Agonising back pain

[SmileyClare]

Any advice?
Ive had niggling lower back pain for several weeks- carried on with life/ work as recommended on the NHS website. I have a very physical job (self employed cleaner).

However at the weekend I tried to get up, felt like my back gave way (?) and couldn’t- the worst pain ever- lower back all down my leg- just horrific.

Im now on Naproxen, pregablin and coccodamol but can barely stand or walk without feeling sick with pain.

please can anyone advise? Is there an ongoing back pain thread on here?
I really need to return to work soon as I’m self employed. And get on with everything at home- two teenagers here.

Just feeling so desperate.

Have you seen an osteopath or chiropractor?

Would recommend a Physio over an osteopath/chiropractor. Can you self refer at your GP?

Hi, no I cannot afford private treatment.
I’ve had one phone appointment with a gp who prescribed the drugs listed above.

im trying to follow some sciatica exercises I found online but finding they make the pain worse. And I’m forcing myself to walk about a bit with a hot water bottle strapped to my back.!

Should I just be pushing through the pain or resting? I would appreciate any advice.
Sorry if I’m waffling, I’m very drugged up and feeling pathetically sorry for myself

No you shouldn't be pushing through the pain. And I know you say you can't afford private treatment but the cost of a session with a chiropractor cannot be more than your lost wages as a self employed person having to miss work. GPs are generally utterly useful with this kind of injury and I now don't even bother - just head straight to my chiropractor/.sports injury therapist when I get back/shoulder/neck issues (as per my user name!).

We have a local (McTimoney so very gentle) chiropractor who works out of a rented room at the health centre and so is much cheaper than a fancy clinic. Just thought I'd mention in case there's anything similar near you and that helps with affordability

I will ask my gp if I can self refer to a physio, thank you. He said to ring the practice back if it doesn’t ease in a week.

If anyone has any suggestions for stuff I can do at home to speed up recovery I’d be very grateful.

Gp advised swimming but I can hardly move 😂 let alone drive myself to a pool.

Thanks for the kind replies.

Ok it sounds like I need a private chiropractor.
How many sessions were needed in your case?

Move very gently, avoid bending
Don't sit - stand or lie using a pillow under or between knees
Physio
Thermacare lower hip and back wraps
Painkillers regularly, even set an alarm so you can take them before getting up

Please google cauda equina and if you get ANY of the symptoms go straight to a&e

*@Rebel2 thanks for your tips x

Be extremely careful with swimming. If discs are bulging and muscles in spasm then the over extension from swimming can make everything worse.
Take the full amount of painkillers at the regular intervals that you can.

Thank you. I think I’d be screaming in pain if I attempted swimming! I think it might be a herniated disc but obviously that’s just based on random information I’ve googled.

I had this before and it is agonizing to even blink so you should be resting. The doctor should have given you valium to take one at night to relax the muscles as will help you to sleep and recover. You need to get gp to visit you or go to the hospital as you need urgent care. Please look after yourself as those back spasms are the most painful ever and I really feel for you.

If it’s a herniated disc then realistically you will need a few weeks rest.
If it’s muscle spasm it may resolve sooner.
Go to an osteopath for a consultation, he/she will tell you what you’ve got going on and advise accordingly.
In the future it may be worth investing in a back support for when you’re working.
Also once fit work on strengthening your stomach muscles as they support your back too (and your bladder will benefit also).

You need a good physiotherapist asap. That means you will have to find a private one near where you live. If you are on your local next door app you might get some recommendations. Or look at google reviews. The nhs is useless with back injuries. I am so sorry, but you could end up in permanent pain if you dont get proper help asap.

No don't push through the pain! If it is anything like mine was you wouldn't be able to get to a physio either. No way. I just lay in bed on inco sheets for about a week.
Your pain killers should help somewhat.
Eventually (after a two nhs scans and checks for cauda equina) when I was able to get up physio did help, but only advice -they didn't risk any exercises. Unfortunately I am left with permanent nerve damage, which was apparent from the start.
I get about fine day to day, but no way could I work as a cleaner.

Don't push through the pain when you don't know what is causing it as you might make matters worse. You need to be assessed by a good physiotherapist and ought to have an MRI but I suspect it'll be hard to persuade a doctor to refer you for that. If the cause is found and exercises/stretches are the treatment then do them religiously, don't stop when the pain eases either but carry on otherwise you risk relapse.

Ok thank you. Money is pretty tight to be honest as unfortunately my husband fell off a roof and shattered his pelvis and arm 18 months ago and has been unable to work.
Im supposed to be his career but now he’s more mobile I’ve been doing loads of cleaning work to keep us afloat. This is just a nightmare, terrible timing!

Should I go to A and E if no better? Feels a bit extreme and not really an emergency.

Sorry I can’t think straight on coccodamol. It’s knocked me bandy.

Thank you for your kind replies x

Sorry that should read *carer

Mine was lower back, had been niggly for a while and then one morning I woke up in agony, unable to move without pushing the pain to excruciating levels. I had a 4yo at the time so had no choice but to slither out of bed sideways and get on with it as best I could but it felt so weak and painful I was honestly scared my spine would somehow collapse!

DH managed to get me into the car (somehow!) and to the chiropractor a couple of days later and I think I had 4 or 5 sessions over about 3 weeks before it felt properly better, although it improved some after each visit. Pretty sure it was about £40 for each half hour session but it's bound to have gone up a little by now, which I know still sounds like a lot of money but was honestly worth it's weight in gold.

Do not go to a chiropractor, go to an osteopath or physio. Lean and twist injury, sciatic nerve trapped/hurt. Ice it, take anti inflammatories.

Thanks @Perfectlyround that sounds very similar to my experience. I’ve never had pain like this, it’s something else isn’t it? 😫

I am now trying to alternate an ice pack with hot water bottles. Think I’ve probably burnt my back as it’s permanently red now.

My customers have all been lovely and understanding but I think I was being optimistic to just book this week off.

In very grateful for all the advice on here, thanks so much.

Do you want to give a vague area where you are OP, just in case it happens to be local to me, or someone else who could recommend a chiro or physio?

Yes you should go to a&e
you can have a disc protruding on your nerve hence pain down your legs
they can hopefully scan you
the pain you describe and the amount of painkillers is a lot and you’re still in agony
do not go to a chiropractor at this stage
you need to know what’s happening inside

I had similar issues for months and was in severe pain with a protruding disc which caused horrific sciatica
the disc then ruptured and I needed surgery
I am not suggesting the same will happen but this doesn’t sound muscular and needs checking out

West Sussex - Horsham
this whole threads probably outing but past caring at this point. !

I will consider A and E if no better. Can’t face moving anymore today or sitting in hospital.