022 16:52

Ah hope this improves for you soon OP, like others I know the feeling. Mine started in November out of nowhere, went in December and came back in January. Private physio was great and found the problem in my sacroiliac joint - getting the kids in/out the bath/car, putting socks on etc is horrendous when it plays up. Had to go back last week for more manual manipulation as id knocked it again and she's written to my GP to request an MRI so she can put my treatment plan together as she thinks I've got a slipped disk

anotherdaynotanotherdollar · 16/04/2022 16:52

Popping on this thread to warn of red flag symptoms - numbness to saddle area - so basically any area you would sit on a horse and / or Peeing or pooping yourself, or not being able to wee at all.

Amy of the above happens and you go to a and e immediately as these are signs of Cauda Equina. I would still speak to 111 purely because of the leg weakness.

I've had Cauda Equina 3 times - it is very rare bit with such a sudden on set you need to be all over it if you get red flags as there is only a 48 hour window to decompress.

Let us know how you get on 💐

anotherdaynotanotherdollar · 16/04/2022 16:53

Oh and if you read it needs to be bilateral (both legs) for CES this is bollocks. One leg is enough!!!

Hostaswordwoman · 16/04/2022 16:55

@ChatterMonkey

Because of where im lying, an ice pack would be pretty impracticable, would leave a damp patch on the sofa. The heat seems to be helping a lot, will it do any damage if keep with the heat?
Heat increases blood flow to the area, which isn't good for a new injury but good for healing an older one. Ice will reduce inflammation. You can put a towel under it.
Mossstitch · 16/04/2022 17:00

The clammy/dizzy feeling is probably the medication that your not used to. I'm a therapist in A&E and a lot of patients go like that on standing having been given painkillers in the ambulance. Please do not go to A&E, I admit we eyeroll when someone comes in with back pain (unless thrown from a horse or some other accident!), I always say if they can get in a car to come in they are not that bad. Yes I have had sciatica and a sacro illiac joint that slips out of place, occupational hazard, and when at its worse could not have travelled in a car! I stick to ibruprophen as you need anti inflammatories, rather than just painkillers, to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve, ice/heat pads and Google Dom Tigny, who has some great videos of stretching exercises that really help. If my back is playing up i do them before getting out of bed and it relieves the pressure. Basically you bring your knee up to your chest, out to the side then bridge on the side that hurts whilst keeping opposite leg straight. I'd say usually takes 5-6 days to settle to a bearable level. You are then frightened to death of setting it off again😨 the last time I did it badly I was simply wiping some condensation off the bathroom window and felt a tiny twinge, within a few hours I could hardly walk, you have my sympathies, hope it's better soon! 💐

justasking111 · 16/04/2022 17:03

Get OH TO GET YOU A HARD DINING TYPE CHAIR sit on that you can then get ice down the back to ease the pain. Frozen peas work well. Just keep refreezing. It's murder when it happens. My chiropractor keeps me moving. I've had an eye operation no lifting bending for four weeks. My back is playing up again. I blame three pregnancies