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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To send DP to minor injuries with back pain

24 replies

TheoriginalLEM · 07/02/2016 15:08

Of course, its all a moot point really because he wont bloody go!

But is it approriate anyway? considering its not an injury per se. He is in agony and it is not being helped by ibruprofen and paracetemol. You now can only get diclofenec by prescription and that is the only thing that has even touched on helping in the past.

I think our minor injuries unit has nurse practitioners which whilst they can't prescribe meds can dispense them (soi if they keep it in stock) it woudlnt take much of their time and DP woudln't be in agony.

They have X-ray but really don't that would be needed, i suspect its muscular. it has happened before. Its just really to get him some decent pain relief.

He says he will do GP in the morning, but i can't stand seeing him in so much pain - he looks ashen.

OP posts:
Muskateersmummy · 07/02/2016 15:10

when did it start and what happened to cause it? If it's long standing, then GP. If it's something that has come on today after a fall or something, minor injuries.

Joolsy · 07/02/2016 15:12

If it's any help, I took my DD to MIU when she had foot pain that had got worse over a few days. They still saw her & treated it

Marshy · 07/02/2016 15:13

Last time I had severe back pain my gp was happy to prescribe meds following a phone consultation as she knew my history. I wouldn't have wanted to be hanging around at minor injuries for a Sunday afternoon doctor. They seem to run late even though you get an appt time and I probably couldn't even have got there anyway as I as in such pain.

I would say max out the pain relief, hot hot hot water bottle and get onto the GP in the morning.

NeedACleverNN · 07/02/2016 15:15

Last time I went to a miu for pain that wasn't via an accident they sent me away and said see your doctor instead.

They can only treat pain that is the result of an injury

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 07/02/2016 15:16

Thats the thing muskateer, it is long term but today got less managable, but i suspect you are right and Dr is probably the right course of action and i don't think it warrants an OOH appaointment.

Will get him a hottie bottle

OP posts:
Muskateersmummy · 07/02/2016 15:20

Yeah, I would get to the docs on Monday, if he hasn't had an X-ray and MRI I would request both of those to find out what's happening.

He has my sympathy, been laid up with a bad back for 4 weeks now. Hot showers help mine, and alternate paracetamol and Brufen to keep a constant level of painkillers in him. If it's muscular heat pads might help

BeaufortBelle · 07/02/2016 15:26

Get him some thermacare heat wraps from the pharmacy and some co-codamol x 8/500. He can have them every six hours with up to 500mg ibuprofen with food twice a day. But go to doc tomorrow because that much ibuprofen might hurt his tummy. OTC ibuprofen is 200 mg per tablet so you might want to get a pill cutter while you are there.

He's wraps are better than a hottie because they are so thin.

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 07/02/2016 15:35

He wont take codeine stubborn bastard but it affects me terribly so i do sympathise with that. He has ibruprofen 400mg but has been taking every 4 hours Shock i need to make sure he isn't taking too much.

OP posts:
gleam · 07/02/2016 15:46

Can't you get diclofenac as Voltarol OTC anymore?

GreatFuckability · 07/02/2016 15:55

you can take cocodamol every 4 hours not six. and you can also take 600mg of ibuprofen at a time, every 6 hours. i'd go to the OOH gp if its that bad.

Thymeout · 07/02/2016 16:00

I had 400 ibuprofen and 400 paracetamol for post-op pain when I was discharged from hospital after major abdo surgery. You take them alternately. Someone else will be able to tell you the intervals or ring OOH. I think it's the paracetamol you have to watch for over-dosage. You need ranitidine to protect your stomach if you're taking ibuprofen long-term.
Depends which bit of back, but I've always found a rolled up towel where my belt would be, to support the natural curve when lying or sitting helps me.

WishICouldThinkOfACoolUsername · 07/02/2016 16:11

I went to MIU with sudden onset acute back pain, stood for 2 hours waiting (because I couldn't physically sit down) and when I seen was then treated to a lecture on why I shouldn't have gone there and they shouldn't be treating me, because I didn't know what had caused the pain. They spent longer telling me off than lecturing me Hmm. If he's had Ongoing pain I don't think it's worth his while.

WishICouldThinkOfACoolUsername · 07/02/2016 16:12

Than treating me even...

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 07/02/2016 16:18

gleam you can't anymore :( apparently been in the last few months the pharmacist said. I dont know why - because i always found it better on the tummy than ibruprofen, however i can;t take nsaids because of other meidacation im on, so im pretty much stuck with paraceteol anyway.

My mum has tramadol but i wont give him that without a dr saying its ok.

OP posts:
BeaufortBelle · 07/02/2016 16:27

The OTC co-codamol comes combined with paracetamol so it's no more than 16/1000 x 4 in 24 hours.

I hope you both have a reasonable night. I think the doctor will only prescribe co-codamol/naproxen anyway. There's been a big shift from volterol in recent years because of a link with heart disease. My GP won't prescribe it anymore.

You can still get it in rub in form - might that help? He can also take paracetamol with the ibuprofen. Ask the pharmacist. Mind you it's 4.30pm so you might just about catch a supermarket one if you get your skates on.

gleam · 08/02/2016 09:30

Oh that's a shame. I have diclofenac for my back. I got a repeat prescription recently and the GP was certainly more reluctant to prescribe.

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 08/02/2016 13:06

Took DP to the Dr this morning, poor thing i had to go with him because his back kept going into spasm. I have never seen him in so much pain, normally he can keep a lid on things but he was crying out in the Drs.

She think it is muscular and i agree, has prescribed codeine and diazepam and to continue with the ibruprofen and paracetemol.

Doesn't seem to have helped yet. She told him to keep moving if he can but at the moment he is binge watching Quest channel on the sofa with a hot water bottle on his back. I think it is just a matter of wait and see.

Lots of well meaning folk suggesting he goes to a chiropractor but we are skint and can't afford it. Although to be fair, i don't see how that would help with this acute back problem.

OP posts:
NeedACleverNN · 08/02/2016 13:10

I can sympathise with him.

I currently take diazepam and naproxen for back pain and most days it doesn't touch it. Currently seeing a physio who I swear is just a legal form of torture but so far it isn't helping

MatildaTheCat · 08/02/2016 13:13

For acute back spasm make sure he takes the diazepam three times a day for two to three days and that should get rid. Then think about finding the cause. The muscles go into this kind of spasm to protect an injury which obviously is still there even after the spasm subsides.

gleam · 08/02/2016 13:28

When I've had acute back pain, lying on the floor was the only position that helped.
Of course when you're down there, you've then got to get up at some point. Sad

Hope your dh's pain starts easing soon.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 08/02/2016 13:36

Has the GP referred him to a physio? I have back problems and seeing a physio does help. They can show him some exercises to help his back.

As this is a long standing problem has the GP ordered any scans e.g. MRI to see if there are any structural problems? I have structural problems with my spine and disc issues and pressure on the nerves seems to trigger muscle spasms and nerve pain.

Ibuprofen can be hard on the stomach if used long term (Naproxen etc. even more so) so if he needs to keep taking it ask the GP for something to protect his stomach like Omeprazole.

Tell him to keep moving gently as much as he can bear as sitting still may cause other muscles to stiffen up too.

Mama1980 · 08/02/2016 13:59

I suffer from acute long term back pain. (In my case I have severe structural damage) your dp has my sympathy, back pain is the worst.
If this is a flare up of a long term thing I would push ASAP for a MRI to check for structural issues which can trigger the spasms as your body tries to overcompensate.
Physio can help I would push for a referral there too, some exercises can really help when done on a regular basis, moving as much as possible is a must otherwise you just get everything seizing up everywhere. Standing or lying is generally recommended rather than sitting.
I'm prescribed diazepam, naproxen, gabapentin (this is a long term one) and several others in various combinations. On a bad day these will barely touch the pain but Diazepam taken regularly over 3 days or so should knock out the spasms. I hope he's feeling better soon.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 08/02/2016 16:47

BTW Feminax is actually Naproxen, so 2 Feminax = 1 naproxen

so until you try a doctor , this ,might help???

whatever happens, drug the man up!

Original poster
TheoriginalLEM · 08/02/2016 20:00

oh, i've drugged him alright - poor thing is off his face! still in pain though :(

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