Would you go to a&e for this or not?

[Hospitalornot]

So yesterday I pulled my back badly. No injury or accident though, back just went. So I really doubt I’ve fractured anything. However the pain is indescribable. I’ve broken my back before and this is honestly 10x worse. I can’t sit, I can’t stand, I can lie down flat but can’t move.

It took dh ten mins to get me to the bathroom for a wee and I was screaming the whole time. I’ve never known pain like it. I’ve taken morphine and it hasn’t touched the pain. I can’t pull my trousers up or down.

but the hospital won’t be able to help will they? Could it be a disc?

Ive had this before, 111 advised needing to get to a hospital urgently (if i attempted to stand up i was in so much pain i actually vomitted) and that if i couldnt get in a car, then they would have to send an ambulance.

Felt like a fraud and was worried what the neighbours would think (i know... 🙈) so managed to get in the car, front seat really reclined worked ok, and i timed it with solpadeine max soluble that were the only thing that would even slightly take the edge off.

Hospital confirmed it was a muscle strain and nothing more serious, gave me some strong naproxen.

If you do get naproxen, a warning that it left me feeling really sicky. But when i tried to stop taking it cos my back felt better, the pain came back quickly.

Was just about to post this! Yeah definitely a prolapsed disk. The pain is utterly unbearable, get checked out, even if it's for better pain killers. Usually some naproxen is good with the morphine.

I meant in hospital first.

Currently sat in a&e waiting room.

Hell yes! I hope you get it sorted x

About 10 years ago my mum fell off a ladder (small height) and damaged her back. She was in agony. Went to A&E and was admitted for a few days to help her with the pain. She is now absolutely fine but definitely worth getting checked out x

Glad to hear you’ve made it. Hope you are alright and don’t have to wait long to be seen.

I hope you're seen quickly.

DH does this a few times a year. He can be reaching for a pen or turning over in bed and suddenly, utter agony. He can't lift his arms, move his head, stand, walk etc. For him it's always a muscle in spasm, trapping a nerve and the OOHs gp gives him diazepam and naproxen.

He's found out that it's actually a rib problem and an osteopath has been the best thing to free up the nerve and sort out the pain. That needs to wait until you've seen a doctor though.

If you’ve a slipped disc, do NOT go to an Osteopath. You need to see an Orthopaedic Consultant or a Physiotherapist, not a quack.

Hope you get seen quickly x

You’ve done the right thing. The pain sounds horrendous. Hope you get some help very soon.

Yeah definitely a prolapsed disk.

Why on earth are posters with no medical training or access to medical imagery/scans diagnosing a complete stranger online with such confidence ? Absolutely baffling.
It could be one of a hundred things.
Op I hope you get some effective pain relief and a proper diagnosis.

Well I’m home. Got prescribed diazepam and naproxen. They’ve maybe slightly taken the edge of it but I am still in agony with any movement. How long might I be like this for?

Glad you are home. Sorry to hear it's still no better. What did they say at the hospital?

Welcome to the community of people with back issues, OP. It sucks... My latest research on "discs" is that surgery is not effective. Surgery simply doesn't reliably work. For me, watching my posture (keep it good) seems to be preventive, though, but not guaranteed.

Mine went out for Easter Sunday (boohoo). I know the score by now coz this started happening to me 30 years ago. Lying flat is bad for me, I just stiffen up. The very worst thing for me (besides completely ignoring it) would be hot water bottles. I got muscle relaxants prescribed in 2016 & still use those when I have a flare. I find I do best by keep moving as much as I can.

The muscle relaxants can also cause constipation, though, be warned.

ps: I can recommend exercise videos on youtube, for "bad lower back" etc. (wherever your bad area is, upper back if there). Only exercises you can do without making the pain worse.

@lljkk surgery worked very well for my partners prolapsed disc, the inside of his disc had come out all over his spinal column and the chunks of the matter were all over his nerves. Once it was removed via surgery he was fine.

@op did they say what the cause of the pain was ?

They didn’t really say what the cause was apart from saying they think it’s muscular/muscle spasm. But nothing about what may have caused the muscle spasm.

I did my back a few years ago getting in my car , I was in tears getting out when I’d managed to drive home and had to have help . I was prescribed all the usual and told the advice was to keep it moving as opposed to the old days when it was lie flat , not sure if that advice has changed . Hope you get well soon .
For those people who said go to an osteopath surely no self respecting osteo or chiropractor would touch someone who hadn’t had conventional medical advice on a new onset problem .

I've had this but around my hip. It was excruciating for three or four days then woke up one morning and it was completely back to normal.

In my experience about a week then it will start easing up. That is the time to start doing exercises and keep going with them to strengthen your core.

Sorry op, it’s shocking how painful a muscle spasm in your back can be.

Thanks, I’m assuming i probably won’t make work at the start of the week then. No way can I sit down currently.

Do you know anyone with a theragun massage gun? If it's a muscular spasm then this might help. Please be careful though as they are very powerful.

Honestly now you know it's nothing sinister get yourself to an osteo you won't regret it

I might on Monday.