Back pain- desperate

[Daisy95]

I've had horrendous lower back pain for 8 weeks now, which spasms and gives me pins and needles into my bum. The gp has prescribed codeine and naproxen which doesn't really do much. I'm seeing a physio and chiropractor weekly. It's been in a bad spasm since yesterday to the point where i am loosing my mind.

Is there anything anyone else can recommend to help? im waiting on a telephone appointment this afternoon. But I'm just desperate

Diazepam can help back spasms but usually only give few days at a time. Have they tried you on any? The pins and needles would get alarm bells for me as could be pressing on spinal cord have you had X-rays or scans?
A TENS machine can help block pain signals safe to use with drugs.

You should definately push for scans if you are getting pins and needles around your bum. Have you been asked by anyone if you are having trouble with weeing and vowel movements???

Your physio - if they can see it is not getting better, should also support you to get scans too

@Akire no I haven't had any diazepam and no imaging, thats what I'm worried about, if the gp does call I'm going to try and push for some imaging. Oh I hadn't thought of tens machine, ill send my husband to get one of the way home from work. Thank you!

@Redhead37 they did ask about being able to wee etc and because I can they then seemed to not be worried about the pins and needles, but they've got worse since yesterday.
Yes I will speak to the physio I have an appointment tomorrow morning with them too, thank you!

It sounds like nerve pain which codeine and naproxen won't really help with

If you have the funds I would suggest contacting the London Pain Clinic and seeing if they can do imaging and give you some steroid injections

I used lots of pain killers over the years and ultimately the best things for my back were diazepam, injections and a cannabis oil ...
But it's very expensive

Your GP should be able to prescribe you baclofan diazepam and maybe robaxin too to see if it helps

G x

I feel for you op, I tweaked my back a couple of weeks ago while sitting on the floor playing with my daughter's. I reached over to pick up a tiny pair of shorts for the 4yo to try on and it just went. Absolute agony. Took me over an hour and a half to shuffle to the sofa and stand up. Pain killers had no effect at all. Spotting the TENS machine I'd bought 10 years ago and never had a chance to use saved my sanity. It's an Elle tens and absolutely brilliant. Definately give one a go. I hope you feel better soon xx

Thank you all for your help, i am currently waiting to be seen by orthopaedic at hospital, the gp was worried about the pins and needles too & got diazepam prescription too. Thank you

Result! Do come join us in chronic pain chat in chronic pain section if you want more support.

A TENS machine has been a godsend for me. Really helped with pain and I could cut down the meds a bit.

How are you OP

@cultkid thank you for asking, im still in lots of pain. I had an emergency mri done that night which showed bad damage to my L5 and my facet joints, but luckily nothing to serious. I'm on a muscle relaxant and pain relief which doesn't seem to be doing much but hopefully getting there eventually. The tens machine has been helping too!

Glad you have some relief, hope it’s not something last long time.

I knackered my back a few years ago. The pain was excruciating and was on not only Naproxen but also Diazepan as well....the cocktail they call it.

I suffered for 9 months with utter agony. I then accessed dedicated physio privately but through my employer which was days at a time. They had a specialist back physio who was amazing. I learnt more about my back from her than any Doctor. She also said that doctors are too quick to operate BUT that if you get it in the nerves it could be an emergency.

After a couple of weeks the improvement was amazing. I was taught exercises to do at home which were very Pilates based. I was really a new women. I have occasional twinges now but when I've been slack with exercises. Sorry to say but the hard work is the option. I loved having my back rubbed during physio but it is the exercises that get you right

Oh..NHS physios a waste of time. They don't have the time, resources or priority to treat you so it is a case of pay up