Bad Back

[ELVIS68]

I have had a bad back for ten days now,the doctor prescribed me some Diazepam tablets and although they ease the pain,do they actually help the back in anyway?

[feebee]

I think you should change your doctor. Diazepam is a tranquilliser and also highly addictive. I have never heard of it being prescribed for back pain.

[ELVIS68]

I`m moving house soon so will have a new doctor,he didnt even look at my back,he just looked at my notes,saw that i`ve had back problems before and wrote out a prescription

[Metz]

just found this http://spine-health.com/topics/conserv/overview/med/med04.html not sure if it helps

[dot.hawkes]

Did you go in your dealer gear elvis? You need to find out why u have a bad back before u can treat it, he sounds like a waste of space, ask to see another doc at the practise, take iboprofen, this will stop and swelling around the nerves and so you will still be able to tell if it is bothering u, nothing worse than taking pain killers for back injury and thinkiin it is ok and doing worse damage. take care of yourself, you've a family to support for a few more years yet!

[Rubyrose]

No hunny. Diazepam is Valium. My doctor hands it out willy nilly and gave them to me for Anxiety attacks!! I took about 4! They can become addictive though. You only have 2mg's though don't you. I would go back to your doctors but ask to see another Doc. xx

[ELVIS68]

Thanks dot, when i went to see him i was walking as though i`d shat me pants, but its better now than what it was,i`m back at work and can get around a bit now

[dot.hawkes]

cyropractors (?) are good but only for certain conditions, you really have to get some idea of the problem, in your job it might be a strain or lifting but what if it is tension caused by stress? You can't resolve that without hands on treatment.

[ELVIS68]

I dont lift much in my job, although a physio once said I had a bad posture

[jno]

chiropractors and osteopaths specialise in the causes of back pain - usually involves finding your vertebrae have twisted around a bit, and twisting them back. I've always found them very good. I suppose it's possible that valium would help you relax twisted muscles or something, but better to find out what the real problem is and see if it can be cured.

[Kay]

ELVIS68, Diazapam/Valium is also a muscle relaxant and used in operating theatres as a pre op by injection. But if they're not helping you much go back to your doc for some strong painkillers or you even take both. It wont harm you.

[Kay]

oops jno, I've just read your post about Diaz helping the muscles relax..DUH.

[gessoo]

I was given a short course of diazapam by the hospital after I broke a vertebrae. As others have said they help to relax the muscles. Whilst your muscles are relaxed and the pain ease it will give the back a chance to heal naturally. However, if after the course of valium your back is just as bad, then you should go back to your doctor. Our practice certainly doesn't give valium out now easily and only gives small amounts for short term use.

[Scarlett]

Mark my words, do NOT take pain killers long term for back pain. Your back is hurting you because there is something wrong with it. Rather than masking the pain you need to listen to the pain and with an osteopath or chiropractor's help, find the cause, and then the cure. I took pain killers for years and eventually my colon packed up. It still doesn't work. I agree with taking anti-inflammatories short term, as these will help the inflammation, but any other pain killer just hides the problem- if you're lucky!

[WendyS]

I am currently suffering like you Elvis, and have been prescribed Diazepam tablets as well as painkillers. If you read the instruction leaflet which comes with ~Diazepam you will see that apart from being a general tranquilliser, they are specifically prescribed for reducing muscle spasms which can be one of the main causes of back immobility since they tighten up around your ligaments so much that you literally can hardly move or twist your spine. Following back surgery some years ago I find self-help is the best way of tackling bouts of severe back pain and a helpful exercise is to lie flat on the floor, face down for 5 minutes, letting your back muscles relax as much as you can. Then slowly use your arms to lift your head, shoulders and upper back as far as you can. Hold this arched position for 3 or 4 minutes and repeat three or four times every hour. If you have a disc which has bulged (which is often the cause of back pain) this will slowly help ease it back into alignment but it's a slow process which can't be hurried as it can take a couple of weeks for the resultant inflammation to heal.. If you can persuade somebody to deeply massage the tense back muscles which are in tight spasm this will also help. Beware of driving/operating machinery when taking Diazepam as it can make you very drowy. Ibroprofen is an anti-inflammatory painkiller which is also effective and can be taken in conjunction with the Diazepam, but don't exceed the recommended dose, and don't take the Diazepam for more than about 10 days without re-checking with your GP. Try and consciously check your neck and shoulders for tenseness and regularly exercise them too because tension in this area can transmit itself to other muscles lower down your back.

[Rubyrose]

Can you please answer me in CS :o)

[rosieo]

I was prescribed Diazepam for back pain. A muscle in my back went into spasm. Diazepam is a muscle relaxant, which is why it has been prescribed for you. Diazepam should only be taken if it is really necessary as it is highly addictive. I work with people with epilepsy who are administered diazepam rectally if they go into seizure. It takes only seconds for it to work, as it is a very powerful drug.x

[Cheekystar]

try alternate ice packs and heat packs, avoid baths, and try gentle streches