Servere back pain?

[tamirra]

My mum has suffered with severe back pain now for a few weeks, it seems to be in her back, side, arms, and also her little fingers and arm go numb, we have thought that maybe it was a slipped disk, but the pain is only severe in the night and not during the day, once she has woken and taken some pills the pain seems to cease and comes back when she is in bed, what could it be, she says the pain is so bad she could slit her throat. Please help.

[melons]

Have you been to see the Doctor or a ciropractor! (Excuse spelling!)
Maybe the bed is to hard or soft. Can she walk around all day?

[tamirra]

no she hasnt been anywhere as she has a phobia of hospitals, and she knows if she goes to the gp he will refere her so she wont do that, yeah it seems ok during the day, so if it was anything serious then surely it would be all the time?

[melons]

i dont know if it is serious. I would try and talk to her and get her to get it checked out, it will stop you all worrying. Once you a referrd to the hospital it will probably only be day cases of scans and basically helping improve her pain. Maybe try changing the way that she sleeps i.e add some pillows so she is more upright! Although remeber to add some support for the neck as that would cause some problems otherwise! Have you spoken to her doctor or a doctor in confidence and see if they can help? The doctor would not be able to give you any information on your mum but he might be able to suggest some tips to help her with the pain. I think you need to talk to someone as it sounds as if the pain is getting her down a lot.

[tamirra]

The doc wont talk to me about my mum as its confidential, and getting her to the hospital either for scans or whatever, you just cant do it, she wont have any of it.

[bednobs]

yes, it could be very serious. You dont mention how old you mum is, but there are loads of things it could be. For example in the extreme, she could have an osteoporotic collapse of her vertebra, which impinges on her spinal cord when she lies down. Again, in the extreme case this could lead to total, irreversible paralysis for the rest of her i
life. she could have spinal cord compression, which might need loads of uncomfortable surgery if she leaves it too long it could be neuropathic pain, anything really. She needs to see a doctor

[tamirra]

she is 65,

[melons]

The doctor would be able to listen to you and shed some light in helping!! They cant tell you anything as it is confidential! But they can listen! How about ringing NHS direct 24 (yellow pages) explain it to them and they will be able to help! I know what a phobia of hospitals is like! I have one and i freak when i get inside! There isnt a lot that can be said to help it i understand. Could the Doctor not do a home visit?
In would try and go and get her seen. It would be better to be safe and know exactly what is wrong! It could be something of nothing but it might not! Please get it checked!

[shanx]

take her to a physiotherapist if you have a local one,you will have to pay but at the end of the day it ts worth it,i had a back problem for months,went into hospital for tests came out the same,couldnt find out what it was,i made an appointment with a physio and he knew straight away,i had three months ultra sound treatment and was fine,that man made me sane again,you could see a physio through your doctor but it could take ages, and if your mum is in so much pain it would be better to sort it asp,if its a muscle problem, like mine it wont show up on scans or xrays

[Bigeye74]

From personal experience, i'd not bother with the physio (when it comes to backs), in my case they have caused a me a lot more pain and have done little for any colleagues with dodgy.
The chiropractor would be my first port of call. Your mother will have to accept a certain amount of manipulation which can be uncomfortable but very very worth it.
Chinese medicine is another option that has worked for me. This involved acupuncture and a very relaxing massage and drinking some interesting concoctions.
Shanx, sorry if i appear rude.

[shanx]

non not at all bigeye,i had seen lots of physios and i agree with you,maybe i was lucky to find an excellent one, who knew his job i heard about him by word of mouth.maybe if tamirra gave the area she lived in some one could recomend a good one,just hope she can sort it out for her mum.

[tamirra]

Thankyou for all your support, i think she is going to see a chiropractor, unless she changes her mind yet again. Thankyou so much. xxxxxx