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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to contact GP again so quickly?

26 replies

Namechanged36 · 21/12/2017 07:38

I'm in agony , real agony! My lower back - started hurting on Monday and seems to be getting worse.

Solpadeine made no discernible difference.

I couldn't get a face to face GP appointment yesterday but had a telephone appointment.

He prescribed 20mg diazepam and some co-codamol.

I've been taking these since lunchtime yesterday.

Still in absolute agony. Woke up several times in the night shouting in pain. Finding it difficult to walk.

Moving from sitting/ lying to standing is almost impossible.

Is there any point contacting GP again? I know it's almost impossible to do anything about backs.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 21/12/2017 07:41

20mg diazepam Shock are you sure it's not 2mg?

Did you have an accident or do something that caused the pain?

Slartybartfast · 21/12/2017 07:42

go for it. what you have had already should have cured it.
did you have a prognosis?

cakeymccakington · 21/12/2017 07:43

Can you get to an urgent treatment/ walk in centre?

I've had horrendous back pain that turned out to be a kidney infection...

I would definitely want a face to face consultation

kaytee87 · 21/12/2017 07:44

I don't think it should have 'cured it' already. We don't even know what's wrong with it.
I had a spasm about 6 weeks ago that took at least 5 days to get better.

ginnybag · 21/12/2017 07:46

Have you had any sort of actual exam? If not, I would think you need to be seen, so perfectly okay to ring.

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 21/12/2017 08:20

Yes I did mean 2mg. Hahaha. At least 20 might knock me out!

OP posts:
Whizziwig · 21/12/2017 08:23

When DH had pain like this it was a slipped disc. If you can't get an appointment can you get a private physio appointment (although expensive)?

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 21/12/2017 08:25

No I didn't do anything to it. Had a virus last week and spent a couple of days mostly in bed.
I thought it was that - seized up through lack of mobility- but seems to be getting worse.

OP posts:
Groovee · 21/12/2017 08:26

I saw my gp in similar circumstances and was able to get an urgent referral to physio

RMC123 · 21/12/2017 08:52

Go for it. It's heading towards the crazy holiday season and if you haven't actually been examined you should be.

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 21/12/2017 08:57

Do you have any pee or poo issues or leaning?

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 21/12/2017 08:57

Leaking

kaytee87 · 21/12/2017 08:58

If you haven't actually been seen and it's getting worse then I'd say you should try to get an appointment. It should be getting better, not worse.

Crumbs1 · 21/12/2017 09:03

Mechanical back injuries take up to six weeks to improve. They aren’t cured by drugs but drugs make them more tolerable. You’ve got quite a lot of medication- most suggest ibruprofen or other anti inflammatory.
We’re you given exercises to do? They are what really makes a difference. If not, download off the internet. A good physio should just show you the exercises because the correct treatment is keep moving, do specific exercises and allow to get better over time.

Delatron · 21/12/2017 09:36

There's only so much a gp can do though. You need to see a physio urgently.
I know it can be expensive but £50 to get a correct assessment and treatment plan is worth it. They will be able to say exactly what the problem is and how to treat it. Also if it's a medical emergency they will refer you to hospital.

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 21/12/2017 09:37

Thanks everyone.
No wee or poo issues.

I haven't been given any exercises. It eases a bit when I'm walking. It's moving from one position to another that brings on the boiling hot sword through my spine feeling.

I can't take anti-inflamatories for other health reasons.

I am probably being impatient. And worrying about the next week if I'm feeling like this.

OP posts:
DancingLedge · 21/12/2017 09:42

Another vote for private physio.
You'll wait a while for NHS physio..And they're reluctant to do the hands on, let's massage this muscle and get it unspasmed stuff, which can be essential.

MatildaTheCat · 21/12/2017 09:43

Are you resting? As a very long term back pain sufferer I have to say that your GP wont be able to do much more at this stage. 95% of back pain self resolves after a maximum of six weeks and there is no magic wand. If you could take anti inflammatory meds he would have offered them.

Give it several days of rest and regular meds regardless of your pain level. Don’t take to your bed but do just potter. A valid sitting for any length of time and try both heat and ice, you will prefer one or the other.

Try some very gentle stretches and get everyone else to help. It sucks, it really does but your gp won’t be able to do much more. Google Red Flags with back pain and if they develop seek medical advice ASAP.

twiney · 21/12/2017 09:46

Guess what, I had the same thing as you're describing and got prescribed the same drugs. NHS solution to everything.

I moved abroad and my GP automatically referred me for x-rays. Turns out i have severe scoliosis and degenerated vertebrae in lower back.

Go back and demand xrays.

twiney · 21/12/2017 10:30

Also you know what diazepam is right @Namechanged36 ? Valium. I experienced massive withdrawl symptoms coming off that plus the codeine.

I think its really sad that had I stayed in the UK and continued seeing that GP, I would still just be on the drugs and my condition unknown

Bombardier25966 · 21/12/2017 10:42

Go back and demand xrays

At this stage she would be laughed out the door. The NHS does not have the resources to be giving xrays (that won't even show up a nerve issue) to anyone that has had back pain for a few days.

Bombardier25966 · 21/12/2017 10:45

Also you know what diazepam is right @Namechanged36 ? Valium. I experienced massive withdrawl symptoms coming off that plus the codeine.

You're not going to get massive withdrawal symptoms from a short course of low dose diazepam.

Are you always this melodramatic?

kaytee87 · 21/12/2017 11:11

Also you know what diazepam is right @Namechanged36 ? Valium. I experienced massive withdrawl symptoms coming off that plus the codeine.

That's very unusual when used for pain.

For the past 6 weeks until a couple of days ago I've been on codeine/tramadol/oromorph/diazepam and various other things on different days due to back spasm then broken ankle/leg and I've had absolutely no problems with stopping them or withdrawals.

Original poster
Namechanged36 · 21/12/2017 13:35

Yes thanks twiney I do know what diazepam is, and as others have said I am not concerned about withdrawal risk if taking it for a few days.

Thanks for the sympathy and advice MatildaTheCat I am keeping mobile and just need to be patient. I'll keep taking the meds and see how I am after Christmas.

OP posts:
Rossigigi · 21/12/2017 14:21

It sounds like a slipped disc or a back spasm (I've both so sympathise). When I first done it. (Car accident), I was prescribed diazepam, zapain and ibuprofen (the strong prescription based I think they were 300mg).
Mine didn't settle down, (at this stage I was told it was just back pain from the accident) and I was back and forth the GP, who then kept referring me to A&E, etc.
They then put me on gabapentin and morphine which did help. It took 3 months until they admitted me and done an MRI (because nothing shows on x-Ray obviously) which then showed my discs had prolapsed.
Despite my ever growing list of medication (currently takejing 32 tablets a day!) the best thing I found was acupuncture if you can access it. I've been had numerous physio sessions, but nothing touched it like the needles. Although I remember my consultant laughing and saying he doesn't understand how sticking a needle in you helps pain- 2 years later it was introduced in our area on the NHS lol.
But in the mean time, try and move about as much as possible, try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs, I find a hot bath helps- not everyone does, and if you are bending, bend correctly at the knees not from the waist.
Just be mindful of red flags if it is a slipped disc- any numbness in your genital area, for example when wiping after a wee, needs urgent medical attention- an A&E job.
But honestly I feel for you. I'm having surgery in the new year on my spine after a 3 year wait- I'm praying that the pain will go. No one can appreciate the pain level unlesss they've experienced it- I'd give birth 6x's a day over it!