Pulled something in lower back - in lots of pain

[newnamenellie]

Yesterday evening, I was tidying up some bits that my DDs had left out on the grass. They'd been making a bug hotel and had left a brick out. I went to pick it up, obviously didn't bend correctly and felt my lower back/upper buttock area sort of seize/pull. I've done this a few times in recent years, always when lifting something and iirc, the pain usually goes away pretty quickly.

Anyway, I managed to get some sleep last night as I think it's maybe a little easier when I'm lying down, but since getting up this morning, I've had a constant dull ache across my lower back, it doesn't matter if I'm sitting or standing (though sitting is worse I thnk), the pain is there. I can't bend over so I'm having to direct people to pick things up for me or put things away in low cupboards etc, couldn't make the bed, couldn't put my shoes or socks on!!

I drove my DD1 into town for this morning and it was awful. The combination of sitting and using my feet/legs on the pedals when driving, it was terrible.

I went to the pharmacy and have bought Voltarol Joint Pain gel and co-codamol tablets. I've put the gel on but tbh, it hasn't done much but the the area is right across my back so not sure I've necessarily put it where it needs to go. I'm a bit scared of the co-codamol but will take before bed I think.

I've also put ice on a couple of times, but nothing seems to relieve it. I'm wondering if it's a herniated disc or 'just' a muscle strain.

Any tips for pain relief?

No tips. But I've done the same. I'm either uncomftable or in actual pain. Good luck OP I'm following for tips.

Oh no @Theneverendingcleaningcycle!

I'm thinking to give it a few days and maybe see a GP if no better, but then assume they'll just give strong painkillers which I don't like the idea of.

I'd use ibuprofen because it's an anti inflammatory. Feel better soon

Thanks @user1477249785.

The pharmacy recommended the voltarol gel as it's also an anti inflammatory, but a more hardcore version than Ibuprofen. She said I can't use the gel and ibuprofen tablets together, so I opted for the gel and the co-codamol combo!

I've got a two hour car journey tommrow. I'm dreading it.
I actually have a gp appointment Friday for somthing else but might mention my back if it's still sore. It'll be obvious as I can't sit down without a great deal of faff and grunting 😅
I'll let you know what the GP reccomends. Though I vet it's exercise stretching and painkillers.

@Theneverendingcleaningcycle oh, I feel for you. I hope it goes okay and you’re not in too much pain,

I’ve got a day of driving duties tomorrow, my daughters are at different activities in different parts of town with different start and finish times. I’m dreading that!

Yes, it’d be interesting to hear what the GP says. How did yours start btw? Did you feel it go?

It'll be either muscular pain, or possibly a disc.

The forces on the base of the spine are highest when it's flexed, so sat or bending, and 'going to ground' causes the muscles to rapidly decondition. best bet is to max out on paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory and stay stood and slowly walking around, or layed down to sleep, dont be tempted to sit, bend or lift.

If you have any loss of movement or strength in your legs, change in sensation around the perineum (when weeing, or wiping, or even losing control of bowel or bladder completely) or severe pain down both legs, dont bother calling a doctor, just go to A&E.

@FixTheBone thank you so much for replying. You sound knowledgeable 😊.

Is it normal for the pain to be there the whole time? So far nothing has touched it, though I haven’t tried co codamol yet. It’s a sort of intense ache which radiates through to my pelvis and feels like a bad period pain. When I sit or get up from sitting or bend, it feels more like a tightening/seizing up sensation rather than a sharp pain.

It'll no doubt be a pulled muscle - and I'm an expert in this sort of pain (unfortunately for me)

What helps ...

Rest
Movement
Ice
Heat
TENS machine - this was the one for me - I bought the Boots £60 one in desperation last year and it enabled me to be able to do things without being on agony
Hot bath
Tiger balm
Nerve type painkillers - normal ones aren't as good but the red liquid nurofen are decent
Sleep with a slim pillow between your knees to take strain off your back

I did it at my allotment. My own fault moving somthing to heavy.
I'm finding walking is alot easier than sitting. Hope it eases for you soon. X

[quote newnamenellie]@FixTheBone thank you so much for replying. You sound knowledgeable 😊.

Is it normal for the pain to be there the whole time? So far nothing has touched it, though I haven’t tried co codamol yet. It’s a sort of intense ache which radiates through to my pelvis and feels like a bad period pain. When I sit or get up from sitting or bend, it feels more like a tightening/seizing up sensation rather than a sharp pain.[/quote]
The pain is usually muscle spasm, which hurts till the muscle relaxes, hence gentle movement, warm poultice and anti inflammatory works best.

Whatever you do, don't stop moving. Gentle steady walking is what gets rid of any back pain for me.

Painkillers for the 1st few days to help you do it! Those gels are crap..... take ibuprofen and paracetamol to take the edge off, and co-codamol at bedtime.

Thank you for all of your responses and advice. I slept well last night, it’s definitely better lying down. Still really struggling to get up and down when sitting, but doesn’t seem to be constantly aching like it was yesterday.

How's your back OP? Mines alot better, just sitting and standing is a delicate process.