I Fell over, now have lower back pain and left leg in pain - is this sciatica ,?

[josben]

And how long does it last ,?

i’ve been in bed the last 2 days , as I also bruised my chest, so feeling pretty rotten.

I’ve been taking codeine and ibuprofen but i know i can only take those for 3 days .

Not sure what i can / should be doing now ,?

TIA

See your gp. Don't bother with A&E just a massive waste of time/taxi money. Ibuprofen gel helps ibuprofen taken often can give you a stomach ache.

It could be a trapped nerve, but best to see a physio or consult your GP or pharmacist to be sure. Staying in bed is likely to make it worse, gentle movement and massage would be more helpful.

Thanks for your messages - i slipped over and fell forward , flat on to the right side of my chest, so that feels very bruised which i think i making me feel more unwell ... i have tried a bit of walking - but this ends up as shuffling ! i also had a shower this afternoon and this completely took it out of me .. Will call doctors on monday if no better

Call 111 for advice

Poor you, falling over is the pits.

As it's Friday, I'd ring 111 but be prepared to ring the GP on Monday.

Might be best to try to keep moving (around the house) rather than lying in bed all day but obviously pace yourself. Your body is probably in shock. I fell over in the summer (hard on my knee and hand) and pulled something in my back. Took me quite a few weeks to get over it.

I'd get myself to urgent care. Get checked out. I'm no doctor but just in case you've broken a rib.

Try applying cold to the tender area on your back to reduce any swelling. 10 minutes once an hour. Packet of frozen peas in a tea towel - but don't wrap it up so much that the cold doesn't get through. Treat it a bit like a sprain. Definitely take pain killers so you can keep mobile. You could also try putting a rolled towel in the small of your back when you sit/lie down - shift it round to get it comfyish. I've slipped a disc and trapped my sciatic nerve 2/3 times now - personally I found a chiropractor was a God send. Physio wasn't much help for me.

Also, try and keep your back straight, no bending. Bend/crouch with your knees if you need to pick something up; slide to the front of a chair and push yourself up with your legs, don't use your back. Sit up as straight as you can, using the rolled up towel to support your back and your bum right at the back of the chair. If you can drive, don't bend to get in/out of the car, sit on the edge of the seat and swivel both legs in/out.

It will take a week or so to tell. It possible that you've shifted a couple of discs in your lumber region and this is impinging on your sciatic nerve. It could also be bruising which will reduce in due course.

I'd suggest ibuprofen 200mg 3 x after meals. Book an appointment with GP. Find a good local chiropractor, they will be able to very gently nudge your spine back into the right shape. Finally do Pilates.

Best of luck.

Thank you for your kind messages , i just spoke to 111 and they think it might be sciatica and advised painkillers and keep moving a bit . so feel better having spoken to them

Get well soon!

The big worry with back and leg pain is something called Cauda Equina Syndrome so watch out for that www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/cauda-equina-syndrome-overview#1