Back issues

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I may have asked this before, a while ago, as it seems to be a recurrent problem.

I've had back issues in the past (sciatica, ruptured disks etc) that have slowly resolved without surgery etc.

I now have severe back stiffness, pain and lack of movement when I wake up in the morning - to the extent that I can't even move enough to wipe my own arse if I go to the toilet!

It's getting me down as I'm also experiencing it if I sit for extended periods too.

What can I do? I have a usually good orthopaedic mattress, with a memory foam topper, I try to do stretches to stop seizing up, but nothing appears to be working.

Any advice?

What medication are you on?

I'm not on anything regular for my back. I have some naproxen but I'd been trying to wean myself off taking them regularly - maybe too soon?

I have arthritis in my sacroiliac joint (as well as feet, knees, wrist and elbow). I find cocodamol helps my arthritic pain, as well as a hot water bottle. I can't take anti-inflammatories because of other medication I take. It also helps if you can keep mobile - walk if you can. Try a warm bath, or a hot shower aimed at your back.

I think if you take regular painkillers that also helps - and it should help you to keep mobile.

How long does the stiffness last for in the mornings?

Morning stiffness that lasts for an hour or more could indicate an inflammatory arthritis. Have you seen a rheumatologist?

I'm very similar OP - I have 2 collapsed vertebrae and a crumbling spine. I was on Naproxen for almost 12 months.

Went to hospital due to pain being so bad and doctors told me off as naproxen can 'fuck' your liver and kidney.

I've been taking paramol daily since November. It's a

Sorry posted too soon!

It's so effective I only take 1 a Day now - sometimes two. I know it says not to take for more than 3 days in a tie but my doctor says low dose of parallel long term is so much better than naproxen.

I fully sympathize with you.

Thanks all - I become more mobile (and much less pain) once I start to move around, although it takes a couple of hours to free me up completely.

I've tried doing Pilates classes but I can do so few of the moves that it's embarrassing!

You do need to take something regularly.

Naproxen is a miracle for me but I don't need to take it often. I have a chronic condition which I take other medication for which keeps it at bay.

Sounds like you need a review with your GP.

If the stiffness is there for a few hours, I would see your GP and ask for some blood tests and maybe a rheumatology referral. Normal joint changes can give some morning stiffness, but when it lasts for hours, it might indicate an inflammatory problem as a pp said.

Thanks all - some good advice there. I'll make a gp appointment when they open again.

have you considered surgery on the discs?

sorry just re-read. have you had an mri recently? is it possible a disc has reruptured?

otherwise you could maybe consider a muscle relaxer. maybe some magnesium spray too.

I have similar issues and have found magnesium spray has helped

Go to the GP and ask to be referred for physio.

How old is your bed? If the pain is worst in the morning could be you need a new bed. My formerly hard bed changed suddenly into concrete for me and we got a new one (several actually) until it settled back down. I had pain in my hips and shoulders too which apparently was classis "you need a new bed".

Thanks all. My back has been a bit better, which coincided with me starting taking a naproxen before bed. I'm going to go back to my gp to see if she can prescribe them more frequently.