emergency back pain question...

[piggynose]

I m on my hols in morroco, and i´ve pulled a muscle in my back, all i did was get up from a sitting position, and my back just stiffened up!!
At the moment, sitting down is giving me hell, it takes me about a 20 min walk to loosen up, but before this, i´m walking like hunchback of notredam.
lying down on my bed it also bad news. but if i lie on the floor, this seems to give me relief.
any advice will be gratefully accepted.

[naomi24]

See a doctor?

[LoftyLottie]

Get hold of some ibuprufen (anti inflammatory) or similar, together with paracetamol. if you can and get some ice from somewhere, crush it put in plastic bag and put on where it hurts the most. Follow with a warm bath. Keep taking ibuprofen or similar every four hours together with paracetamol. Rest but not for too long try to keep mobile.

Good luck

[piggynose]

not sure how i go about it, as the language is a major problem here.
i´ll see how i go tomorrow morning

[LoftyLottie]

Have you got someone with you who can gently massage your back and ease the muscle spasm? I don't think a doctor can help unless it doesn't ease after a few days. There is no miracle cure.

[piggynose]

the pain is all across the lumber area. i´ll try the ibuprufen

[naomi24]

If you're in a hotel, go to reception. They'll sort it out for you. Have you got insurance? In my experience Morroco is keen on visitors having insurance.

[LoftyLottie]

Don't forget the paracetamol. They are perfectly safe to take together. Paracetamol relieves pain, Ibuprofen takes down inflammation. You poor thing - not nice, especially on your holiday.

[naomi24]

*Morocco. Derrr.....

[nungate]

Get a doctor's advice, and prepare to sleep on the floor I had to do it once when I was on holiday too - I was sorted out in a few days.
You have my sympathies Piggynose

[LoftyLottie]

If sleeping on floor feels comfortable then stick with it, but do try to walk about a bit, staying immobile for too long will make it worse.

[Cockneycarl]

Ask where your nearest "Hamam" is, it's like a steam room with three rooms, hot, warm and cool, you go to the hottest to start sweating and then you go to the warm one to scrub and wash and then to the cool room to chill out, they do massages at these places so that's an option.

Here's more info.

http://theviewfrommor...or-view-from-fez.html

[methyl]

It's a hot Country. Drink lots of good fresh water. Ignoring actual injury, muscle spasms are a symptom of dehydration.
The Ibruprofen tip is good. So is seeing a doctor.

[piggynose]

i have no insurance : (
will mix lying on floor with walking about a bit.

[ladybird49]

No insurance ? why?

[funnygirl]

I suffer from a bad back and wouldn't dream of going on holiday with no insurance.

[askyourgran]

I'd do as Lottie advises, a warm soak in the bath may just release the stiffness and pain. Drink plenty of water and take paracetamol.

[boxtops]

Piggy, mobility is important when your back goes - it might only feel comfortunately lying down, but you need to mobilise.

Sad that you have no travel insurance - I wouldn't go anywhere without it.

Do you have painkillers with you? - if not I am sure the hotel would give some to you, they will always have a doctor on call.

[tinkerbell23]

Poor you. Lottie is spot on...swimming can help if you have a pool....hope you manage to enjoy rest of your hol xx

[Sqad]

I agree with lofty's answers.Make sure that the Ibuprofen is 600mgm tablet which you can take up to every 6hours if need be and gentle exercise even though it may be painful.

It is the muscle spasm that is the problem.

Have a good holiday.