Lower back pain - can’t walk

[Reereef]

Sorry for such a mundane thread, but hoping someone can help. Obvs reasons I can’t get to GP.

A few months ago, I started feeling a faint pulling pain in my right buttock.

A few weeks ago, I was stretching (seated on floor, feet together, elbows on knees to push them to the floor). I noticed my left knee had normal flexibility, but my right knee was hardly going towards the floor at all...as if hip was locked.

This week, my lower back, right at the bottom of spine is agony. If I’m seated or laying down it’s fine. The moment I start moving around, I can barely take a step. It’s agony to tears. Hurts all in lower back, buttocks (sorry), almost like a burning ache and I have to stop and bend all the way forward to stop the pain.

It’s seriously debilitating...I can manage Tesco with a trolley to lean on. I’m 39!

Has anyone had this or anything similar and was there anything you did to help it? I’ve tried ibruprofen...no good.

Thank you in advance 🙏

[Gryff]

It may be sciatica very very debilitating and yes it can be bilateral if it’s a disc / spinal issue
Try and keep a diary of when the pain happens what you are doing can’t do and get a online appointment with your GP to be in line for physio when it opens back up
It’s very very debilitating to the point at times you are not even safe to drive Handel hot food kettles etc
There are online exercises etc to use but not advised till,you have a professional diagnosis it can cause more harm than good if=it’s not sciatica

[Guest]

I used to have something similar. I got runover in mid twenties and it wrecked back.

I suffered with what you describe into my forties.

It's started to go away now but for 15 years was awful.

Only thing to do is plenty of rest, painkillers and Google physio stretches for bad backs

[Reereef]

Thank you both!

I will phone GP tomorrow. I just walked up the stairs (flipping townhouse) and the pain was quite distressing when I got to the top. Posted in a bit of desperation I think.

I hope this doesn’t last 15 years! Lol

[SnowWhite]

Originally Posted by Reereef

Sorry for such a mundane thread, but hoping someone can help. Obvs reasons I can’t get to GP.

A few months ago, I started feeling a faint pulling pain in my right buttock.

A few weeks ago, I was stretching (seated on floor, feet together, elbows on knees to push them to the floor). I noticed my left knee had normal flexibility, but my right knee was hardly going towards the floor at all...as if hip was locked.

This week, my lower back, right at the bottom of spine is agony. If I’m seated or laying down it’s fine. The moment I start moving around, I can barely take a step. It’s agony to tears. Hurts all in lower back, buttocks (sorry), almost like a burning ache and I have to stop and bend all the way forward to stop the pain.

It’s seriously debilitating...I can manage Tesco with a trolley to lean on. I’m 39!

Has anyone had this or anything similar and was there anything you did to help it? I’ve tried ibruprofen...no good.

Thank you in advance 🙏

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Poor you I know how that feels having lived with back pain since I was 16 after a very bad fall landing flat on my back. I had a laminectomy at 19 which wasn't a huge success.
I recently discovered that there is something called Piriformis syndrome which is helped by specific exercises. Have a look here: en.wikipedia/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome

You say you can't see your GP, but please give them a call and ask for a phone consult.
Good luck, hope you get better soon (((Hugs)))

[Moleymole]

Oh dear hopefully whatever it is will pass soon. I have episodes where something just goes basically, and there is so much pain in my lower back and pelvic area that I can’t even take a step. I called an ambulance the last time in October and they admitted me and got my pain under control but it took over a week before I could walk. All X-rays etc were normal apart from a bulging disc. I dread the next time whenever it happens.
Try for a phone g.p appointment at the very least.

[mandco]

contact your gp tomorrow they are still working and can do a consult over the phone- Back pain often settles in a few weeks but with your increasing symptoms its def worth getting some medical advice.

I have been told repeatedly to be aware of the red flags and seek advice asap if you develop any esp the first 3
numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
difficulty peeing
loss of bladder or bowel control – peeing or pooing yourself
the pain is so bad you're having problems sleeping
pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing
the pain is coming from the top of your back, between your shoulders, rather than your lower back

[Pino_Spetzberg]

Herman Miller Aeron chairs at home/office.
Drive an automatic Volvo.

[YorkshireT]

Likely you have a very common condition, disc herniation or a bulging disc. It’s a degenerative condition where the fibrous outer shell of the disc becomes brittle, and the inner gel like material bulges it out or breaks though and presses on the spinal cord. Also known as a ‘slipped disc’. Man people have it and it’s asymptomatic and some people have occasional flare ups.
It will very likely be that or muscular but sounds more like a disc. I get similar myself now and again.
It will usually just go away on its own. I find keeping moving helps. When I get it, my spine literally goes into spasm and I’ve had it so my body isn’t straight for days, usually what triggers mine is heavy lifting but haven’t had it for a while.
Losing weight can help if overweight.

[djewkes]

Whatever you do don’t lie flat on the floor... it was an old fashioned remedy and people doing it think it’s helpful... and then they get stuck on the floor unable to move!
Lots of useful advice already but to add... take painkillers, paracetamol 4 times in 24 hours and ibuprofen 3 times in between the paracetamol... take regularly...
And ring your GP they are all still working...
Get well soon