Mumsnet Talk

Went to the doctors today for more anti-inflammatories for my back. I've been on the same anti-inflammatories for 10 months for chronic back pain, which is bad enough that I can't sit up most days.

But rather than write out a prescription for them the doctor decides to question me, which I thought was fine at first

First he told me that they were known to cause harm when used for a long time, so I asked if there was an alternative to them.

His answer? Exercise.

I do exercise, as much as I can anyway. Like I say, I have sod all movement and if I overdo it I end up totally seized up for about a week without fail. SO I tell him this.

And then the conversation goes round and round in circles. I point out that I struggle to move or even stand without the anti inflammatories, he tells me the solution is exercise.

I point out that I do exercises that have been given to me by a physio (who couldn't help) and an osteopath (who is helping).

Rather than listen he tells me to walk more,

I point out that the osteopath believes the problem stems from my hip and too much walking hurts all up my spine and my neck.

He says that the anti-inflammatories are bad for me.

And round we go again.

In the end I have to accept a smaller supply of anti inflammatories on the condition that I only take them 5 days out of 7 "so [I] can see that if the anti inflammatories help"

I know they help!! Gahhh!!!

He's trying to make sure that they don't cause you damage, counds like a good doctor to me, far better then one who just hands them out willy nilly. He's trying to help you.

But the problem is they help in the short term but are harmful in the long term. You cannot expect a Dr to dish out something he knows will be harful to you without discussing the issue with you.

Have you seen a chiropractor? i had dreadful back pain after my DC2 but was totally cured by an amazing chiro...might be worth a try

If he kept prescribing them and they did do you some damage, would he be at fault?

He is. but he wasn't offering me any useful alternative which upset me.

He just wound me up, I'm sure he was trying to be helpful, unfortunately I'd walked to the doctors and was in pain by the time I got there so being told that walking was good for me was a bit of a tender (literally) subject

I wouldn't blame him, I know that long term use is bad, unfortunately my back worries me more.

kaloki...anti-inflammatories will wreck our stomach lining in the long term and don't go any way to cure the original problem

so you will end up with back pain and a stomach ulcer...

have you tried something like TENS or acupuncture at all ?

I second a good chiropractor. I personally haven't needed to use one (yet) but do have family and friends who swear by them.

Worth a shot.

Have you asked to see the orthopedic doctors? Had an x-ray/MRI to look for problems?

A chiropractor may be able to help rather then an osteopath.

better to have a doctor question you. it's the ones that don't question patients that worry me the most...

try alternatives to medication. there are loads out there to explore.

I'm allergic to TENS and acupuncture didn't do much for me.

My last doctor refused to refer me to anyone after the physio said she couldn't help. So not had the best experience with GP's which has probably clouded my views

I've had x-rays and blood tests which showed up nothing.

I'm seeing an osteopath privately now, only seen her once so far and she did help quite a bit. So I'm hoping that she'll be able to do more for me.

no yanbu as only you know your body, but anyfucker is right, it is not good to take anti inflammatories long term

Really, try a chiropractor instead, you will have to go weekly though but they work wonders.

I agree with Belle.

I know, I was hoping I'd be off pills by now. I hate taking medication.

Wonder if I can find a doctor who will refer me, can only afford the osteopath because she's a friend of DP's family

He was doing a good thing by warning you of the long term risks of the drugs you're taking but if he couldn't offer you better help it must have felt frustrating. Once your stomach lining is damaged there is no going back.

Have you had any scans to see if there is any any disc damage? Push for x-rays and scans if you think it isn't muscular.

NHS have back pain clinics in some areas - any chance there is one in yours?

If there is no disc damage then working on your back strength is the key. If walking is a problem try and see a good podiatrist and get some orthontics for your shoes (expensive I'm afraid). Swimming helped a friend of mine a lot but you have to make sure you are swimming properly, not making things worse by lifting head all the time for instance. Another friend was taught how to use "wobble" and "BOSU" boards which also helped tremendously.

See another GP, but he's right, the anti-infammatories used long-term can cause significant damage to the liver and kidneys as well.

You don't HAVE to end up with a stomache ulcer - before I had to give up all my meds and therefore most of my mobility due to being pg I was on omeprazole to counteract what my longterm naproxyn usage may do. (it supresses stomache acid I think). Yes it's adding meds on meds but with chronic pain that stops you functioning whatcha gonna do?

Have you seen an osteopath?

My GP dx migraines . My osteopath is a miracle worker.

Thats very frustrating!

My osteopath is amazing, stick with it, what about things like arnica gel? There are alternatives and one of them might help you more. How did this all begin?

Have you tried yoga? I am not even doing it properly, just on the Wii, but I am finding loads of improvement in general aches and pains as well as the specific Joint Of Evil Pain (sacro-iliac).

I know you weren't asking for alternatives, just thought I'd share.

I actually think that he is talking sense. Long term anti inflammatories dont do your stomach any favours and exercise is seriously the best treatment for back pain. Lying still just lets your muscles degenerate and so makes the pain worse. best to be up and about.

if walking is bad, what about swimming?

think you need to go back the physio/osteopath and also get a specialist referral for an MRI

Ok Anti inflammatories are not great to take long term but if the alternative is being in such bad pain that you can't move then there really is no option.
DH has been on huge amounts of pain killers including anti inflammatories continuously for 8 years. We are aware this probably will shorten his life but if the alternative is lying in bed unable to move then this is the best thing for him. And before anyone says he has seen EVERYONE, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Physio etc.
If they affect your stomach then you can take omeprazol to combat this.

See another GP, or ask for a referral to the pain clinic.

I bet if you kicked him really hard he would take the very drugs he doesn't want to give you!

he sounds like a great doctor.

did he refuse to refer you or was it a previous doctor? if it wasnt him i would ask him for a referral. if it was him i would keep on at him for a referral. i would be hesitant to change doctor, he seems to be quite on the ball.

I would see someone else for a referal to physio.

My mom suffered from chronic back pain for year's. She was prescribed diclofenac really easily, whenever she wanted it and eventually caused internal bleeding so it's good that your doctor is being apprehensive and checking these things.