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.

I had spasms at the beginning of the week after cleaning the kick boards in the kitchen. You end up in some peculiar positions cleaning kitchen cabinets. But after increasing my dose of baclofen all pain has now gone. Most of the time I take just one tablet daily but I can increase it to a much higher dose when necessary. I will drop it back down over the next few days.
I can use it to prevent the initial muscle spasms leading to irritation of the sciatic nerve.

I have back issues which flare up from time to time. In the past couple of years I have had two really bad episodes. Chiropractors have helped enormously. McTimoney is very gentle but effective. I don’t know why so many people seem to think it’s nonsense. It’s a degree level course and it’s a very in depth training.
I was virtually crippled last year and three sessions a week for several weeks resolved it to the point where I could go on holiday abroad. It was intensive as I needed it fixed quickly. Usually it’s once a week. The doctor has been absolutely useless and I’m still waiting for physiotherapy six months after referral!

How's everyone doing?

Hi @justasking111 sorry to leave you hanging there!

Im doing ok thank you, still limping about although I think the foot drop is improving gradually. I actually find my back hurts more if I sit about for too long-it sort of seizes up a bit!
Still doing my morning exercises and back to all my cleaning jobs now. Just trying to be careful about bending and lifting.

Really need to sort out my garden but I don’t think my back could cope with gardening- have tried to cajole / bribe my teen sons into doing it with little success.

How are you doing @justasking111 ? Have you started on the gabapentin? I hope you’re seeing some improvement.

Sending good wishes to all my fellow back sufferers 🌺

Second week of gapantin. It's worth in that the spasms are uncomfortable rather than agonising. Seeing a consultant in eight days thank goodness.

I'm a wreck in the morning. Shuffle to the bathroom take a gapantin and two ibuprofen, back to bed for an hour, then hot shower on my back. As I move I loosen up. I'm much better in the afternoon and evening because I move. Sitting down I stiffen up so lying on the sofa is preferable.

@SmileyClare I'm glad you're exercises are working. I'm missing doing mine for my hips they were making a difference. So keep yours up.

Gardening will have to wait. Bribe or threaten those teens.

Generally being still is bad for back pain and no big about is better @SmileyClare. DO NOT GARDEN! I cannot stress that enough 😂

I’m still in pain here. Can’t stand or walk for more than 5 mins at a time. Sitting is fine because it’s not my back where the pain is it’s my leg. Supposed to be going back to work tomorrow but think I’m going to have to call and ask for sick note to be extended. Also need to make an appointment to ask about another change of meds because the stuff they gave me 2 weeks ago is making very little difference.

Glad the gabapentin is working @justasking111

@RafaistheKingofClay definitely go back for different meds. And get an extended sick note.

Hope you are doing ok OP. I am on holiday. When I get back I have to decide whether to pay £780 for MRI that private consultant wants.

Sorry you’re in so much pain @RafaistheKingofClay i found the sciatica down my leg worse than the back pain, you have my sympathy ☹️ It’s just awful.
What medication have you been given? There are various your gp might be willing to prescribe- stronger NSAIDs, muscle relaxants or nerve blockers, def worth asking x
I hope things improve- at least you have your new work desk to go back to, it was worth pushing to get that after all!

Glad to hear you’re getting some relief with the gabapentin @justasking111 . The full effects from pregablin didn’t kick in until around ten days after taking it- I found it very effective after that for nerve pain.
Are you experiencing any side effects? Be careful in the sun if you’re quite pale- it made me very UV sensitive.
Let us know how you get on with the consultant. Did you think you’ll be referred for surgery?

Thanks for the warnings about gardening, nice to have an excuse not to do it 😂
We have another bank holiday looming so will try to blackmail the teens into doing some of it..

Eek that’s expensive. I hate to say it, but I think it’s very unlikely you’ll get an MRI via the NHS.
I’d be very tempted to go down the private MRI route and then take those findings to your gp if that’s all you can afford? Especially if you’ve seen no improvement or symptoms have got worse since your fall.?
Hope you were able to enjoy your holiday ☀️

I was advised that the price of a private MRI can vary depending on the hospital and whether you can have a partial scan of just one area of your body? You might get it slightly cheaper. Good luck 🤞

I’m allergic to NSAIDs unfortunately.

When I pinged the disc a couple of years ago we were changing my antidepressants and one of the ones the psych recommended (duloxetine) is also used for diabetic nerve pain so we went with that.

Initially had codeine when I damaged it 8 weeks ago. Had mostly come off that when the pain shifted and the back pain cleared completely and I developed the sciatic pain. Have increased the Duloxetine and have more codeine. I can’t say that the increase in duloxetine has made much difference. Think I’m going to need gabapentin/pregabalin.

Seeing work physio next Tuesday hoping she might recommend an MRI. Waiting time is short here so it shouldn’t be an issue. Getting the results back will take longer.

Let us know how you get on @RafaistheKingofClay
Chin up, it’s miserable when you’re waking up every day in pain and can’t do much. I got very fed up with it and started thinking I’d never get better.
Hope you have some help at home x

I first injured my back in 2002. Spent years looking after it (Pilates, core exercises, osteopath during 2 pregnancies)

It went again in September 2023. Was bad till December. Okay Jan to March bad in March.

Naproxen is the only thing that helps. I've been given something else that helps but they are reluctant to prescribe it often because it's addictive (is it Valium? Has a different name too?)

Had x-rays that found osteoarthritis so GP said that's it and effectively told me nothing else could be done.

Paid for a private MRI. I have a lot more going on than osteoarthritis and need a referral to see a neurological back specialist. Problem with several discs and affecting a nerve.

Swimming has helped me, but more so using the spa bath, sauna and steam room. They got me back on my feet.

Heat and a tens machine.

My back pain was so bad I couldn't roll over on bed my DH had to help me.

Finally in tears I begged for HRT (as the pain was cyclical) I already have the mirena coil so I was prescribed patches and honestly I feel like a brand new woman. My pain back has subsided SO much.

I was waking around like the stereotypical little old lady, bent over at the middle. Now I can stand straight again. It makes me sorry for those little old ladies who were never offered HRT.

I quickly realised the NHS route for all things back pain related is woefully limited @CaptainSeven

Pleased to hear you have yours under control (and can stand up straight!) after lots of suffering. The link between osteoarthritis/ back issues and HRT is not something I’d considered.

In desperation I went to see a private gynaecologist (as I thought the pain might be endometriosis)

When I went for my follow up (last night) I told him about the HRT and he explained that internally and cyclically our organs swell and inflame then reduce and that could have been pressing on my discs then pressing on the nerve.

I don't know how but the patch is definitely helping. I haven't taken painkillers since I started on them (about 3 weeks now?)

Swimming and cycling are the only exercise I'm allowed to do right now. No more running for me and I have to be careful walking.

No more sexy shoes! Sensible shoes all the time now.

I was very good with back first aid (that's what I called it) and managed my pain well for 21 years.

Now that I'm on the HRT I seem to be managing my pain well again.

I didn't make it to the spa/sauna/steam room this weekend and my back is twinging away. I'll need to try and visit one evening.

I used walking sticks in the house to get around when it was bad.

I also used KT tape and deep heat. I tried as many as possible non-medical options to support the medical options.

Also and I know this is agony/impossible but keeping mobile (in a safe way) really does help.

I couldn't stay in one position for any length of time as I ended up in severe pain.

Push for an MRI.

It’s just me. Annoyingly when sitting down it is totally pain free.

I think I preferred it when getting moving and flexibility was an issue but one I was moving the pain went. Now I’m just unbelievably bored and desperate to go for a long walk but can’t.

I think I’ve reached my limit for reading and binge watching stuff.

Here in Wales they're loathe to give you an MRI because it's a definitive diagnosis they're forced to treat. My GP messaged me again this morning to remind me to contact him as soon as I have seen the consultant. Our GPs hands are tied otherwise

I think I’ve reached my limit for reading and binge watching stuff
I felt like that . There’s only so many gripping crime dramas you can watch 😩

I think you recommended a TENS machine to me but I found I could hobble about a bit with that on full shock mode! Or someone else suggested crutches? Maybe your work physio can help with that? Great that you can at least access some healthcare through work.

Dont try to do too much though. I hope it eases a bit soon- it’s so frustrating isn’t it?

Did a long clean today inc lots of skirting boards..might have to invest in some strap on knee pads and resign myself to looking like I’m a contestant on Gladiators to save my knees.

Here in Wales they’re loath to give you an MRI definitely like that in England too! My gp sighed when I asked for one and said I could only have investigative scans if I was showing signs of saddle anaesthesia ☹️

The tens machine worked brilliantly when the pain was in my lower back. This I can’t get in the right place. I’ve tried 4 pads across my spine and 4 down my leg. I can’t get it low enough that it stops the pain in the bottom of my leg and foot.

Todat I have given crime dramas a miss and mostly mumsnetted. Was up far too late watching them last night and didn’t wake up til lunch time. Oops.

I thought “The Nurse” on Netflix was quite good if you can face any more crime dramas!

Let us know how you get on with your consultant @justasking111

I had issues this morning my blooming hip. That because I have been able to do my exercises which helped so much. Going round the supermarket was hellish the groin pain awful. Will take ibuprofen in the morning again sigh ....

I haven't had side effects from the garpantin besides sleepiness. I believe they're addictive though.