Severe back pain

[whattimeislove]

Six years ago I put my back out, lots of pain, MRI showed I had 2 ruptured and 3 bulging discs. Fortunately it got better on its own in 4-6 weeks but I've never known pain like it.

This week my back went again. No sciatic pain this time but I can't move - searing pain if I try to turn over in bed, sit, stand, going for a wee is torture. Out of hours gp has given me diazepam & cocodamol but it's not really helping.

How long should I leave it before I contact the gp again? There's no way I can get in a car in this state & no idea if they'd come out to me.

Any advice?

I am up at this unearthly hour due to severe back and leg pain. It started 5 weeks ago and I haven't had a decent night's rest since.

Initially, like you, there was searing pain if I tried to move in bed, which was often, as lying still in any position was very painful. I could barely walk as every movement brought on this pain in my lower back. I couldn't go to work.

The second week was a little better. I had a couple of appointments with an osteopath, which helped. Since then, the pain has travelled to my left hip and down my left leg. This may be sciatica - I'm waiting for results from a bone and CT scan. I'm still in a great deal of pain, which wakes me up in the early hours of the morning - every single morning.

I don't know how to advise you about the gp. I had to go down a different route as there is a slight possibility of bone mets as I have had two lots of breast cancer. I was told to take a mix of paracetamol and ibuprophen and I've been pretty much mainlining them ever since. I can't say they've made a great deal of difference. I had some cocodomol in my cupboard left over from my last operation but the breast cancer nurse told me not to take that.

I have found putting an ice pack on the bits that hurt helps more than anything else, but you have to leave it on for a long time, and the effect doesn't last that long.

I really do feel for you. Unfortunately, I've had to have various operations in my life, but the pain from this is up there with the very worst of them. I would ring again - particularly if you are living on your own, I don't know how I would have got on without my other half, particularly during that first week.

Ring 111 for advice? Surely if the pain is awful and needs managing, and you don't drive, an ambulance is reasonable? Or could you stand being driven by someone else e.g. taxi?

Thanks both & sorry you're suffering too madonna.

The pain got so bad (and joined by sciatica) last night that I rang 111 and because of new symptoms they sent an ambulance for me - I needed gas and air to get me off the bed and down the stairs. Spent an uncomfortable night in A&E and waiting to go home with new/stronger drugs.

Feeling pretty rough but that's probably the lack of sleep.

Wow, sounds awful. I'm glad you're getting the help you need.

Thanks - it feels pretty bad. The new drugs aren't doing a huge amount yet, I'm hoping that the effects will accumulate...

So sorry you are having such an awful time. My osteopath told me that, unfortunately, once you have damaged your back, you are likely to have further episodes.

I hope the mets kick in soon to give you some relief.

Sorry - I meant meds - darn autocorrect!

It happened to me once, many years ago. It took me 15 mins to crawl from the bedroom to the bathroom, and another 15 mins to crawl back again. Eventually I got treatment from an osteopath. It too 3 sessions but it sorted it out. I never want to go through that again! Hope you get the treatment you need OP.

Thanks again - I'm feeling like I've been fobbed off with sugar water capsules! I woke in the night (I often change positions in bed during the night) but without even moving was hit by a series of muscle spasms that were excruciating to the point of making me cry out loudly. My 2yo had climbed into bed with me at that point and so was upset (unsurprisingly- although more upset when taken into another room away from Mummy...)

I have no idea what to do next, or just hang on & hope it gets better but I'm in agony here.

I really feel for you. I fear it's going to take some time before you get to ther side of this. I've spent a great deal of last night/this morning awake due to the pain. I've taken two lots of pain killers, but think I must have sugar capsules too. Can you ask for stronger pain killers?

Also, can you get to an osteopath? I would have had more visits to mine, but I was away on holiday and then he has been away. My two visits really did help and I shall be trying to get to see him this week.