To ask when you would seek help for severe back pain?

[TheFloorisYours]

I’m in a lot of pain with my lower back on the right side just above my glutes. It feels like a tight or trapped nerve but I can’t be sure. Definitely doesn’t feel like sciatica as I get no shooting pains in my legs.

If I’m lying flat and I raise my right leg or even just turn my foot upwards , I get a sharp pain in the right side above my glute. When I stand I get an adrenaline rush and then the area seems to throb or pulsate before it tightens and the pain kicks in.

I’m on painkillers but I can barely walk! I’m shuffling standing up along the floor but I’m getting sharp pains up my back. I’m close to tears

My GP just told me to try some exercises which I’ve been doing but they aren’t helping they make me more stiff. I’ve been like this for nearly a week but the pain is definitely worse today .

When do I go back to the GP?

As soon as you notice bladder issues contact your gp immediately and stress that it’s bladder and back pain. It’s one of the things that’s been drummed into me after a slipped disc at any of my appointments I’ve had.

Get in touch with your GP again, after a week any muscle strain should be improving. Muscle spasms are best treated with muscle relaxant or anti spasmodic sand you may need an urgent referral for a scan if you are noticing changes with bladder control. Loss of feeling is not straight forward you may not feel pins and needles and early loss of feeling in CE is quite subtle.
I had major problem last year and although sciatica was diagnosed it is actually more complex. I had lost quite a lot of weight and nerve pain was the result of loss of fatty cushion around the nerves in the area. My body has got used to fat loss so is improving. It is further complicated by large fibroids which are causing pressure on the nerves in my pelvic cavity.

I’ve tried pottering a bit but the pain is just immense

I think it is in spasm as I can feel throbbing when I stand. I’m taking codeine and paracetamol.

Earlier today I could lie down pain free but now there are just waves of pain across my lower pack and I have aching in my glutes and in my outer thighs.

When I need to pee, I need to pee quickly similar to when you have cystitis but I can still feel everything .

The pain makes me shout out —fuck—

It's not necessarily numbness that means you can't feel anything. It's any change in sensation or tone. Maybe call 111 just to be on the safe side.