I Can’t Move!

[Scarlett]

Back went getting out of the shower 3 days ago. I can only lie on my side.
Sitting on the edge of my bed is agony and standing / walking to get to the loo makes me cry. This is day 4. I’ve been taking diazepam (6mg a day) yesterday and today- just makes me dozy, doesn’t touch the pain. Have had the odd ibuprofen but I’m not really supposed to take them. GP no help. Physio suggested small movements lying down. I have disc bulges, stenosis and facet joint arthritis so could be anything. Have you had back pain so bad you couldn’t move for days, and when did it start to get better?!

[bodeker]

Sorry Scarlett do not remember the actual doses, but I remember taking 2 tabs maybe twice a day for a week , one dose before bedtime obviously the Dr would tell you correct dosage. It certainly helped me .

[Scarlett]

Thanks Bodeker, and any idea how long before you could walk around again?

[Mamyalynne]

Tramadol isn't a cure - it tricks the brain - how long until you get better depends on so much.

The rate of recovery varies between people.

//Tramadol works by changing how your brain senses pain. Tramadol is similar to substances in your brain called endorphins. Endorphins bind to receptors (parts of cells that receive a certain substance). The receptors then decrease the pain messages that your body sends to your brain. Tramadol works in a similar way to decrease the amount of pain your brain thinks you’re having.//

[Scarlett]

I’ll give the higher dose cocodamol a go first. Just tried to walk to the loo- absolute agony. Felt like I’d been hit by a bus. Collapsed back into my bed out of breath. Wish I knew what has happened. It’s as if the whole right hip/ right pelvis/ lower back Has been smashed up and I can’t put any weight through it or stand up straight. Pain gets worse with every second I’m not lying down.

[Mamyalynne]

It is truly awful and the pain consumes you I know, if no improvement after a few days don't hesitate just contact GP again.

If they recommend Tramadol they will closely supervise you.

[bodeker]

Hi Scarlett I would say a week before pain started to ease a bit and couple of weeks before I felt as if the pain was tolerable , given that I have a long history of back pain. You sound quite bad, I hope you find the right combination to give you some pain relief X

[Scarlett]

Thanks all.
Mamy- I’ve started off today with 1 x 30mg cocodamol. No difference as yet. I’ll take 2 more 4 hours apart.
If still nothing, I’ll try 2 tablets 3 X a day. That’s the max I’m allowed. Not keen on taking any drugs at all but I just don’t know how much longer I can live in my bed with no help/ not washing etc

[Mamyalynne]

A sensible plan Scarlett.

[woofgang]

Mamya no pain relief medication is a cure. If a part of the actual cure is to do specific exercises or movements then pain relief can enable the person to do that by enabling them to do more without pain, but all pain relief does is temporarily take the pain away.

[Mamyalynne]

I realise that Woof, sorry - did I give that impression?

I didn't mean to.

How are you now Scarlett?

[david small]

First day of holiday, wife sister died, my back went into spasm. I took diazepam, ibuprofen, and paracetamol.
Spasms became sporadic. Four days bed rest with occasional assisted walks. In went away. It was a four day holiday.

[Scarlett]

Mamy- still struggling! Thanks for asking :) I’ve reduced pain killers to 2 x 30mg co-codamol twice a day and 1 naproxen if I can get away with just one. Pain is still when I sit - even on my bed which is very soft. Computer chair is out of the question. Walking slowly just jars my back. Sitting on loo not as bad as I guess the compression is less? It’s now been three weeks. I’m still not sure what exercises I should be doing to not make it worse.

[Mamyalynne]

Can GP surgery not recommend any exorcises?

I went on my site to reorder my scrip last night and they now have an online Physio contact.

See if you can find something like that.

[Mamyalynne]

* Good gracious - exercises

[Apc2604]

Scarlett, please be aware that your EDS will be part of the problem. If you see a physio please be certain that they are fully aware. The exercises and treatment will be different. Before I knew my problems were EDS related, physios caused me a lot of problems. Younger physios are much more up to date. I am seeing my osteopath for my back and sciatica at the moment. He is hypermobility/EDS trained and after years of problems he was the one who accurately diagnosed me. I obviously have been diagnosed accurately by the NHS too.

[Scarlett]

Thank you :) I have spoken to many physios and managed to get to an osteopath last week. They all know about my EDS.
The main problem with exercises is (they say) that I have stenosis, disc bulges and arthritis in facet joints. So whilst leaning forward gives relief, it’s worse for the disc bulges. The main bulge is L4/5 which is pressing on the stenotic area. So doing one exercise will exacerbate the problem. And I have to be so careful as I’ve been warned about Cauda Equina, so don’t want to do anything that will make the trapped nerves worse.

[EdmundD]

January 1980 a bad fall on the ice left me with chronic back pain, couldn't move for 4 or 5 days. When I could get to my GP she gave me a dosage of painkillers which eventually eased the pain. Thereafter I would find it would recur once or twice a year and I could only lie flat for 3 or 4 days. This went on for years. In every case the GP prescribed painkillers and in the last consultation with my GP I was told that I had a "non-specific disorder of the lower back" and I should plan how I would manage it in my old age.

Having lived in the Far East for a time I was aware of acupuncture and decided to try that. I found a practitioner through the British Acupuncture Council and had I think it was 6 sessions. It did help and the pain thereafter was less intense and I found I didn't need painkillers. I haven't had back pain for years now.

I appreciate its not for everyone and people can be sceptical but it did help me.

[Scarlett]

That’s interesting Edmund. I have tried acupuncture in the past with little joy, but also I was put off by how painful I found it! Each time I wanted to murder the person sticking needles in me. Don’t know if that’s related to EDS but my pain tolerance was zero - it put me off trying it again!

[Apc2604]

Scarlett, I have exactly the same spinal problems with two fractured vertebrae to top it off. Horrible isn't it. I also have severe arthritis in both feet, both hips and one knee. All down, they say, to hypermobility. And I thought I was so clever to be able to bend in places that others couldn't and was so supple. If I had known when I was young I would have taken much more care. Best wishes to you. I can empathise.

[Scarlett]

Apc- yes it’s truly horrible. I hate being so unreliable. There all these things I want to do and commit to, and all I seem to do is cancel things! I’m certain this is all linked to EDS too. Wish there was more that could be done for you too!