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Original poster

Excruciating back pain

13 replies

puppychaos · 30/03/2021 07:50

Anyone else had this?

Deep pain in lower back and hips. It feels like a really hard pressure is trying to push out of me, and it's also burning. I can't bend forward, even to wipe after using the toilet Envy which is pretty humiliating! The only comfy place to sit is a wingback armchair and even then I'm still in shitloads of pain.

It began yesterday and I hoped it would be gone by morning but it's actually worse. Painkillers aren't even taking the edge off but a heat pack is helping a little, as is pushing back on my back (as if the pressure is being pushed back in!).

I'm phoning the GP in a bit once lines open but I was just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar and if it's something serious? Thanks.

OP posts:
TaraR2020 · 30/03/2021 11:42

Op have you managed to see your gp yet? Hope you're ok Flowers

SeaToSki · 30/03/2021 11:46

Yes, potentially it is serious. You should talk to someone medical. If its just muscles, you will be prescribed muscle relaxants which will help to treat the problem. If it is discs or something else, you need to be seen

Original poster
puppychaos · 31/03/2021 04:47

@TaraR2020 @SeaToSki

I had a very quick phone appointment and was prescribed some heavy painkillers but it's only really taken the edge off so I'm still a bit worried it's something more serious. It's a new GP, I've just moved house, and I don't want to be a complete pain straight away but I am still in a lot of pain so I think I'll need to call back.

OP posts:
StarCat2020 · 31/03/2021 05:01

I had a very quick phone appointment
You poor thing, how utterly inadequate.

Make sure that you get more than that today!

arcof · 31/03/2021 05:15

It sound maybe like sciatica from a slipped disc?

Depending on severity, time may heal it (when the fluid dries up and stops putting pressure on the nerve, this is what happened to me and took about 3 months (sorry)), or you may be offered steroid shots or may even need surgery.

In meantime while they are working out what it is and how to treat, I highly recommend a Tens machine, look on Amazon at Healthmate forever or similar brand. And alternate heat pads and ice packs.

Hope you feel better soon.

Rainallnight · 31/03/2021 05:18

Poor you, severe back pain is just miserable.

Definitely ask to be seen again. I was referred for an MRI with similar symptoms and it was a disc.

Can you pay privately to be seen quickly by a physio?

Original poster
puppychaos · 31/03/2021 05:40

@StarCat2020

I had a very quick phone appointment You poor thing, how utterly inadequate.

Make sure that you get more than that today!

Yes I wasn't impressed but I was in so much pain that I didn't really have the energy to argue. The plan for today is to call after taking the heavy painkillers so at least I can get through the call without crying. It really is bloody horrible pain! I get they don't want to have people in because of covid but I don't feel this is something that should be a phone call appointment personally
OP posts:
Original poster
puppychaos · 31/03/2021 05:42

@arcof

It sound maybe like sciatica from a slipped disc?

Depending on severity, time may heal it (when the fluid dries up and stops putting pressure on the nerve, this is what happened to me and took about 3 months (sorry)), or you may be offered steroid shots or may even need surgery.

In meantime while they are working out what it is and how to treat, I highly recommend a Tens machine, look on Amazon at Healthmate forever or similar brand. And alternate heat pads and ice packs.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks - I'm not sure if it's siatica because my legs feel fine. My mum has it and her legs are the worst affected.

Three months Sad I hope you're feeling better now.

Will keep on with the heat and ice, that's the only thing that's consistently helping. I'm not sure if I should be trying to stretch much or if that would make it worse? I do feel very stiff.

OP posts:
Original poster
puppychaos · 31/03/2021 05:44

@Rainallnight

Poor you, severe back pain is just miserable.

Definitely ask to be seen again. I was referred for an MRI with similar symptoms and it was a disc.

Can you pay privately to be seen quickly by a physio?

It really is! I woke up in seering pain unable to move earlier tonight. It's actually really quite scary.

No we don't have the budget for private healthcare at the moment but given the current state of the NHS I am incredibly tempted to see if we can get private health insurance because it's not the first time I've had excruciating pain dismissed (I have PCOS and suspected fibromyalgia and the NHS have been awful for both).

OP posts:
StarCat2020 · 31/03/2021 05:49

I get they don't want to have people in because of covid but I don't feel this is something that should be a phone call appointment personally
Don't get me started on GPs over the past year.

Mine have been disgusting with no F2F at all and only allowed to phone them if you don't have Internet access (do online prescriptions so they know).

Other people's surgeries in town have been open for months.

It makes no sense at all.

Anyway your plan for today sounds like a good one.

Good luck!!

Original poster
puppychaos · 31/03/2021 05:52

@StarCat2020

I get they don't want to have people in because of covid but I don't feel this is something that should be a phone call appointment personally Don't get me started on GPs over the past year.

Mine have been disgusting with no F2F at all and only allowed to phone them if you don't have Internet access (do online prescriptions so they know).

Other people's surgeries in town have been open for months.

It makes no sense at all.

Anyway your plan for today sounds like a good one.

Good luck!!

That is so frustrating!

As I say it's a new GP so I'm not sure how they've been for the last year in terms of face to face appts but I hope this isn't a taste of what's to come as it's the only GP I can register at I think

OP posts:
GoodNewsAhead · 31/03/2021 06:45

If you don’t get any luck from your GP it may be worth seeing if your local walk in is doing face to face appointments. While I had to have a phone call yesterday, the one where I live is making appointments and seeing people. Waits are probably long with COVID but may also be worth looking at if you can self refer to physio. You can always cancel if not needed but at least having it in means you can get seen if it is needed.

user7593927274859 · 31/03/2021 07:15

If you get any numbness or problems urinating op, phone 111

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