Back is in bits, unbearable pain, 6month old to look after..help!

[holytoast]

Hi all, havent posted here before, I have a 6month old DD, and a disc bulge in my lower back, had it for years, it flares up every so often. This week it has been unbearable, I was in a small car accident and plus we moved our DD to her own room, combination of that over the week has made it happen again, nearly impossible to bend and lift anything, have shooting pains down my legs just sitting, and walking is ok..if I can hold onto things - coming downstairs with my DD this morning was not a pleasant experience. I have ibuprofen, paracetamol, ibuprofen gel, and will be putting ice on in a mo...is there anything else I can do to make this bearable, hubby away for work, everyone else at work so cant get any help. Luckily DD is fairly undemanding, but she is also rolling everywhere, so I keep having to right her when she gets stuck.

I was in tears yesterday with this, so miserable, just feel useless.

I was in same situ several years ago and this is what I found helpful although you will probably be doing all of them anyway:

Nappy changes on floor; pop a blanket on floor for her to roll around on and if she falls asleep there then lay down next to her.
Get as much stuff together on the same floor that you can so you dont have to keep tackling the stairs.

Hot water bottle on your back or those heat patches that you stick to your clothes - do you have a tens machine - it may take the edge off the pain?

Try and lie on your front and lift your head and shoulders up gently - my physio said this helps change the shape of the spine to allow the disc fluid to move back a little.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks, have tried the exercise - seems to help a bit, hadn't heard of that before. has eased a bit, just hate sitting around all day, plus it makes it worse in the long run. off to osteopath tomorrow, if I can get myself there!

luckily DD love her, must have realised or something - slept for 1.5 hrs this morning rather than her usual 45mins, which meant I could go back to bed for a bit.

Why not go to GP and get a stronger anti inflammatory drug? I had back problems for years and once it was bad it was hard to undo as my back was in spasm. Stronger anti inflammatory drugs calm it all down and let you recover more quickly. You don't have to take them long term, but they're mighty useful for emergencies.

I may do that...I am just about coping with the ibuprofen, but am also breastfeeding, so not sure what I can have really. Plus GP has been worse than useless, told me I should just get my back rubbed by my DH, that would sort it out. I couldn't put my jeans on without help at the time, so think he was a little dismissive.

Holytoast you poor thing - smee has made some good suggestions but I realise its tricky when you are bf and on your own - DH suffers too and has a prescription for something akin to horse tranquilisers which are great for the pain but might knock you out and leave you unable to care for your DD.

Could you try and find a childminder who might take on some emergency care to give you a couple of hours a day without your DD to rest?

Thanks for all the suggestions - as it happens, DD is going to a childminder as I am meant to be going into work today and tomorrow as am starting back next week - bloody bad timing! Am just about coping with lots of ice and what painkillers I can take, going to try today, might have to give tomorrow a miss though.
Going to try the docs, but i might have to check anything he gives me on here first, or at the pharmacy, don't trust him not to give me something I'm not allowed!
Thanks all, it has eased a bit today, we shall see...

If you go to the Docs, why not ask him what he thinks long term. You don't want to go on like this forever, with it coming back time and time again. Can't he refer you for assessment to a physio? That's the first stage where we live in terms of finding a treatment plan.