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?

I vote physio, my physio sorted my back problems out (I didn't even realise they were back problems as the pain referred down to my thighs and knees instead) but I had to put the work in and do the exercises religiously. No massages or acupuncture, just exercises. Not a quick fix of course but I went from barely able to move to full mobility and zero pain.

I tweaked my neck a couple of years ago and was in agony. At least I was able to just about get myself around, although driving was a little dangerous. I can’t remember if it was an osteopath or chiropractor I saw… they did an X-ray and felt about a bit. Used a massage gun a little and then declared that we were going to start a 9 week course of weekly visits at £45 a time. I burst into tears. I wanted some YouTube style moment of intervention where they did some cracking and massaging and fixed me. Not be sent home and asked for about £400. She took pity on me and said she’d write to my GP with my X-ray results to see if her services were available on the NHS or something.

Anyway, I sat outside her practice in my car, having a cry and googling how I might get some relief. I got seriously lucky finding a local beautician who had a slot for a massage. And the (male) masseuse was incredible. He gave me enough relief so I could go home and actually lay down to sleep.

Sorry, the point I’m getting to - if it’s just muscular, rather than a slipped disc, would you try a massage? Or is the risk of a missed slipped disc a bit too high?

If it's muscular i would advice heat rather than cold, i used a cold pack and my back muscles contracted even and it was even more painful.

I had similar prescription for similar pain but was given prescription codeine as well as naproxen. You could try full dose of solpadeine max (stronger than over the counter cocodomol) and if it’s not easing it get prescription codeine from the Doctor on Monday?

The incredible disabling pain lasted 3-4 weeks and significant pain probably 6-9 weeks. It never fully recovered ie it can mostly feel fine but is very easily triggered and I can no longer do some normal activities.

Hi OP. Been there. It's shit.

Yes to a decent physio. They can do ultrasound treatment to reduce inflammation and maybe some gentle manipulation/massage depending on the cause. Acupuncture can help too.

Get the strongest 15% ibuprofen gel and get someone to slather it on.

Take paracetomol as well.

Yes also to tens and hot cold packs, alternated. 10 mins each.

When I slipped a disc the only comfortable (well not agony) position was in a high backed reclining garden chair that supported me fully and allowed me to lie down to sleep. Like this. https://www.diy.com/departments/New-Set-Of-2-Reclining-Sun-Lounger-Outdoor-Garden-Patio-Gravity-Chair-Foldable/5060678910648BQ.prd?&&&&dss_rl=1272379&dsrl=1272409&dssrl=1272379&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlumhBhClARIsABO6p-xH4BRKNfwDFLZtSZm2SkpVvwFBLfWfbD1gInQt51eKrWtmAoks9kaAl92EALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Diazepam works. I take it with alcohol too (not recommended by medics but turns you into a space cadet so you care less 😂).

Keep walking and moving as it increases blood flow which reduces inflammation.

Hope you feel better soon

Still in agony, don’t seem any better. I know i should be trying to move more but it’s so painful I’m literally screaming every time I go to the loo.

Poor you. Are the painkillers helping? Go to your GP. I was put on pregabalin. Offered steroids also.

I feel for you slipped disc 2 years ago was worse than childbirth. I was also referred to a spinal surgeon & saw brilliant physio regularly. Think osteo made it worse initially but she did tell me I needed a GP when she suspected slipped disc. Regular moving & exercises are a must but it will hurt.

No, the painkillers don’t seem to be helping at all. Just making me feel really woozy.

That's what I was about to ask. It's the only thing which struck me as strange. It is a controlled drug.

Well it was oramorph rather than morphine tablets so not actually a controlled,drug. I had unrelated surgery recently and had a bottle,left from that.

dd has suggested I might try a spliff! 😁

Personally, I wouldn't. And I have many many years if back problems and treatments. A GP can prescribe painkillers and muscle relaxant. In my personal experience hospital won't do anymore than a GP.. save yourself the time. GP first, then will assess whether you need a scan or not

It was Saturday morning, the GP was closed otherwise yes I’d have gone there.

Do not take old morphine kids.

A tens machine will help. I used mine constantly when I had a prolapsed disc.