Bad back

J

John

Member

Location

Cambridge

• Sep 8, 2018

• #1

last Sunday I woke up and my lower back was hurting Monday and Tuesday could hardly move. Wednesday went to the osteopath to get straightened out which normally works, Thursday finished drilling rape and could do no more so went home and had Friday off.
But it's getting worse not better, Iam on codeine for the pain and anti inflammatory from the doctor. Can't even roll over. Anyone got any tips as need to get back to work.

Cheers

 

kill

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

South West

• Sep 8, 2018

• #2

John said:

last Sunday I woke up and my lower back was hurting Monday and Tuesday could hardly move. Wednesday went to the osteopath to get straightened out which normally works, Thursday finished drilling rape and could do no more so went home and had Friday off.
But it's getting worse not better, Iam on codeine for the pain and anti inflammatory from the doctor. Can't even roll over. Anyone got any tips as need to get back to work.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Stretching can help. Lie on you back and pull your knees up into your chest and hold them for a few seconds (one at a time tho ) another is to hold onto a rail or bed tail board etc and lower yourself with your knees with your back totally straight as it will stretch you sciatic nerve.
Another is to lie face down on your bed/floor and push your bum gently up and rolling bac over your knees while keeping your back straight.
Some of the over counter antiinflammatory gel rubs can also help.
There are stronger pain killers such as Tramadol available from your doctor as are antidepressants as they really help relax muscles that are over compensating and putting extra strain on a area under stress already.
Be very aware of the side affects of codine as it can lead to accute constipation and this is even worst with an inflamed back. Doctors should supply laxatives in these circumstances

 

Last edited: Sep 8, 2018

HolzKopf

Member

Location

Kent&Snuffit

• Sep 8, 2018

• #3

Go back to the docs! You seem to say that you've got a history of lower back issues? The drugs will mask the issue (or not in this case) but you need to cure the cause. Back to the osteopath - or to another one.
I don't think anything you do on your own will help unless it 'gets better' on its own through time. Ask for a scan - the NHS still works, you've just got to push your case hard and shorten the usual time frame. Basically be a pain in their backside until you get treatment.

HK

 

Last edited: Sep 8, 2018

kill

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

South West

• Sep 8, 2018

• #4

HolzKopf said:

Go back to the docs! You seem to say that you've got a history of lower back issues? The drugs will mask the issue (or not in this case) but you need to cure the cause. Back to the osteopath - or to another one.
I don't think anything you do on your own will help unless it 'gets better' on your own. Ask for a scan - the NHS still works, you've just got to push your case hard and shorten the usual time frame. Basically be a pain in their backside until you get treatment.

HK

Click to expand...

My chiropractor is excellent and in his 30 years of practice he's only had one case of Caudia equina ( paralysing symptoms due to herination of one or more spinal lumbar discs trapping the spinal cord and pinching to the point of limited- no signal and I can tell you that horrendously painful (screaming pain that makes you wish you were dead literally) but back pain normally in nearly all cases disappears in 1-2 wks. Doctors wont scan until at least 6 weeks of agonising back pain and the wait for and quick MRI is 4-6 weeks at my local hospital as I have one on Monday.

 

Dry Rot

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Scottish Highlands

• Sep 8, 2018

• #5

When I did my back (finally got an operation) I was very very strongly warned against osteopaths as they can make things worse.

In fact, when the surgeon discussed the op, he said if I went to see one, he would refuse to operate. That was back when they were considered quacks by the NHS. But I think so many people have found them effective that they are now accepted.

I did try one and he didn't do the slightest bit of good (made me feel worse!) which confirmed what I had been told, that the effect is mostly psychological. Sorry to the believers, but I wouldn't go near one again -- but if you want to go down that road, good luck! Make a nuisance of yourself at the doctor's until you get an appointment with a good neurosurgeon would be my advice.

 

foxbox

Member

Location

West Northants

• Sep 8, 2018

• #6

A friend had similar symptoms and played the hero; he was off for 9 months in the end after not listening to his body. See the GP again, don't be a hero and get it sorted

 

L

Landrover

Member

• Sep 8, 2018

• #7

My wife has terrible back problems that have gone on for many years including being completely bed bound for a month or two several times when it has gone into complete spasm. My advice is go to the doctor and demand a referral to a specialist, many times when her back has been at its worst she is unable to go to the doctor so they don't see the full picture. Most GP's are used to seeing people with so called "bad backs" and treat them accordingly ! The NHS has many good specialists and after years of trying finally got to see one and it has really helped. GP's don't like giving referrals ! It took a second opinion and a read of the NHS patients charter to get it. A doctor friend of mine (consultant gyno) who I play cricket with says because GP's get so many in with bad backs they tend to get their judgment clouded by the 95% of people who just have a sore back and tend to treat the 5% that actually have the same ! Sorry for rambling on !

 

Badshot

Member

Location

Kent

• Sep 8, 2018

• #8

If something is in the wrong place causing the pain then a cruncher can definitely help.
Similarly if a muscle is in spasm them manipulation can break the cycle.

 

Dry Rot

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

Scottish Highlands

• Sep 8, 2018

• #9

The doctor went into panic mode when it became difficult for me to urinate, so that should definitely be a heads up. The surgeon said that if urination had stopped completely, I would have been rushed into surgery.

Simple back pain they don't have a lot of sympathy for as Landrover says. (Landrover seats are terrible for backs, btw. Get an Exmoor Trim! -- then you will only have to risk castration every time you get in/out of a LR!).

 

Y Fan Wen

Member

Location

N W Snowdonia

• Sep 8, 2018

• #10

After my third attack of lumbago (need crutches) I asked for a self referral to a physio at the cottage hospital. She gave me a list of exercises and adjusted them in my following 2 appointments. I now do a series of exercises every morning after breakfast and I'm feeling really good.

 

ajcc

Member

Livestock Farmer

Location

N.Devon 45 miles (most) by boat from Walter.

• Oct 2, 2018

• #11

So how’s it going John? Currently suffering bad myself with what I regard as sciatica but the struggling to turn in bed and putting socks on in morning are familiar . Need to accept rest for few days just minimal work but sitting particularly in a vehicle is not good idea. Standing or lying down but not sitting.
Makes you realise just how vulnerable you are. Hope things are improved for you.

 

J

John

Member

Location

Cambridge

• Oct 2, 2018

• #12

All good now thanks. Drugs from the doctor and a couple of days in bed. Then took in easy at work for a couple of days and another trip to osteopath. Just do a few stretches throughout the day.

 

M

mire man

Member

• Oct 6, 2018

• #13

suffering also with sciatic pains. L5-S1 disk bulge and L4 disk bulge. 4 months of pain sofar but getting easier. stretching my lower back to get it moving again. slow process. a gud physiotherapist is only option as its all muscle related.

 

HappyShep76

Member

Location

Suffolk

• Oct 7, 2018

• #14

Sympathy to everyone with a bad back. Not much fun.

I had an accident involving a bull and a gate in 2010. The result being a double open fracture on my lower leg. I complained of backache constantly at hospital and was told it was because I wasn’t used to the mattress...... Another phrase used constantly to me was “keep taking your paracetamol”. After 18 months of agony, back spasms and falling down due to the loss of use in my legs I finally got sorted out. Turns out that one of my discs had herniated and 2 of my vertebrae were rubbing together. Not the mattress after all......

I had the disc removed, a bone graft between the vertebrae and some screws & rods to fuse everything together. I’m much improved since all this but I’m currently going through a bad spell with back issues. Coming home to Lincs for a few days with the family was agony. Anything more than 30 minutes in a car requires painkillers and willpower! 3 hours feels like a lifetime.

Only you know your back and when it’s not right. Make yourself heard before any real damage is done

 

Try to succeed

Member

• Oct 11, 2018

• #15

Hang off stuff throughout the day with an over hand grip shoulder width apart. Build up the time you hang for over a few days. This decompresses the spine and is also good for shoulder health. You need to slowly let your muscles go when doing it to fully relax and benefit.