Should I see doctor

[existentialpain]

I don't know whether I should wait and I'm making a big deal out of this.

Five days ago I woke up in the morning barely able to move my back. I was in agony. Felt like I'd been kicked in the small of my back by a horse and the pain was radiating out constantly.

Monday was even worse, couldn't even get dressed, barely able to get to bathroom, and taking care of business post toilet was a nightmare as I couldn't twist or bend well.

Tuesday seemed better but relief short lived. Wednesday onwards worse again, in a lot of pain, I tried gentle stretches (as recommended by many websites) but that has seemed to worsen the pain. Tried pain gel, painkillers, hot water bottles, baths.

I don't feel well with it. Tired, weak, generally ugh.

The general consensus from what I've read seems to be to let back pain improve on its own but it could last weeks.

I don't want to waste NHS resources. Currently thinking if no better by Monday I will get an appointment (if I can!) but not sure if they will just tell me to do what I'm doing!

I can barely sit down properly so I'm worried. Never done my back in like this. I don't think it's kidney related as it feels muscular.

I'm early 40s if relevant.

Would you think it unreasonable to phone doctor on Monday? Or leave it longer and see if it gets better naturally.

See a doctor asap.

Back pain is the worst. My DH, also in his 40’s at the time, woke up similarly one day - nothing obvious done to damage his back, but agony to move.

He soldiered on for a day or two hoping it would get better on its own. He ending up knocking himself unconscious when he fainted from the pain in the middle of the night going to the loo.

He cracked his head on the side of the bath. In some ways that helped because 111 told us to get to A&E to get his head checked out.

Nothing wrong with his head fortunately but as a result he was given pain management and referred to physio for help to sort out the back pain.

My advice book an osteopath, likely to give you the right exercises for the pain or source the cause of the pain. A Gp on the other hand is likely to just tell to take over the counter pain killers and give you more generic advice. Best money I ever spent on healthcare.