Intermittent back pain - but really sore and debilitating while it lasts

[miaowroar]

I have been suffering from this for a few years now and have been to the GP several times about it - she makes me move my arms and back etc and says there is nothing seriously wrong - but it REALLY hurts.

It is in the mid/upper part of my back slightly to the right of my spine and it throbs or stabs. It doesn't go away until I have gone to sleep (overnight) and is really painful - then for a few days I have no problem at all (when I'm not working). It seems linked with going to work (only work part time now - it was every day when I was full time) or when I do a lot of housework all at once. I know being very unfit doesn't help.

It can also be triggered by sitting at a desk (if I lean over to read/write).
I think it could be posture-related - but what can I do about that at my age? (60).

The doctor suggested I go to physio and am still waiting to go - but I went earlier in the year and only had two appointments before he discharged me, and it's still the same now as it was then.

Does anyone have any ideas.

Owwww - it's stabbing at me now - grr.

[SecretBondGirl]

A ct or mri scan would pinpoint the reason for your pain and dictate the correct cause of treatment. Ask your GP to refer you to a back pain specialist

[miaowroar]

Thanks for prompt answer, SecretBondGirl.

I think the GP thinks she has done this by referring me to a physio. Also, it worries me about going for a scan etc whilst I do not have the pain - maybe nothing would show up - and I am not absolutely sure what starts it, apart from ordinary (not excessive) effort/exercise.

I cannot get comfortable in my chair and all I have done is mopping floors and a bit of hoovering, three loads of washing (and hanging up/folding etc) and the dishwasher, oh, and grilled some bacon ffs - what IS the matter with me? It is such a sharp, localised pain that ibuprofen won't touch it.

Am probably going to have to go to bed now so I can lie flatter (not that that helps always, but am doing no good here that's for sure).

[gandalf456]

Do you have problems in your neck at all?

[miaowroar]

No Gandalf - only in a very specific area of my back - it's fine now, it was fine by Sunday. then I changed the sheets and did some cooking etc and it started to twinge, but wasn't as bad.

I know it's not much in the grand scheme of things but it is really preventing me from doing stuff.

Thanks for replies.

[Deux]

I had a period of lower back pain a couple of months ago. My hips were hurting too. I thought it was triggered by lifting my dd out of the bath and twisting at the same time.

I wasn't in much pain, just couldn't get comfortable.

Long story short, I went to an osteopath and the problem was actually stemming from my neck. I had 2 sessions and all was well.

I had no idea that my neck was so stiff until after treatment and I turned my head at a road junction. It was a revelation that my head could move so far.

Because of the stiffness in my neck, the rest if my spine was trying to compensate.

I sleep on my front and that's really bad for the neck and spine.

So you could perhaps try an osteopath. My mum suffers with terrible neck and shoulder stiffness and has had tremendous relief from acupuncture.

I don't think it would do any harm to go back to the GP though.

[Orangeanddemons]

I'm the same. I've seen loads of physios who don't seem to actually do anything and can't wait to discharge you. I have the same pain in the same place, but mind is now deemed to be related to my huge norks. I'm waiting to see an NHS consultant about a breast reduction.

Meanwhile I continue to eat a Tramadol like sweeties. I'm beyond fed up, and in constant pain. I do think that if the NHS physio service was any good it would mean a lot more people felt a lot better and would reduce back problems overall. There seems to be no long term plan for patients at all