See GP about this back pain?

[rubbishonlineshopper]

Just wanted some advice tbh. I had a flu type virus a couple of weeks ago & at the same time back started to get achy. As the virus began to resolve, my back started to get more and more sore, probably being much more prominent about 10 days ago.

It's lower back pain, and is now very painful indeed. I can't sit on a softer seat or lie in bed - the pain does sort of subside, but it's excruciating to turn over / get up. Standing up & walking around are less painful, but I'm moving very cautiously.... The pain is to my lower left side & sometimes feels as if it's also in my hip.

But, I'm aware that a sore back is a very common thing, should I go to GP or just try and persevere for a little longer? Am using heat pad & painkillers, as well as a tens machine (we had in house from another person).

Thanks for your help! Have been at the GP quite a lot recently with kids & me, feel like I'm never away.....

I feel for you OP, as I understand how bad back pain can get (I have excruciating back pain due to wear and tear).

What pain relief are you taking for the pain?

Yes, go to your GP, but try not to worry. Back pain following a viral infection is common. Best to get your GP to confirm that though. Hope you feel better soon.

definitely go to GP, if only to get some good pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac. It might be linked with virus, as mentioned, flu can increase/cause back pain, or, it might be coincidental and you have pulled a muscle, or ligament have a trapped nerve. either way, you need some pain relief.

In the mean time, try ibruprofen/cocodemol (over the counter) if you don't have medical conditions that mean you should avoid those drugs. In combination they work well for back pain, but you need to take them for a couple of days to see the difference.

Also, if you think there might be back swelling in the lumbar area, alternate hot pack and cold pack to help increase the blood supply and reduce inflammation/pain.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon. back pain is the absolute pits.

Thanks - sounds like it would be a good idea to go and talk it over with them. It's been quite bearable today, as long as I've been up & moving around, but really sore if I take a rest....

I've been taking a mixture of ibuprofen & paracetamol - codeine tends to make me a bit sleepy so I try & avoid it. Although I have some tramadol left over from my c-section last year so I took some the other night & it did help, although was a wee bit spaced out! Alternating hot & cold is a good idea, will get the peas out tonight....

I did wonder whether it was the right thing to do to take painkillers, in case it meant I would continue to damage things because I couldn't feel it.

Will go to GP in next day or so if it doesn't show any signs of improvement, thanks again for the help guys!

I thought the same thing about not taking painkillers in case it masks the pain and leads to me inadvertently making it worse - but when I went to the GP she said that actually I should, because it breaks the cycle of pain/tension/muscle-spasms/pain.

That might depend on the cause of the pain though, so worth seeing your GP if it doesn't improve.

nymeria yes that is right about the spasms. And also, taking pain relief should be done alongside GP support so any potential damage is assessed.

But, I can tell you one thing for sure, if you have done some damage, taking painkillers wont mask it and make it seem like there is nothing wrong, over the counter painkillers won't touch it , or won't get rid of the pain completely. If it goes away with simple over the counter pain relief that is a good thing, if it does not you need to be seeing gp anyway for further investigation.

And re tramadol, i have just swapped the codeine for tramadol for my own back issues, its rather nice .

Also, you probably won't need to worry about this as you have had the pain for a week or more now, but keep an eye out for numbness around your backside/genitalia and altered sensation which changes your ability to control your bowels or bladder as it could be a sign of Caudia Aquina syndrome, which is basically a bunch of nerves that control bladder/bowel movements being trapped and can lead to permanent damage if not fixed immediately. If that happens, it is a medical emergency so go straight to A&E. And also if your leg(s) go numb or your foot droops and you cant pick it up, is a sign of possibly trapped nerve and needs medical attention at A&E. Thats not the same as leg pain or pins and needles which is nerve pain but not as urgent as numbness. And dont worry about not noticing, as painkillers will not mask those problems not even tramadol. It is very unlikely, but every time I speak to a medical professional when I have a relapse they remind me of these things! It would normally happen quite early on if it was going to happen.

Just thought I'd update - went to dr today and I have a kidney infection, so been given antibiotics. Dr said he thought I'd also pulled something - hopefully things will start to ease over next day or two....

oh that you have a kidney infection, no wonder you felt in so much pain. But, at least you have some ABs and can start feeling well again. You need to rest lots, as much as you can, and hopefully if you have pulled something too then this can help you fix it too x