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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:
Blert · 16/04/2022 17:06

I also wanted to say OP, thank you so much for starting the thread!

I hope you feel better soon, but it has also been very beneficial to me to read from other posters how much help is available (different stronger pain killers, diazepam etc). I had given up asking for medical help, having had this on and off for 20 years.

One particular time 10 years ago I was stuck on the floor and in agony. I got DH to phone the GP who just said to take ibuprofen and that I should already know that there was nothing else he could do. I then just had to stay on the floor for 2 days, managing the best I could (I won’t go into details of how we had to get around biological necessities) and it took a long time to get back to normal.

It’s incredibly reassuring to hear from other posters that there is actually help available when people need it! It’s not an exaggeration to say that I have sometimes been suicidal at the onset of back pain, believing that there may not be any relief or help possible.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 17:14

@mossstitch yes that was my initial panic about needing an ambulance as there would have been no way of me getting into a car. Still wouldnt be possible at all. So i had a complete panic about needing medical help but not being able to get there.

Reassuring that the dizzyness may have been the medication. I dont take codeine at all as it leaves me a bit woozy, but i need the strongest of anything i can get my hands on atm.

Also good to know about 111 being able to prescribe pain medication to collect at a pharmacy, thats an option to try if its no better tomorrow.

OP posts:
Gonewalking · 16/04/2022 17:25

Does anyone have any tips on how to start walking again after this? I stand up but the pain is just too much and I have to lie down again.

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General health
anotherdaynotanotherdollar · 16/04/2022 17:27

@Mossstitch I drove myself to a and e and was put through the scanner a few hours after being admitted and was operated on a few hours later. Neurosurgeon said he didn't know how I was walking so maybe don't judge so quickly.

Mossstitch · 16/04/2022 17:42

@ChatterMonkey yes, agree, took me 20 mins to get down the stairs last time after ibruphren and paracetamol so no way I could get in a car. Managed after a week although I was walking like a penguin (necessity dad died and had to do all the death register ect). It's usually codeine or morphine that makes people dizzy/ill on standing, I've learnt the hard way, if they same I'm dizzy and burb run for a vomit bowl! My experience has led me to be frightened of taking anything stronger than regular ibruphren myself as I'm emetophobic ☹️so can't comment on how any other drugs affect the pain but know its worse than childbirth which I've done twice without any meds at all! Hopefully feel easier in a few days. You may benefit from finding something which strengthens your back muscles when it settles, I find swimming helps me.

Cheesewiz · 16/04/2022 17:56

If its sciatica, you need to rest for small amount of time and then move around, rest again for 20 minutes and sciatic stretches really help! Youtube has lots of videos showing how to do them. All the time your resting keep doing the stretches every few minutes lying on your back.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 18:15

We have oral morphine in the house, would that help with the pain/pressure? Think i just need something to ease the muscles a bit and then it can heal.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 18:17

Was going to phone 111 but would be waiting for over half an hour on hold so left it for now and will see how i get on tonight.

OP posts:
DragonOverTheMoon · 16/04/2022 18:34

@Gonewalking if your pain is 7 or above out of 10 then you should be resting with ice packs. If your pain is less then 7 then walking, stretches and normal activity is what's recommended.

I

BlanketsBanned · 16/04/2022 18:45

If solpadeine makes.you dizzy then morphine may make you worse. You dont want to get constipated either, its better to get a diagnosis so you know whats causing this. Is the morphine prescribed for you.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 18:48

Thats interesting about the 7 out of 10 guide for whether to move or not. Im currently in a solid 8 or 9 out of 10, maybe down to about a 7 when im lying straight. So need to try and avoid moving for the moment then.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 18:50

No the morphine usnt my prescription, ive never had it before so no idea really how i would react to it. Will avoid it, tbh i was erring on that decision anyway, dp is just trying to help by offering it, but hes had it numerous times so know how he reacts to it so isn't as aware of why i would be cautious.

OP posts:
anotherdaynotanotherdollar · 16/04/2022 18:57

@ChatterMonkey morphine doesn't particularly work for nerve pain unfortunately

Mossstitch · 16/04/2022 19:00

@ChatterMonkey if you feel woozy on codeine then morphine likely to have worse side effects😬

lljkk · 16/04/2022 19:06

Sympathies. My back just sometimes goes.

After a super bad bout you get zealous about good posture for a while. That is main way I find to prevent re-occurance for my back issue.

Muscle relaxants are lovely, too, but no good me saying that on longest weekend of year.

Did anyone else see it happen to one of the goalkeepers the other day, England v. Norn game maybe it was. She just bent over to get the ball and basically suddenly her back went. Somehow recovered enough to continue playing, adrenaline, maybe.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 20:03

Yes getting my hands on muscle relaxants would be the dream right now, but unfortunately unlikely to happen before tuesday, and i hope by then the need for them will have passed?

If its still bad tomorrow ill phone 111 and see if they can prescribe something, or get me an appointment with an out of hours doctor.

OP posts:
lljkk · 16/04/2022 20:06

Try out of hours now? They can phone in a prescription for someone to collect for you from a 24-hour pharmacy -- I got mine over the phone about 5 years ago.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 16/04/2022 21:59

Phoned 111 and they told me i needed to be seen within 2 hours and were going to send me an ambulance. Ive just taken more codeine so told them i would try to go in the car. Dont want to use up an ambulance.

OP posts:
Serena1977 · 16/04/2022 23:33

Good luck @ChatterMonkey

Let us know how you get on!

Toddlerteaplease · 16/04/2022 23:43

They need to rule out Cauda Equinia syndrome. Where the bottom of the spinal cord becomes compressed. It's a surgical emergency if you have it. So take that ambulance.

Angrymum22 · 16/04/2022 23:55

I had a couple of bad acute episodes of sciatica in 2020. I have suffered with chronic sciatica for years due to work and other issues. But in 2020 it was the worst I’ve ever had it. My thigh muscles went into spasm, it was like having permanent cramp in the back of my thigh and was exhausting.
Gp prescribed diazepam the first time and a long with naproxen it resolved over 6 weeks. Then it happens again during the first lockdown. Triggered by hoovering the stairs ( I’m not allowed near a hoover now). Diazepam didn’t work so GP gave me antispasmodics which did the trick. I take just a low dose daily now. I can have increase the dose if it starts to flare up.
I was eventually diagnosed with fibroids which appear to have been the underlying cause. I’ve had treatment and they have shrunk considerably. I have episodes from time to time but manage it with ibuprofen and antispasmodics.

It’s hard to motivate yourself to move but it really is the best medicine. If you google physio exercises for sciatica it’s really worth starting them straight away. They do help but only if you do them. I tend to slack and then I’m back to square one.

MrOllivander · 17/04/2022 00:00

@Mossstitch I had taken diazepam, naproxen, paracetamol, morphine and codeine and still got myself to a&e in a car
I walked into hospital too, and was mobile. Cauda equina, had emergency surgery for a massive disc herniation

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 17/04/2022 00:02

So i managed the car journey with the front seat reclined so i was able to be in a more horizontal position. Was pretty quiet and got seen really quickly (got spme dirty looks from some people as i got seen faster than other people waiting) the doctor did some movements, noving & twisting my legs etc and has ruled out any nerve issues and said it appears to be muscular. So im home now with a box of naproxen and told to get some voltarol from the pharmacy tomorrow. Will pharmacies be open on easter sunday...?

Im glad that i went as its ruled out some more serious issues, but pretty much told to keep on as i am, naproxen along with codeine and paracetomol, and just try to move as much as possible.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/04/2022 00:23

[quote anotherdaynotanotherdollar]@Mossstitch I drove myself to a and e and was put through the scanner a few hours after being admitted and was operated on a few hours later. Neurosurgeon said he didn't know how I was walking so maybe don't judge so quickly.[/quote]
Exactly, no one should be put off seeking help if they think they need it by someone on the internet claiming to be a therapist. I also know someone who had a similar experience.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/04/2022 00:25

Glad you got advice OP, if there isn't improvement don't hesitate seeing your GP so they can refer you for an MRI, an x-ray won't always show up issues.