Debilitating lower back pain when I wake up - any ideas?
Discussion
When I first wake up I have lower back pain so bad that repositioning myself in bed is excruciating. I have to use my arms on the bedside cabinet to lever myself out of bed. Putting on trousers is a major challenge and putting on socks is nigh-on impossible. Within ten minutes of getting up the pain is gone and I am able to move freely and without pain. This has been the case for a number of months now and was initially intermittent but is now an every day occurrence. Is my back knackered or is it the mattress which, incidentally, is probably about eight years old now?
If it's getting progressively worse then think about going for a MRI scan. Don't listen to what your GP tell you. I was told by my GP my condition was nothing more than soft tissue and muscle damage, was then referred to physio, it didn't work. It got worse to the point I could barely walk. So I paid to go private rather than wait 4 months on the NHS
Turns on my condition is incurable and can only be stabilised with steroid injections directly into my spine. The physio would have made it worse rather than helped. I've been on a variety of strong medication over the last few months which a private spinal consultant has told me wouldn't have worked.
So it's cost a few grand and 1 spinal surgeon to tell me what 4-5 GPs and 2 physios on the NHS couldn't.
Turns on my condition is incurable and can only be stabilised with steroid injections directly into my spine. The physio would have made it worse rather than helped. I've been on a variety of strong medication over the last few months which a private spinal consultant has told me wouldn't have worked.
So it's cost a few grand and 1 spinal surgeon to tell me what 4-5 GPs and 2 physios on the NHS couldn't.
MitchT said:
When I first wake up I have lower back pain so bad that repositioning myself in bed is excruciating. I have to use my arms on the bedside cabinet to lever myself out of bed. Putting on trousers is a major challenge and putting on socks is nigh-on impossible. Within ten minutes of getting up the pain is gone and I am able to move freely and without pain. This has been the case for a number of months now and was initially intermittent but is now an every day occurrence. Is my back knackered or is it the mattress which, incidentally, is probably about eight years old now?
I had similar, changed to a different (stiffer) mattress and the issue went away. Didn't need to waste the time of the Doctor for a cure.MitchT said:
Might give sleeping on the floor a miss - not sure if serious!
I guess I'll have to start with my GP as I can't afford to go private - I'm not the standard issue PH "powerfully built company director".
Is the bed on a solid base or a sprung one? You could try putting a board under the mattress to see if it improves things.I guess I'll have to start with my GP as I can't afford to go private - I'm not the standard issue PH "powerfully built company director".
If not, it's probably time for a new bed...
A uni mate had debilitating back issues for years until he started doing the Dynamic Contraction Technique
He said that it changed his life and he became a practitioner himself. I'm not certain if this might assist you, but it's a starting point.
He said that it changed his life and he became a practitioner himself. I'm not certain if this might assist you, but it's a starting point.
WinstonWolf said:
Is the bed on a solid base or a sprung one? You could try putting a board under the mattress to see if it improves things.
If not, it's probably time for a new bed...
It's an Ikea Malm bed so the mattress is on wooden planks which seem to be of the non-bending variety.If not, it's probably time for a new bed...
alabbasi said:
You need a new mattress. Yours is either too soft to support your weight or too old
Probably too old - I only weigh 65kg (10 1/4 stone) - so it's not my weight.rallye101 said:
Do you exercise? I've just started pilates (in my lounge via youtube) I've only done x5 10min sessions and my lower back is feeling much better
Gym twice a week and walk to work (25 minutes each way) two-three times a week. Used to do the gym more but work commitments have made that impossible.MitchT said:
Might give sleeping on the floor a miss - not sure if serious!
I guess I'll have to start with my GP as I can't afford to go private - I'm not the standard issue PH "powerfully built company director".
Couldn't really afford to go private either but 6 months waiting list and a useless GP who just diagnosed chronic pain and referred me to a specialist. I just couldn't wait any longer so it was either spend £2k now and be pain free and mobile, or lose 20 times that amount over the next year have to quit my job.I guess I'll have to start with my GP as I can't afford to go private - I'm not the standard issue PH "powerfully built company director".
Finally on the mend but being in my position really makes you realise what a two tier health system we have in the UK. The NHS is overstretched and underfunded with far too many middle managers and pen pushers and not enough frontline staff.
I don't regret it especially when the private surgeon told me that if i'd waited for the NHS to come calling I'd have ended up in a wheelchair.
Edited by EarlofDrift on Tuesday 13th August 02:42
How old are you OP?
Is the back pain just on a morning? Is it definitely lumbar spine or thoracic too? Could it be your SI joints? Does it go into your legs? Have you been doing anything strenuous recently or had an injury?
You are highly unlikely to require an MRI scan so ignore that post for now and definitely no need to demand one from your GP.
Also wouldn’t suggest sleeping on the floor. Will reply again when I’ve more info.
Is the back pain just on a morning? Is it definitely lumbar spine or thoracic too? Could it be your SI joints? Does it go into your legs? Have you been doing anything strenuous recently or had an injury?
You are highly unlikely to require an MRI scan so ignore that post for now and definitely no need to demand one from your GP.
Also wouldn’t suggest sleeping on the floor. Will reply again when I’ve more info.
I have a similar issue. I was give the usual fob off from the GP that it was just age (gotta love our wonderful NHS! - no wonder most men just don't bother going to the docs). At 40 there is no way I am accepting that. They had no interest in even carrying out an xray never mind a scan. I have since been seeing a physio privately which has massively improved things, although I am still no way 100% better. Part of my issue is tight hamstrings and regular stretching has really helped. Mine derives from a sparring injury a few years back which put a slight twist into my lower spine.
JapanRed said:
How old are you OP?
Is the back pain just on a morning? Is it definitely lumbar spine or thoracic too? Could it be your SI joints? Does it go into your legs? Have you been doing anything strenuous recently or had an injury?
I’m 44. The pain is just on a morning when I first wake up, making it very hard to get out of bed and get dressed, but once I’m up and moving around it disappears very quickly and doesn’t come back until I wake up the next day. It only affects my lower back - no pain going into legs or anywhere else.Is the back pain just on a morning? Is it definitely lumbar spine or thoracic too? Could it be your SI joints? Does it go into your legs? Have you been doing anything strenuous recently or had an injury?
No injury that I’m aware of. I do go to the gym and do resistance training but I was well instructed by a trainer and I do slower reps rather than increasing weight if I want more resistance - a tip the trainer gave me to help mitigate the risk of injury.
Interestingly I slept on my back last night and there was virtually no pain this morning. I usually sleep on my side as sleeping on my back usually leads to me snoring which leads to the OH waking me up in a strop to complain about it.
Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 13th August 10:52
LimaDelta said:
I have a similar issue. I was give the usual fob off from the GP that it was just age (gotta love our wonderful NHS! - no wonder most men just don't bother going to the docs). At 40 there is no way I am accepting that. They had no interest in even carrying out an xray never mind a scan. I have since been seeing a physio privately which has massively improved things, although I am still no way 100% better. Part of my issue is tight hamstrings and regular stretching has really helped. Mine derives from a sparring injury a few years back which put a slight twist into my lower spine.
Sorry but your GP is correct. X-rays are not recommended for back pain unless there are red flags. MRI scans of the spine are notorious for identifying false positives. Your GP is one of the sensible ones. Degeneration of the discs (old age as your GP put it) is seen in patients from mid-late thirties and has been shown to have plagued even Neanderthals. I’m 100% with your doc on this one. EarlofDrift said:
I don't regret it especially when the private surgeon told me that if i'd waited for the NHS to come calling I'd have ended up in a wheelchair.
That's useful. That surgeon is Very likely wrong and also a scaremongering pillock by the sounds of it.Edited by EarlofDrift on Tuesday 13th August 02:42
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