Severe Lower Back Pain When Lying Down

[Eve]

I'm really not having a good couple of weeks.

I got up this morning to phone in sick to work (other issues, a lot of nausea, some vomiting and feeling exhausted).

I tried to settle down to get back to sleep but my lower back/pelvis and round my hips was screaming in pain whatever way I tried to get comfortable. This went on for an hour or so and I took my pregabalin (2) and two codeine phosphate and two paracetamol and have managed to get a bit comfier lying on my side with my knees curled up and a small cushion between them but it's still uncomfortable and I can feel almost like a pressure at a spot on my lower spine.

I have problems with tightness in my lower back, problems bending down and it locking and have lordosis (according to physio) as she said my pelvis is tilted so there is a larger curve in my spine than there should be but nothing this bad.

I'm not allowed anti-inflammatories, my rheumatology nurse reiterated not to take any when I spoke to her a couple of days ago. Is there anything I can get to ease it, especially as I need to get rest and be comfortable lying down?

I thought maybe the arthritis but remember my nurse saying that back pain is not related to inflammatory arthritis!

[Sqad]

Eve...don't think that i am being rude ignoring your post, but i have spent most of the morning in deciding how to word this:

I am not a rheumatologist but I cannot agree totally with the advice of the rheumatology nurse...............but, I would suggest that you take her advice and contact her about your backpain.

[Eve]

Not at all Sqad, I feel lucky to have you about to get your opinion at all.

I find it frustrating about the no anti-inflammatory thing. Unless you meant the back pain thing or both. It was on a patient education morning the back pain thing but then I thought Ankolosing Spondylitis (excuse spelling!) and other things could cause it. Not saying, of course, that is what I'm thinking. I remember early on at rheumatology that they did a lower spine xray and saw something on that and sent me for an MRI but they said that was fine but then why would they look into it if the back can't be affected.

I'm hoping it will ease off (not yet since 7am) though it has dulled a bit with painkillers.

[Eve]

Bit of an update, just spoke to my GP who said it sounds like sciatica so to up my pain medication, up to 4 codeine at a time with the paracetamol, to keep off work tomorrow and try to get gently moving about to see if that helps but ring them back if not. She thinks the nausea is related to the flucloxicillin. I've had it loads of times before, mainly for skin infections, abcesses etc... but maybe the methotrexate has made a difference as I get nausea with that anyway. Fingers crossed it's just a one off think if it is this sciatica, maybe I've just aggravated something?

[bednobs]

i have never and still do not understand you not being able to have anti-i's

[Sqad]

I totally agree with bednobs.

Thanks for the update Eve.

[flump1]

Eve, I have no answers, just want to say hope you are feeling better soon. I know how debilitating constant pain can be. xx

[Eve]

Thanks flump x

Me neither :( It would make life a lot easier if I could. I'm not sure if it's a policy they have about them or it's linked it with my history of gastro stuff and a previous ulcer. I'll have to ask them. I thought I might get a bit of a gap without the methotrexate but she was adamant, still no anti-inflammatories - unless that is to do with the liver results...arghhh, I just have no idea!

I managed to get to the local corner shop for some supplies as had run out and my GP said to try and gently move (any lying down wasn't happening!). Painkiller'd up before I went but it was very uncomfortable, pain seemed to rise up into my right middle back. Managed to get a bit of relief after though and even managed to get into a position comfy enough to get some sleep :)

[Eve]

Still suffering (eased a little though and been getting massages and trying to keep moving) and booked a few days leave. Rang rheumatology and double-checked the anti-inflammatory thing but was told still no :(

They suggested valium or amitriptyline but said they weren't sure if it would be sciatica as the pain is worse when lying down.

My GP asked me if I had an abscess on my back when I first spoke to her. I didn't though since I have come up with what looks and feel a bit like a boil/abscess on my back but it's more over my hip way about an inch and a half below my waistline. Could something like that cause all the pain round my lower back, hips, bum though?