[firefox]

Hi all,
I have lumber back pain in the day but at night when I am trying to sleep it gets worse or stops me from sleeping.

I will go to bed and have a vary hot shower but it only takes 30 to one hour for the pain to start and then I am unable to sleep.

I was on nucynta for the pain but I had to come off the pain meds and now the lower back pain at night is just so bad and I cant sleep.

I brought an heat pad but this did not help I take one Percocet at bedtime but it dose not work.

Can any one help me I am so tired

thanks
Firefox

[Lara]

Hello firefox,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble sleeping because of your back pain. I get lumbar back pain myself so understand how bad it can be.

Have you had any tests done to find out the cause of the pain at all?

When my back is really bad, I need to make sure I don't keep my legs straight while trying to sleep. I need to sleep on my side with a pillow between the knees as well. I know every situation is different though so that may not help you.

Have you been to a physiotherapist at all?

I'll post a couple of forums below.

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum

At the top of that forum above there are the "Sticky" posts or threads.
In those you can find useful information and websites.
Some of those will contain tips for treatment with lower back pain.

Medications & Treatments Forum

[mrsD]

Over use of heat where there is nerve pain
Can overstimulate them and make pain
Worse.

My chiro recommended using heat for only very short
Periods.

Instead try a cold pack on the area for no
More than 15 to 20 min. woth a protective
Cloth between your skin and the pack.
I do this for my arthritis and it works
Well . I'd avoid that hot shower and make
It lukewarm instead.

Usually once a day with the cold treatment
Is enough.

[Kitt]

Welcome firefox.

[Sea Pines 50]

Have you tried Lidoderm patches? They work well for some people. You'd need to get a prescription for these from your doctor. Or, you might try ThermaCare heat wraps which are sold over the counter.

I agree with Mrs. D about lowering the temperature of your bedtime shower or bath to lukewarm, and using cold packs instead of a heating pad.

If you find, however, that heat just works better for you, then make sure you are using moist heat. If the heating pad you've bought only gives you "dry" heat, you can simply wring out a wet washcloth and place it between the pad and the cover, to create moist heat.

Maybe switch from showers to baths at night; that way you can put epsom salts in the bathwater, which is very soothing on sore muscles and gives you an extra dose of magnesium in addition to whatever supplements you are taking, as an added benefit.

That's all I've got right now! Hope this helps and you can start getting more and better quality of sleep at night. I know for me, restful sleep helps everything… from sore muscles to inflamed nerves to emotional wellbeing, and I can manage my intractable pain soooo much better!

Take care,
Alison

[Jomar]

Is your mattress too hard , too soft or lumpy?
I added a memory foam topper onto our waterbed - it's saves on heating it as well as adds extra level of comfort.

[Darlene]

Firefox,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene