Crippling back pain

[talkingtoclarry]

A slight twinge in my back yesterday morning has now turned into excruciating back pain which has left me in bed, unable to move for nearly 24hrs. The only thing I can think caused it is the cold I had, I did some pretty violent sneezing. I didn't do anything else which could have caused this.
I've been taking Solpadeine Max but it's not really helping. I can't even sit on the edge of the bed without nearly blacking out from the pain.
Will an out of doctors GP prescribe stronger painkillers or will they expect me to carry on with Solpadeine? I've had to stop BFing due to the Sopladeine so I might as well get the good stuff which will actually give some relief.
Poor OH has spent the last two days looking after me and our 1yr old DS but he is feeling ill himself. :( emptying my 'saucepan' chamber pot can't have helped!

They wil fax a prescription through, but probably won't bother to actually see you.

I done my back in by a wee cough(and I do mean wee as I have dodgy discs so very wary) on the first day of the summer hols and dh first day at new job.

I never bother going to the dr's now as they never have appointments and im clearly immune to tramadol and co-codamol. Now I go to the chiropractor, always have me walking the next day.

Ooh will help, my neighbour was taken into a&e with a slipped disc.

I find taking ibuprofen and paracetamol helps (&valium is very good for this too if you happen to be prescribed that). Then alternate a hot water bottle and ice on the affected area until it loosens up. As soon as you can move see a physio...

I will try 111 I think, as I can't even get out of bed to get to the bathroom - never mind sit in A&E for hours.
Thank you.

talking really feel for you. Hope you're sorted soon

It's the fourth time since having my boy last April that I've had back issues but this is by far the worst. I spent our first family xmas in agony unable to lift up my son, not how I imagined it. I did suffer with terrible SPD so I will mention this, OH thinks I need physiology of some kind.

Def ooh or 111. Mine goes roughly every 6 months, when I did mine on the summer hols my twins were only 6 months, felt so useless. Actually made it worse cause I HAD to lift them etc.

Physio is often the gp's preferred option, but often takes a while to come through.

As I said, painkillers dont help me at all, I find biofreeze gel does numb the pain.

Makes me so bloody thankful that my OH is a proper hands on Dad, he has done everything whilst I've been in my bed of misery!

Have rang 111 and waiting for a call back. Am hoping DS is soon asleep to give OH a break as he is exhausted!

I've had this type of back twinge a few times.
Best/most helpful med for it was Valium. It's a muscle relaxant apparently.

And it helps you not to feel so pissed off about the pain.

This happened to me when do were little. A doctor ended up coming and giving me an injection - I think of diclofenac? Or was it diAzepam into the muscle. Helped a lot.

Nurse has just rang to invite me down to the OOH clinic - um but I'm bed bound! So back to waiting! Once DS is settled I'll be requesting cheese on toast as I'm beginning to feel sick with hunger :(

Cheese on toast is always a winner, concentrate on getting that!! The injection haud us talking bout was likely a steroid/anti inflammatory jag Ie cirtisone. Valium does feckall for me too, honestly im bloody immune to everything obviouslh

I'll take anything they give me! Just hope it's soon but I bet Saturday nights are their busiest.
Just had a little sob. OH actually cooked up some lovely spag Bol but I couldn't eat it as I can lift my head more than 45degrees. He tried feeding me but I got too upset. Feel really teary. Really need a wee again too so will have to ask for help with that. Dignity. All gone.

Hope it us a bit easier for you today, I have had similar and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

It's either disc, or muscle spasm to protect your back, either way, horrendous. Take what you can by way of drugs and ice on your back can help, contrary to everyone who says heat!

I know it doesn't seem it, but the fact you can wee is good news if you can't! or sensation 'down there' changes go to A&E immediately, call an ambulance if necessary.

If it has eventually eased, enough to get to Drs then yes a good Physio. is essential, you sound like you could do with one every few weeks until the problem resolves. If you get to OOH or A&E they may want to admit you because if the pain - don't decline this, one night of "proper' drugs is such a relief, they will also do an MRI, which can take ages to get otherwise, this could show where the problem is.

I really hope it's easier today and what a lovely OH, mine is c--p with stuff like this!

A lovely OOH dr came out at 1am and diagnosed a slipped disc. Prescribed tramadol so I'm waiting for that to take effect, hasn't done much yet! Pretty shocked to be told recovery could take as long as 6wks!

Oh you poor thing! Can you see a physio privately? It's about 35 quid ime. Well worth it if you can and to prevent it happening again.

You really do need to start moving despite it being like hell !

I have just hobbled to the toilet! Hurrah! Felt very woozy, almost like soft focus. And am now sat up in bed which is a real novelty after nearly three days horizontal.

You need to take Ibrufen, and co codamol, the highest dose you can get - probably Sopladine Max without a prescription. Ibrufen will take away any inflammation. Tramadol will space you out - which is a good thing

Lots of ice, for as long as you can manage it (not directly against the skin), then. if you can manage the pain, you do need to mobilise, walking is your friend and puts your back in the right position, avoid sitting, especially slouched.

Where is it? Lower or upper?

How do I know this? I had a slipped disc for years, would repair, slip again, but since Nov, was getting progressively worse, finally gave up and had surgery on Weds. Recovering now.

Walk, walk, walk and get thee to a Physio! It will get better, but you need to do the right things and if possible get an MRI, to assess the damage and exactly where.

I was taking Solpadeine Max on Friday and Saturday but to be honest all it did was lightly lessen the pain, just took the slightest edge off. It was 5am before I drifted off last night as every way I tried to lie was just too uncomfortable. Am using 10% ibruprofen gel which does seem to help and thankfully the tramadol isn't making me nauseous.

Generally the pain is right at the base of my spine, in the centre but before the tramadol kicked in, if I attempted to sit on the side of the bed the pain seemed to spread right across the back almost into my hips. And the pain made me feel like I would pass out. The fact I made it to the lop and was able to sit feels like a big leap!

I'm completely shocked how as sneezing fit can cause such catastrophic damage and have such a long lasting impact on my life! Seems utterly mad! I've been doing quite a bit of googling and reading lots of stories like yours calm and it seems like I'm in for a long journey of recovery.

Do I need to pester for physio or will the GP refer me? I haven't got the dosh for anything non NHS at the moment as am currently on my last week of mat leave, supposed to be back on Thursday which obvs is not going to happen!

Hi OP, I feel your pain, honestly. I've been there 3 times.

Most importantly you should not be in bed for too long as your muscles will deteriorate quickly and what you need now is building up core strength, not more weak muscles.

Tramadol helped me, it took the edge off the pain so I could move again.

Yes to physio, and the quicker, the better. Pester GP. I would also recommend paying for it, I did and it was money very well spent. Be careful who you choose for physio, get recommendations.

The first time it was over in a matter of weeks, the second time lasted 9 months because I didn't stop working. Had to have a nerve root block at the base of my spine. Third time I was off work for 6 weeks and am now recovered.

I do my exercises daily, without fail. No long sitting (no sitting at all for you at the moment), keeping active, lots of walking.

Good luck to you, I hope you recover rather sooner than later.

I just managed to go downstairs but then I was overcome with waves of nausea. It was as bad as labour with the gas and air.
Tried to get back upstairs and it's taken me about 15mins to crawl upstairs and have a old sweat. I have never been so miserable.
Will definitely ask for physio recommendations as I'm desperate. Am looking into Pilates exercises too but am worried about aggravating it.

Thank you everyone for all your advice, just realised in my self pitying state I haven't actually acknowledged all the help you'be given!