Sudden severe lower back pain

[JodieO]

This afternoon my lower back started hurting suddenly, so much so (and still now) that any movement is agony and walking is very difficult. Even small movements, such as coughing, are really painful. I've been trying to walk about as much as I can so it doesn't get stiff but I've started getting what I think are spasams where when I walk my legs half give way. Could I have pulled something? Any ideas what this could be?

I'm a single parent to 3 young children so I couldn't rest even if I wanted to so that isn't an option.

Any tingling/numbness in your legs? Have you fallen or had an accident?

No tingling or numbess and I haven't fallen or had an accident either.

Excuse typos, some of the keys are missing from this laptop thanks to ds2 hehe.

Have you moved in a certain direction and felt it jolt at all?

I think I noticed it hurt first earlier on today when I sat on the stairs to put my shoes on. Other than that, nothing that I can remember.

It's possible you have pulled a muscle, these normally hurt when you move. Ibuprofen should help, the pain shouldn't be severe though. If it is then give NHS direct a call. You could also have sciatica, which is spasms in the sciatic nerve. A chiropractor can help with this or pop to the GP.
I would go to the GP with this so they can see what it is. Ibuprofen will help.

Thanks, I thought it might be a muscle. I will give my gp a call tomorrow though and see what they say. I think I'm quite good with pain and rarely take pain killers but it really hurts a lot at some points.

Try to take it easy, I know it's tough so just go slowly.

Thanks I will try I'm hoping it's less painful in the morning though as the kids are back at school, the older two are at least.

Wow, it does really hurt to walk though.

Hmm. It shouldn't be too bad. Maybe give NHS direct a call?

I would but I couldn't go anywhere now with the 3 kids in bed anyway. I will in the morning if I'm still as bad though. Thanks, I appreciate the advice

I hope it's nothing too bad and you are feeling better soon.

sounds like a slipped disc
get thee to a doctor to be checked over

Have you had any pain before? What were you like when pregnant, any pelvic/lower back pain then? I had excruciating back pain last year, just coudl not walk/stand up straight for over a week. And it's due to my pelvis being misaligned. Try and get to an osteopath, shoudl be able to help stretch you out a bit. And apply cold stuff to it - bag of peas, can of coke, anything very cold.

I did have pain when I was pregnant, lower back pain that I started physio for but then my waters went early so that stopped. I also had pain in my previous pregnancy.

After my last baby it took over a year for my tailbone pain to go as well.

Hoping it's nothing more than a pulled muscle though really. I'll definitely call the dr in the morning as I'm getting worse if anything. Thanks again.

It does sound similar. If you can stand up straightish and look in the mirror do you hips looks level? Sounds bizarre but I had one hip at a completely different height to the otehr. Honestly, try an osteopath if you can, just for some immediate relief. Afterwards, when better, one is supposed to do lots of pilates type exercises. Supposed to

Got to the doctors this morning and he thinks I've either pulled a ligament or it's a slipped disc. He said the treatment is the same for both anyway but that if I'm not better in a week to go back.

He noticed that my pelvis isn't straight as a result of the spasms I've been getting apparently, I looked when I got home and it looks odd, my right hip is a fair bit higher than my left.

I'm still not feeling any better at all and it's really painful whenever I move.

Honestly, I would ring an osteopath and see them asap. Just for some relief and a diagnosis. I don't believe they're gods but I do thing they may be a little bit more clues up on backs. I think that gps are not too great on backs and just come out with something vague. Mine was utterly useless when I went.

"think" "clued"

I might give one a call tomorrow, we have a company that runs from the gp's. If it were a slipped disc could seeing one make it worse?

whereabouts are you? There is a superb chiropracter/osteopath in Oxford

I'm just outside Cambridge.

I'm quite worried about next week actually, my mum's about this week to help with the school run but her and my dad are back to London on Monday-Wednesday and I have no idea how I'll get them to school.

I'm hoping that I'm better by then. I can't drive because of the pain and can't get ds2 into his car seat, can't walk much either (a mile to school) and don't really know any of the mum's to ask them. I struggle putting my socks and shoes on, ie barely managed it and every step is painful.

If it doesnt get better soon, keep on at the gp and dont let him fob you off. I let that happen for years, thinking I was making a fuss and that back pain was normal. It isnt, and there are things that can be done for most types of back pain.

Did he give you any valium/temazepam?