Back pain

[emmie]

for the first time in ages have terrible back pain. If i move my head forward the pain goes right the way down my back. Not sure if I have done anything to cause it. Have had this before some years ago. I resorted to pain killers then, any suggestion how to get this better without resorting to more medication.

[ummmm]

ibuprofen upsets my stomach as well.

[theshedman]

Other half use those wheat bag things they can be used hot or cold, from microwave or freezer and she says they often help with the pain. See link.

http://www.amazon.co....ef=pd_sl_60wran8a1f_b

[albaqwerty]

Em, make sure you tell your pharmacist what meds you are on.

[bednobs]

lol if i remember from previous posts, em will do what she wants anyway no matter how many times the advice is repeated :)
Em, the pharmacist will help you decide if the medicines clash. Have you tried paracetamol (it clashes with almost nothing and is kind on the stomach)

[furrypusscat]

I agree with Sqad as I have suffered with same in the past. I know my limitations now so tends to be under control. Try to relax neck muscles, difficult I know. Heat pad on neck. I also had accupuncture, can't say whether that truly helped. Was on prescribed anti-inflammatory medication until they realised asthma symptoms had worsened. Now take painkillers when required.

[emmie]

bednobs, if you don't mind i know you aren't having a sparkling day either, but your words i don't need.

[bednobs]

oh dear, sorry em, i was gently ribbing you about your posts last year. I didn't mean to make you narky

[emmie]

if i am it's because mention of previous posts, and i have taken advice on here before. But when you are in pain and don't take well to some meds it's difficult to know what to do for the best. If i could see someone today i would. Walking isn't so bad, but sitting, resting is.

[excelsior-1]

em.
without wishing to pry into your personal life . . .
. . . do you have an other half . . . maybe he could massage some deep heat into your back?

(feel really sad that you are in so much pain)

[emmie]

excelsior, no my o/h passed away a couple of years ago, otherwise it's a good point. thank you.

[excelsior-1]

oh, i'm sorry.

[emmie]

fallen like many to cancer, not old either, early sixties. Anyway enough of that, i will get ready very carefully, and trot out, i walk slow anyway, so chemist first then see if can have nice lunch someplace to cheer myself up
x em

[excelsior-1]

(lost my father to prostate cancer - xmas eve 2005)

just take it easy out there em .. walk slowly and carefully.
good luck.

[chantilylace]

you really need to have it massaged, i am a masseuse! it sounds like your back muscles are in spasm and pain killers will just mask the pain not fix the problem, even if anti inflammatory tabs take down inflammation. you can massage yourself using a tennis ball, roll it around the muscles in your back gently locating the problem area, don't rub on the spine. likely to be the muscles either side of the spine/between the shoulder blades/in the lower back. keep the pressure hard enough to stretch them out but not too hard. hot/cold compress will help take down inflammation too, alternate each every two mins. gentle stretches to this area regularly will stop it re-occuring.

[emmie]

thank you for various replies, i have taken some painkillers, not sure if they will help, getting a doctors appointment may prove beyond me, and the pain goes across the base of my spine, some parts too difficult to reach.
Have had it before, this time has come on very quickly. Knees in bad state too, left one been giving me merry hell for months. Last time i did see a doctor she said its age related, but i have been told that piece of unhelpful info since my 40's.

[emmie]

trigger, sorry yes have tried that too.