So, after many years of my lower back "going into spasm" if I lay on my back, I saw my GP, had an x ray, and have arthritis in my lower back (from L4 to S1). Am seeing the physio clinic next week, who will presumably give me some exercises to do (as well as tell me to lose weight 
). But, what painkillers can they give me/recommend that will actually help?
My GP did try, but I'm difficult in that NSAIDs give me horrendous heartburn (was ambulanced to A&E after three days of max doseage of ibuprofen after surgery, as they thought it was likely a clot), and a different GP (and a rheumatologist) both stopped my naproxen & omeprazole repeat - I'm allowed no more than 3-4 days at a time, no more than 3-4 times a year). Codeine makes me throw up, which rules out cocodamol and similar. Paracetamol doesn't touch the nerve pain I'm getting in my back/hips/legs.
I'm already taking amitriptyline and pregabalin for fibromyalgia, but the GP is reluctant to change the doseages of either of those, as they were initially consultant prescribed (even though I've been discharged from both neurologist and rheumatologist).
The only thing which I've ever taken which works is morphine (after a CSection), but I'm obviously reluctant to suggest that, it's not really the obvious next step if paracetamol isn't helping 
.
Any ideas of any options I could consider and discuss with my GP? Any way of doing something with codeine which will avoid the vomiting and me feeling dreadful? Or might I be one of those people who codeine doesn't work for (DD is similar, although she now swears by IV paracetamol which was absolutely amazing when she had a kidney stone last year - literally went from curled up sobbing on my lap to laughing with the doctors in 5 minutes)?
Also any self help tips to get me through the next 10 days till the physio assessment? Keeping the area warm seems to help, I haven't tried ice packs yet. I can't find a sitting position that doesn't hurt, nor a lying position. Standing is OK, but I can't walk without hobbling/limping which then makes my leg muscles hurt.
Getting down onto a flat surface to do the stretches I've found online is tricky, I can only do those on my bed. I've tried yoga (DVD/Youtube) but take so long getting up and down that the instructor has moved two moves further on by the time I get there. I didn't get Tai Chi at all, just felt a bit stupid, not sure where i was going wrong there.
I need to get on top of the pain because I need to prioritise my sleeping, otherwise the fibro fares up, but I'm at a loss what to try/ask the GP about.