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.

Glad you managed to get a face to face appointment, its a real shame they are so hard to get these days. Fingers crossed you get referred to imaging as well but I expect that'd be a bit too much to hope for this soon.

Thanks @Natsku it was quite a painful ordeal going in the car and waiting to be seen! Glad to be home with my ice pack 😂

Boring update: Doctor diagnosed sciatica after some physical tests on legs. He wouldn’t refer for any further diagnostic scans yet so still don’t actually know the cause.
I was told in most cases the body will heal itself in 2-3 weeks- to continue with the anti inflammatories and painkillers and call in a week if no better or worse.

Was a bit concerned about numbness in my lower leg but was assured this a symptom of sciatica and will resolve itself.

Have self referred to our local NHS physio unit online. There is a waiting list I think so still considering a private option if I have to.

I’m trying to walk around the house and do some of the stretching exercises recommended on here.

Feeling a little frustrated and impatient with it all but feel a bit more informed (thanks to this thread and intensive Googling!) about what I can do at home to help recovery.

I get you with the impatience. I’m getting impatient now even though I know I’ve been here before and it does get better. I’d just like to be able to move properly now.

Glad you got to see the GP though.

It’s a bit shit isn’t it? I just want to get back to normal 😕 I hope you feel better soon.

Has anyone used a back support belt thing? I noticed one poster recommended one. I was thinking I could wear one to work if/when I go back. I’m terrified of this happening again 😫

@SmileyClare a back brace thing can help you feel more secure

And don't forget that in future, when cleaning a bath, never lean over it. Kneel down next to it!

Ok! I’ve seen a back support on Amazon with good reviews so worth a try. I ‘m happy to turn up to work looking like a weightlifter if it’s going to help 😂

Definitely going to work on strengthening my core muscles too after this nightmare situation.

I prefer an osteopath when it's so bad, mine is so gentle
If you can afford it (£40ish) it's so worth the money
You have my sympathy x

Sorry just saw update x

That’s ok. I’ve been recommended a good osteo local to me and one of my customers told me the same thing! I think I’ll have to pay.

The general message from my gp today was Keep taking the tablets and we’ll watch and wait so not sure the NHS are going to be that helpful!

I know I shouldn’t suggest this but I found the best (only) thing to lesson the spasms is a large glass of wine. I discovered that by accident … but I guess alcohol is a relaxant. I had tried painkillers etc - nothing helped and I was in agony. I know one should not turn to alcohol in these circs but it really did help! It seemed to break the cycle if that makes sense.

I struggled with chiropractor for four months gave in and saw GP who sent me for an x-ray. Results arthritic hips and lower back. A huge shock. But I can move forward armed with this knowledge. First appointment with osteopath tomorrow.

So email your GP say you want to proceed with physio but need evidence via an x-ray please.

Sorry to hear you’’ve been suffering for so long @justasking111 I hope your osteopath appointment goes well tomorrow, love your pragmatism and positivity x
I’ve had enough after just a few days!

I agree, just for peace of mind, it’s better to know what’s actually going on inside rather than just treating the symptoms.

That makes sense actually. I’m totally on board with this 😂

Going to be careful as taking a lot of codeine and just have 1 glass. That’s definitely something to look forward to at the weekend 😊

Be really really careful mixing codeine or co-codamol and alcohol.

Yes I will be mindful of that.
Perhaps I could miss a dose and try a glass of wine?
Im a bit worried about taking codydramol for a week or more and becoming addicted? I’m on the maximum dose and just feel so groggy and out of it but it’s the only thing that numbs the pain a bit. I can barely see straight though !

Will I get withdrawal symptoms when I stop?
Having a bad day today, just so fed up of being in agony 😭

Anything codeine related makes you very constipated. The last thing you need with sciatica.

Constipated? Oh great, another thing to add to my woes 😩

I’m not too bad, trying to drink lots of water but I guess that might be a different story in another week or so.

Hi OP, did you try a TENS machine? I E suffered with severe back pain for 30 years and the TENS machine is the only thing that helps me when it’s at its worst. Hope you’ll be feeling better soon x

Yes I have ordered a TENS machine from Amazon. Expected delivery is Friday and although it’s just a cheap basic one I’m pinning lots of hope on it!

Be really careful about what exercises you try at this stage but I would recommend googling Sciatic nerve flossing. I used a tens machine, minor relief but any relief was a bonus. I had a hot water bottle permanently attached to me. I rested lots (laying down flat) when it was at it's worst, the surgeon I saw said this was ok to do even though every where seems to tell you to keep moving. Medication that helped me was pregabalin, diazepam and morphine but nothing took the pain away completely. I hope you get some relief from it soon.

Ive suffered with severe back pain for 30 years
Jesus Christ how awful for you. I’m so sorry. Feel like a baby moaning about mine- it’s only been a few days What is the cause of yours? Are you able to get out and about?

Thanks @steppingcarefully I’ve also been put on pregablin. How long before you felt any benefits from taking it? I was told it may take two weeks to start working?

Yes I’m also permanently attached to a hot water bottle and have been told I must keep moving although it hurts!

I’ll look up “nerve flossing “ thank you.

I don't think I got the full effect of pregabalin because by the time I started on it I was going into hospital for a microdiscectomy but I'm sure I felt a difference within a couple of days. I also used a back support when working, it was a magnetic one. It really seems to help and it reminds you to move carefully because your lower back is restricted. I use one similar to this.
360relief.co.uk/product/self-heating-magnetic-belt-for-lower-back-support-and-pain-relief/?amp=1

Thanks for the link. I think a back support is a good idea x

This is agonising as a kind of pain. You may have herniated a disc and the only way to find out is a MRI which can take a long time to get. Keep pestering your GP. Sciatica is a symptom of something else that is wrong with your body, and you need to know what that is. If your work depends on being physically fit then you need to know and not be left to it with exercises and painkillers.