If you have bad back pain, how long before you just accept it and go back to work?

[UterusUterusGhali]

I've had a bad back & very, very painful ribs on one side since a bout of whooping cough.

I've been off work for the last fortnight as the pain is getting worse, and my job is very physical, albeit part-time.

On Friday, I "put it out" proper during a coughing fit. I literally couldn't move. I just sobbed for hours.

I an wondering if I should go back to work this week. I am still in a lot of pain, but about 50% of my colleagues have back problems too, so I feel like a right wuss. It doesn't seem fair for them to pick up the slack at our busiest time of year.

I have been managing on diazepam + strong painkillers, but I'm out of diazepam and can't get a GP app until Friday.

Should I rest it sone more?
WWYD?

you put your back out or a rib?

if you are in pain with your back and need diazepam to cope with the pain you should not be at work imo, regardless of what pain thresholds or problems your work colleagues suffer from. You might not have the same issues as them.

I feel for you. I have just come home from work today, at lunch time, due to my back pain being so severe I could not cope with it, even on 100mg of tramadol.

Do you have any other symptoms, leg pain for example? might be worth going back to gp for a chat if it does not improve.