Severe back pain - can't get out of bed!

[DuskyMoth]

Recently I've been having occasional lower back pain, I've also been getting lower abdominal pain and the two things seem to be connected. I do have adhesions from numerous C-Sections and so put the pain down to that.

Yesterday morning my back started off a little achy, nothing unusual so just carried on. The pain got progressively worse as the day went on, so I took some co-codomol and ibuprofen which made no difference to the pain at all.

Late evening I was in severe pain. I thought the pain would ease off once I got into bed, so I decided to get an early night and took some naproxen and dihydrocodiene (left over from a wisdom tooth extraction). Lying in bed the pain did not get any better, I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep. I also started to get really bad lower abdominal pain. I finally went to sleep about 4 am.

I woke up at about 10am this morning, I expected the pain would be gone after all that time lying down, but it was worse. I got up to go to the toilet and was in absolute agony. I got straight back into bed and took more painkillers.

I'm still in agony, I just tried to get up again as I thought maybe all the lying down was making the problem worse. I could barely stand the pain is so extreme, it's literally making me cry. My legs feel like they are going to buckle, I could only stand for less than a minute before the pain was to severe and I had to lye down. I couldn't even walk as far as the toilet (luckily I don't need to go).

I also still have really bad lower abdominal pain. Feels a bit like period pain.

I don't know what to do. Painkillers aren't touching it, I can't get out the bed. Has anyone experienced this? If I rest a bit longer will it ease off? Or should I be forcing myself to move? I'm not sure I could even get to a Dr.

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3 or 4 days flat out on the lounge floor or a very hard surface worked for me, and no pillow. And copious amounts of painkillers. Then when the muscles have started to relax a little, you can gently start stretching.... YouTube is great for videos to follow. Then after a week or so after starting to stretch it out, see an osteopath. It usually takes 2 or 3 sessions to sort it out.

I've got problems with discs.... it was so bad in my late 20s they started muttering about surgery but my cousin has had it done and is now even worse. Since getting a crazy spaniel and walking several miles a day, my muscles in my back have massively strengthened and I rarely get back pain now.

But it's fucking grim, and almost sends you out of your mind with the pain. I hope you feel better soon .

Ok, so I'm alright to rest for a few days without making it worse. That's good as I can barely move.

Yes definitely rest. TBH I was in agony for 1-2 weeks, then very slowly improved. I'm still stiff and struggle to sit for long periods (lower disc issues) but the general pain is gone now. I have exercises and physio to hopefully get me back to normal.

I'm so sorry that you are in pain and I totally sympathise with you. I'm still recovering from a slipped disc, I was in bed for 3 months and in agony so much of the time.

I was referred to a physio who did very gentle manipulation which felt amazing at the time but it was weeks between appointments and I've now been discharged by him, I do stretching exercises every day, have a look on you tube, they really do help but it's only a bit of relief.

I went back to my drs and got an appointment to see a back specialist, went today and he sent me for an mri and then back to discuss the findings, so we'll see.

I'm hope you seen an improvement soon, I know it sucks right now.,

I herniated a disc at the end of February this year, and was in bed until mid April. I had all the drugs you mention OP but the only thing that really helped was Naproxen as it works on the nerve pain. I was gradually able to move around the house, eventually able to stand for less than a minute before needing to lie down, and gradually extending that to being able to sit or stand for five minutes before laying back down. The nerve pain in my leg was like fire, so I knew when to lay down again!!

When you sit or stand you are putting pressure on the disc which then puts pressure onto the sciatic nerve within your vertebrae. So complete rest, lots of anti-inflamatories and gradual rehab is the way to reduce the inflammation around the nerve. Some people need surgery.

I did go private for an MRI and to see a consultant as the NHS wait was many months. I now see a private physio and I'm religiously doing gentle stretching exercises.

Good luck!

My Dad sent me to see a private Physiotherapist today. She confirmed that I must spend my time lying down to relieve the pressure on my disc.

I'm still in an extraordinary amount of pain, so sitting and standing are not really an option anyway. She also recommended I go to the GP for more pain medication as the hospital only gave me codeine which is not really helping.

I'm feeling quite fed up, it's so very frustrating as I have so much I need to be doing and the house is in chaos. I'm hoping I'll be better by next week as I have theatre tickets!

Are you able to go to the GP? Can you get a phone appt?

You need gabapentin to address the nerve pain, something like naproxen to relax the muscles, plus pain killers.

I took codeine for 4 weeks and the build up gave me bad side effects so you need to combine it with the others.

And definitely stay on your back.

Good luck.

I phoned the GP, but they didn't have any appointments and told me to phone tomorrow at 8am. So I'll do that. Do you think they would mind if I asked for a telephone consultation, I really don't want the pain of dragging myself down there.

I'm getting very fed up. The constant pain is getting me down, I'm frustrated that I can't clean the house and I'm really bored. I feel like I'm living in some weird timeless limbo. The painkillers make me drowsy so I can't concentrate on anything well enough to read a book. I don't sleep for more than about an hour at a time. So I'm awake half the night with no one to talk to.

What can I do while lying down to stop me going crazy?

I too have had partially prolapsed disc and sciatica down one leg including muscle cramps and spasms. I too ended up at emergency dr and given a raft of pain killers and sent home to get on with things. I couldn't sit at all for around 8 weeks so everything was standing or lying or partially lying as things improved. Utterly horrendous. I alternated hot and cold patching and the pain killers I could tolerate (don't do well with diflucenic). It prob took around 18 months or so to totally resolve and I still get occasional twinges. I found gentle exercise (mostly walking) stretching it out/doing osteo exercises and about 3 osteo sessions was what got me back moving and reduced pain but also learning not to bend and lift so much and get others to do it for me is what worked.

what did I do laptop and surf, work, read. Crochet - just easy stuff, fair bit of telly propped on sofa at weird angle to be comfortable

Crochet! That's something I can do. Totally forgot last year I started making a blanket 😂

Netflix. I did a free trial while ill. Couldn't focus on reading etc but light weight box sets were doable.

Re gp - when you phone at 8am tell the receptionist you need to speak to a dr about getting more pain relief and ask if this is possible in a phone consultation. They should be able to advise - different practices have different rules.

I've managed to get in to see the GP, I've now got diazepam, tramadol, and naproxen.

The Dr seem to be surprised that I'm still in so much pain as it started Friday, she said she would've thought it would've settled by now. But from what you guys are saying it seems normal?

She also wants a urine sample as my difficulty urinating is worse.

Okay, a herniated disc us not going to reduce pain wise in just a few days! My GP told DH when he visited me at home that it would be months.

Can you Google the symptoms of cauda equina and keep a close eye out for those? It's a rare-ish complication of a herniated disc but extremely serious indeed, and would need immediate hospital tests/treatment.

Hi @DuskyMoth I think you need to get back in touch with the hospital - I too have been suffering with extreme back pain and after an urgent mri scan to rule out cancer I have been diagnosed with lower disc issues that will need an operation as it is affecting the nerves and the cauda equina!

This cauda equina is serious - I was told that if I get any numbness or problems with toiletting I have to go straight back to a & e -I suspect urine sample was to rule out UTI but I think if I were you I’d been contacting consultant at hospital.

I’ve been like this for two months now can hardly do anything - can’t walk very far, no lifting or twisting it’s impossible to carry out normal daily function and painkillers make me sleepy. As I am I can see me ending g up in a& e as next appointment not til end of October

Yes, they suspected cauda equina initially. So I was sent for an urgent MRI in the middle of the night on Sunday. They said the scan showed prolapsed disc but it wasn't compressing the cauda equina at all. So I would get better without the need for surgery I just need rest.

I'm definitely finding it even more difficult to urinate though. It's making me feel very stressed. The Physio said it should improve as the disc heals but if I stop urinating altogether to go back to A&E.

I guess I just have to be more patient.

Personally id be calling the hospital again - as I understand it problems with toileting are severe and indication of nerve damage -

The GP surgery just phoned and said I don't have a UTI but I do have blood in my urine. They didn't seem overly concerned and told me to put in another sample in a weeks time.

If you're becoming less able to utinate it sounds like you need to get back to A&E.

Patience yes but keep an eye out for cauda equina
My pain started in January last year, by the end of march I was off work with it and howling in pain. Lots of drugs from the hospital, 3 MRI scans and a surgery booked. My op was booked for May, I lost all feeling in my leg and foot in April and developed cauda equina less than 48hrs before the op
Mine was L5/S1 with a 15mm herniation and no way it would have healed on its own

If you do need surgery, I'm a complete wimp (although I'm reevaluating that now!) and did the 5hr surgery fine (it's usually 90 mins!) and discharged 21hrs post op

THis is obviously playing on my mind urinary retention is a symptom of cauda equina - I think I am being given a message here to get myself back to a & e - as I’m not working I’m able to limit my daily activity accordingly - if I had been working there’s no doubt I would be off sick as I’m finding it hard to walk other than very very slowly - I can’t walk the dog because I can’t risk him pulling me and jolting my back - I can’t even lift wet washing as too heavy - so maybe I’m not getting the severity of my own symptoms. I noticed my pain has subsided apart from shooting pains when walking and I’m now just aching but as a recent mri just a month from the first one showed more deteriation I’m guessing this could be nerve endings become damaged. I’ve just googled the symptoms re urinating and see difficulty walking due to loss of motor function is a symptom

I’m giving you advice Op to get back to a & e whilst ignoring it for myself!

So is what you are all saying that although my MRI on Sunday didn't show cauda equina, there is still the potential to develop it?

I will definitely monitor the difficulty urinating. The Physio did say it may settle down by itself providing I follow her advice

There is always the potential to develop it with any back pain really, so yes keep a close eye

That's right, it can develop even after a clear scan, so do keep a close eye on your symptoms. Maybe write them down to keep track, if you're drowsy from plain killers?

Feeling fed up today, I can't sleep due the pain. What are the chances of me being well enough to walk 3 miles carrying a heavy bag and sit for 5 hours a day in lectures in 3 weeks time?