To ask what my GP can do to help?

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I’m really struggling at the moment. For the last 20 years I’ve really struggled with a bad back. I’ve ploughed on and on just taking NSAIDS and 30/500 cocodomol when needed. For the last few years I’ve also had shoulder and neck problems.
After going back and for and years they finally sent me for an xray which showed significant degeneration and they told me I had arthritis.
Doc has referred me to a consultant and I’m now waiting for an MRI.
Great.

But I’m struggling, really struggling. My sleep is constantly disturbed. I’m permanently exhausted. I’m 37, I have 2 small children under 5.
I wake up through the night in agony. By the morning I’m so stiff It takes me a good half hour to be able to stand up straight.
Throughout the day I’m ok.

I’m at breaking point with the broken sleep. Every time I’ve spoken to GPs in the past, they seem reluctant to prescribe anything stronger. I’ve occasionally been given diazepam when my neck has seized up, but last time it went into spasm the GP refused to prescribe it and basically asked me what I thought he should do.

Since then I’ve been put off asking for help. I’m not seeing my consultant until after I’ve had the MRI.

Is there anyone on here in a similar boat or any GPs who can advise me on what if anything my GP can do to help?

I’m literally at breaking point with the exhaustion and don’t know what to do

Oh you poor thing, that sounds awful. How long will it take to get the MRI?

Is there a pain clinic you can access? Here, in Australia, and I assume in the UK GPs are extremely reluctant to prescribe heavy duty pain killers, they have enormous complicating factors so encourage people with chronic conditions to exercise, seek other help - massage, meditation, physio - other things that can help loosen you up and manage the pain. Not a great answer though. I'm sorry you are suffering so badly.

Hi Cecilia, thanks for replying.
The GP when I’ve contacted them in the past keep telling me to go to physio, which is all very well but the drop in clinic times are limited and with work and 3 school runs a day due to preschool then it makes it very difficult.
I’ve paid privately for it instead but found it helped little.
I’m currently seeing a chiropractor and I’ve found it’s helped massively in terms of loosening up my neck and shoulders but it’s not helping much with my back seizing up at night.
My MRI is just before Christmas so prob won’t see the consultant until the new year.
I work part time, do 3 school runs a day, bringing up 2 small children. I’m making so many mistakes in work through lack of concentration. I do try and keep moving but my knees are starting to cause me problems and I’ve started having pains in my groin too. I’m also waiting to see a rheumatologist as apparently it’s not normal to have so many joint issues at my age 😂
But I just want a full nights sleep 😢

How's your mattress? Obviously won't fix a medical issue but may offer some relief. Anything older than 8 years and you need to replace it.

I can empathise. Had spinal surgery for a herniated disc and cauda equina last year. Completely shifted the horrendous leg pain and I regained some feeling but I've gained lower back pain/stiffness
Sleep isn't too bad but I don't feel rested - probably because I can't turn over without sitting up and sleeping on my front is a distant memory!
I take dihydrocodeine at night, 60mg

Bowen therapy and cbd.
Both help with the pain and sleep.
Sorry you feel so crappy

I don’t mean to be indelicate but are you at all overweight ?

I ask this because I have the same symptoms as you and I am overweight and know my self this is part of the problem

Jamie what’s Bowen therapy and CPD? I’ll have a google later.
No I’m not overweight but at the top end of my BMI so losing a stone prob wouldn’t hurt.
My mattress is only a few years old and cost me a bomb. Whenever I go away and stay in hotels, it’s worse so I’m worried about changing mattresses in case it makes it worse.
I feel like I need one of those adjustable beds as I’m better when I’m a bit More upright but the cost is eye watering 🤦🏻‍♀️
The GP was so rude last time I spoke to him. We never get appointments either as it’s a phone triage system so I haven’t actually seen a GP in years as they only give you an appointment if they feel you need one, otherwise they prescribe over the phone.
I always seem to get rude doc when I ring for myself. Maybe I’ll just wait and see what my consultant says and just plough through the exhaustion 😔

OP - you might need a different physio. If you are going private "interview" them first to find out what they can do for you.

My BIL recently had fantastic results with physio plus exercises at home for chronic back pain.

You are me except that I am older, have no kids and have trouble with a joint in my pelvis. I feel like my life is over :(
I have had scans that show nothing and yet I am on an astonishing amount of pain killers to get through the day. i haven't worked since January of 2017. I am now anxious and depressed.

The NHS is crap at this sort of thing i feel. I have been pushed from dpartment to department. I am at the top of my BMI and am losing weight deliberately. I have another physio session on Wednesday with a new one so have high hopes! I am taking lots of supplements and I think they help to a degree. I am trying CBD oil and I do gentle exercises. I am going to try and get stick thin but muscley as I think this would help me to half way to getting my health back. It's miserable but I am taking my self healing very very seriously. I can't live like this much longer. I feel like throwing myself under a bus most days :(

I think you have to keep on and on and on until you get the help you need or the nugget of information you need to discover what will help you get well.

I found peri menopause gave me horrific boney pain and muscle ache/fatigue. My GP put me on low dose HRT and that has been little short of miraculous. I don't take anything that I think might be inflammatory like spirits potatoes or tomatoes. Hopefully others will come on and give you some good advice and I can pick up a bit too.
chronic pain and ill health is shit.

You poor thing! Could you ask to see a different doctor who might actually prescribe you strong enough painkillers so you get a good night sleep?