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.

You might be lucky with NHS physio. I once had a private physio who had been an NHS physio. She explained that the reason they focus so heavily on exercises rather than being more hands on is because if they are hands on people like it and want more so keep coming back for more. Their philosophy was to not be too attractive to the patient. This was about 10years ago so might not be relevant now. I have had NHS physios that did hands on stuff but the majority have been focused on exercises..

The surgeon I saw also advised against chiro or osteopaths for significant issues like sciatica. He thought they were good for other stuff.

Really hope the TENs provides relief.

The trouble with being wary of chiropractor and osteopath in my health board is the six months waiting list for physio on NHS. MY adult DS had an email last week after a year wait to hear from NHS physio. They attached a PDF document with recommended exercises. So he won't be seen it seems

6 months wait for physio is awful 😮

Ive been doing some basic stretches but think maybe I’ve been doing too much. The pain in my back is awful, my left foot is almost completely numb now and I’m just dragging that leg around now.

I don’t think I’d be able to get myself to a physio appointment yet tbh.

Feeling so down and realising I probably can’t go back to full time cleaning. It’s a massive blow. Can’t stop crying today. So fed up.

My TENS machine does help a bit thank you. I’ve managed to put a wash on and now sitting with it on and crying 😂
Being totally pathetic today!

@SmileyClare I think you must stop now. Rest up. Ask around on FB for a good physio guy. In fact if you have a local football or rugby club phone them for a recommendation. They're always around at the weekend so pick up the phone

Thank you. That’s a good idea- my husband is going to watch a local football match today- worth asking.

Ive pulled myself together now and resigned to sitting this out for next few days. No point me being a baby about it, not helping at all!

I think you are entitled to be pretty fed up.

Whereabouts are you? I can recommend great a physio but in Cheshire.

Good to hear you’re getting a bit of relief from the TENS machine. Don’t be hard on yourself, it’s ok to feel frustrated and cry 🥰 And don’t be afraid to ask your family to help you.

Thank you, you’re all very kind, I’m boring myself now moaning about this. Need to name change to CryingClare haha

. I’m lucky to have a dh and teenagers here . Although they’re good at making a mess they will help out when asked. Hate feeling so useless but probably good for dc to learn how to do stuff at home 😬

Im a long way from Cheshire thanks for the thought. Asking on Nextdoor app 👍

Did anyone suffering like this with sciatica experience numbness in one foot? I noticed one poster mentioned “foot drop” and nerve damage?

Im able to walk around more at home now if I time it with painkillers however my left foot is numb, especially the heel. I feel like I’m walking on a block of wood

Google is telling me this can be a symptom of sciatica.
Anyone else had this and can reassure me it’s “normal”. Did it go away quite quickly?

Yes I had foot drop but needed surgery
I would be tempted to go back to the GP with that as dragging my leg was one of the things they looked at

I had cauda equina with no incontinence

I’m sorry to hear that @Rebel2

I thought incontinence was the main symptom of cauda equina? I’ve been reassuring myself I don’t have that.

It’s a bit awkward as I phoned my gp twice last week but I guess I should ask about this new symptom then. Thank you x

It is but you can have it without

I already had foot drop and total loss of feeling but I was lying in bed and it felt like warm water running down my leg but there was nothing there
Very subtle and I wouldn't have noticed if I was up and about
Basically went from standard sciatica agony to numb, tingling, foot drop, dragging leg

Yes that’s what I have now ☹️
Will see what dr says. Oh lordy, really don’t want more complications!

Hope you’re fully recovered now x

I had foot drop without cauda equina, so it can happen without. I agree you should let the doctor know about it though.

I am (mostly!)
I still get the odd bit of back pain but no leg pain
Had a 5hr op by neurosurgery and was back on a horse 8 weeks post op (they called me wilful and discharged me within 24hrs)
Did do a lot of physio and gym work! Can exercise fairly normally, just a slight loss of feeling in one leg

Thanks @110APiccadilly
Im on hold to doctors .. 62nd in queue..FML!
hopefully it’s something that will resolve. It’s a bit unnerving (pardon the pun) to feel like my foot’s made of wood

@Rebel2 sounds like you made a great recovery, in part from putting the work in yourself with exercise and physio. “Wilful”is probably good in this scenario!

Since I had it I'm a bit "yeah it might not be cauda equina but any change of symptoms I would be seeking advice"
Better to feel a nuisance than it being an emergency and not being seen

I had a cold right foot, now after starting exercises I have a cramps in right foot. With me it's SI JOINT . It really is like that song your hip bones connected to your knee bone etc🙈

@SmileyClare keep chasing up please.

Friend ended up in hospital for a few weeks with cauda no incontinence her legs just wouldn't work.

I think junior doctors are on strike now until Thursday, so it's going to be interesting if they make seniors man A&e

Thanks all. On your advice I managed to get a doctor’s appointment in the morning - earliest they could do. Hopefully will get some reassurance about the numb foot!

Hope your foot cramps have settled down @justasking111 Ive had terribly cold feet, too, although that may just be the weather.
Dont know if I’m just being anxious about every possible symptom now. I’m normally pretty gung ho about health issues!

junior doctors are on strike now terrible times eh? God knows what the future holds for our NHS 🙁

I emailed osteopath at the weekend. Told him squats were fine to do. Step glutes soo hard, one leg bridge hardihar . He said forget one leg, I'm overdoing the glutes so dial back and he'll see me on Wednesday.

Glad you've got an appointment tomorrow @SmileyClare no you're not a wimp, numbness is concerning.

The cold feet isn't the weather I only had one cold foot so mention that to the GP

You've done the right thing
I went to a&e with the pain once (before I went numb) and I skipped triage queue as she said I was grey with pain
Was on dihydrocodeine, oral morphine, diazepam, paracetomol and naproxen and I still would have cut my own leg off