How long to leave trapped nerve and possible bulging/slipped disc in upper back AFTER seeing GP and physio?

[Sameshitdifferentdayox]

Hi.
Just wondering if anyones experienced the same sort of thing.
A week ago I made a sudden movement that's seemed to of buggered my upper back/bottom of neck. Initially thought it was a mild trapped nerve. Saw the Dr Tuesday just gone after being thrown from pillar to post from Dr's, pharmacy (because I couldn't get a GP appt) who advised 111, who then managed to get me in to a GP, who then put me in with physio at the GP surgery for today (Friday!) 😴🥴
It's affecting my right arm and fingers, aswell as the shoulder/shoulder blade. Tingling, slight weakness that just feels like a mildly dead arm, my upper spine feels bruised to even run fingers over/press on and very tender, which then leaves a burning type feeling and me feeling as sick as a pig. I was given diazepam on Tuesday (2mg) but didn't feel much effect. Told to keep up with general painkillers. Can manage slight movement with head/neck but cannot move head back at all without pain. The physio has said "if there is no improvement then we can refer you, or you can self refer to a hospital physio who can then organise scans, but ONLY if there's no improvement" but wouldn't give a time limit on how long to leave it for from now?! I've been off work (cleaner) all this week, and the thought of stress with how they're going to react if no better by Monday makes me feel sick alone.
Does this potentially sound similar to anyone's experiences with disc/trapped nerves? Was a MRI needed? Any advice welcome. Just a waiting game I suppose. 🥴
Thank you in advance!

I started with back pain in April 2022. It wasn't fully diagnosed until the September after an MRI - two bulging discs and trapped nerve. I had an MRI because I have osteoporosis and no physio would treat without certainty.
I had physio but it was really about 9 months before I saw much improvement. Almost two years on now and I can be symptom free at times but I can set it off easily. I've learned which exercises really work and how to manage it.

Thank you! Sorry to hear you've been suffering also.
Honestly it's horrific the pain isn't it 😩 I have lower lumbar scoliosis and I've always been able to manage the pain and aches that come with that, but this has thrown me completely. Will definitely keep with the exercises though!

I have to add that the intense pain did not last long, it's just that some pain and numbness continued for months.

6 weeks before I was pain free after I slipped a disc (though got progressively better over the weeks).

Back pain is awful - but a scan unlikely to change anything at this point unfortunately.

I feel your pain OP quiet literally. Mine is in the middle of my back 3 herniated discs. I have it nearly two years now. Had an mri as they were worried about the spine part. I can be fine for a while and then a change of direction and i get that burning sensation that leaves me feeling sick and faint (it's horrible) I've had anti inflammatories and pain killers, muscle relaxants etc waiting in physio but it's a massive waiting list both privately and public. I find walking and doing certain stretches helps. I have a gel that I use too that helps occasionally. But honestly it is driving me insane.

Hi OP,

If you can get a recommendation for really good local osteopath or chiropracter that might help. Some can be real wizards, but you have to find the good on on recommendation. Maybe mumsnet local?

Also this book has some really amazing exercises in it that have always sorted me out in short order:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alis-Ultimate-Back-Book-Integrated/dp/0091882397

Not sure if it's the same grade of problem though. I think I'd want a professional looking at it really. Can you afford a private consultation?

If you can afford it, a good osteopath will sort you out. I had sciatic paid for months before my friend suggested her Osteo. He honestly took my pain away in one sessions and completely resolved it in 3. It was was a bulging diskung my case.

Thank you for your replies, and sorry you're all suffering or have suffered too!
A friend has recommended a good chiropractor, just funds at the moment 🥴
Such a pain in the back side! Got a lovely headache today triggered by it and slight shakes down the affected arm. Just wish it was a quick fix.
I'd rather be giving birth again than this 😩😂 will look in to the things you have all recommended though! X

Honestly if you are going private I would pay for a physio rather than a chiroprator. I know some people swear by them but they are on a par with homeopaths IMVHO.
A private physiotherapist will be properly trained and much more likely to have the medical knowledge to help.

Morning.
Just randomly before I ring the GP after sending this message. Has anyone ever had stomach issues in terms of random bloating and pain in the stomach relating to any of the above problems you've had with the nerves/discs?
Tia

I certainly got headaches, all in the back of the head- it was like someone had kicked me at base of skull- top of neck- and if you pressed on back of head I got tingling in 1 leg

Are you taking anti inflammatory drugs Op?

I've had trapped nerves on both the upper and lower back.

The only thing that works is exercise.

I've had physio, osteopaths, you name it. They help a bit for a bit, but ultimately you need to address the underlying cause, which is something in your posture.

And the only way to do that is exercise.

The last time I had this (just a few weeks ago) I didn't even bother to go to the doctor, just picked up the exercises, and got going. Initially I could barely manage 3-4 minutes, but I did them every couple of hours. I (very) gradually built it up, now I am on 30 mins twice a day and I can function almost completely normally just over a month in (it only hurts when I try to sit for too long, it's a lower back one this time).

I had an episode of this a few years ago, it cleared up after a while.

But it's just come back around Christmas and I'm fed up with it. It settles down then something I do sets it off again.

I do sometimes get episodes of bloating with it that I don't know if are connected or coincidence.

@CatherinedeBourgh what exercises do you recommend for both the upper and lower back.

My instinct is that as you say, I have an underlying postural issue I need to fix. But I'm not sure how to fix it.

Some painkillers do that to me especially NSAID. I can’t take anything stronger than ibuprofen and even volterol gel causes bloating and nausea. You might need something like omeprazole to protect your stomach if you are taking strong painkillers.

I have bulging discs in my neck and it took months of physio to calm things down and stop the pins and needles in my arm.

Have had ibuprofen alongside paracetamol in the last few days but didn't really touch!
The Dr this evening was against me being put on Diazepam last week by another Dr as she really doesn't like the drug so her words were she doesn't prescribe it, so was told to stop taking that. And she's now put me on tramadol. So that alongside OTC meds at this point. 😴 She's signed me off of work for this week due to torticollis from whatever the hell I've done!? 🥴😂

I feel for you!
I have lower lumbar scoliosis, be it mild and have had problems with lower back ache for years but this pain is rotten!! Amazing that all it takes is one awkward or random movement/action and it buggers us!
The Dr wasn't sure if the bloating was connected or a bug on top of everything so, another waiting game 😂
I hope yours settles soon x

Good luck.

Go private if you can afford it.

I eventually fixed my upper back through pilates, and kept it going with rock climbing (pilates will do it, but rock climbing is more fun).

This time for the lower back, I started out with these

and then worked my way up to lower ab pilates exercises (the easier ones).

I'm sure you can find equivalent ones for the acute phase for the upper back.

Yoga can be helpful too, if you do it consistently enough (I don't, I get bored).

Thanks @CatherinedeBourgh I love it that you mentioned rock climbing. I adore doing that, I'd only just started it but gave it up when my upper back issues flared up again. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to do it again. You've given me hope! Though I do worry that my particular issue is most settled when I do zero upper body exercise. Swimming definitely sets it off.

The Ibuprofen might be causing the stomach issues rather than the back issue.
Annoyingly I can't touch NSAIDS

Yes, I had the same. But then kept coming back again and again until I took the bull by the horn and built up enough muscle to keep the posture even while moving.

Took a while, but I got there in the end.

@CatherinedeBourgh how many times a week and how long did you do pilates for to build up that muscle strength to go climbing?

For your lower back you mention starting out with certain exercises then building up to others...

With both upper and lower back how did you know or work out 1. how much exercise is safe to do initially and 2. when you were safe to move on to harder exercises?

That's the stuff where I get stuck - I never know what's safe for me to try as everything I do seems to set off the upper back nerve issues! So I end up doing nothing!