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.

Hi @justasking111 yes I have a similarly weak useless leg, I can’t stand on tip toes at all on that leg can you? It’s very strange as if the nerves won’t tell the muscles to work? Also get horrible twinges of pain in that leg.
Im still doing exercises every morning to try to strengthen my core and bum muscles.

I’m assuming nerve damage from my herniated disc although like you, found it impossible to get access to any diagnostic scans.

Dont know whether to laugh or cry about your e mail!

That’s rubbish @justasking111.

I have now got awful leg pain in one leg and numbness in that leg.

God sorry to hear that @RafaistheKingofClay welcome to the numb leg club ☹️

Do you know what’s caused yours? I think mine is bulging discs (?) although that’s mainly me diagnosing myself after much internet “research “

As far as I can make out, it’s a matter of waiting for the nerves to heal although walking and moving about eases the pain a bit.
Hooe you have some pain relief at least? X

It’s been mentioned on here already, but A and E if you develop symptoms of cauda equina @RafaistheKingofClay x

I was prescribed pregablin (lyrica) tablets when my nerve pain was ferocious. They essentially work by blocking nerve pain from sciatica. I found they took about 5 days to kick in but were very effective. Have come off them now after a month due to horrible side effects.

Might be worth asking (if your gp will speak to you!) if yours is very painful?

I’m hoping it’s the disc I did a month ago. It’s just shifted the pain onto different nerves.

No symptoms of CE. It’s just the 1 numb leg. That is going numb from the toes up. Hopefully can get an emergency appointment with gp tomorrow. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

I’m sure you’re right. It must be so frustrating to go backwards. Im trying to be careful with lifting and stuff, you just don’t know if it’ll flare up again.
Good luck at drs!

Thought I could manage until GP phone appointment in a week's time. 3am after being in pain got feet to floor before spasms knocked me backwards. 20 minutes of agony before I got to the bathroom to take a painkiller and have a wee. I really thought I was going to wet myself. Couldn't sleep after that. OH insisted that I phoned surgery at 8 am and raise hell if necessary. After speaking to lovely receptionist. Got an appointment. Doctor was very thorough agreed with osteopath I needed a scan after a myriad of tests. My dizzy spells weirdly are caused by a big drop in blood pressure when standing compared to sitting. He addressed my asthma as well. Has changed the meds. He listened to my heart, chest. Full MOT.

I've been put on Gabapentin which is controversial in USA but should help. One a day for a week, then two a day second week. Will take at night to minimise side effects.

Anyone else tried gabapentin??

He also mentioned Claudia equina and said any symptoms phone surgery or get to hospital

The standing on tip toe or not being able to is exactly what my sciatica does to me, it takes week to return and is one of the functions of the sciatic nerve. Permanent damage causes a drop foot and a weird gate. I think John Thaw (actor who played Morse suffered with it).
I was prescribed anti spasmodics rather than neurological drugs ( I have a good working knowledge of pharmacology so wasn’t keen to take them) I take Baclofen which can be used off licence for muscle spasm triggered by spinal injury or conditions. I can deal with the low grade back pain but when the nerve pain is triggered it is awful.
I take a very low dose which I can increase if I trigger the back pain. Life is fine without the spasms, lo I’m the low grade back pain means I can carry on.

Weeks not week

Hi @Angrymum22 thanks that’s all useful to know. I walk exactly like Morse now, hope it’s not permanent. FML

Interesting that you take anti spasmodic drugs. I was on a mix of naproxen and pregabalin and after a few weeks and spring arriving, developed an awful sun allergy called phototoxic reaction. I don’t want to touch them now, I was so itchy I wanted to claw my skin off 😂

Also sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis. Life is just absolutely shit sometimes eh?

Anyone had gabapentin?
I was on pregabalin for 4 weeks @Justasking which is in the same “family” of neurological drugs.

Highly addictive although I was on 50mg a day and very little withdrawal. Made me spaced out at first, blurred vision, can cause weight gain so be mindful of the “munchies” quite a nice calm feeling on it, some strange trippy dreams though.

That said, I found it VERY effective in blocking the agonising nerve pain I experienced for the first few weeks. It took just over a week to notice any effect.
I attempted stopping it after a week and fuck me did the nerve pain come back with a vengeance. So it definitely worked.

Pregablin is the modern preferred version of gabapentin (I think?) might be worth asking a professional though.

Oh and another side effect of pregablin was zero sex drive, everything was pretty numb down there (sorry if TMI)

Wasn't feel that sexy anyway what with a buggered back but worth noting if you’re on it for a long period x

I'm in the sciatica spasm hell and about to start methacarbol. I'm having such a terrible time with spasms.

I bought a fantastic pillow from amazon with removable neck rest, little arm rests and amazing lower back support. I'd be quite lost without it now. I always had so many pillows stacked behind me, but nothing felt like when I sat on my sofa with that cushion. I actually cried, It's been so long since I say I'm a chair and felt supported. Dramatic, I realise but absolutely true.

I've been trying a daily stretch, soles of my feet together, and gently stretching forward. Some days this week I've not even been able to look down as so many movements are pinging my lower back. So I'm doing the stretch twice a day, plus alternating with heat and Ice throughout the day. Doctor said heat is great. A few times my husband has had to tie a hot water bottle around my waist (safely). I'm going to start building up to a yoga sun salute by gradually adding to the movement every day. Very safe and slow.

I'm interested to see the back support? Can share a photo of the pillow. I'll see if I can open in browser. I also bought an adjustable tray for bed, as I'm almost bedbound at the minute. It can sit at angles and go higher or lower. It read expensive for what it is, but worth every penny for the adjustableness.

I've been reading this for months and have so much solidarity for you guys. ❤️

Oh I've also bought a picker up thing for when I can get back to work.

My wonderful pillow.

Back support belt

Welcome to the club no one wants to be in @MyEyesAreBleeding

Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time at mo. That pillow looks fantastic. The pain is something else isn’t it? I remember crying a lot when I first did my back x

I linked to my back support above. I always wear it to work (SE cleaner) and recommend it when you’re a bit more mobile.

I still tie a hot water bottle to my back with a scarf when it’s hurting! I found the gel ice packs really good too.

Off to Google Methacarbol! I hope it gives you some relief x

Note: obviously that’s not my body in the back support picture 😂

I had read the thread first time round but couldn't flip back to find it. Ive now found myself looking at heatable ones.

My husband uses a dressing gown belt and ties it to the front of me so I can safely undo it.

I do have a lot of health problems and for weeks have been trying to go to work (once a week) but every week I'm having to cancel because the risk and payback is too high. Gonna look at your one now. A heated one really appeals to me.

I have another thread running if you're nosy do feel free to look.

I really feel for you being a cleaner. There are so many movements we take for granted. I'm really glad your clients are being forgiving. It must be very stressful 💜hoovering must just be the worst. And cleaning baths

Ooh dressing gown belt is a good shout!

My back seems to be holding up at work, just really hoping I don’t do myself more damage. I do a hell of a lot on my knees now to avoid bending for long periods.

…look out for my thread soon moaning about bad knees! Haha

Really feel for you, the muscle spasms are so painful. It’s frustrating when no position feels comfortable.
Let us know how you get on with the muscle relaxant.

I bought an orthopaedic cushion to sleep with which also seems to help keep my back in a good position, will try to link it if you want to add to your Amazon order!

Cushion

Hoping to get the muscle relaxants tomorrow 🤞. I love that back support.. Do you wear it under clothes? It would be great to be able to hide it.

Oh please be careful of your knees. It's terrible having to change your physical ways and risk doing harm Elsewhere.

My knees are already buggered, I can't kneel on them directly. Pardon me if you've already considered it, but you can get protective knee pads. "knee pads for work" brings up all sorts. That could be worth 10 or 20quid to protect yourself long term. Much more practical than carrying a cushion around.

Gonna look at your cushion. The cylindrical neck rest from my chiropractic pillow makes a great wedge between my knees when sleeping. That takes a lot of pressure off my lower back. Turning over in bed with a hot water bottle tied to your back and pillow between your knees is krypton factor stuff but I'll try anything at this stage!

I've been putting a cushion under my knees when lying on the sofa or in bed. Also between my knees when on my side. God knows if it's helping. I like to think it is

There is some science behind lying with a pillow between your knees I think! Something to do with aligning your hips and spine. I do hope your nerve pain is calming a little @justasking111

Yes @MyEyesAreBleeding I wear the back support over a thin vest with a long sleeved top or gym top over it. It feels a bit like what I’d imagine it’s like to have completely ripped solid stomach muscles 😂

Im attempting to strengthen my core so hopefully won’t become reliant on it.

Ive been kneeling ion a small folded up towel at work but knee pads might be easier. What with the belt and the knee pads and limping like Morse, I’m looking more and more like a skate boarding detective 😩

I have started using resistance bands to help with the exercises that I was given for sciatica and piriformis syndrome. The exercises do work but I feel vulnerable doing them. The bands just seem to stabilise everything. After prolonged sciatica your core muscles are pretty shot.

Oh and kneeling is the one position which triggers the piriformis spasms. I’m not really sure how to sort that one out so I try not to kneel for too long.