Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Agonising back pain

466 replies

SmileyClare · 06/03/2023 14:11

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 12:48

Your osteopath sounds good @justasking111 i just hope you’re not too sore after all your manipulation yesterday!

Im trying some pelvic exercises I found online which are hopefully helping.

Hope you get some relief soon

OP posts:
Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 12:52

@justasking111 Have you been offered a cortisteroid injection? That was mentioned as one treatment in your article.

Im glad you have a firm diagnosis you can work with now.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 09/03/2023 13:01

SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 12:52

@justasking111 Have you been offered a cortisteroid injection? That was mentioned as one treatment in your article.

Im glad you have a firm diagnosis you can work with now.

I don't want the injection. I'm prepared to fix this the hard way through exercise and manipulation. There's no quick fix it's management. Osteo says I've been compensating because of scoliosis so muscles are knotted up. The osreo arthritis in the hips is normal wear and tear. My muscles aren't holding my skeleton up

justasking111 · 09/03/2023 13:04

Covid forced inactivity plus six operations in last 12 months meaning enforced inactivity each time for four weeks piled it on. Weight gain too. I'm determined to turn the clock back

Soozikinzii · 09/03/2023 13:18

Wehave a local.physio that charges £40 an hour a couple of hours would be well worth it for you I'm sure .

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 13:27

Wishing you well @justasking111 don’t be too hard on yourself, youve been through a lot.

Thanks *@Soozikinzii as soon as these painful back spasms calm down a bit I would love to get a physio session. If it’s something pressing on my sciatic nerve I just want it to stop!
If I can pay per session then that sounds more affordable.

OP posts:
Natsku · 09/03/2023 13:53

SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 12:52

@justasking111 Have you been offered a cortisteroid injection? That was mentioned as one treatment in your article.

Im glad you have a firm diagnosis you can work with now.

I had a steroid injection for a different issue (foot pain) and it caused more pain than the original issue! Ended up going to a&e in agony because of it. My body might just react in a special (annoying) way though!

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 14:05

Yes I suppose they’re not a miracle cure 🙁

OP posts:
shumway · 09/03/2023 14:49

Tens machine, ice packs and voltarol gel have been helping me.

steppingcarefully · 09/03/2023 14:52

I was on codeine and morphine for a long period of time and was very spaced out. I did suffer side effects when I eventually came off them but the benefit of them far outweighs the consequences as far as I'm concerned. I reduced the dosage slowly but maybe not slowly enough. I think if you're in that much pain you need to just continue taking them for the time being.

justasking111 · 09/03/2023 15:06

steppingcarefully · 09/03/2023 14:52

I was on codeine and morphine for a long period of time and was very spaced out. I did suffer side effects when I eventually came off them but the benefit of them far outweighs the consequences as far as I'm concerned. I reduced the dosage slowly but maybe not slowly enough. I think if you're in that much pain you need to just continue taking them for the time being.

Cocodamol from the hospital following surgery just one makes me curl up and sleep. I've never had morphine. But the pain was so bad I was grateful for the oblivion

Rachaelrachael · 09/03/2023 15:07

Hi OP, this first happened to me 10 years ago when I bent down to open the freezer and sorry to say I've had repeated episodes every year or two since where i cant even get off the bed. After many many calls to my Dr over the years, I've only been referred to NHS physio in the last 6 months and to be honest it's a waste of time. If I were in your shoes I'd try to get an MRI scan now even if that means a trip to A&E. I didn't push for this when my back first went and just took the painkillers for weeks but now don't stand a chance of getting any help on the NHS.
Hope you're feeling better soon. I would honestly rather give birth than experience that pain again x

LexMitior · 09/03/2023 15:10

Just to note that I made a full recovery but the MRI was important in that as I was referred for surgery and could see the problem. I then made an informed choice not to have surgery based on a proper opinion and risk.

Best of luck. I took a lot of painkillers but they didn't really touch the sides, however, but than without.

justasking111 · 09/03/2023 15:10

Rachaelrachael · 09/03/2023 15:07

Hi OP, this first happened to me 10 years ago when I bent down to open the freezer and sorry to say I've had repeated episodes every year or two since where i cant even get off the bed. After many many calls to my Dr over the years, I've only been referred to NHS physio in the last 6 months and to be honest it's a waste of time. If I were in your shoes I'd try to get an MRI scan now even if that means a trip to A&E. I didn't push for this when my back first went and just took the painkillers for weeks but now don't stand a chance of getting any help on the NHS.
Hope you're feeling better soon. I would honestly rather give birth than experience that pain again x

Forget the NHS. Go private do their exercises and keep them up.

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 15:23

Nobody has any ringing endorsements for the NHS then 😂 not surprised but won’t get into a debate about woeful funding and shit mishandling of our NHS.

@Rachaelrachael sorry to hear your difficulties. It’s awful isn’t it? Such an all consuming pain. What has triggered your “relapses”? Really don’t want to go through this ordeal again 😩

Bit daunted by the thought of going private. However, Im self employed so any time off is losing money. We could afford a few consultations but not a long course of private treatment.

OP posts:
Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 15:26

steppingcarefully · 09/03/2023 14:52

I was on codeine and morphine for a long period of time and was very spaced out. I did suffer side effects when I eventually came off them but the benefit of them far outweighs the consequences as far as I'm concerned. I reduced the dosage slowly but maybe not slowly enough. I think if you're in that much pain you need to just continue taking them for the time being.

Thank you for this. I thought everyone was ignoring my question about opioids 😂

Thats reassuring. I’m probably worrying unnecessarily about developing some awful addiction then. Tapering them off when I feel better sounds sensible.. obvious really!

Thanks for your rational advice 🙂

OP posts:
Doggydooda · 09/03/2023 15:37

My son has been in agony with back pain between his shoulder blades and the pain has got worse. Due to go skiing in a couple of weeks!
Last night he saw a chiropractor recommended to him .
This guy has worked a miracle in 45 mins …he is within less than an hour of where you live ! Am not sure how to PM you .
Apart from the physical treatment he gave ,he was very thorough examining and listening to my son .
He also is very up to date with general back pain advice,

Doggydooda · 09/03/2023 15:39

He also charged a very reasonable consultation fee ..a lot less than I presumed it would be .

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 15:48

Glad your son is feeling better, hope he can go skiing as planned.

To PM, just click the three dots at the bottom right of a post and select the “private message” option, for reference!

OP posts:
IceFair · 09/03/2023 15:51

I had this last April.
Back pain and numbness down leg.
Because I have osteoporosis the GP referred me for an xray. That took 3 weeks. Then an MRI. That took 6 months.
Meanwhile I went to see a physio privately. He did a very long assessment and yet wouldn't recommend anything until I had a diagnosis.
When the MRI finally came back it showed 2 slipped discs and a trapped nerve. This was 8 months later and still as painful. The physio then gave me a series of gentle stretches which have made a massive difference.
Of course we don't know what your problem is OP but my recommendation if you are thinking of paying would be a physio not an ostopath or even worse a chiropractor. Chiropractor in particular. My experience of that was they made a problem much, much worse.

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 16:00

Thank you that’s helpful. Sorry you had to wait so long for a diagnosis that’s terrible.

Could you give me a rough idea of the type of gentle stretches your physio gave you? Thanks

OP posts:
Rachaelrachael · 09/03/2023 18:42

SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 15:23

Nobody has any ringing endorsements for the NHS then 😂 not surprised but won’t get into a debate about woeful funding and shit mishandling of our NHS.

@Rachaelrachael sorry to hear your difficulties. It’s awful isn’t it? Such an all consuming pain. What has triggered your “relapses”? Really don’t want to go through this ordeal again 😩

Bit daunted by the thought of going private. However, Im self employed so any time off is losing money. We could afford a few consultations but not a long course of private treatment.

My relapses were triggered by random things like sneezing and bending over too fast. One time I bent forward to dry my legs after having a shower and that was all it took!
I did have private physio a couple of years back when I could afford it and that helped a little at the time, my physio did a treatment called theraflex which helped. Also shock therapy gives instant relief but for me only lasted a couple of days. There's also a treatment called IDD therapy which has good reviews for disc problems. This is what I'll be trying if/when my back goes again.
Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for you

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 19:06

Sneezing? Oh my god! I suppose once you have a weakness in your back it’s susceptible? Fingers crossed you’re ok now, it all sounds very expensive. eek

Thanks for your informative reply 😊 You sound like an expert now !

OP posts:
Rachaelrachael · 09/03/2023 19:48

SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 19:06

Sneezing? Oh my god! I suppose once you have a weakness in your back it’s susceptible? Fingers crossed you’re ok now, it all sounds very expensive. eek

Thanks for your informative reply 😊 You sound like an expert now !

I've spent way too many hours bedridden and desperately googling/asking mumsnet how to make the pain go away 😂😭

Original poster
SmileyClare · 09/03/2023 20:43

Yes that’s what I’ve been doing! 😂desperate times eh? I’ve practically got a medical degree now with all my internet research.. Hmm
Trying to remind myself I’ll get better but fuck my life at the moment!

OP posts: