Severe back pain

[FoxyBloxy]

Started suddenly this afternoon. I’m in agony. The bottom of my back feels like it’s on fire. I can’t get comfortable at all, it’s taking me a few minutes to get to the kitchen from the living room it hurts that much and when I walk I’m having to bend over as I do so as that’s the only way it doesn’t hurt. When I stand I go really lightheaded and dizzy which I presume is related as it started when the back pain did. I have taken painkillers and even had a hot bath but nothing is helping☹️ Is there anything else I can try before I cry

Sounds like a slipped disc, I'm so sorry - it's rubbish! You say you've had painkillers, have you had ibuprofen? That's better than paracetamol for back pain. If you can move at all, keep walking (gently) and also try standing on one leg with the opposite arm in the air (standing deadbugs) as it might twinge stuff back into place enough for you to sleep tonight. And call the GP in the morning - they can prescribe a stronger painkiller to use in the short term or if it's really bad give you a steroid injection.

If it's really truly too much to bear until you've got more painkillers, definitely go to bed and rest tonight but make sure you don't stay in bed too long before starting to exercise or it can get worse. Really the only thing that helps if it's a slipped disc is gentle exercises - there are loads of suggested exercises on the internet, you don't need to wait to see a physio (though of course if they offer you physio, take it!)

(My mum slipped three discs and now my dad's slipped one - I have seen a lot of what works and what doesn't from helping them but obviously everyone is different so you must see your GP to make sure there isn't something else going on.)

@Xiaoxiong thanks so much for your advice, you’ve been very helpful🙂 I will take some ibuprofen and do a bit of exercise if I can. 🤞🏼I can get some sleep

If you can afford it try a chiropractor. DH has had a niggly back for years. I’ve been telling him to go but it fell on deaf ears. 3 weeks ago, his back went, he kept me up all night moaning so I took matters in to my own hands and made him an emergency appointment that day. He’s had 4 appointments so far and is more or less fixed. I’m quite jealous, tbh because I’ve had spinal fusions and am banned from going by my surgeon but some days my back almost makes me cry.

I hope you’re soon better. I find Ice helps me more than heat.

Please see proper doctors - messing around with backs can have serious consequences.

You have all my sympathy - it has been a lifelong problem for me. This year I had a microdiscectomy with some improvement as long as I am careful.

Some ideas: heat pad down the back of the trousers; use a walking stick or crutches for a bit (any elderly neighbours who might have one to lend?); take muscle relaxants if you have any - often there is muscle spasm causing pain aside from the disc. It is good to try and keep moving as much as you can.

Speak to doc if it does not ease soon. Good luck.

I had similar early part of this year.
Had an appointment with a great chiropractor and was informed I had 2 displaced vertebrae.

I've a few visits now and fingers crossed all ok but I do sympathise as the pain initially was awful and seemed to come on very suddenly. Pain killers obviously weren't going to touch it

I hope you can get it treated as soon as possible.

Really hope you managed to get some sleep last night Foxy and see the GP soon

@Xiaoxiong I managed a little, not much though😒 There was only one position I could lie in that didn’t hurt too much and it was so uncomfortable. I have 2 DC, one being 19 months and I really struggled carrying him downstairs this morning, I had to sit down and slide down on my bum because I thought I was going to drop him. I have no strength in my legs. My mum is coming picking dc up later as I don’t think I’ll be able to do much. I phoned gp first thing but they said they have no appointments or even telephone consultations so they told me to phone back again tomorrow

DH has slipped a disk in the past and still struggles with back pain. Could you try codeine with paracetamol? DH finds this really helps.

Do not see a chiropractor, osteopaths are the people to see if you want some assistance quickly and privately. I have had physio, chiro and osteo treatment and physio and osteo were by far the most useful.

Had an appointment with a great chiropractor and was informed I had 2 displaced vertebrae.

So pleased you saw someone with x-ray eyes.