URGENT - hurt back and flying tomorrow....strongest painkiller advice please

[PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer]

I have hurt my lower back - think it might have been while coughing really hard and driving at the same time.

Lower back, right above cocsyx (sp, you know what I mean). There is a slight swelling, and pains down legs into cal/knee, throbs. Main thing that relieves it is lying on front with arms down by my side, then it just feels tight.

Rest is not an option, got loads to do, the flying to NY tomorrow, 4 hours in car, 8 hours on plane, luggage blah blah.

I have taken Ibruprofen. Its barely touched it. Deep Heat is a waste of time, what can I take that will ease it enough to keep going?

Thanks in advnce, the christmassy cat x

I would go to the doctor if it is this bad so he/she can check you over. They are the only ones who can give you something stronger I'm afraid.

Yeah, voltrol or similar is best idea.

Maxdose of iboprofen is the best OTC you can get.

(Oh, you could take cocodomol, but it isn't an anti-inflammatory, so would do nothing for the underlying problem.)

If i can get to Dr/injury clinic, and they prescribed something like voltrol etc, is this ok to take if flying? Ie not drowsy etc?

I am finding, it is fine for a while, hurts but bearable, then it twinges and then I am unable to do anything for about 30 mins. So it is not so awful I cannot manage, just not managing well! iyswim.

I might call the injury clinic see if they are open/how long to see some-one - are they able to prescribe for back pain? (I think they are nurses rather than Drs)

Thanks for replying btw.

I think you need to get it checked. It sounds like you've done something nasty to your back.

Also get some adhesive heat patches, recently had a disc problem caused by coughing and these made life more bearable.

Doc will prob scribe diclofenic, I didn't find they eased the pain much.

Good luck.

marmaduke and Scrooge - thank you for your posts. I have had this before, it took about a week to get over, it has a name, can't for the life of me recall what it was called (some initials, identified particularly by swollen muscle at base of back), I think it might have been one of those 'could come back again' problems, but not sure (it was not sciatica)

How about a pain relief tens machine to take your mind off it? I used one when I had sciatica and it did take the edge off for a while. If you can get diclofenac plus a strong painkiller from your dr/clinic then you may find that the combination will help.

oh dear, agree with the other ladies about seeing a health pro to get something stronger than ibuprofen. Tens machine also worth considering - nothing to lose but your money if you get one! How you feeling with your chest?

Will you be driving, or just a passenger?

If the latter, try Syndol. It's paracetamol-based but also includes a muscle relaxant in it which might help, but it does cause drowsiness.

You could combine with ibuprofen/aspirin, as these are both anti-inflammatories (paracetamol isn't)

Can you not call NHS Direct and find out where the nearest emergency doctor/clinic is to you?

totalchaos - thank you for asking after me! My chest is much much better! I get a bit of a coughing fit from time to time, sound like an old woman, but the inhaler and the ABs have worked an absolute treat, and sorted my clogged up sinus' too. I feel like a new person. I can even cope (just ) with the pain in my back as I just do not feel so horrid all over. I cannot describe really how 'normal' I feel now. However, pulled my back coughing when driving, you know when you can just double over and cough, but have to keep it together and all muscles get used?

Claus - can I get this over the counter? I am not driving, just in charge of a toddler, but DH is sorting the heavy stuff (although DD jumping on my back is THE WORST pain!), but on the flight when she is asleep I could take a drowsy painkiller.

I am currently taking Paramol + Ibruprofen. It is working ok. The swelling at the base of my back is quite big, but its not too painful so I will deal with it until I get to US. BIL has a good Dr so I will go see him if I need to when there. Could not get a Dr appt that would not involve 2-3 hours wait and just not enough time to do everything. Cant be that bad eh?

Thanks for advice everyone

8 hours to New York?

ilovemydog - yes, it is, is it not? Please do not tell me it is longer than that?!1

ibuprofen is best.... but you need the prescrtion dose.

in times of dire need ive taken 1600mg slow release. I couldnt have flown to egypt without it.

we leave at 8pm and arrive at 11:30pm. 5 hours difference, I am shite at maths....

It's less!

London - New York - about 5-6 hours.

Think the ticket times take into account local times?

Oooooooh! I am very pleased to hear that! Or maybe they they take into account winds and all that stuff...I am sure the ticket says 8 hours... I might check, or I might just be surprised!

I am flying Virgin, a Virgin Virgin please tell me they are ok!

Is it hols or family visiting?
You might get an upgrade if you really let rip at check in. leaving dh to grapple with your infant in monkey class (there's a thought)

Dh once flew home (acually was Medi Vaced out)from Turkey with suspected broken back and did three flight changes and lived to tell the tale.

Poor you.

Yes, the ticket takes into account the time from LHR - JFK but that means local time.

So, look at the time from Heathrow and then the time you arrive at JFK which will be local time (EST).

GMT and EST will have a difference. And that's what you have to work out.

ilovemydog - it was 7.5 hour flight. So I was not far out. It was ok though.

My back was ok, hurts, but managed well enough on paramol, ibruprofen and wine!!! As long as I keep the doses up (not of wine, of course, else I would be drunk all the time .

So, I am here in NY wide awake, oddly enough even though it is 3:20am.