Severe backpain - medication has made such a difference

[smackapacca]

Hi - I've been having terrible back spasms for about 10 days now. I usually go to the chiropractor to get 'cracked' back into shape. at £34 a session, i didn't fancy paying.

I went to the GP - got a referral for physio (just the 10 weeks to wait!) but also got diazepam amongst other painkillers. These all cost £22.20, so not cheap but what a relief!

I have never had such instant results.

I just thought I'd share!

Diazepam is fab for back pain as it is a muscle relaxant. Unfortunately it also makes me zone out to the point of not functioning. I feel great and less pain but unable to do a thing. When you are unable to move due to severe back pain this is not an issue is it ? .

Had severe back pain over christmas period. Unfortunately due to DH being away, guests from USA to see to, and little children to look after, GP said 'i wont give you any diazepam this time' probably for the best

I am glad you feel better, have sincere sympathies for you as I know how horrible it is. Hope it is nothing serious long term.

Thank-you I do feel as if I could have a little snooze now...

I'm just amazed at the speed of the medication getting to work.

Everything in my life requires me to be physically involved; job, children, housework etc. I do really hope it isn't anything more sinister being masked by the meds.

The thing with diazepam is it is ace. And so ace it is highly addictive. I expect your GP gave you around 5mg, 3 times a day for probably no more than 5 days? they are known as 'mothers little helper'

Yes - that's exactly what I got!

I was so hoping that this thread was going to be something magical!

Diazepam is quite lovely stuff though, hope your back is better soon :)

Thank-you. At present, I think Diazepam is magical!

well, you would, currently

I know what you mean about everything being so physical too, little things like empting the dishwasher, automatically picking a 2yo wanting a cuddle up, swinging up onto hip - i regret that every time!

But, funnily enough, in my sit down job, which involves a lot of computer work, that is making it worse. I am having to stand up and type from time to time atm as it nags my sciatic nerve if I sit for too long, and I also get a actual pain in the backside not metaphoric

Oh interesting about computer work. Have you had occ health involved?

Yes waiting for first appt. already been given an ortho chair that was spare while waiting for appt and suggestions from oh to come through. Luckily this time it back went while I was on the start of two weeks annual leave so only had one week off work with it before I could return. But it is still not back to normal, after now 6wks. But pain manageable with simple pain releif now.

How is your back this morning. Do keep taking the diazepam even if back feels ok as it will give a chance for whatever problem is there to sort itself out and you get to chill out a bit!

Don't let the fact that it isn't hurting make you forget you have a back problem though.

Thank-you. Slept really soundly last night. It's a bit achy this morning, but nothing like it was. I do plan to continue with all meds for a while yet.

I think I'm going to be more 'aware' about lifting/twisting etc but it's tricky to remember all the time.

I think I overdosed on meds this morning. I feel so drowsy and nauseous. Going back to bed to try and sleep it off.

Do you have codeine? That can make you feel sick, esp if taken on empty stomach. some NSAIDs can cause irritation of the stomach if taken regularly on empty stomach. Try eating something if you can.

Hope you are feeling better soon. Hope your back is ok today too.

Yes - cocodamol. I did take it on an empty stomach. I'm so stupid! I slept all morning. I could go back to bed now if I didn't have to go out tonight. Zzzz

Eat something which will line your stomach like yoghurt, then codeine (you need to do this with ibuprofen too, if you're also taking that).

DIazepam is lovely. I enjoyed Zydol in a strange way too, it put me on another planet, but as it also made my upper body numb, got my whole scalp tingling and made me completely incoherent, the gp took me off it.

Many thanks. Just woke up from another snooze. Have taken NSAID. Fingers crossed I'll be ok