Severe back pain and can't take any more pills for 12 hours - what now?

[tigerlelly]

My back went out again yesterday for the third time in as many weeks. I have an appointment with an osteopath tomorrow. In the meantime I had my dose of diclofenac sodium (v. strong anti-inflammatory)before going to bed and enough Nurofen so that I'm not supposed to take anymore for 12 hours. Panadol and Paracetamol do nothing to help and I am tempted to take more Nurofen but I've been on them off and on for 3 weeks already. What else is there? I can only get relief from the pain by standing in the kitchen and resting my elbows on the worktop.
Thanks.

[jackthehat]

Things that gave me varying degrees of relief:

Co-codemol
Tramadol
Pregabalin

Has your GP tried you on any of these ?

[Sqad]

I think that you have mentioned that you have had treatment for some cancer disorder.......could you elucidate?

If I am wrong forget my post.

[tigerlelly]

JTH, thanks for your reply.
No, because the combination of DS and Nurofen usually does the trick. It still does but I'm just worried what to take when this wears off as I'll be exceeding the dosage if I take anymore of either.

[Quassia]

tiger, I thought you can't take anything on top of Diclofenac?

[Quassia]

'could'nt '

[tigerlelly]

Quassia, I took the DS at bedtime and the Nurofen since getting up.

Squad, yes I've had cancer twice. At the age of 38 I had cancer of the cervix and was treated at the Marsden. Then at 48 I had cancer of the bowel. I'm now 60 (you can imagine I was sweating at 58!) and according to the Drs am still clear of both. My back goes out at silly things like bending slightly forwar to pick up my cup of morning coffee, which is what happened yesterday. It's been happening about once a year for about 6 years.

[Quassia]

So do I tiger .. but surely it's still in your system? I've often needed extra pain relief but did'nt take it first thing in thinking I'd overdose my body. May be I'm wrong.

[Sqad]

Ok...you seem to have taken two NSAIDS last night Voltarol and Ibuprofen which seems rather odd to me.

You are now in severe pain and haven't taken any painkillers this morning.Nurofen only contains 400mgms of Ibuprofen which is a "piffling" dose.

my advice.....take 2 nurofen tablets (800mgs total) and go and lie in the most comfortable position on the settee.

[Quassia]

You are much more in need of extra pain relief than I tiger. Sorry to hear of your medical history!

[carmalee]

have a very similar problem tigerlily - my back goes out - can't help with the pill question as don't know what does and does not make a good combination for you but I find an ice pack plus a support belt and a walking stick helps me. I leave the ice pack on for about twenty mins (wrapped in a tea towel) then put a warming pad on for twenty mins - do that for a couple of times at regular intervals certainly helps me.

[Sqad]

good advice by carmalee in addition to my advice above.

[tigerlelly]

Hi squad, yes but you didn't read my answer to Quassia. I took the DS at bedtime. I had four Nurofen during the day yesterday and took 2 when I got up this morning. According to the blurb I am only supposed to take 6 Nurofen in a 24 hour period. So, I can't take anymore of either in theory. Hence my original question what else is there.

[Quassia]

Do you have a bath tiger? May be a good soak? Have you got any of those wheat bags you can warm up in the microwave or a hot water bottle?

[Sqad]

tiger......sorry....I was reading your original post.

I would do as carmalee has said and in addition the two Nurofen that i have suggested above as long as 4hours had elapsed since taking the morning dose.

[woofgang]

tiger my back goes out too. I find the best thing is a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel against the painful area, also (and i know its not recommended so I am not recommending it as such) migralieve pink in place of NOT as well as paracetamol.

[tigerlelly]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I'll take 2 more Nurofen when the 4 hours is up.
I'd love a hot bath but can't get in or out so am settling for a hot shower followed by the ice pack treatment. I just hope the osteopath works his usual magic tomorrow.

[Quassia]

How are you now tiger? Eased any?

[craft1948]

Send someone to Tesco before they close at 4 and buy a Cura Heat pack....£3.

[craft1948]

...or a Deep Heat pack.

[tigerlelly]

Hi Craft.
Thanks for asking it has eased up somewhat but couldn't make it to the computer again until now 7pm.