Can vomiting cause severe back ache?

[wilsarnie]

This morning I had a terrible stomach upset which involved a lot of vomiting food and when that ran out water and rehydration salts that I'd been sipping (too much info?? ;-) )

Now 12 hours on I have chronic back ache, halfway down my back and all across. There's no getting comfy in any position and sleep's out of the question! My basic physiology tells me it's a direct consequence of straining when vomiting, would I be right?

I took some paracetamol to alleviate it but that did notihng. I then took some ibuprofen as was muscular (I know shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach etc - was desperate!) but also did nothnig.

I'm still in pain and still desperate! Has anyone had this before and if so what helped it?

Thanks all.

[daniela31]

Have you seen or spoken to your GP about this?
I would be worried if I were you.

[Ethel]

Yes, it is a result of straining whilst vomiting.

Watch with the painkillers - your stomach lining will still be recovering, and painkillers could aggravate it.

[LoftyLottie]

Agree with Ethel. Severe Vomiting can cause dreadful backache - in fact it usually does. Also the weakness due to the bug will make the backache worse. Stick to paracatemol every four hours for the pain as ibuprufen can aggravate your stomach.

Try a hotwater bottle on your back. It can help a lot.

[Jugglering]

Sounds like you might well have strained a few muscles ..... I've had this problem (I won't go into details but it was similar to yourself) and once the tummy upset had cleared up, all I could do was to keep moving around. As soon as I sat down or lay down for any length of time, I stiffened up again. If moving around does ease the pain, then you know it's almost definitely muscular. If you can eat a little food tonight, then take some paracetamol about half an hour before you go to bed, so you can at least get some sleep. Take a couple of plain biscuits (like digestives) to bed with you (wrapped up in foil say) and have these on waking, then you can have some more painkillers in the morning before you get up.

[yogasun]

If I were you, if it carries on I'd pop to see your GP as such symptoms could be caused by a kidney infection.

[natalie_1982]

You probably strained yourself through vomitting, but, not doubt somebody will put me straight, I don't know if it might be your kidneys? Aren't they somewhere down your back? perhaps a kidney infection could cause vomitting? Had you actually eaten anything dodgy or do you think it's just one of those bugs?

Why not trying the NHS Direct line?

[andy-hughes]

Try a nice hot bath, and then lie on the floor for about half an hour and try to relax as much as you can.

[blackcat77]

As Lottie said, try a hot water bottle on your back, but if you still feel this lousy tomorrow I'd definitely see your GP - do you think that it is something you ate? or a bug?
Anyhow I hope that you feel better very soon

[smudge]

I do feel for you wilsarnie. I've had chronic backache after vomiting, 'specially when having the dreaded migraine headaches.

I know it's difficult, but I would do as Andy has suggested. Lay flat, place a pillow under your knees & relax for a while.

Hope you feel much better soon.

[wilsarnie]

Thanks for the hints & sympathy guys, I called NHS Direct and she covered herself and told me to call doc's which I did as she was worried about a kidney infection. Spoke to Doctor who said 'this is what we call a severe stomach bug and if it carries on go to A&E.' Great answer.

Aaaanyway, i'll try all the tips - thanks!

[joggerjayne]

You poor thing.