What should I expect from GP re: back pain?

[SinkGirl]

Have had an ongoing back problem for 3 years, started when I was pumping for my twins. I have pain all the time but it’s manageable with painkillers, physio exercises, Pilates etc. But every now and then it flares up really badly - usually when I’m wrangling the twins (they are disabled and still need a lot of lifting etc). This has happened every couple of months for a week or so. I’ve had three short courses of diazepam in the last 12 months, when it’s been so bad I can’t move.

When my back issue started, I had a thin strip of altered sensation across my upper back, roughly where your bra goes across your back. Now it’s spread up towards my neck and down towards my waist. In the middle of that area my spine hurts to touch.

I’m wondering if I have a prolapsed disc or something? I know they usually get better on their own but in some cases they don’t.

GP has referred me for a block of physio twice, I do the exercises and they do help a bit, but I still get these phases where it’s unbearable.

I also have a strong burning sensation in my lower legs and lower arms all the time which they say is related to my ME or maybe it’s fibromyalgia but I’m wondering if it could be connected to my back.

I’m now facing christmas in agony - just made a very very basic meal (putting freezer food in the oven!) and now can’t move. Making Christmas dinner should be interesting.

Should I be asking for some kind of X-ray / scan? After this long of pain and with altered sensation and neuropathy, what should I be asking them to do?

I used an osteopath for my back problem.
Rather than a physio.
Obviously you have to pay rather than via NHS but they sorted it in 3 weeks

Poor you. I would be asking for a mri

Any issues with your vision? Any issues with incontinence?

You need a MRI. Don't go near an oestiophath, they damage more backs than they help. Sounds like you have a serious issue.

Well it really depends on the doctor. Mine is fabulous, sent me for an MRI, to the pain clinic, I get cortisone injections and I've had a denervation.
Mind you they won't do all that right away unless you can't manage, my spine looks like it's been in a car crash.

I had similar but higher up. My GP referred me to the local spinal unit who did reviewed me, did an MRI, diagnosed bulging discs. Then I had a course of physio which helped a lot.

When you say referred for physio, what exactly did that involve? The thing that has helped me most this year has been going to see a physiotherapist every two weeks where she corrects my technique and 'chases' my various issues round my body (as one thing corrects it reveals something else, etc).

Although to be fair with that amount of burning / tingling you should have an MRI regardless Imo.

Thanks all. It’s just been dismissed as a postural issue (and my posture is not good, started with the dreaded pumping hunch plus twin pregnancy relaxin levels and now I’m struggling to get back to normal, hence the Pilates). This just feels like something more is going on and it’s been going on so long. I will push for some investigations in the new year.

Fortunately no incontinence. My vision did worsen earlier this year and with the neuropathy I was concerned but went for an eye test and no sign of anything concerning, and no problems now I have a stronger prescription. B12 and thyroid in normal range.

For those who had a prolapsed disc, was your spine painful at that point to touch? There’s part of my spine that feels like it’s been hit with a baseball bat today, it’s never normally this bad. But the altered sensation is really noticeable when I get in the shower as I can feel that the sensation is not right on most of my upper and mid back.

I know GPs are notoriously not great with back pain but surely at some point they should check you out properly? Been on diazepam the last couple of days and it hasn’t really helped. I’m already on morphine and naproxen for another unrelated condition so it’s not great that I’m still in so much pain.

First course of physio was weekly for four weeks, where they taught me some exercises and did some manipulation / pressure point stuff. Second time was just one session where she gave me some exercises. Problem is when it’s this bad I can barely move.

The burning in my legs and arms does worry me - started out as one tiny patch in one knee two years ago and then spread to both legs and then both lower arms and hands. It’s so consistent that I actually forget it’s there sometimes, it’s just become completely normal. GP said it’s probably fibromyalgia, I asked for a referral back then but rheumatology refused to see me because the GP already diagnosed fibromyalgia. Wasn’t based on much though apart from a few blood tests. I think they really should do a scan at least.

I don’t generally worry that it’s anything concerning - I certainly don’t seem to have anything really concerning like MS, but they’re so quick to dismiss things as ME and fibromyalgia without actually ruling other things out. I know budgets are tight etc etc but three years is too long to be carrying on like this with no signs of improvement.

Will make an appointment and ask for more help. Thanks everyone.

Ask for a neurology referral. You need a Spinal MRI.

X-rays of backs are almost invariably useless. I agree that referral to a spinal team, or an MRI then referral, would seem reasonable with your symptoms. My rule of thumb is that if I haven't made inroads into a patient's problem by the time I've seen them 3 or 4 times, I'm probably missing something and need to refer.

Thanks so much. I will definitely go back and ask. I’ve been so focussed on my twins care needs and sorting things out for them that I have just been trying to muddle through but it’s only getting worse and they’re only getting bigger and heavier!

Osteopath it’s worth every penny

Muscle spasms might be the reason for the sensation of being hit with a bat. But they are a symptom that needs proper investigation.

An x ray at the very least to see that a disc isnt pinching a nerve at any point up and down your spine and an over view of what's happening. Physio can do a lot but it's really managing things and not resolving it

I had L4 and 5 discs prolapsed but it took a long time to get it diagnosed. I kept going back and a simple x ray revealed all. Discs in my neck diagnosed following severe pain down my arm.

Do bot see an osteopath.

Can u speak to a different GP?

I have 3 prolapses in my lower back, but for me the pain has always been deeper inside, not on the surface, and makes no difference to touch

I went to see a private physio specialising in injuries. She was able to sort out my back, when the NHS physio had told me I was "expecting too much" and gave me exercises that couldn't help because of the way my back had gone. Pilates made it worse because it needed sorting out first. Worth a try but in combination with referral to spinal unit as others have said.

Sorry if I seem to be hijacking the thread, but this is ringing a few bells for me . My husband has had pain in his stomach and lower back for months. It has
Now moved to his hip as well. He’s had a back x ray and a bowel x
Ray. Endless blood tests. He’s seen an osteopath. He’s had acupuncture. The doctor isn’t interested anymore. Can anyone suggest what it might be? He’s so fed up of being in pain. He’s waiting to see a gastroenterologist but the waiting list is very long.

Gastro? Exclude IBS or referred pain from elsewhere...is all I can think of. I

I’m a bit wary of osteopaths after a relative got seriously injured - she had undiagnosed ankylosing spondylitis and they caused a fracture. I don’t think that’s what I have but would rather make sure it’s nothing that could cause damage first.

The pain is definitely deep inside, it’s just this one part of my spine (about 5cm long) that when I touch it is really painful and feels almost bruised.

Frankly now. I think about it I’m annoyed with letting myself be fobbed off for so long

Hi @SinkGirl did you ever get to the bottom of this, I'm having similar problems with my spine and pins and needles