To take more painkillers...

[KevinTheKoala]

I have twisted my back, I know it's nothing serious I only leant down to pick something up but I am in agony. I left it for a week before ringing the GP who prescribed 5mg diazepam and co-cocodamol and said that they should take away all the pain. It's been 4 days since I started taking them and they still barely touch the pain, even with ibuprofen in between, does anyone know if I could I take another diazepam to take the dose up to 10mg or if that would even work. I am in so much pain and just can't get comfortable, I've tried heat rub and hot water bottles as well and just want some relief.

After a week and 4 days of pain I'd speak to a physiotherapist! It could be a trapped nerve or something torn.

10mg is still a prescribed dose. If you'd got in touch with the GP they would have upped your dose. So if needed I would take the extra.

If you are taking full dose of the meds regularly and are still in agony you need to call 111 for advice. Taking the pain to zero is unrealistic but it should be at least bearable if you are resting.

Sympathy, it’s awful.

Nope, Google bus back physio exercises and don't put heat on it.

Ah ffs bus = nhs. Feels like a bus sometimes though I agree.

Don’t take more diazepam or co-codamol without speaking to a dr or other health professional. After 4 days it’s not entirely abnormal to still be in a great deal of pain but it is also the point that o would be calling the gp again and saying things hadn’t improved.

How many times a day are you taking the diazepam?

Are you keeping a diary of when you have taken your meds and ensuring they are spread out through the day? Its easy to forget when you took what without logging it.

I'd either speak to GP again, 111 or book in with an osteopath. My osteopath has worked absolute wonders for me in the past.

I would take the extra tonight so you can try to get some sleep and speak to 111 tomorrow. I’d also definitely be seeing an osteopath urgently. The GP should be examining you if you’re in this much pain after 11 days? You could have slipped disc or something.

I take the diazepam 3 times a day and the co-codamol 4 times a day spread out by 4 hours, and ibuprofen 2 hours after the co-codamol. Not keeping a diary though.

The GP was only a phone appointment so no examination, I will try and phone them again on Monday.

Ask for some some Naproxen. Worked wonders for my bad back

Are you doing any exercises to help your back pain?
Youtube has lots of exercise videos for back pain.

How active & mobile are you being -- light activity is usually part of the best recovery strategy.

Painkillers aren't fixing it, I think you're saying to us.

@KevinTheKoala you are better off booking a physio or an osteopath for back pain. GP didn't examine when I've seen them, just handed over diazepam.

You need another Dr's appointment, as the pain isn't being lessened by the painkillers prescribed. How many cocodamol are you taking? 1or 2?

We're you prescribed 30/500 cocodamol? You can get over the counter 400mg ibuprofen. Together with the diazapam it should take the edge off at least.

I have a back injury that will mean I'm on medication for probably the rest of my life, it sounds like you need a face to face appointment so you can be examined. If no luck with your Dr on Monday, please call 111 and tell them what happened, what you've been prescribed and that it isn't working. I hope you feel relief soon.

I agree with naproxen. But dont take with ibuprofen as they are both anti inflammatory.

You could see if the gp would give you dihydrocodeine which you can take with 1g paracetamol. Very effective but potentially addictive!

Sorry for your pain but don't understand why you're asking strangers and not out of hours medical advice?.seek professional help asap hope something does work,there are lots of gels and lotions too ,ask your pharmacist,there should be one open tomorrow morning.Good luck.
Ps if you're prescribed some cream with chilli in by your gp,be very sparing with it,it's unbearably hot!

It was late when I asked on here and I know that 111 generally have very long waiting times and I would be waiting for a call back to likely be told they couldn't do anything as I've already spoken to a GP. I am taking 2x 30/500 co-codamol and I'm still having to run around after my young children one of which is potty training so I'm still fairly active.

it's good you're keeping active.

I truly do recommend the Youtube exercises. Just do ones you can do without feeling worse for it.

You have my full sympathy this is agony I scream when it happens to me, it can take a good week for the pain to go away completely. Yes I’d take extra tonight.

How are you doing today op? I hope you're feeling a bit better

Ask for nerve pain medication to go along with normal pain relief. Pregabalin takes weeks to build up in your body so, start soon! :)

I'm still in alot of pain today, I have found the diazepam and cocodamol taken before bed are helping me to sleep though which is an improvement at least. I will be ringing the GP back tomorrow and asking for something else.