Back pain - so fed up

[mumofjust1]

I've had back pain for the last 3 weeks.

It started right in the middle of my spine, at waist level and has now moved down so the the bottom of my back, hip level is really painful and more to the right.

I can't stand up straight when I get up from a sitting position - my back kind of "locks" when I'm 3/4 of the way up, then I have to stop and straighten up the rest of the way slowly.

I called the Dr after the first week of back pain as it's not the type of back pain I've had before. She diagnosed it as muscular over the phone and prescribed naproxen and co dydramol along with omeprazole to protect my stomach. After taking 3 of the naproxen I had an awful stomach ache as I get with nurofen, so am just taking the codydramol which isn't helping.

It's really getting me down. I can't lean back or to either side, and I get jolts of pain with each step as I walk.

Any advice as to anything I can do at home to soothe it, any kind of painkiller I can request which won't make my stomach eat it's self, of general sympathy would be appreciated

Alternate hot water bottle and cold ice pack, half hour of each, agsinsgt your back, to ease the swelling. Rest a bit, move a bit, rest a bit (couple of hours is fine if you can do that) move a bit, slowly (half hour most). Walking is good I you can manage it. While everyone says not to rest, keep moving, that refers to stayng in bed for days/weeks, this initial stage you probably need to rest as much as possible.

Also, if you can't take napraxen you need to talk to of both other anti inflammatory, as currently you have muscle spasm which is causing the unbearable pain and inbility to straighten and you need to reduce the sweeling caused by the spasming. If Necesary you might need shot dose of diazepam or something as a mucle relaxant, if there is Nothiong stopping you having these. You might have a prolapsed or bulging disc, but I not want to diagnose. In my own experience docs are crap at referring to osteo, but if you can get to one either through gp or privately I would recommend to help with diagnosis and thus proper treatment.

Do you know what symptoms require emergency medical attention? Drooping foot, numbness in foot, inability to move it. Inability to control bowel movement or bladder movement or numbness in saddle or genital area. Get thee to A&E ASAP(caudia Aquina syndrome).

I am with you, having been where you are several times, and now still experiencing long term pain from at least one prolapsed disc. I really hope you get some releif very soon. I hope you have people around to help.

Oh. And wine. Wine is fab. But not with codiene.

Oh, and pain releif. You probably need somethinf stronger than you currently have, codiene straight for night time. Or if really bad, you might need this in the day time too for a few days.

I took, when I was like you are now 50mg diclofenac, 1000mg paracetamol, 30ml codeine at a pop, reducing to 15/1000 cocodemol as pain became managed.

Now on 50mg diclofenac, 15mg/1000 cocodemol daytime, 30mg codiene night time.

Pavlov - thank you so much, fantastic informative post

Will keep an eye out for the symptoms you mentioned to look out for - have none at present, but a burning pain down the side of my right thigh (same side as worst pain)

I have some diazepam, not prescribed for this but for panic attacks - do you think it will be worth a go?

I can't seem to take NSAIDs anymore - I have reflux and since that started I get bad upper tummy pain whenever I take them.

Will try the ice pack/heat pad alternately, maybe that will help too. Definately will contact the Gp on Tuesday, perhaps she can give mr some other pain relief options, and maybe a referral.

Thanks again Pavlov, much appreciated

Diclofenac generally has greater side effects than other NSAIDs, Ibuprofen is usually seen as the safest so, if you struggle with that you may not manage any of them.

I have Diazepam 2mg three times a day for relaxing muscles in bad back but they often use 5mg too.

Take your co-dydramol regularly, they are much more effective that way than just as needed.

The burning pain could be sciatica so you should see your GP in case there is a disc problem

Yes burning pain down leg is likely sciatica.

Df worth talking to gp about NSAIDs. I can't take napraxen, as it makes me throw up but fine on others!

If you already have some diazepam, take it, low dose as you would normally be prescribed, ie no more than that, it should help a lot with initial agonising pain that stops you straightening.

I also found baths made it worse and I struggled to get out! But showers helped, but make sure you can get in and out safely if you do it.

Thanks Tranquil and Pavlov [busmile]

The diazepam I have is 5mg. I took one about 6.30pm and there is a bit of improvement.

I have had diclofenac before but as i said since having reflux I cant take anything like that, which I suppose leaves me with opiate based pain killers. I'm also on 20mg of Citalopram.

Do either of you know what the next opiate up from codeine is and if I can take it with the citalopram?

Thanks again

mum I don't know about stronger, but I know some people with back pain who take tramadol. Don't know if you can take with citolapram sorry. It floors many people though as strong side effects. If you are not on straight codeine, 30mg of that with 1000mg may be a good level which is what I take with the level of back pain you talk of. As tranquil spoke of, taking as and when won't work so well, you need to take regularly ech day, same intervals to build up in your system. But speak to your gp before takn the dose I spoke of above as I took that much with doctor guidance, now take it at that level when in a lot of pain, but regularly take less now, so know I can tolerate it (but with side effects, for example codeine blocks you up so to speak...!)

If you can't take NSAIDs you should definitely talk to gp bout diazepam instead to help relax muscles, or discuss steroid injection to reduce the inflammation. But you will know if diazepam helps by the time you talk to gp on Tuesday.

Really hope you be some relief soon.

Thanks Pavlov, you've really been a great help

The diazepam worked yesterday but I don't want to take it regularly as I haven't discussed it with the GP yet.

Found some solpadol 30mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol and whilst they knocked me out a bit, they really did help.

I'm worried about going back to work on Tuesday though. I have a basic office chair which is uncomfy at the best if times, and also I have the kind of job where I sit down and stand up all the time. I'm finding it hard to get up from a sitting position as it is, and if solpadol are the only thing that ease the pain I'll be fit for nothing if I take them.

I don't suppose the diazepam can be taken daily can they?

Maybe I should call in sick on Tuesday and see the Gp before I go back?

mum do you have any OH support at work? My boss referred me ASAP, and the outcome was a new chair with proper lumbe support, tilt bck and forwards, and recommendations to move frequently, like as simple as standing to take a call, doing some filing. Suggested a timer to remind me to get up half hourly, as when I ge dtuck in to something, and my back is not too bad, I forget then struggle to get up again!

If you are struggling to straighten, and can hardly walk, you should definitely not go to work until the pain is managed. You simply won't be able to function well due to pain. The most important thing is to get your pain, and the inflammation under control and then look at how work can support your longer term improvement. in terms of diazepam I have never taken it for more than a day as it completely floors me, utterly. You might have better tolerance. However, IMO if you need this to help as your other options are limited, and this means you cannot function at work, then that is another reason that you shouldn't go to work for a short while, until it has done its thing, if your gp thinks you would benefit from taking it. When I was prescribed it last, I was given 3 days of 2mg, and that was too much for me!

I now go to work even if I am in pain as the pain is lower level now and there whether I am at home or at work so might as well struggle at work if i am going to struggle at home. I have good work support though, But. If it was as bad as yours is, I would have to take codeine 30mg and cannot function onwork with either the pain or the medication affects. At Christmas I was off for one week, but only because I had been on leave for two already. Had I been at work, I would have had to take 3 weeks off sick.

I had an epidural cortisone injection about 6 weeks ago. Worked for a short while, but lots of people have complete releif, or for a good few months. But it depends on the reason for the pain I think, it works for sciatic pain really well, usually used for disc related pain. But it does not fix things, it is pain relief only. If you canno take any NSAID you might benefit from this do talk to gp about this too. Gps are generally rubbish when it comes to back problems thou unless they have a specialism in it, they have little idea what goes on, so you might need to be pushy and get referred on wards. My go told me it could not be a slipped disc as you can't do that coughing! As it happens, I did it earlier than the coughing episode which triggered this time, it happened about 2 years ago. And as it happens, not only is it prolapsed it is substantial and obvious!!

Blimey Pavlov, you poor thing! I did consider a slipped disc due to the pain going down the leg and leg leg feeling heavy and kind of like I'm dragging it iykwim? But I haven't done anything obvious to cause a slipped disc so kind of dismissed it.

Will definately speak with the GP re injections and such, and see what he/she says about the diazepam. As I said I took a 5mg diazepam the other day and didn't feel any side effects apart from the pain easing, it didn't make me woozy. The solpadol knock me out though, I feel drunk on them

I don't have any OH at work unfortunately but HR are quite good so maybe will chat to them.

I'm not keen on taking time off work tbh, I have had a fair bit of time off due to other health problems and my Bradford Score is high and being monitored by HR, I really can't afford to loose my job. I only work 4h a day and it's not far from home, so will try and get in tomorrow if I can, and take another diazepam in the morning to see me through. Then see what Gp says and take it from there.

I never realized how bad back pain can be.

Will let you know how I get on with the Gp.

Thanks again

mum if you are dragging your leg sounds like nerve entrapment, you must must get referral from gp to someone specialist, it is a classic sign of slipped disc, and could result in nerve damage in the long term if not properly investigated. I am having an MRI scan, eventually, but would have had it sooner if real sign of neve entrapment, like you have, rather than just pain.

The first time I recall my back going, and likely cause of the prolapsed disc, I bent like two inches to pick ds up from the bed when he was a baby. Not really even a bend, and that tiny movement did it. Since then, last time it 'went' I coughed. It is not necessarily a huge thing that ruptures the disc crust if that is what has happened, just simply the wrong move with the wrong twist, or a weakness already there, a bulge or something. I did not think it was a disc until I had gone 4 times in 18 months.

Good luck at gp tomorrow, let us know how you get on.

I know what you mean about taking time off work, and some people just don't understand back pain unless/until it happens to them, I certainly never realised how debilitating it is until I had to get my my 4yo dd help me into bed from kitchen, taking an hour, and having to use a potty as I could to physically get to the toilet due to the pain. Now, when someone talks about back pain, I react ery differently now.

Pavlov, I don't think I'm actually dragging it but it feels like I want to drag it. Didn't realise it was a sign of nerve entrapment - will definitely tell GP, will have to ring at 8am and get a telephone consult. Would I be unreasonable to demand to be seen and not just spoken to?

OP, could you ask your GP to prescribe celecoxib? It's an NSAID which is more gentle on the stomach than other, more potent, NSAIDS such as ibuprofen/naproxen.

I'm also a sufferer of chronic excruciating back pain (that's excruciating if I miss taking my tablets by just a few hours). Mine started when DS was born (with spinal block and C-section) over 7 years ago and made worse when DD was born (again with spinal block & C-section). I have had days where I could barely lift my legs to put one foot in front of the other and walk. I was 32 going on 102yo. After trying various types of pain relief, I've finally found the types which have been the best and lasted the longest with only one dosage increase. I can now walk, dance, climb trees, do yoga/pilates etc, but you would catch me doing back-flips , much as I'd love to.

Getting decent pain relief is about helping you get on with your life as much as possible, but your GP really needs to find out what the source of the problem is and then refer you to the necessary specialists to get proper treatment which will give you a better quality of life IYSWIM.

Am heading off now but will be back tomorrow to see how you are doing.

Take care.

Thanks Avenged glad to hear you are finally able to function normally

Will definitely ask about the painkiller you mentioned - I'm sure I need some kind of anti inflammatory.

Im currently 33 going on 133 it really is awful, but fingers crossed I will see a decent GP tomorrow and can get something sorted. The last few days have been awful

Will update after I have seen the GP, thanks again

mum you really need a face to face conversation, over 3 weeks of back pain needs to be addressed more aggressively now. Hope you got to see the gp.

Will come back later to see how you got on.

The wanting to drag is a possible sign of weakness, there are so many degrees with inability to move it at all being the worst, but simply feeling of weakness being a sign of nerve entrapment.

just reading this thread because of my own ongoing shoulder pain .

I was prescribed diazepam and from GP's advice and google would say that you're better off taking half a tablet ( of 5 mg ) at a time ,say twice a day .
It's a drug that stays in your system quite a long time and builds up over the day .
GP told me to try 5mg at night but it leaves me too wiped out ( and miserable ) to function next day .

Good luck with Gp

Hi mum, how are you today? Did you see your GP and ask about the Celebrex (celecoxib)? I hope you have seen your Dr and actually got somewhere.

Will be back later to catch up on how you got on at the surgery.

Take care.

Hello ladies I was up first thing with back pain so was on the gone dead on 8am. Got a call back from a Gp by 8.30am and after explaining, GP said that someone will see me at 2.20pm this afternoon, so fingers crossed

Did go to work and didn't do anything except answer the phones and stretch my legs every half an hour, so it wasn't too bad.

Ginger, I have shoulder pain too from an injury 5 years ago. Had surgery 2 years ago - arthroscopy and debridement, and a small rotator cuff tear. It's still not right and I have on 80% mobility in that arm.
Was only ever offered solpadol.

Will update once I have seen the Gp as will definately mention the tablets you suggested avenged, thank you

Pavlov, hope your back isn't too bad today

I was thinking that if nerve irritation is part of the pain problem, then could you also ask about Pregabalin or something along those lines. I was put on this due to severe nerve irritation, which was causing a lot of the back pain I was having and it is one of the main pain relievers in the combination I'm taking at the moment and is fabulous. I was in a good bit less pain even after the 1st dose. It's pretty bloody good.

Anyway, how did you get on at your appointment? Did you get any further with this or are you feeling stuck at the moment WRT treatment?

Well, I had my appointment.

Saw the same GP who tried to prescribe Asprin for my 12yo Dd so wasn't very hopeful as soon as I walked in the door.

Anyway, I explained all of my symptoms thoroughly and he examined my spine, checked my range of motion and then got me to lie down and checked my reflexes and how far I could lift each leg, as well as checking wether the skin sensations were the same in each leg.

He concluded that I have some kind of muscular strain which accounted for the pain in my spine at waist level that the pain started with. This has caused inflammation in my back and the inflammation is affecting a nerve causing sciatica like symptoms.

He said it can take a good few weeks to recover, not to stay still to avoid stiffness, but to do as much as the pain allows. Continue with the solpadol and take the diazepam if the pain gets severe again. He printed me out some back and hip exercises to do at home.

I asked about the Celecoxib but he wouldn't prescribe them as I am taking Citalopram 20mg. He said at a push a can take ibuprofen but there is a risk of gastric bleeds when any NSAID is taken with citalopram.

So there you go.

I will do as he has suggested for the next week, but will be going back if no improvement.

I really don't have much faith in him though - what with trying to give Dd aspirin and not knowing what medicines solpadol is comprised of

Well, one good thing you Been given the green light for diazepam, which means you cn have some improved relief knowing it is safe to do so, well, you would think so but he does not sound too knowledgable re meds.

I agree re given it another week, and then if no improvement insist on referral to pain clinic or osteo. Insist on specialist opinion, it is your right to get a thorough and correct diagnosis. I was also told by gp likely muscle, or ligament strain, weak ligament, 'mechanical back pain' whatever than means, etc. I pretty much made it clear I would not go away until he sent me for MRI or referred me on. I only did this with guidance opand advice of other mumsnetters who have had experiences of gps with littl knowledge of back pain, snd those eith good medicsl advice, otherwise I Woul just have accepted that all he could do was give me some drugs and get on with whatever might be causing it. Although it sounds like your doc might vaguely have more clue then mine...he just looked st my bck and went 'hmmmm let give you some painkillers'!

I hope the diazepam works.

OP I hope the diazepam works out ok for you .

I was hoping it might make me more tranquil as a side effect ( being valium ) but actually I felt pretty low ,sort of "stalled " .

Which as I'm already dragged down by the pain in my shoulder was not really what I needed .

Hiya,
I haven't read the other replies, so I'll probably be repeating most of the things.

Ice packs
Heat packs
TENS
Gentle exercises
Physio
Hydro
Alternative / complementary therapies
mindfulness
Meditation
Yoga
Pilates
Medication

I've had severe chromic back pain since 2007 , which is 24/7 constant.
I broke my back in three places and had a incomplete spinal cord injury. I'm partially paralysed below my waist.
My other spinal problems are spinal stenosis, spondylyothesis and spondylyosis.
(I also have lots of other health problems, but I'll just stick to spine pain here)
I have tried every single pain medication available in the UK.
My current is fentanyl and morphine. It takes the edge off but I'm still in so much pain.
I've had previous spinal surgeries and I'm expecting more. After my last spine surgery, I caught MRSA and it got into my blood causing septicaemia. I also caught c diff at the same time.
Since then the pain and my general health has deteriorated so much more.

Your current pain is described as acute, as you've only had it short term, and medical professionals treat it slightly differently.

You could give it another week and see how things go, but I wouldn't be happy about having nothing for the inflammation. Would it be possible to change AD's to something similar that can be taken with anti-inflammatories, so you have a bit more pain relief, or is the citalopram the only one that works for you?

I know that inflammation in itself can cause a fair amount of pain, so it would make sense to deal with the inflammation and pain first, so you can go about your daily tasks a bit more comfortably, then find out the root cause and sort things out from there while you're more comfortable IYSWIM.