sudden onset of lower back pain

Hi there Scarlet

Don't be fobbed off! See another doctor if you have to, as it could be anything from sciatica to problems with your discs! I have problems with my bladder too and through changing my doctor I got an x-ray done, which showed I had lost the curvature of my spine and degenerative discs.

You should make another appointment with another doctor, write a diary too explaining your difficulties and then he/she may listen, demand for an x-ray even, why should you continue to suffer?

Hope you feel better soon x

SES

Hi Scarlet

I can't describe the feeling I get when my back goes, but you're pretty close! Mine went this morning as I was strapping my 3-year-old nephew into my car for a day's babysitting.

I first rattled my back falling down the stairs on New Years Eve 1987 but it was nothing long-term and I don't remember much in the way of pain - maybe it was just because I was much younger.

Then in 1998, I was sat in my car on a petrol station forecourt. I pushed myself up in the seat to straighten my skirt and the pain I felt was incredible. I kicked my way out of the car; it was so bad they almost called me an ambulance. Anyway my other half took me to A&E but after 4 hours waiting, the pain had gone and that night I went out on the town with my friend.

These days there is no chance whatsoever of that happening. The next episode was in early 2002. The GP had to make a house-call and diagnosed what she called an \"aggravated disc\". I was signed off work for 3 weeks but after that it was ok, although at the time I was overweight and my mum kindly suggested (as mums do) that it might be useful if I lost some weight. After sulking for a month or so, I bit the bullet and we joined Slimming World. Overall I lost 3st 8.5lbs in 2 years.

However, I had more back episodes after losing all that weight than I did before and they were much more painful. In 2005 I lost another 2 weeks at work with it. And there have been little niggles here and there which haven't resulted in long-term absences from work but odd days or just weekends laid up.

I haven't had a diagnosis since 2001 or been x-rayed or anything, although I have had physio both privately and on the NHS. My private (work) physio asked when I went last year, who diagnosed the so-called \"aggravated disc\" and whether I had had it referred to a hospital. All I knew was that I was told my core stability was an issue and to be fair, I'm lazy when it comes to exercises, simply because the problem goes away after a few days.

Today, however, laying down hasn't helped. Taking Tramadol painkillers hasn't helped. Rubbing ibuprofen gel on it hasn't helped. Taking paracetomol hasn't helped. Allt he medication is for a diffierent problem but the leaflet does say it can be taken for back pain. Right now, my ratty old computer chair is the comfiest seat in the house although I'm still in pain.

I can barely stand, let alone walk. By the time I'm able to get a GP appointment (or by the time I can stand and walk again) the symptoms will have passed. I may well be fine on Monday and able to go to work. Fortunatley today my parents were able to rescue me, mysister was able to go into work late, my folks helped me do my shopping, drove me home and took my nephew to look after him while my sis works ....

Do I take myself to A&E? Do I phone NHS Direct? Do I just get on with is as I usually do? My fiance is also currently laid up with a painful knee so we make a lovely pair today :roll:

HI there Shazbat,

I can deeply understand you as when I was pregnant two years ago my back locked and I couldn't move from my sofa for about an hour and half and then I called the Doctor...... he said I had a trapped nerve! but as it was I couldn't straighten my back for at least a week or so, as I remember having to crawl up the stairs and as it was I could only have co-codamol as I was over three months..... my back hasn't been the same since then as it often gives me severe pain, unable for me to stand, sit or do anything depending on what chores I may have done?

I have since found out that I have degenerative discs and I have lost the curvature of my spine!!!! I went to see a Pain Specialist Registrar at first and he said that he could get two hundred people off the streets and they wouldn't be in pain!!!!! and as he had a broken coaxic he didn't need medication and why do I? Very patronizing....... I blame all my problems due to a road accident....... I have since seen a Pain Specialist Consultant as I refused to see the previous so called doctor and as this Consultant was very sincere he also said that I have Fibromyalgia which I have found by reading that it can be brought on by traffic accidents!!!!

I take tramadol along with other meds but my advice to you is you need to get to see your doctor as there should be investigations done as you sound so severe, it is not right you being in so much pain and being so uncomfortable, tell your GP your troubles and if they do not listen then change doctors as we only live once!!!!!

I hope you get sorted out a s a p

Kind Regards

SES

Hi

Well I made it to the doctors today (over 2 hours waiting to be seen though :evil: ).

Anyway, I'm suffering from a very bad muscle spasm. I feel like everything is bulging out of my back, which is a weird feeling. I'm on Diazepam, Codeine Phosphate and bog-standard paracetomol. After one lot of all of them, the pain has subsided but the muscles aren't yet relaxed. Will take another hit before I go to bed and hopefully I'll get a better night than last night. If there's no change by next Monday I've got to be signed off.

And a mate is lending me her crutches as I still can't stand up straight.

Hi Shazbat

I hope you meds sort you out hoping you have a full recovery, take care and take it easy.

Kind Regards

SES

Hi Scarlett

Shazbats issues didnt really help you feel positive!

I'm 26 and hurt my back when I was 22 and I thought the same as you. Read my experience post, it'll show you what Ives been through.

Personally, I think it is super important to get up and get on. Do Pilates and go swimming, both great for backs. Get walking to- brisk walking, when you can.

If the student nurse thing is making you worse, you must try something else. Think carefully about the job- do you have to carry and lift heavy things? Do you have to work bent over in cramped areas? If the answer is yes, then don't do it! Its not worth it.

I hope you get better, and yes, see another doctor, as SES said, write a diary, write down how you feel. Doctors have about 10 mintues to see each patient. Try and be assertive! They were always telling me I was too young for back pain,but my MRI said why I get back pain.

Good luck, we're all keeping our fingers crossed for you!

Lisa

Hi scarlet x

Just wondering how you are? as you have not replied?

Hope everyone else is ok too x

Kind Regards

SES

hey everyone as SES said i hav not replied its jus cos when i posted that comment it was the first time i had used a website like this as i was desperate for help and im not that clued up on how it works so i hope this is the rite way to reply to you all,i have been readin all your comments and thank you for replying, wel i dont no if this will help any of you but i didnt think i would be able to continue to work in the hospital on placement and i thought my future career was ruined but the next day my mum bought me this back support strap thing that you strap round your back and it sorta holds your back more in place an offers support when your bending etc and i wore that evryday into work under my uniform- no-one evn noticed i was wearin it, and the first few days i took painkillers as well and i sorta had a dull pain that was bearable but no sharp shootin pains and after the rest of that week from wearin the strap my back felt better an i ddint hav any further back pain! thats not to say i wont but i finished my placement on fri there and i made it through without any further trouble and i believe if i hadnt have worn that thing i wuda had lots of trouble- it just helps to lessen the strain on your back when lifting and bending, iv jus been takin it really easy and bein careful iv also started walking about 2 miles evry othr day jus to try and take some light exercise and im going to start going back to the gym in a while(as i used to go) and see if they can advise any back strengthening exercises( im scared to go just yet incase i do something too strenuous and put it out again) . i usually like to sleep on my stomach a lot but when i hurt my back if i lay on my stomach it felt like my back would break so iv been lying straight on my back in bed with no pillows as my friend told me thats meant to be best for your back! - as SES said if i do experience any further back pain(which im sure i will at sum point) im going to note it down so that when i go back to the doctor i will be able to present all the facts to him and he'll hav to take it serious and with all of your encouragement here i will challenge him if he trys to fob me off. but im feelin gd at the min! thank you everyone for your support and equally i hope that you's are ok! take care evry1 xx

Hi Scarlett x

Nice to hear you reply ......Yes keep your diary going and then it may show how your back is being effected by certain things you do? So glad you have got relief, and I hope this back brace is the solution, fingers crossed x, I would still though get it checked out though to be on the safe side as we only have one back! anyway Scarlett so glad to hear you feel better, take care, and good luck in your career x.

Kind Regards

SES

I had back surgery last summer now I'm getting the lower back pain back and woke up tonight is so much pain. When I went to the bathroom I peed blood. I know I'm not pregnant because I had a full Hysterectomy . I can't hardly move