Can't stand this pain, it keeps moving?

Darlyd

Started about 4 weeks ago in my lower back, I could not bend, hurt when I got up from sitting, so I had to have just over a week off work, went back for 3 days I was sort of OK, manageable. (I am a care worker) then suddenly I could not work, I rung my manager, who had the !!!!. Went to doc and he signed me off for a further 2 weeks with stronger meds. OK fast forward to last week, I had to go again, I been crying in agony, the pain not in my lower back now, it's in between my but cheeks and my right cheek, I can't sit, stand, walk, or lay down without pain, doc prescribed me stronger pain killers and referred me to a rheumatologist (this coming WED).

The thing is, she gave me another sick note for 3 weeks, but I am worried not only what this pain is. BUT I don't know what pay I am getting from work, and when I went in the day I went back last time, they sat in the office slagging off another carer for being sick for a month with her back (she has never been sick for the 5 yrs she been working with us), saying after 4 weeks u lose your calls etc etc. This has made me think, I don't want to go back, what if my back does get better and then suddenly goes again? Horrible office staff..... As long as they get their calls covered they don't care about the staff..

No union

Where do I stand?


Any tips with my back? I am on strong pain killers but don't seem to help a lot. Also using gell, and hot water bottles... DH has to help me in and out of bath, and when I go to bed, I am crying in pain... Never experienced pain like this before..

Humphrey10

darlyd wrote: »

No union

Why not? Join one.

Go back to your GP tomorrow, if the pain's that bad. They might not be able to do anything before you see the consultant but they might be able to help with more painkillers and tips to help with the pain.

Don't go back to work until you have been told by a medical professional that your back is OK. You don't want to aggravate it by doing stuff before you are ready.

Darlyd

Humphrey10 wrote: »

Why not? Join one.

Go back to your GP tomorrow, if the pain's that bad. They might not be able to do anything before you see the consultant but they might be able to help with more painkillers and tips to help with the pain.

Don't go back to work until you have been told by a medical professional that your back is OK. You don't want to aggravate it by doing stuff before you are ready.

Wouldn't know where to start with a union.

Doctor can't help me anymore, DH was going to ring ambulance early hours this morning, but I refused. I am on the strongest pain killers doc can prescribe, I am even taking other meds to combat side affects, I suppose they have helped with the secondary pain but not the main pain. Literally a pain in the bum!

I don't think I want to go back to this job, office staff are horrible, I love the job but it's so much bending, twisting, in out of car etc is to blame. (doc says). I have a further 3 weeks off, but going by what office said about other carer I will lose my calls, and they will go to someone else. Talk about !!!!!y!

Humphrey10

darlyd wrote: »

Wouldn't know where to start with a union.

First hit on Google for 'care workers union': http://www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/

I am on the strongest pain killers doc can prescribe

I doubt it, unless they have prescibed morphine. What have they prescribed you? Go back, and insist that the GP does something there and then. If they won't do anything, go to A&E.

I don't think I want to go back to this job, office staff are horrible, I love the job but it's so much bending, twisting, in out of car etc is to blame. (doc says).

Try the employment forum for details of what if any Health and Safety assessments you can insist on when you go back to work.

Darlyd

Humphrey10 wrote: »

First hit on Google for 'care workers union': http://www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/ Wow Thank You.


I doubt it, unless they have prescibed morphine. What have they prescribed you? Go back, and insist that the GP does something there and then. If they won't do anything, go to A&E.
I don't want to be a burden, I have an antiflam and codiene, plus other meds to combat side affects.


Try the employment forum for details of what if any Health and Safety assessments you can insist on when you go back to work.

Thank You helped a lot.

Poppy9

I'm surprised the doctor has signed you off so long with such acute pain but hasn't sent you for an x-ray at least.

What pain killers has he prescribed you?

Has he given you any information on gentle exercises etc.

A pain in the middle of the bum cheek with pain radiating down leg towards the front is usually sciatica.

Darlyd

Poppy9 wrote: »

I'm surprised the doctor has signed you off so long with such acute pain but hasn't sent you for an x-ray at least.

What pain killers has he prescribed you?

Has he given you any information on gentle exercises etc.

A pain in the middle of the bum cheek with pain radiating down leg towards the front is usually sciatica.

I was suffering with sciatica, the first doc I seen signed me off for a week, gave me antiflam, told me just pulled a muscle. 2nd doc I seen, was more sympathetic, wanted to check inside of me, because of pins and needles in my privates and down my legs, he gave me stronger meds, told me to come back in a week, go from there, signed me off for 2 weeks. Went back following week, he was on hols seen another doc, who referred me right away to hospital, (appoint this coming Wed).

Pain/symptoms keeps moving/changing... Really getting me down, laying on my side now with pillow between my legs, keep getting up to walk about every hour or so, but I'm in bloody agony . Dreading appointment on Wed, also hurts to touch, when DH puts gell on, massages me, moves quilt, any type of touch it buddy hurts..

tanith

Sounds like sciatica to me too, it is the most excrutiating pain. I paid for some physio (long wait if done through the GP) the 3rd bout of this I suffered, it helped enormously and she gave me some excercises to do for whenever I felt a twinge of it coming on again it works it really does.. the only way I could get some relief was lying down knees bent over a couple of pillows.. ask the GP to refer you for physio you never know it could be quick for you..

Poppy9

Sounds bad.

I'm a long term back pain sufferer after a car accident in my teens.

I loved reading in the newspaper that the only painkillers that work that my GP regularly prescribes for me increase the chance of heart attack by 40%. My problem is caused by my discs being compressed etc. so I get put in traction every so often over a couple of months and I'm much better.

I find lying on my stomach eases pain more than lying on side but I find it almost impossible to get up off the floor!!!

With acute pain lasting so long I would be tempted to present myself to casualty tbh.

belfastgirl23

I was going to suggest a physio too if you can afford it. Ask around and get a recommendation from someone. They can help you to identify the source of the pain and give you exercises to do (if appropriate) to help relieve it.

Poor you, this sounds horrible.

Darlyd

I don't wish to go to A&E I feel a burden.. I have appointment with consultant on Wednesday, done quick because I have private medical insurance. (doc told me could be up to 6 mnths on nhs).

I can't lay on my tummy , It's like when I walk, I am dragging my right leg, and my tummy sticks out like I am 9 mnths pregnant (no joke) I can't feel my right bum cheek, and in between my bum cheeks throbs, I am sure I have fractured my tail bone some how.. (Had an accident 6 years ago, flared up 4 years ago, nothing like this though) never once had any tests on my back. So I am intrigued to find out what exactly it is.

I feel for all of you back sufferers, in my experience this is worse than labour! Least you know it will be over when baby comes out. ouch ouch