MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Right - before the pedants start, im seeing my GP in the morning anyway but thought i'd ask for opinions here as well.
Been having back ache for the last few weeks - lower lumbar area with the muscles refusing to relax - constant tautness etc. Not excruciatingly painful but constant low level ache. Now pretty much from a couple of inches below my should blades to top of thigh.
Has happened a couple of times since the initial cause (spine / tree interface at speed) where it turned out my back was still in spasm 6 weeks later and was yelled for going straight back to work after 3 days (on crutches) at by doc and given Diazapam.
Only way ive found to deal with it is diazapam - which for obv reasons isnt ideal.
Any suggestions - sitting at my desk is killing me.
See if the doc will refer you for physio and if no joy with that go for an MRI scan. Pain killers are bad and quite addictive.
If you have private health insurance I would suggest using it as the NHS waiting times can be astounding dependant on where you live.
Had Xrays at time of being ambulance'd to hospital, was initially concerned when I was told 3 docs, a consultant (unspecified) and 'some surgeons' were looking at the xrays in detail for some time. However apparently nothing was wrong and i was allowed to leave, this did involved a wheelchair at the time as I physically couldn't walk and walking took a week on crutched to get back.
Subsequently had MRI which also apparently showed nothing.
I do have private heath car -but usually save that for the serious breaks that the NHS won't nail back together - im a bit skit at the mo and using my BUPA means a £90 consult at my expense and £150 excess.
Would like to find out what the underlying problem is as Its a reoccurring problem and turns me in to an old man. Have also had some associated sciatic type pains. And I get back ache very quickly if I try and ride XC.
After the GP has determined that it is nothing more than a back spasm as an ongoing problem which was caused by your initial fall, he'll get you to rest for a few days, then start you on a course of physiotherapy (if you have insurance). If not, expect a wait.
You could pay for your sessions privately to speed things up, but then the NHS would most probably refuse to fund anymore treatment.
I had accupuncture on one physio session for a bad back and my late sister (who was an experienced physio) said this was definitely wortwhile, not some mumbo jumbo "alternative" remedy. It did seem to help in my case, although I hated the thought of having a few dozen needles shoved in my back all at once!
In my case the injury came about hoofing large bits of computer kit up and down flights of steps and through a series of awkward narrow double doors. My employer refused to buy me a folding trolley and ended up footing 2 weeks of paid sick leave. I'm sure the untrusting twunts thought I was skiving.
After my sessions, the physio gave me mobility exercise which she said I would have to do for the rest of my life. Well I don't often bother, but resuming these a day or two after I get over the discomfort of the strain does seem to put things right again.
But you know what? I would take the advice of health professionals [u]only[/u] and take what you read here with a pinch of salt (including my post).
Stay off the bike though!
Hope you get better soon!