Back Problems?

rachelandgromit

I've never had any back problems, ever. Today I woke up with a really bad pain at the top of my back near my right shoulder blade which I thought may be from just sleeping funny. It's gradually got worse today and now I have pains up my neck, right arm and pins and needles down my right arm and in my hands, can't seem to straighten up either! Any suggestions what this may be, god forbid if it lasts another 24 hours - I'm in agony! :(:( My friend mentioned chiropractors - are these expensive and is this where I should be heading?

Not very MS'ing really, more of a general question I'm not after medical advice to follow, just picking brains....

McKneff

sounds like a trapped nerve.

an initial consultation is around £30 i think but they are brillliant.
First stop really is to see your gp and ask him ifa chiropractor would be ablle to help.
Round here you have to wait about 3 weeks for physio and usually the problem has resolved itself by then.

In the short term, have you tried Cold packs (frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) or heat (hot water bottle) one or the other usually helps.

Hope that helps, i have arthritis flare ups now and again so i know how you feel

rachelandgromit

I have a hot water now tried tiger balm too, nothing really helping. Yes, I know when I've been 'referred' anywhere it has been weeks and by then pointless really. I'd happily pay if it meant curing this..... I now know when people say back pain what it is like, I'd put it on the same level as toothache when I had an abscess :-000

The_Economist

rachelandgromit wrote: »

I've never had any back problems, ever. Today I woke up with a really bad pain at the top of my back near my right shoulder blade which I thought may be from just sleeping funny. It's gradually got worse today and now I have pains up my neck, right arm and pins and needles down my right arm and in my hands, can't seem to straighten up either! Any suggestions what this may be, god forbid if it lasts another 24 hours - I'm in agony! :(:( My friend mentioned chiropractors - are these expensive and is this where I should be heading?

Not very MS'ing really, more of a general question I'm not after medical advice to follow, just picking brains....

Dont jump in feet first. See how it goes over the next few hours. I know you you maybe in discomfort but could be nothing too worry about. I've been going to a chiropractors for years. mmmmmmmmmm lots of money and discomfort later not always the best choice, i would suggest a good osteopath. But be-aware.

McKneff

Try the cold peas bit if heat isnt helping.

On your comparisons list, i would rather go through labour (again) than
backpain/toothache.lol

can you get comfortable anywhere. I remember when i was in agony with my back at one time, the only place i could get anywhere near pain free, i found about 3am in the morning when i knelt in front of the armchair, knees apart and leant on my arms, believe it or not i slept soundly like that for half an hour and after not having any sleep for 5 nights it was bliddy wonderful.

C_Mababejive

Where ru? maybe someone could recommend someone?

rachelandgromit

McKneff wrote: »

Try the cold peas bit if heat isnt helping.

On your comparisons list, i would rather go through labour (again) than
backpain/toothache.lol

can you get comfortable anywhere. I remember when i was in agony with my back at one time, the only place i could get anywhere near pain free, i found about 3am in the morning when i knelt in front of the armchair, knees apart and leant on my arms, believe it or not i slept soundly like that for half an hour and after not having any sleep for 5 nights it was bliddy wonderful.

I think I will have to raid the freezer now and try the cold. Can't comment on labour, no intentions of even contemplating it - EVER.

I have tried lots of weird and wonderful positions to get comfy, lying face down - head into the pillow but then trying to move again from this was impossible. The only other thing is to sit against the wall as straight as I can get leaning a bit back into the window ledge - this is what I am currently doing!

The_Economist

If i remember rightly heat is to relax the muscle and a cold compress is to constrict the blood flow so when said area warms up there should be a return of highly oxygenated blood too aid healing.

jenniewb

I get trapped nerves from time to time and they can be quite painful and prevent movement. I'd see your doctor, see if anything is available for the short term, its likely to heal itself, when I get them the immediate sharp pain can go in anything from a few hours to a few days. Then you get some left over cramping or bruising which fades over a few days or weeks depending on how bad it is. But in every case the best advice would be to take some ibuprofen, maybe a deep heat patch or hot water bottle, lie down and wait it out.

If you want to try massage or a back doctor or even yoga exercises (the latter has helped relieve the pain during and for a few minutes following) then by all means, but don't go thinking that you have to do this, trapped nerves (if thats what it is) will resolve themselves pretty quickly.

Bananabelly

Go and see your doctor asap, or if it gets worse go to emerg to get some pain killers. The first 48 hours are usually the worst. That is certainly coming from your neck (I am a physio). The nerves are not necessarily 'trapped' just irritated (though that can still mean the pain is horrendous). If you get weakness in your arm or the pins and needles get worse (or other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, vomiting), go to emerg as well.
When I worked in the NHS we would see people with acute problems like that within a week, so it would be worth asking (make sure your doctor writes a good referral). Alternatively, there is in many places a physio direct service which could help you with some exercises over the phone.

To be honest, you have to ride it out a bit and pain killers are your best option for the first 48 hours usually, then maybe go and see someone next week. Try cold first and if that doesn't help try the heat. Roll and towel and put it around your neck to support it a little. Anything that increases the pain in your arm is something to avoid. But I could be anyone, go and see your doctor!

rachelandgromit

Update: Pain has gradually got worse, last night rung NHS direct who told me to take Paracetemol and Ibroprofen together. I've rung my GP this morning first thing and they didn't offer a proper appointment, instead the GP rung me back for a 'telephone consultation'. Said that it is probably some kind of muscular injury in my neck and he will leave me a prescription at the GP's for some painkillers (stronger than ibuprofen and also some laxatives as the painkillers may cause constipation). Said they will cause drowsiness too. Said I should be OK to go into work which is good, just do some stretches now and again. If no better by Friday to ring and go in and see him. Going to pick prescription up later today but struggling to drive so I'll get it on the way into work as will only have to do one trip then.

GP said neck pain could last over 2 weeks!!! I can't go on like this for 2 weeks, I can hardly move, I could cry...

Do you think if I go to A&E I may get a better response.