Back Pain

[masma]

I've hurt my back! Stupidly I decided to clean the caravan using one of those heavy broom things that attatch to the hose pipe. When I was doing it I thought 'I'm gonna suffer for this tomorrow' Little did I know - I'm in agony.. I don't think it's worth bothering the doctors but what can I take or do to ease it? I'm on Warfarin so can't take Ibuprofin and far as I know only a small amout of Paracetamol. Due to go on holiday tomorrow :-/

[Mosaic]

Ice packs or frozen food, wrap in tea towel and apply to pain.
Use gentle movements to stretch the affected area - very tiny ones if it hurts badly but bear in mind pain is not a sign its doing you good. On the other hand fossilising in one position is very bad.
Gentle massage either by self or from a good pal will help - need not be with any special lotion, just any ol' grease that you aren't allergic to. The rubbinbg helps the circulation, the circulation helps the muscle heal.
Look up on google some back exercises appropriate to where your back hurts and do them gently. It won't be healed by tomorrow but it'll start to get better.

[anneasquith]

poor thing. how are you masma.? hot water bottle works for me.

[Sqad]

Holiday tomorrow?

Take paracetamol 1,000mgms now and again before you go to bed tonight.

[masma]

Thanks all....Mosaic - will try your suggestions. Sqad.. Will I be ok taking a large dose of Paracetamol? I went for INR blood test yesterday, doc's rang to say it was 1.4 and to take a larger amount of Warfarin with a blood test again Friday, could that have been the Paracetamol affecting the INR?
Anne.. feeling pretty ropey at the mo.. what with chest, back and DVT, I think I need shooting! BTW.. Son is back in councelling, he's been a bit of a nightmare of late I'm sure that doesn't help me and my ailments.
p.s. to all, have put holiday off till after Friday. Thanks again xx

[Sqad]

masma.....I doubt very much if your reduced INR was anything to do with the Paracetamol.
Here you have a situation where the relief of pain is paramount and the harmful effect of the drug chosen to relieve your pain is insignificant.

In your position I would take the analgesic that i have suggested and in the dose that I have suggested.

[anneasquith]

masma, sorry to hear about the boy... cant be helping your health, I hope you get away for a wee while. and feel better on your return, take care anne.

[slaney]

Paracetemol takes some time to effect the INR, and tends to put it the other way - thinner with a higher INR. Some useful advice here...

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/858.aspx?categoryid=73&subcategoryid=103

I would ask your GP for advice on further pain relief when you get the result of the INR on Friday.

[masma]

Excellent, thank you all so much xx

[Hopkirk]

Soak in a hot bath

[woofgang]

Hopkirk, that's iffy advice. people with bad backs sometimes get into baths and can't get out again...its very embarrassing to have to dial 999

[masma]

Not got a bath anyway ;-)
Going to ring the doc this morning - went to bed dosed up to the eyeballs, was awake at 2am screaming in agony. Don't know if they'll be able to do owt but might get stronger painkillers.
Thanks again xx

[pixie373]

Good luck. Hope it goes well x

[masma]

Thanks Pixie xx

[anneasquith]

keep us posted, masma.

[masma]

Will do ... going docs at 11.40, hope she can help xx

[masma]

Been to the doc's - nearly went through the ceiling when she prodded my back! She said my back has gone into spasm due to the rigorous caravan cleaning.. I've been given Co-Codomol, 2 - 4 times a day. I've take 2 lots but it's not touched it yet... Also got tum pain, doc said it could be the long term steroids I'm on, gave me Zantac. Fingers crossed I'll get a better night sleep. Thanks again for all your advice everyone xxx

[Ann]

I sympathise Masma, I have done my back in too today, only painful twinges at the moment but its feeling so fragile, I will have to be very careful or I will be in agony. I know all the signs, I have suffered so much with lower back pain in the past, I should not have done all that gardening in the past few days ............. Like you mentioned, I always get tummy ache too when I have a bad back, maybe it's referred pain? I'm just taking 2 Ibuprofen as I type (I know you can't) but like anne suggested a hot water bottle is really beneficial. Hope your pain soon goes and you can get away in your caravan (really wish we were going away in ours, but too many plants to put in garden!) x

[anneasquith]

I hope the pain killers work masma.

[masma]

Oh so do I... xxx

[anneasquith]

will you still go away tomorrow ?