Reply With QuoteGet your GP to prescribe you some Neproxime it's a very strong pain killer. I take these for my glass back.
Fell asleep on the couch on Thurs pm. Must have been in a twisted position as developed a pain in my lower back. Has happened before years ago and usually sorts itself out after a few days. Of course, had to happen on a bank holiday weekend so can't get to a physio till Tuesday earliest...
Just about managing during the day but lying in bed is painful. Looks like I'll be in a chair for the next couple of nights. Just wondering if anyone has gone through similar and can share some tips on sleeping?
Thanks.
Get your GP to prescribe you some Neproxime it's a very strong pain killer. I take these for my glass back.
Naproxen is a muscle relaxant not a pain killer. Must be taken with another table i can’t remember name of but begins with an O to prevent stomach issues
Works for some
Sounds like your muscles in spasm. Sitting usually the worst so try going for a few short walks and keep moving
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OmeprazoleOriginally Posted by dandanthewatchman
If you're able to do some basic stretching:
Kneel on the floor
Lower your backside onto your feet, at the same time lowering your body parallel to floor and reaching your arms forward.
Should feel your lower back muscles stretch
Reach/stretch as far as you can, and relax. Repeat a few times
Might loosen up your back.
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Naproxen is amazing! You don’t have to take Omeprazole with it, it depends whether your stomach reacts to it.
Many thanks, gents. Have currently got a hot water bottle on it which is helping and need to take the dog out in an hour. Would take Naproxen but don't have any. Doubt a pharmacy would oblige without a prescription. Ibuprofen is all I've got. Feel like a clapped out Morris Minor...
Try Voltarol/voltaren which is available without prescription and is a stronger NSAID than ibuprofen. Also maybe try stretching your glutes/hamstrings if you’re able as tightness there (especially the glutes) can aggravate the lower back.
Alternate the hot water bottle with a cold pack (frozen peas will do) for 5 minutes each. Don't let the cold pack contact your skin, wrap it up in a towel. I can't remember which should be your last treatment, the hot or the cold, or even if it matters. Good luck
Not on sleeping but I suffer from sciatica and one suggestion by a pharmacist several years ago was to alternate hot and cold compresses on your back to get the nerves/muscles back in a rhythm. Don't know or fully understand the science behind it however a bag of peas followed by a hot water bottle on and off for a few hours certainly takes the edge off where most painkillers do nothing.
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Lol this…..
I've suffered with lower back problems several times, usually fixes itself after a few days. Hot water bottle, ibuprofen and paracetamol helped, plus trying to stay active and mobile. A wheat bag is a good alternative to the hot water bottle, pop it in the microwave and it stays hot for a good while.
Naproxen is not a muscle relaxant. Is a NSAID, non- steroidal anti inflammatory drug, just like ibuprofen and diclofenac (voltarol).
They all have differences as absorption by mucosae annd half-life, all inhibit cyclo-oxygenase and have the same side effects . Ibuprofen however is a pro-drug, which gets modified at the liver, becoming th3 active molecule.
Muscle relaxants that can be used include carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine, however some benzodiazepine like Valium have a good effect.
I feel your pain.
Can second what others have said:
- Stretching - do whatever you can bear and don’t do it if it hurts
- Voltarol
- Hot and cold treatments
- Staying mobile
Good luck with it!
A gentle walk if you can manage it. Does wonders on so many levels
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I've suffered with back problems for years from an injury in my 20s.
Best advice I've had is to walk, walk and walk.
Thank you, saved me the bother of typing it.
OP also Google taking paracetamol and also an NSAID. Both safe to use as a combination treatment & what I was prescribed when I prolapsed a disc alongside the Valium.
Tablets aren’t available OTC.
Acupuncture and/or massage.
Mark - have a physio near me. Will make an appointment ASAP
Again, many thanks for the replies. All advice taken on board. One of the (few) drawbacks of living alone is there's no one to moan at...
Have just got back from taking the dog for a walk. Pain is about 3/10. Can only hope it's on a downward slope. Will continue with the hot/cold. Lack of sleep is taking a toll though. I also find I have no appetite.
Wise words.
I have spinal arthritis and walking Dot does me a power of good.
Cheers,
Neil.
Improve your core strength & that will support your lower back. That way avoid future episodes.
Google Mckenzie method. It’s a series of movements for helping with back pain recommend by physios.
The trick is to continue practicing them after the issue has passed so as to build up some strength and hopefully prevent it occurring again.
Neil, that must be horrendous. I wish you all the very best my friend.
Essexman - Many thanks. Will check it out.
As a side note, one of my Yoga teachers found yoga after years of chronic back pain. Long story short, he no longer suffers.
Many at yoga class are there as a preventative action.
Last edited by Essexman; 26th May 2024 at 18:04.
I had a bad back episode the Christmas before last out of the blue - fell asleep on the sofa on Christmas Eve and woke up feeling like I’d been shot the pain was so bad. Took months to ease off and in that time I saw various back specialists. Finally had an MRI only to find out I have a spinal stenosis in 2 places and I’m now awaiting surgery - no other fix apparently. In fact the surgeon remarked how he was shocked I’d walked in which hardly filled me with confidence! - so my advice is to get an MRI if you can to find out what’s actually going on!
Thanks mate. It's not too bad really, the eight Gabapentin a day certainly help!
Cheers,
Neil.
True but the 2% w/w gel is and it’s pretty effective (granted not likely as effective as the tablets )
Correct in theory, can`t do any harm, but there are no guarantees. My core strength is good but age and other factors mean I have to be careful with my back, especially in a morning after it stiffens up overnight. Unfortunately, with advancing years, the bits you'd like to stiffen frequently are more reluctant and the bits you don't want to stiffen do so on a regular basis.
I shouldn't laugh - it's true!
Cheers,
Neil.
I take pregabalin and fizzy tablets solpadeine max for my back and legs, I have spinal stenosis and sciatica.
Pretty ineffective in my experience and I doubt this is what the poster was referring to.
Once your back goes once then even if it gets better I’d be doing preventative exercises as part of your daily routine.
Most useful things for me in addition are an acupressure mat and use of a percussive massager, especially before bed.
Lower back or side lower back? Pulled a muscle or two just reaching for something. Pain to sleep as I'm a turner. I just can't fall asleep right away
Very slow turns
I found OTC Ibuprofen works for reducing pain
Have you considered a chiropractor
RIAC
Update: Just about back to normal. Now just a bit sore rather than unable to walk! Had a proper night's sleep last night.
What didn't work (for me YMMV of course)
Google - too much info, well meaning, most of it conflicting. I will croak if not careful... Found the solution after many hours (see below)
YouTube - Snake oil, despite promises of 'instant' fixes, waste of time.
Stretching. Made every effort to stretch properly (ie. not too much). Nothing seemed to work, but could be just me.
What did work.
Patience
Walking - top tip.
Rest - I am good at this one
In bed- a firm pillow between thighs really did the trick (side sleeper). (No sniggering at the back). Sleeping was THE major problem. Seems obvious in hindsight, but keeping spine and pelvis aligned while in bed seemed to be key. Made the difference between being unable to stay in bed and being pain free in the land of nod. Will stick with it for a bit.
Being mindful of centre of gravity when getting up and sitting down. Not getting any younger (I'm 68)
Huge thanks to all for the encouragement and help.
Having had surgery for the same thing a few years ago - I can share the advice I was given ; after the surgery, do your physio and don’t rush back into things!
They may get you in before the op to show you some physio exercises as well as ways of getting out of bed etc. Definitely worthwhile.
Oh also, get one of the helping hand grabbie things - ideal for when you drop something and need to pick it up!
There was a thread on here a while back where quite a bit of info and advice was shared.
I’ve taken pretty much every pain medication known to man when my back issues were at their worst in 2021 and Pregabalin is very effective and works quickly…..and with no side affects either.
In my 30 plus years of back issues (now fine I’m pleased to say) I never saw a physio or chiropractor that made a bit of difference or (clinically speaking) really understood the back. I’d always recommend seeking a qualified medical expert in backs/spinal injury and nothing else will do if your issues are severe.
For the O/P I’d recommend lots of walking, hot baths or showers, careful stretching and a decent (not heavy duty at first) anti inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen but 400mg, not 200mg that is the over the counter strength.
Good luck!
Thanks for that - not looking forward to it tbh, so any advice is very welcome indeed :)
Cheers, Gareth, appreciated, but I posted an update a couple of posts above yours. Should have added that I did take Ibuprofen 400mg as well. Didn’t find it that effective TBH...
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