What to do?

[Lakitu]

In February I hurt my back and the doctor gave me strong pain killers and anti inflams, which cleared it up in a few days.

This week it's been niggling again and I woke up in the night with it pinging, I haven't been able to walk since, I literally cannot put any weight on my feet for the pain (I've crawled to the bathroom!).

My other problem is that my GP surgery changed their catchment area and I received a letter last month asking me to register with another doctor, but I never got around to doing (my own fault, I know). Last week I received another letter from them telling me my records have been recalled by practitioner services and I'm no longer a member of their practice.

There's absolutely no way I can get myself to the out of hours surgery for emergencies but I desperately need a repeat prescription.

Anyone any ideas of my options, please?

[Eve]

If you give NHS Direct a ring they may be able to sort something out for you or let you know who to contact...

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

[redcrx]

ouch, you poor thing lakitu.

Call your nearest surgery and ask to be seen as a temporary resident until you can transfer your records.

Ive had to do this a few times as i live in 2 places and can only be registered at one.

I hope they can help

[terambulan]

Poor Lakitu.....maybe a board under ur mattress or board in ur usual armchair would help. Try changing from ur usual chair to something firmer.....change ur posture. Sleep on the floor on mattress and roll over when getting up. Have u tried a Beladona plaster to support ur back.

Tai chi exercises are good for bad backs.

[Lakitu]

I've just called NHS 24 and they say the only thing is for me to go to the out of hours GP service. I can't do that, I can't stand up, never mind drive.

[bednobs]

can't you ask someone to drive you/? Do they not do home visits?
no harm in ringng them anyway, because they might be able to do you a prescription for someone else to pick up. If not, use paracetamol/nurofen till you can get registered. Ring up your preferred surgery and get an appointment tomorrow

[Bathsheba]

Poor you.
Try icepack. Chiropractor told me that. Good luck xx

[Bathsheba]

Forgot to mention- anti- inflams etc will only treat the symptoms- you really need to address the cause of the problem. Sounds like disc problem to me when you mentioned "pinging" xx

[Scarlett]

You need to be lying flat with someone to look after you. I would tell NHS direct you cannot walk and they will get a locum doctor to drop a repeat prescription round when they are on their travels- they did this for me. Or you could phone your old surgery, tell them what you told us and ask if a Doc could write one out and get a friend to pick it up for you?

[terambulan]

Lakita dial 999 and get an ambulance....tell them you've slipped disc.....anything to get some treatment urgently

[Eve]

They must be able to do out of ours visits! If you ring a local doctor's surgery they should have an out of hours service on which will give you a number of who to call to try and organise a call out.

[Lakitu]

Aberdeen has a central out of hours surgery, if you phone your own GP outside surgery hours, you get put through to the central one, who have already told me they will not come to me :'(

I can't phone for an ambulance, teram, I'd get a bill through for the ambulance because it's not actually an emergency. Try not to make me laugh again, it hurts too! LOL x

[Scarlett]

I would get someone to get you some ibuprofen from the local shop and some frozen peas. Put the peas in a tea towel on your back for 10 mins on/ten mins off to reduce inflammation. Take ibuprofen for the same reason as well as helping with pain. Then phone the Doc tomorrow and ask to be signed up to the surgery and book an appointment for a couple of days time. If you still can't walk, they MUST come to you! OR you could phone a chiropractor- they may do home visits, and could probably help you a lot more.

[Lakitu]

Thanks Jenna, I'll call the new surgery tomorrow morning and get registered and I'll call around chiropractors to see if they do home visits.

If it's anything like what it was in February, which it is today, then there's no way I can bear anyone touching it. I've literally been on my back all day because I can't stand. I've tried a few times and I just can't bear the weight, the pain takes my breath away.

[Eve]

Are there any local volunteer or help groups you could maybe ring to see if they coul dhelp you out?

If you ring the Samaritans they may be able to give you numbers of some groups who may be able to help.

Do you work and is there anyone from work who could help you?

[Lakitu]

Help me stand up?

Yes, I work but not on a Sunday, I can't see me being able to get to work tomorrow :(

[Bathsheba]

Hi again Lakitu.
I know it sounds painful, but try to move- staying immobile is the worst thing you could do.
Best of luck, again! xx

[jno]

in the slightly longer term, consider seeing an osteopath or chiropractor. They specialise in backs, whereas doctors don't know an awful lot about them and just hand out painkillers. I've had a lot of help from osteopathy and none at all from GPs when it comes to my bad back.

[ELVIS68]

Back trouble is like owning a Skoda...once you got it you can`t get rid of it

I take Diazepam and Diclofenic when mine goes, ok it makes you drowsy but it eases the pain and allows you to walk normal instead of walking like you`ve sh!t yaself

[Lakitu]

I'm definately going to be getting to the root of the problem this time. I figured it was just one of those things when it happened in February, but clearly not if it's happened again 4 months later.

Elvis - that's exactly what I got from the doc the last time, I couldn't remember what they were called, thanks :o)

[taichiperson]

Further to earlier suggestion - yes Tai Chi can be good, but obviously not right now! I would suggest you try to find a class when you are feeling better. Alexander technique is another good one.
In the style of Tai Chi I teach, the spine is very gently straightened and aligned whilst making other movements. I have friend who totally lost a disc in her spine through a bad accident, who finds Tai Chi helps her tremendously. The gentle movements help to strengthen the muscles around the spine and support it. Most styles will do this - if you want to find a class, make sure it's not run as a martial art, as this may not do you any favours!