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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not be able to put up with this pain

97 replies

MaintainTheMolehill · 02/10/2019 13:40

Hi sorry I'm getting desperate and losing my perspective so need some advice.
For almost 8 weeks I've suffered with lower back pain. I woke up one morning and it was there. It would last a couple of hours in the morning then twinges through the day then worse again at night. I went to the doctor who checked I could feel my legs and there was no numbness so prescribed 30/500 co codemal, naproxen and a low dose of diazempam.
I thought it had gone last week then on Monday morning this week when I woke I could barely walk. I went to the out of hours as it was a holiday here and the doctor there got the nurse to give me an injection in my bottom of what I think was dihydrocodeine (I was in too much pain to listen properly).
Nothing has helped and I'm struggling to cope but don't want to bother them again.

It feels like there is a heavy weight pushing me down and that all my internal organs are dragging down. Every step I take feels like my hips are going to snap.

Currently in tears at the thought of trying to get my shoes on to go and do the school run and the thought of the walk (a 10 minute walk now takes me 40 minutes of agony)

Is this normal with back pain? Is it just a case of riding it out? The only investigation they have carried out were urine samples and I've had the feeling that they don't understand why I am bothering them. AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
MaintainTheMolehill · 02/10/2019 13:45

My apologies that's a bit long Shock

OP posts:
Kazoofromhell · 02/10/2019 13:49

It sounds pretty extreme and I’d not hesitate in going back to the GP. If you are in agony and it’s not responding to the treatment they’ve given you you need to be seen. I have ongoing back problems but nothing like you’re describing.

Whatwouldbigfatfannydo · 02/10/2019 13:51

I'm sorry, I've no helpful advice. But I have fibromyalgia and this is how I feel 24/7 ( for the last 3 years - now exacerbated by co-morbidities). So I know how you feel, it takes over every aspect of life and is impossible to 'push through it' despite some expecting you to do so...

A walking aid could help in the meantime and push GP for further investigation. Pain that bad could indicate something serious or something that could be chronic.

Dontsayyouloveme · 02/10/2019 13:54

Please go and get seen again. ASAP. I don’t mean to panic you but you should be checked for this www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/cauda-equina-syndrome

Which can be extremely serious if undetected.

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 02/10/2019 13:57

That sounds like exactly what happened to me (including which meds I was put on)

I had what felt like an intense weight pushing me down, the pain, the inability to move etc.

What helped was physiotherapy. I got one appointment pretty quickly and they gave me three exercises to do 4 times a day and holy crap did that work well!

First one was to be done initially to help me do the rest later.
Stand sideways a foot away from a wall, feet together. Place your arm (elbow to fingertip) against the wall at waist height with hand pointing forwards. Sway/bend your hip to touch the wall 8 times. Turn and face the other way and repeat with your other side.

After a few days, when I was able to do that exercise easily I progressed to standing with feet apart, in line with my shoulders, hands on my lower back/top of my bum and I was to bend backwards to stretch out my back. I was to do that 8 times.

Final exercise was done on the floor, knees bent, feet flat on the floor and turning my legs to the left and then to the right, keeping my back flat on the floor.
It had taken over a week of the other exercises until I could actually get on the floor easily enough to do it.

Good luck.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 02/10/2019 13:59

You don’t want to bother them again.
I’m sorry but it’s what they get paid for and what you pay your National Stamp for.
If you’ve had it for 8 weeks. The chances are it’s not going to go away on its own.
You can’t go on in that sort of agony that’s for certain.
Have you got any anyone to go with you this time, to help you take in the information.
Flowers

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 02/10/2019 14:01

My dad had back ache which turned out to be a slipped disc.

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 02/10/2019 14:05

I'll just add, like you I had back pain that started out as twinges lasting a few hours, then a bit longer and after a month or two of this it eventually ended up as blinding agony leaving me screaming, unable to form a thought and complete inability to move after I sneezed. Just a single sneeze. 5 years later I'm still scared of sneezing. I thought I was going to die. The doctor came out, injected me and after a few hours I was able to stand and start taking the naproxen, codeine and diazepams.

I wish I had done something about it when it started as a bit of a sore back. The physio worked so well.

Original poster
MaintainTheMolehill · 02/10/2019 14:31

Thanks for your comments,

DamonSalvatoresDinner I will try those exercises thanks, you've given me hope that this will go away.

Whatwouldbigfatfannydo - My heart goes out to you as this sounds like one of the worst illnesses because of how some others view it. Excruciating pain that you have to just accept. I do feel like a walking aid would help as when I'm trying to walk I'm having to hold onto everything I can.

Awwlookatmybabyspider thanks I do have family or my husband that could come with me but I hate confrontation and they would get angry at the doctor if they try to fob me off. I may have to just be more forceful myself.

OP posts:
Notanotheruser111 · 02/10/2019 14:43

See a physio before you do any exercises. Depending on what is causing the pain you could make it worse.

For example I have a bulging disc in my lower back but it bulges a less common way so doing some of the exercises mentioned above is a big no no

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 02/10/2019 16:09

@Notanotheruser111 makes a good point about further injury and exercises. I would recommend seeing a physio anyway if you are able.
I assume that the doc did examine you though to possibly rule out slipped discs and whatnot. The vast majority of back pain that develops over time is usually muscle related. Your back gets a twinge and you change your sitting and standing positions which puts pressure on it which in turn makes it get worse and worse until boom! It's goes at once and you're buggered.

When my back went last year I called the doctor's surgery and instead of an appointment I was given a telephone number where a call centre person simply directed me to the NHS website that listed exercises. I never even got to speak to a doctor never mind a physiotherapist.

Original poster
MaintainTheMolehill · 02/10/2019 17:48

I'll wait to see the doctor again then and ask about exercises I can start asap.

Did anyone who had back pain also have issues holding in your pee? I've had 3 kids so it's never been great but seem to be wetting myself a bit a lot too, this is the pits Sad

OP posts:
SprogletsMum · 02/10/2019 17:52

You definitely need to get seen again. Tale a look at the link a PP posted.

Wolfiefan · 02/10/2019 17:54

@MaintainTheMolehill if you’re setting yourself you need to seek urgent attention. This is a red flag for causa equina. It needs attention ASAP.

Wolfiefan · 02/10/2019 17:54

Setting?
Wetting.

Dontsayyouloveme · 02/10/2019 17:54

OP you mentioned about wetting yourself. Did you check out the link I posted above about cauda equina syndrome? One of the major red flag symptoms is loss of control of bladder and/or bowel leading to incontinence.

Please get checked out. Just to put your mind at rest if nothing else.

glitterelf · 02/10/2019 17:57

Wetting yourself is a major red flag please call 111

ELM8 · 02/10/2019 17:57

Slightly controversial but if it's that bad (and I've had similar and really sympathise) then cut out the NHS/GP referral route as that's really hit or miss and takes too long, and go and see an osteopath.

I had this and found various GPs not very helpful at all. Went to see an Osteopath - hobbled in and pretty much walked out! Took about 4 sessions to get me back to normal but honestly it was like he was a miracle worker! Time was key for me as I basically couldn't walk, so if you are in the position to throw some money at the problem I would really suggest that!!

Original poster
MaintainTheMolehill · 02/10/2019 17:57

Sorry meant to say I had told the doctor this at the first appointment and when I saw out of hours. They didn't seem concerned.

OP posts:
Dontsayyouloveme · 02/10/2019 17:57

And get checked out a matter of extreme urgency. If it is cauda equina, time is of the essence.

Dontsayyouloveme · 02/10/2019 17:58

It’s progressive, you need to get checked out again ASAP

Hawkmoth · 02/10/2019 17:59

Yes OP, this is quite urgent.

Oly4 · 02/10/2019 17:59

There is no way I would put up with this.. demand further tests rather than just painkillers.

Oly4 · 02/10/2019 18:01

And I agree you should read the above link and ask them if they are sure it isn’t that. Mention loss of bladder control

Original poster
MaintainTheMolehill · 02/10/2019 18:04

I don't think the gp was that concerned because they checked and I wasn't numb anywhere and it's not total loss, basically every so often some pee comes out, I don't know I'm needing to pee until that happens. I have read the link but don't understand why 2 different doctors aren't concerned about it.

OP posts: