Any medics here that can give me advice?

[HLx]

Not sure If my post will be seen here as it's a quiet section but here goes!

I'm currently taking 2x2mg diazepam for back spasms from my problematic epidural 11 weeks ago.

Not working or helping really

Today I decided to take another just to see if I needed a higher dose as what im taking is quite a low dose. So today I've taken 3x2mg diazepam (which was adviced if needed)

My back tonight is considerably worse, it feels like I have major contractions going on in my epidural site (it's hard to explain the type of spasm it is.

Can I take a 50mg tramadol while I've taken the 6mg diazepam?

I probably shouldn't without docs orders, but he fails to understand giving me diazepam does not help me, however the tramadol works wonders. (He wouldn't give me tramadol as they are trying to discourage it due to idiots possibly in my area using it for recreational purposes) but yet prescribes me bloody valium

Anyway long story short, can I take the two together or if anyone does short term? Google says it's a dangerous mix in high doses, however my dose is low

I'm in agony and try looking after 3 kids (7,5 and 11 weeks) when I feel like I have a radiating tennis ball in my back!

 

[Rags]

Hi, I can't give you advice but wonder if you're in the UK? It's out of hours if you are so you could call NHS 24 or NHS Direct for advice from their staff.
I hope it improves for you quickly.

 

[HLx]

Thanks hun yes I'm from the UK, indodnt even give NHS direct a thought! Not going to lie I did end up taking the tramadol, maybe I shouldn't, bit I feel fine, and my backs eased up a little bit, I think after 12 hours I'll stop the diazepam all together and go back to tramadol, i don't have many left and the doctor is reluctant to prescribe me some more, due to them not wanted to prescribe in general not aimed personally at me. I think I'll get through this week and go back to the GP on Monday and tell him straight, I keep getting fobbed off if I'm honest, of course I don't want to rely on strong pain killers especially when I have kids to look after, but tramadol is the only thing I take that doesnt make me feel hungover, even when take in higher doses.

Thanks for the reply hun

 

[Rags]

I'm glad the pain has eased off, for now anyway. I know drs are reluctant to prescribe anything that can be addictive over a medium to long term, that's no help to you right now though. The epidural is still pretty recent but I wonder if you could get a physiotherapist referral and see if they can offer anything (I have a friend who uses a tens machine for a back issue) . It's difficult enough trying to run a home and children and a new born without adding in constant pain, I feel for you. Take care and I hope they get on top of it for you soon.

 

[HLx]

Thank you so much hun, yeah some mornings it's a struggle, it's worse at night so I try to stay active in the day, not to hard with 3 kids to run around after but after a night of agonising back spasms I'm stiff as a board the next morning, and that's no good when you have an 11 week old demanding his milk and I cant getvout of bed fast enough to go and make it! My doctor has sent a referral for physio, but when I was struggling with my shoulder a few years ago, they send a referral, and I never heard back odd them, and I couldn't be arsed chasing it up! Hopefully this time I'll get an appointment or something, I'm the type of person that will keep going and going until I'm bed bound rather than go to the doctors x

 

[Rags]

Can you self refer to physio? I no that not everywhere lets you but my health centre does, they have a regular clinic that you call directly.

 

[HLx]

Can you self refer to physio? I no that not everywhere lets you but my health centre does, they have a regular clinic that you call directly.

I'm sure by me they do a walk in service on a first come first served basis, but I'd have to take the baby with me and hes a cranky pants at the best of times to be sat there waiting I didn't go last time because the doctor wanted me to get an appointment to make sure I was seen (yet never received the appointment) I'm going back to the doctor Monday so I'll ask him again for a referral, he did say it sounds like it would do me good as it sounds to be musculoskeletal rather than anything else, I cant believe it was possibly caused from an epidural, everyone I've spoke to about it say they've had pains afterwards or a bad back, but after a few weeks it was okay, or got each time, mine seems to be getting worse and worse! I hope they haven't butchered my back for life

 

[Rags]

LOL - a cranky baby may be just what you need to be seen quickly at the drop in clinic!!!

I have heard of occasional issues after an epidural, it could be directly related or it could be a coincidence that it has flared up at this point - and with a busy family life and your muscles still not back to full strength... In Glasgow our midwifery service ran a post natal pilates class, taken by a physio, that you could attend free of charge (accompanied by your baby) it was only 4 sessions but it was a great way to get direct access to a physio who was a specialist in post baby issues.