Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

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

In so much pain, what shall I do?

26 replies

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 08:00

I have somehow twinged or trapped something in my lower back, possibly bending over babies cot.
When I say it is beyond excruciating I am not even being dramatic. All night I have been up screaming in agony when I move the tiniest bit in bed. It's cramped up so it's taking my breath away and I can't move . My legs are beginning to get pins and needles. I'm in agony and I have a very high pain threshold.

OP posts:
AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 17/12/2023 08:02

I frequently trap my lower back and it HURTS. The only thing that helps even a little bit is a super hot bath. But it has to be as hot as you can stand it. And soak. It will ease the pain i promise. You must try to move also else it will be worse in the long run.

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 08:03

Thanks I will try a bath now but I genuinely can't get out of bed.

OP posts:
Valhalla17 · 17/12/2023 08:05

Ibuprofen or co-codamol. Very gentle stretches once pain relief has kicked in....lie on back and slow torso twists etc. I've been there, I know its horrendous. Flowers

Almondmum · 17/12/2023 08:05

What painkillers have you taken? When I did similar on a weekend and over the counter stuff wasn't cutting it I saw the out of hours gp who prescribed me something stronger.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 17/12/2023 08:06

When I had this I called 111 and was taken by ambulance to A&E - I needed gas and air to get me down the stairs. After ex rays and an MRI I was given diagnosed with a severe muscle spasm and given Cocodamol, Tramadol and Diazepam, which made an immediate difference. It took me a couple of weeks to make a full recovery though.

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 08:10

Every time I try to stand, the cramp kicks in and I fall to the floor or bed and it is even more excruciating. I am genuinely stuck and I have never felt pain like this

OP posts:
BlueberryVelvet · 17/12/2023 08:10

It sounds exactly like my pain. I have a herniated L4 L5 disc and it’s agony.

I’ve had 3 spinal injections but it keeps flaring up. The only thing that works is codeine and rest.

CrunchyCarrot · 17/12/2023 08:11

For me only Diazepam works for muscle spasms, just a very low dose. Followed by heat and taking it easy for a couple of days. Hope you feel better soon!

AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 17/12/2023 08:12

I know it's hard and so painful, but you must try to be a little mobile. If you can get in the bath, hot as you can stand it and just soak, I promise it will ease some of that pain th n afterwards, 2 paracetamol 2 ibruprofen, hot water bottle. Heat is always the way for me x

AlwaysAnxiousAnnie · 17/12/2023 08:14

If you actually can't move at all then I would consider 111 and see what they say. I've never not been able to move at all. I've been in excruciating pain but I've always managed some mobility.

Valhalla17 · 17/12/2023 08:20

Is there another adult with you and do you have some pain relief/can you get some?

Co-codamol is best and then I would try and get the stronger version from the GP tomorrow.

Ultimately back pain will take time to improve. You could have this excruciating pain for up to a week, and full recovery can take about 3-4 weeks beyond that. You have to move little and often, keep mobile. Hot water bottle, pillows to keep you in a more comfortable position etc..

toomuchfaster · 17/12/2023 08:51

When did you last pass urine? The pins and needles suggest a medical emergency to me. I'd say A&E now, or at the very least 111 and be honest about the symptoms.

TheGhostOfTheOpera · 17/12/2023 09:13

toomuchfaster · 17/12/2023 08:51

When did you last pass urine? The pins and needles suggest a medical emergency to me. I'd say A&E now, or at the very least 111 and be honest about the symptoms.

⬆️⬆️⬆️
This

Pins and needles are a red flag. I’d go to A&E too.

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 10:07

I haven't had a wee for a while since last night. I have called 111 and they have prescribed naproxen and co codamol. I am Completly immobile and cannot stop crying
Thankyou for all your help but I am in such a bad way. 111 just said if my bum goes numb then call back

OP posts:
Ssmiler · 17/12/2023 10:41

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 10:07

I haven't had a wee for a while since last night. I have called 111 and they have prescribed naproxen and co codamol. I am Completly immobile and cannot stop crying
Thankyou for all your help but I am in such a bad way. 111 just said if my bum goes numb then call back

Numbness in bum and / or inside of upper thighs - think of anywhere that your body would be touching a saddle if on a horse

Apart from severe muscle spasm, it could be a herniated disc - for either, take the full dose of naproxen daily by the clock for at least five days - it’s an anti inflammatory so will start the healing for either. The codeine will top up the pain relief. A lot if people don’t find naproxen on its own enough for pain relief

You will need to eat before each dose - have you someone to help? Even if you can tolerate toast or soup - naproxen is hard on the stomach. Did they prescribe omeprazole or similar to protect your stomach while taking these? If not ring your gp tomorrow for something to take alongside

This has happened me a couple of times - try to stay positive - it WILL improve and with the meds you will be able to start moving gradually and gently in a day or two
If you can afford it I recommend a good physio as soon as you can get to one - preferably one who does acupuncture too because if it’s your disc as it may be that you can’t tolerate too much physio on the disc for the first couple of sessions but if the physio does acupuncture alongside it will help

Good luck OP it will improve - in the meantime I hope you have help with the DC so that you can rest

FedUpMumof10YO · 17/12/2023 10:43

Do you have a hot water bottle that might help with the pain ?

Ssmiler · 17/12/2023 10:44

Ps I’ve had pins and needles too and completely panicked - but was reassured and told exactly what you were told - it resolved too as the pain improved.

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 12:31

Thankyou so much everyone. Have taken pain killers now so fingers crossed it helps me be able to even lift a leg!!!!

OP posts:
grass67 · 17/12/2023 12:35

I had this two years ago. I used those stick on heat patches, deep heat and a lot of burden and paracetamol. Plus hot baths.

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 12:43

@grass67 I can't get out of bed let alone in and out a bath 🫨🫨

OP posts:
unsurebut · 17/12/2023 12:49

I've done this before and it was genuinely the most painful thing I've ever done - and I've got two children! I ended up in A&E, hopefully that won't happen to you.

BarleyArch · 17/12/2023 12:50

When I had torticollis (neck spasm) a couple of years ago the only thing that sorted me out was diazepam and codeine. I had three drug free births and they were far preferable to that. The morning I woke up with it, I tried to get out of bed but passed out and smacked my head on the bed post!

If that's what you have albeit in your back, it is horrible pain and you have my sympathies, hope it resolves soon 🤞

mumtoboys12 · 17/12/2023 22:00

Thankyou all so much. I managed to get out of bed about an hour ago, the few doses of co cocodamol I've had seem to be taking affect and I feel a bit high! Just managed a really hot shower and some deep heat and a slow walk around the house and im back in bed. As a PP said I have had children with no pain relief and I would rather that ten times over than this pain- it's ridiculous!

OP posts:
Valhalla17 · 18/12/2023 22:45

How are you feeling today OP?
Glad the co-codamol kicked in a bit and seemed to help. Just take it slow!

coxesorangepippin · 19/12/2023 01:08

You can get wrap around heated waist packs

These really helped when I had a bad back. I could barely fucking walk, excruciating

It was when ds was tiny and I swear it was from lifting him up