Back is agony. What is this?

  • Thread starter Thread starter _mystictiger_
  • Start date Start date
M

_mystictiger_

Guest
Hi all,

I'm 22 yo & have a history of back problems. When I was 14 yr I broke a lower rib on my left side & also slipped my disc. I was in agony. I didn't injure myself. I just woke up one morning & couldn't move all down my left side. My GP sent me physio who told me if I don't get my back up straight again & regain strength in my left side I would end up in a wheel chair. Thankfully I didn't - but after a long hog of home exercises & physio I got better & my back was straight. :D

Now for my problem. Yesterday I put my handbag on my sofa & happened to sneeze, suddenly I got excruciating pain all down my left side & shooting across the bottom of my back. I nearly fell on top of my Mum who was sitting on the sofa at the time. The pain I couldn't describe. It was unbearable & I've got a really high pain threshold.
I was hoping it would get better but it hasn't. Painkillers are not helping with the pain. I've tried massages & heat paRAB but no joy unless I don't move. The only thing that helps is if I don't move. I tried laying flat on my back & it helps some but if my top halfs at a angle it can be quite painful. :( The pain is tearing/shooting and when I'm not moving it turns into a constant throb. So basically I'm in pain all the time. The pain is all down my left side.

What could this be?
 
Hi mystic,

sounRAB like a disk problem to me...classic sciatica. You would certainly not be the first person to herniate a disk sneezing, or for that matter coughing, laughing, etc...) The good news is that most disks will heal all by themselves. Bed rest for about a week is the first thing most doc would prescribe...along with vicodin and soma for the pain and muscle spasms.

If you find it isn't getting better, than it's time to visit a doc to get some films and see whats going on in there. Hope this helps...if the pain is unbearable, definitely go to a doc and get some meRAB (not to mention the sound opinion of someone with some medical training...)

-josh

"keep on keepin' on..."
 
Hiya Josh & thank you for your reply.

I was hoping it wasn't a disc problem. Are you more prone to disc problems if you've had one in the past? The pain truly is unbearable. I can walk but slowly & more at a hobble. My legs feel "different". It's hard to explain. It feels similar to pins & needles but more like when it first starts.

What is Soma? I've never heard of this before. I've tried co-codamol & paracetaol. I can't take anything containing asprin or ibuprofen because I'm allergic. I've got a therma pad on at the moment but isn't helping. But at least I'll have a warm back ;)

Any tips on how to manage a bath? I really don't want to ask my mum to help me as it's far too erabarassing. She helped me dress this morning & that was erabarassing enough. :eek:
 
I can identify with this situ very clearly, i had to surpress all sneezing to avoid pain. I have a prolapsed disc. the warning signs were there I believe for MOnths or years and I ignored them, now I am paying. My pain has subsided and took nearly one Month and it is hard going to get back to the normal routine

hope you get better soon

tony
 
You might try icing your lower back if the heat doesn't seem to provide any relief. Ice for maybe 15 minutes/ hour. Try to lie flat whenever you have a chance just to unload the discs and take the pressure from gravity of the spine, even for a few minutes every hour, or as often as possible. Avoid any activity that requires bending, twisting and don't try to lift anything for awhile.

You want to try to get the inflammation to go down, so the disc or whatever is causing the problem can move off the nerve root.
 
MM is again, right on the money.

Soma is a muscle relaxer. It helps with the muscle spasms associated with the disk issue. It works real well when you've just "thrown your back out". Once it becomes nerve pain, the muscle relaxers don't do too much unless you are in constant spasm as well.

I think a bath may be a good idea...as to how to manage it, well, I would recommend carefully. Once your in things should relax a bit and you'll have little problem getting out. Once your out, go lie down right away, for the night if it's time.

just try to take it easy, and if the pain is real bad, go see a doc.

-josh

"keep on keepin' on..."
 
Hiya Tony. I'm glad your pain has subsided. Do you mind if I ask what you found helped with your pain? How did you manage to sleep at night?
 
Hiya all & thank you very much for your very helpful replies. I followed your advice about the bath & it really did help. I felt great afterwarRAB; just slightly achey. I'm definitely more mobile that I was today so I must be on the mend. Thank god! :D I'm still having constant pain but it's become the type of pain I can handle. I'm only getting sharp tearing pain when I move or turn left. I've found a trick with the therma paRAB by wearing two. One at the top of my back under my arm pits & the other pad at the bottom of my back & it is helping. :) Thank you all again & I hope you all feel better soon.
 
Back
Top