To not be able to put up with this pain

[MaintainTheMolehill]

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?

I would go back to GP ASAP. I experienced similar pain with the onset being sudden. I went to physio who has helped immensely, however she could help me because I had no bladder or bowel isssues.
Good luck OP it is agony .

OP - I see others have mentioned it and I want to support them: wetting yourself is NEVER normal with back pain. It is a huge, HUGE red flag for cauda equina, and worth an A&E visit as early intervention could spare a lifetime of bladder and bowel problems. Please seek urgent attention. The amount of pain you were mentioning was already not normal and could be something spinal, but with wetting yourself, it goes into the “get seen NOW” category and definitely mention wetting yourself. It’s so very important.

Sorry as I don’t want to be an alarmist, but I have a friend who has ongoing issues from cauda equina because she didn’t get early intervention.

If you're having continence issues you absolutely must be looked at again ASAP. Cauda Equina isn't something that can be ignored.

Definitely see your gp. As previously mentioned cauda equina is very serious. I am in a similar boat. I had a years worth of excruciating sciatica and lower back pain, had morphine amongst several other things for most of that year, barely 2 hours sleep in every 24, crying rocking during the night to try and alleviate pain. I walked with a stick. I had an operation which until recently I would say worked. I have had sciatica ever since but at a low cope able level. Max of 5 out of 10. Its now all returning, my sciatica is getting much worse again and my vertebrae at the base of my spine is grinding more. I am seeing spinal surgeon /consultant later in the month. I'm scared to be honest, i don't want another operation and intend on asking for the nerve to be severed. I urge you to see your gp etc if you need to. Your back is a delicate thing and needs looking after. Please take care of yourself. And a stick could be very useful. I am using a stick again and it's really helpful as my leg is weak.

Agree with the others. It's not standard back pain like I had. Bladder control loss is a worry. Back to the GP you go.

Im an A+E nurse. Uncontrollable pain warrants an A+E trip, you need to rule cauda equina. Please go to your local A+E.

100% DEFINITLEY mention losing control of your bladder. This is a huge red flag and warrants a neurological review.

You've mentioned wetting yourself.

A and E. Now.

This can be an indicator of cauda equina and requires urgent assessment.

After your update about wetting yourself a bit I agree A&E. You absolutely need this checking out for the reasons PPs have mentioned.

Another vote for A&E.

I think they do an MRI if they suspect cauda equina.

Go again and keep going until they run the correct scans. Otherwise they'll think they fixed it.

I'm literally going through the exact same things at the moment, went to the doctor in May and it took until September to be referred to physio. They woulď do nothing else for me at all at the GO other than painkillers. My back went into spasm last week when I literally couldn't stand up, just more meds, you nèed to keep an eye out for causa equina when it you show any symptoms then it's A and E immediately.

I ended up paying for an osteopath for my first session tonight as other than waiting for an MRI as i can't even do the exercises the physio had suggested. Best of luck OP, it is agony but keep calling about getting referred as soon as you can,no wish you all the best and take care of yourself .

Oh and also an ice pack on your back for 15 mins out out of the hour , no more than 15 mins

Not normally one to say this, but in your case, yes, A&E immediately as your wetting yourself. That's burned into my brain from when I had back pain!

Hope you are ok OP. Do let us know how you’re getting on if you can. X x

Hope you are ok OP

YABU.. NOT to go back to the GP or if the pain is at this level and you are losing control of your bladder to not even consider A&E as the GPs don't seem to be doing anything.

You need to get yourself back to the GP at least and become "politely forceful" if they try and fob you off.

I know what it's like to live with chronic pain as I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and it's out of control at the moment. Nobody in this day and age should have to be like you are.

I know it’s hard and you are in agony but you must persist with the GP

My back pain started after abdo surgery and what nailed it was

Physio and core
A few osteo appts to get the pain down
Naproxen
Weight losss (2 stone)
Getting fitter

But ultimately physio fixed it

Get an appt
Get some decent painkillers and get a referral or just pay for it

But it can be fixed . Have hope

I hope you’re doing okay today, OP

I hope you are feeling a bit better. You should like the PPs suggest at least have a scan to rule out Cauda equine.

If you cleared for that I’d say your back pain is causing incontinence because your probably holding all the muscles in the area including your pelvic floor in constant tension because of the pain. If everything is tense it doesn’t work as well which means you can become incontinent.

OP I hope you have taken the advice and gone to A&E.

I have lower back pain through an inoperable prolapsed disc and any time I see anyone new - doctor, physio, consultant - one of the first things they ask is do I have any loss of bladder or bowel control? (I don't, thankfully). That's because it is, as PPs have said, a symptom of cauda equina which would need urgent treatment. Don't be fobbed off and don't downplay your symptoms. Hope you get sorted

OP, I'm adding my voice to the excellent advice here and see either your GP if you can get an emergency appointment, or go to A&E. I was going to ask about incontinence because that was the symptom of my deteriorating back problem that pushed my GP to raise big red flags.

I have severe spinal stenosis, lumbar vertebrae 1, 2 and 3. I've also had three episodes of cauda equina syndrome. I have that awful heavy dragging feeling too, as well as a vile biting pain that can take my breath away although I'm on a very high dosage of strong opioids.

Don't let your GP fob you off with antidepressants like amitriptylene (often good for peripheral nerve pain), you need an MRI scan for diagnosis.

Please also don't do any spine-related exercises until you have a definite diagnosis. Take care of yourself, speed is essential here. Sometimes I wish the bionic Vet, Noel Fitzpatrick could work his skills on human patients.

Wishing you well.

Please go to a&e. I had cauda equina

To add I had no bladder or bowel issues but still had it. I was operated on immediately and had a 5hr op to fix the mess of my back!

I'm currently in the same situation but only 2 weeks in

Yes to everyone else who said go to A&E, bladder and bowel were the first questions I've been asked by Dr and A&E

I originally was prescribed co codomol 30/500 and naproxen

I went back yesterday and was also prescribed amitriptyline, to take before bedtime, and this morning was the first day that I didn't cry getting out of bed

GP also referred me to physio with next appt being end of October so I paid to see someone this morning

They asked lots and lots of questions, moved me into lots of different positions to see exactly what was causing the pain (I can lift my knees up fine but putting my chin towards my chest is excruciating) he did some massage, used a vibrating pad thing and then did something to 'click' my hips.

I felt drunk and lightheaded when he'd finished

The pain has come back this afternoon but to a lesser extent

If you can afford to see someone privately I would definitely recommend

I really hope you've been to A&E and all ok

Thanks you everyone for your comments and I apologise for not answering sooner. I couldn't go to A&E as they are currently running a campaign telling people in the area that the department is only for life threatening symptoms or accidents such as burns or broken bones. They have said that they will turn away anyone who comes with anything else

The pain really improved yesterday, it was almost gone (although the incontinence cintinued) however I've woke up this morning again in agony, unable to walk properly and tried to get ready for Uni (I've been off since last Friday). I've had to give up and email my tutor to explain.

I'm phoning the doctor at 8 to try to get an emergency appointment but I know they will just ask the same questions, do the same checks and send me home with more of the same painkillers. I don't know how much longer I can do this for.