Back pain despondency

[BackPainQuestions]

My back “went” about 3 months ago. It never really got totally better, but it was not as bad as the early days when I could barely walk. I was prescribed painkillers, physio and have been doing everything recommended. But it is not right. I can’t lift anything, even a light load of laundry. I fear having to sneeze or cough. I can’t focus at work as it is painful if I sit at my desk for more than 20 mins (I WFH). My family are fed up. The GP says nothing else can be done and keep with the exercises.

This is never going to improve is it?

How do people cope?

It may be just time and exercises needed.

My back went very suddenly. Literally I was walking round all fine, and then I wasn't. I didn't bend, or pick up something. It just went.
I thought if I took an ibroprofen and rested it would be fine. I woke up 4 hours later with my back in spasm. Note to anyone who does that: Don't put your phone on charge downstairs so you have to get downstairs to call for help. Going downstairs is a really bad idea. I got halfway down and thought I was going to faint.

Anyway, I got painkillers, and it cleared up. Sort of. It took around 3 months to stop constantly hurting, and feeling I had to take a deep breath before I stood up. But then it didn't get any better.

Eventually I went back to the GP.
I got sent for x-rays, and they couldn't spot anything obvious. But then I went for physio.
Now other than the fact he took one look at me and told me my legs are different lengths, he gave me what I thought as pathetic exercises that would never do anything.
But something worked. I won't say my back never hurts (I notice it especially if I put on weight) but mostly it doesn't hurt unless I do something stupid like gardening.
I'm better than I ever thought I would get.

So do keep on going with exercises etc while you're waiting for the MRI.

MRI- I had excruciating back pain for 2 months and told it was likely a slipped disc.
MRI and other tests said it was ligament issues which were now being irritated by the physio exercises recommended. After resting up and gentle movements it healed up in about 2 weeks.
If I’d carried on with what they were recommending before the MRI pinpointed the issue I’d have been in agony for months.

Op you might have to be persistent on asking for the referral x

MRI as soon as you can.

I had crippling sciatica and couldn’t walk or stand up straight. Nothing touched it.

MRI showed a bulging disk and I needed an op. Totally pain free now but it was horrible .

You can have a prolapsed disc requiring surgery without having loss of bladder control etc. Cauda equina is an emergency, but a prolapsed disc without those symptoms also needs treating in order to lead any sort of normal life.

I had a private microdiscectomy - I was in total agony - I could not have continued as I was.

I'd definitely push the GP for an MRI as suggested by pp- it's been going on long enough without improvement that it needs looking at.
Just as a word of warning though- I got the MRI, found the problems (it was a couple of years ago but I seem to remember herniated disc and degeneration, 2 separate places on my spine) but it wasn't classed as "severe enough" to operate so I was sent on my way with painkillers and left to it.

As I laid in bed last night sobbing in pain and frustration, it felt pretty severe. I'm saving to go private.