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.

OH and I have to increase the dose tomorrow. So 1 pill a day first week, 2 a day second week. Three a day from tomorrow. I'll be on 300 milligrammes a day then

I will do it might be useful for someone on here.

@SmileyClare

As promised am replying re my consultant appointment this morning.

He looked at x-ray from February also MRI from 2021 which included spine and hips because they were looking for something else in the area.

I had to walk up and down, then on tiptoes then on heels not great on heels. Had to put left leg over right knee, ok. Right leg over left knee ouchy.

I'm to stay on Gabapentin. I can resume osteopath exercises for hips. I'm booked in for an MRI.

He suspects it's a combination of degenerative spine as well as arthritis in the hips but the MRI will confirm.

He's a lovely man very calm so highly regarded. I feel safe in his hands.

Glad it went well @justasking111 (or as well as it could- never fun hearing you have a degenerative spine ☹️)
Consultant sounds very good/ thorough.

Are they proposing a treatment plan or possible surgery?

Hope everyone else is improving/ coping/ managing their back issues?

Some progress here- although I still can’t garden- my sons cut my grass at the weekend 😬

Pleased to hear it Justasking.

I finally got an MSK appointment for this Saturday. I've emailed complaints, I've emailed documents to Gp and a 2 page letter. Over 20 phone calls it's taken. Including 5 today to MSK. And 2 to GP practice manager. I cried with cried with built up emotion.

I feel emotionally drained by it all. The don't realise the unnecessary damage they do to you, when you are already ill and weak.

I'm so sorry. It really is those who shout the loudest. I think my Osteopath saying I needed a scan before he continued to treat me and my collapse one night with spasms tipped the balance for me re the GP

Well done @Oblomov23 sounds like you moved heaven and earth to secure your MSK appointment, beyond frustrating but I admire your perseverance

Let us know how you get on x

Glad you’ve got an appointment oblomov even if you had to shout for it.

I saw work physio today. Have some exercises to do. I have an irritable nerve. I think the exercises are mostly for that though rather than the original back issue which I think was disc related. Was hoping she might deal with both.

Snap with the standing on heels and left over right fine, right over left ouch, justasking.

Hope everyone else is getting on ok.

@RafaistheKingofClay is an irritable nerve similar to a pinched nerve?

It’d be great to see the kind of exercises you’ve been given for that (if that’s not too cheeky to ask)

Really hope you see some improvement soon 🤞

I've got a variety of things going on with my back it turns out.

Several degenerating discs. One of which is pushing on a nerve.

I've to ask for a referral for a neurological back specialist.

That sounds incredibly painful @CaptainSeven hopefully something can be done now you have a diagnosis x

I suspect degenerating discs in my back too @CaptainSeven . The scan will reveal more I hope

It’s not too cheeky. It wasn’t much but I think she’s going to send me something.

pelvic tilts,
cat/cow. But not really the cat bit because that hurts.
lying on back and hugging knees to chest.
lying on back with knees bent and moving them to left and right side. Mostly left because right hurts at the moment.

Because crouching down and sitting makes the pain disappear completely then I’m going to do that too and she recommended sit to stand as well.

the physio my GP surgery referred me last time gave me a print out with the exercises on and they were graded so that as I improved I could make them more difficult. I think this lot are all about the nerve rather than the original issue from 2/3 months ago which I’m sure was a disc. If any one has exercises for that I’d appreciate those.

I'm allowed to resume these exercises.

Squats, sit to stand, bridges. They've helped a lot.

Another exercise is to walk sideways like a crab and walk backwards.

Knees to chest have helped me too

@RafaistheKingofClay thank you 😊
Sounds as though you’re still in agony with it Massive sympathies.

I found pelvic tilts helpful and gradually built up to lifting my whole torso up (lying on back with knees bent feet on floor and squeezing bum and stomach muscles.)

Just do what feels ok, it will improve even though it probably doesn’t feel like it now. x

Thanks @justasking111 ive mostly been trying core strength exercises. Squats are a good shout.

Must have moved oddly in bed last night an agonizing spasm woke me up and OH unfortunately. So moved around gingerly this morning.

The hospital phoned I have an appointment for an MRI next Wednesday. Woohoo

Spoken to GP this morning. She’s going to refer me to their physio and speak to pharmacist about amitriptyline. Or maybe tramadol if it’s contraindicated with what I’m already taking. Or wean myself off the existing meds slowly and then add amitriptyline.

Woohoo for the MRI.

Good Justasking.

After making 5 complaints, and GP chasing again, I was finally given a MSK doctor appointment this morning. I fell 13 weeks ago. I was in with him for 1 hr 15 mins. He apologised to me, ordered a mri, hopefully within the next 2 weeks, and said to come back and see him in 5 weeks, which is the quickest he can do it, it would normally be 12. So I've made progress.

That’s fantastic @Oblomov23

It must be such a relief to finally be listened to, such a shame you had to kick up such a fuss to make that happen!

So pleased you now have an MRI booked.

And good luck for yours on Wednesday too @justasking111

How’s everyone getting on?

Checking in saw consultant today following MRI. Okay 5 vertabrae L1 to L5 BAD arthritis to accompany the scoliosis. Right hip arthritis. So two separate pain sources. The spine pinched nerves. The hip wear and tear. He's arranging a spinal injection to help with the pain in my hips, groin which run down to my feet. This injection won't help above the site pain wise. He's holding fire on my spine for now I may need surgery at some point though.

How are you @110APiccadilly @SmileyClare @Angrymum22 @RafaistheKingofClay etc?

Ouch.

Saw the work physio. Then GP referred me to MSK physio too who is really good. Seen her twice so far. She thinks pinched sciatic nerve that may or may not be the disc. But there may be a separate disc thing going on too. Sciatic nerve thing is going to be a long slow recovery taking months rather than weeks and a lot of rehab. (Which I’ve been very bad at doing since Tuesday tbh)

She’s going to look at referring me to spinal team in a couple of weeks I think. Much less painful over the last week, but I think that’s because I’ve hugely restricted my activity rather than any thing else.