Is being in pain normal sometimes?

[YourHazelTiger]

Can we talk about excruciating back pain when you wake up? 2 months ago I started getting a sore back when I woke up. Now, as soon as I go to lay down, my back is in bits and feels like I’m putting pressure on my spine that’ll snap any moment 😭 I just have to ride it through until exhaustion means I finally sleep

I changed my mattress, still the same. Got a topper, still the same. Nothing I do seems to help. I am a side sleeper (sleeping on back makes it worse). Sleeping with a pillow in between my legs makes little difference either way

I don’t want to live my life on painkillers. I am very active (carer for a disabled child) And I don’t ever really ‘sit down’. I am constantly busy. However, sitting is now quite uncomfortable and laying down to sleep makes me cry some nights

I don’t have any relevant medical history - I am a 27 year old non smoker. Don’t drink. I have recently lost a bit of weight (not unexplained), so I don’t think a weight pressure would be the cause.

GP told me I might be feeling tired and stressed, and to return in 4 weeks if no improvement- He has prescribed Naproxen but it’s really not ideal for me to take it

Any suggestions are really welcome as right now, I’m feeling like I’ll just be expected to live like this without answer?

Local physio is expensive but I will go to him if it’s the only potential answer

Forgot to add, the pain is definitely lower back. Doesn’t hurt my legs etc so didn’t think it was sciatica from Google… it’s just in the lower back

Try yoga or pilates. Iyengar yoga would be my specific recommendation. My guess is your highly busy stressful life is creating tension and postural problems that you need to address.
That level of disabling pain is not normal at your age, no.

Have you looked at ankylosing spondylitis?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/

The symptoms sounds similar to yours.

Thank you for the info

I imagine this absolutely has to be just postural since I am absolutely fine, so long as constantly on the go and not sitting down (uncomfortable) and laying down (excruciating)

I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus when I get up in the morning. Not because I’m tired. But because I need to brace myself for the pain, soon as I open my eyes it’s there 😞

It eases over a few hours. By lunchtime it’s fine

If it is muscular, which is sounds like it is, then pilates will help. You need to stick with it and it will be hard work, but it will make a massive difference.