Lower back pain - feel like I'm in hell

[Thatsnotmynameee]

Dodgy back for years. Now for the 3rd time in 18 months it's gone suddenly, searing burning pain across lower back. This happened Wednesday. GP would only give naproxen which told him didn't work last time. Wouldn't refer me for physio as waiting list is 8 - 10 months. Have bought my own cocadamol 8/500, ibuprofen gel, voltarol, deep heat and nothing is making the pain even mildly better. I'm uncomfortable in every single position. Can't sleep at night for the pain. Any suggestions anyone. Feeling desperate. Have booked private MRI for Monday. Already regularly see osteopath.

---

MNHQ Update
Fed up of waking with back pain? Our guide to the best mattress for back pain is up to date with a wide range of tried and tested options. We hope it’s helpful!

I can't think of anything for that savage pain but after a back MRI the consultant told me to do pilates and it has really helped. Massively. Not much good to you now, but it can improve so much. I do an online course by a physio. Even made my post partum umbilical hernia pop back in - unexpected bonus.

Thank you. What's the course called please?

I hope your private scan gives you some answers. I had a bad back for 20 years but mine responded to physio and ibuprofen, so very different to your experience. Just posting to bump for you!

Hope you get some decent sleep tonight.

Back pain is horrid. I had 2 discs stuck together and still get pain. I found the co-codomal with heat packs/hot water bottles did help recovery as the hear and reduced pain allowed me to do very gentle pilates for backs.

I swapped my osteopath for a physio.

Hope your scan goes ok

solpadeine and boots do an over the counter cocodamol max that’s 12.8mg/500

I would like to know the course too if you don’t mind saying, or pm.
My back has been getting worse .
OP can you have acupuncture for the pain ?

Has your GP advised you about Cauda Equina syndrome. Google it and if you start to experience any numbness or tingling in the areas described go straight to A&E.
GPs usually prescribe muscle relaxants for acute pain. Diazepam is usually very good
There are some recognised (NHS) exercises, I can’t remember the name.
As a long term lower back pain sufferer I find sleeping with a firm pillow under the small of my back helps. It supports the natural arch of the back allowing the muscles that normally do the job to relax.

PS I was prescribed Baclofen by my GP. It’s an effective anti spasmodic which worked very rapidly.
I was taking max dose initially but now down to one a day

Sympathies. It will settle. Just takes time.
Gentle movements.

NSAIDS, heat pad will also help.

when it does settle you need to start Pilates regularly.

my back has been intermittently dodgy for years. Restarted regular Pilates 18months ago and back is the best it’s been.

Maybe try the Headspace app. It has a thirty day course on pain management.
Not suggesting it as an alternative, but an addition to other ideas above.

A tens machine can work quite well - they vary in price, but the physio told me that the expensive ones just have extra features rather than doing anything fundamentally different, you want one with 4 pads though, because you don’t want the pads over your spine, they want to be in a square/rectangle around where it’s sore.

Really though, you’d be better going back to the GP, taking the naproxen and then getting back to them going, ok, I’m taking that, it’s not working and they’ll then prescribe other things as well.

My back went nearly 2 years ago, I’ve found they’re really bad for just going, meh, it’s a back they do that, unless you get back to them every time going, still in a lot of pain....

As people have said you need to check for cauda equina and sciatica.

I have had periodic lower back issues since lockdown and it turned out to be a spasming piriformis muscle. I have exercises from a physio and it is really helping.

DM has real problems with her back she has much better painkillers than naproxen.

She gets an anti spasmodic called methocarbomol plus co-codamol and when it's at its worst, tramadol - one which is slow release or a normal one which tbf she only takes at bedtime as it knocks her out.

The muscle spasms (if that's what it is) need an anti spasmodic.

Take care op x

Are there any non NSAIDs which help with back pain?

How do you sleep, I mean position? If on your side try a pillow between your thighs, which neutralises your spine and might help, or can't harm.
I use it when my facet joint pain flares up- thank you lockdown for that - and it works a treat.

You don't need a referral to go a reputable sports physiotherapist; one that specialises in spinal work is best.

I used a back brace day and night for 4 days and it really helped and pain went away almost to nothing after 4 days. I also used pain relief during that time to help me cope with the worst of it.

Back pain that is so severe you can't sleep - I would go back to the GP try get a second opinion as this can be a red flag. Also be aware of cauda equina symptoms.

In the interim I second the head space app pain courses. I think there is one on sports injury which I also use for back pain. This will not be the solution on its own but may help control you body's reaction to the pain.

Have you tried lying on your back with knees bent and shins resting on a chair. This can take some pressure of the spine. Otherwise finding any position you can where the back can relax - use cushions to help prop you and doing some lateral breathing or relaxation / meditation can help.

When the acute episode is over look at Pilates. You can often self refer to physio on he NHS. But the wait times are long. Good luck with your scan but keep pushing the GP

I had 3 or 4 episodes of my back just going, absolutely excruciating pain, gradually easing over a few days
Got 3 days supply of painkillers from pharmacist each time, then used ibuprofen gel and paracetamol

The last time, I paid to see a physio tho. Hobbled in, walked out.
She said there was a bulging disc
I do some exercises she showed me and it's not happened again since🤞

I recommend booking in with a physio, don't wait for nhs referral

What does your osteopath reckon is the problem because ime they’re normally better than physios or GPs about understanding what the problem is and what needs to be done. Have you seen them since your back has gone?

BioFreeze gel might help. It's in the pharmacy in a green tube alongside the deep heat & deep freeze (don't get those, they're rubbish)

Thank you so much everyone for all of the suggestions.

Feel your pain mine went last year I literally screamed all over Easter Diazepam for a week my normal painkillers staggered with codeine.

I suffer from lower back pain although I don't think the pain is as severe as yours because ibuprofen and co-codamol taken together do help to ease the pain. I have found these heat patches to really help too, as has a friend who I recommended them to.

Been back to GP this morning as it's just getting worse. Now can't walk without serious pain. He's given me 30/500 cocodamol. Asked for an anti spasmodic so he gave me diazepam for 2 days. Have honestly never felt pain like this. Ended up crying at GP. To which he showed no sympathy. Didn't even offer me a tissue!

Again not going to help during this acute period but I go to Pilates classes taught exclusively by physiotherapists. I had a 1:1 session first (after having had some physio treatment) and in the classes the teacher walks around correcting position, suggesting modifications etc. Had made a big different long term.