Argh! Bloody back pain!

[Pomegranatepotato]

I’m probably not explaining this very well but i’ve never had back pain before and I’m completely clueless with it!

for the last few weeks I’ve been having a really weird sensation in my back. I don’t think I’d describe it as painful but it’s extremely extremely sharply uncomfortable. It sort of feels like a jolt of electricity. It starts completely out of nowhere and I cannot move at all or else the discomfort gets worse. Eventually it passes after a few minutes. I probably get it 2-3 times a day. It’s definitely not indigestion (I’ve had that before and this feels so different). The discomfort is usually around the back area (although it’s not always in the same place in my back, it changes) and occasionally the feeling goes down my right leg

nothing seems to trigger it, it just starts randomly and I haven’t injured or hurt my back recently either. It’s happening more often now and it’s really annoying me

I know my explanation is pretty shit does anyone know what this could be or have any experience or advice? TIA 🙂

Sounds like a nerve pain, and with it going down a leg it sounds very much like sciatica!

Trapped nerve? Try lying on your back on your bed, one pillow. Gently stretch one leg just a few cms longer than the other, relax it, then do the same with the other. The aim is to be able to push the heel down as far as it can comfortably go, probably just a few cms to start with.
Speak to a pharmacist about anything like Iboprofen gel that might help.

If it doesn’t improve in a week or so it’s a dr or chiropractor.

I'd say either sciatica, or a slipped disc. You can have both.

Few years back, I was turning to get out of my car and an indescribable pain ripped through my body from my lower back. Like an electric shock, the worst pain I'd ever felt. I could not move, every time I did the pain jolted through me.

I was hysterical in tears, sat in car, called my colleagues as I was lunch and they had to come and get me out of the car and home.

Was then diagnosed with a slipped lumbar disc after an MRI. That was 7 years ago. I keep that pain at bay with ice packs, deep tissue massages, kinesiology tape, stretching, occasional chiropractor and acupuncture and tiger balm.

Is recommend if it persists to see your GP. My suggestions above should help in meantime. You have my genuine sympathies. It's horrible.

You need a chiropractor. Mine can bring me from absolute agony (back) to pain free in 15 minutes.

ZombiePara · Today 00:28

Sounds like a nerve pain, and with it going down a leg it sounds very much like sciatica!

I'd tend to agree, especially with the electric shock feelings.

28January · Today 01:21

You need a chiropractor.

I have to disagree strongly, sorry! I went to one, when I first had a slipped disc. He turned it from agony into unbearably excruciating and barely able to walk. I went back and he said that it sometimes happened, then did the same thing with the same result.

You might have a tarlov cyst.

It sounds similar to a slipped disc in spasm. I do Pilates exercises every day to stretch back and strengthen core. I have a support brace for when it's bad.

id agree with nerve pain and also with not going to a chiropractor.

I've had back pain on and off for years, and the "electric shock" feeling strongly suggests nerve pain of the sort brought on by sciatica. Mine can even appear unexpectedly in the foot or hand. At its worst it has made me bedridden for several days. In my case it's brought on by a bulging disk in the L5 lumbar region, but the potential causes are many and varied.

Please see your doctor about it and be extremely pushy about getting a lower back MRI - they'll probably fob you off saying it usually goes after a week or two. They'll be correct, but it absolutely will come back. The earlier the issue is addressed the less likely you'll end up like many of us with chronic, and sometimes severe, pain.

And why people say rubbish like "see chiropractor" just because it's helped them is beyond me. It's a form of "survivor bias" and could easily cause more damage. You must go through medics who can properly assess the cause.

Good luck - I think you're probably going to need it. To reiterate be extremely pushy.

Please go to see a physiotherapist - private is faster and you will be able to ask for someone who specialises in low back pain.

They will give you a diagnosis that will help with any scans. Scans can be misleading unless there's a clinical verification of the level of damage - if any.

You may well be cured by the specific exercises a physio can give you - which will be specific for your diagnosed condition.

And yes, not a chiropractor - just search 'Myles Power chiropractic' for all the reasons why.

This is one of those threads that make me so, so happy that I no longer live in the UK. The ignorance is breathtaking.