Back pain for a year, now convinced it's something sinister!

[StormsDontLastForever]

I have had lower back pain for over a year, initially thought it was from an injury at the gym, been to gp previously who recommended I contacted the physio, I stupidly never bothered and thought aww it will go away. Some days it is fine, other days I can hardly walk and can't stand up or bend as the pain is excruciating, but I usually fill myself with pain killers and heat rub etc.

Scrolling on Facebook today and seen an article about this lovely lady who's partner had just lost his battle to cancer and a few days before his death she was diagnosed with cancer for a 2nd time, this time her symptoms were back pain!!

It got me worrying and thinking how do I know if this is a slipped disk, pulled muscle, or could it be cancer?

I have health anxiety so now I am totally pancaking and thinking the worst outcome.

I don't want to take up a gp appointment for someone who could need urgent medical help when I could be totally wrong and it could be my health anxiety making me worry.

Aibu to phone the gp?

I think they will possibly tell me to self refer for physio again, but the wait list will be extremely long and even more so now due to backlog from covid.

Of course Yanbu to phone the gp.

Another option, if you can afford it, would be a private physio or a chiropractor. I know a lot of people don't have any time for chiro, but they have in depth training and can often arrange xrays to be done if needed.

Please don't go to a chiropractor.

Would you go to a tooth wizard instead of a dentist?

A nutritionist instead of a dietician?

You've left it a long time, but a reputable physiotherapist might point you in the right direction.

You really do need to go back to go and/or self refer for physio- I have chronic low back pain and have had for years- it’s surprisingly common to have a ‘bad back’ especially if you aren’t getting help for it. I realise you are worried about cancer but it’s honestly more likely you are aggravating your back somehow and need professional help to get better- I’ve had cancer and back pain- neither were related.
I had a slipped disc again Xmas eve 😂 but gp gave me painkillers and I spoke with physio over phone only yesterday so got help easily- hope u get help and get in the mend soon

Thank you all, will try to get gp appointment although I think a lot of it is being phone screened at the moment. Another option would be to pay for private physio, not sure how quick I could get an appointment but definetley worth querying. I just can't help but worry then I read that article and panicked more.

Both me and my DP have back pain. One day I was lying on back, and went to go to sitting up position from this, my back jolted and I was stuck there. I am usually able to roll over in that instance to get up instead. This now happens whenever I lie on my back on a hard floor, for example. I used to do a floor based exercise class, and tried to do one of the moves there, yup happened again and I was frozen in position much like a possessed person in a horror film! Learnt my lesson there.

I also find if standing in one position for too long (such as washing dishes) it becomes pretty agonising, but does pass once resting. I also get the awful deep aching pretty frequently, rather than the 'jolt' that sticks me in that position. My DP on the other hand had his back go, and was unable to do anything but crawl on the floor to go to the bathroom (and even I had to help him there!). He phoned GP who left him like this for 2 days before giving him a call back, even though he'd told them he was crawling round it was that bad. It goes on him now and again. In both cases at certain times we've had the nerve pain travel down into our leg. Once was so bed my leg went from under me completely. This is only v occasionally though. He's his own worst enemy though as won't chase up physio, so I've little sympathy.

I guess the point I'm making, like another poster, is bad backs are extremely common. YANBU to phone the GP for a referral to physio, though. Get it sorted if you're suffering and can't cope with it. I also have health anxiety, but it usually focuses on a particular different problem.

@StormsDontLastForever

Thank you all, will try to get gp appointment although I think a lot of it is being phone screened at the moment. Another option would be to pay for private physio, not sure how quick I could get an appointment but definetley worth querying. I just can't help but worry then I read that article and panicked more.

@StormsDontLastForever

Could you have slipped a disc at any time?

The pain is really bad, and can travel down one leg to the ankle.

I went to a physio, {NHS} and they ask questions to ascertain if it is 'Sinister'.

Do get it checked out, for your own peace of mind.

DON'T go to a Chiropractor!

I had some well intentioned ''Healer'' say it was because my aura needed re-setting...or some such nonsense.

Had an MRI that revealed an op was needed .

The pain beforehand was very variable, but yelp making at times.

Opioids didn't really help, not creams, nor heat pads.

It was ''Nerve pain''.

Hope you get it sorted! :)

@StormsDontLastForever

Thank you all, will try to get gp appointment although I think a lot of it is being phone screened at the moment. Another option would be to pay for private physio, not sure how quick I could get an appointment but definetley worth querying. I just can't help but worry then I read that article and panicked more.

Sounds like you need an MRI scan.

The Neurosurgeon said nothing but an operation would help my spine..

I too asked about non surgical stuff...He said ''Waste of time''.

You need assessing by a professional.

However......the Consultant did say that ''After'' operation, doing Yoga and pilates, and ''Mackenzie'' back exercises is a good idea.

But you need seeing first to find out what problem is.

Ring the doctors you know yourself it's not normal no point sitting worrying yourself sick at home. Get booked in and hopefully it'll be something minor. All the best to you x

Google costochondritis. It also affects the sacroiliac joint in your lower back. It's an inflammatory joint condition which you may or may not have. Long-term anti-inflammatory medication makes it worse. Glucosamine and rest helps it heal. Exercise when you don't have a flare up helps the flare ups be less severe and less frequent. Doctors never seem to spot it. It comes and goes just like you describe.

I've seen various physios and none of them could help me. They all admitted their exercises were useless. So I'm waiting for a consultant to decide what happens next.

Costochondritis is severe chest pain caused by the inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs meet the breastbone (the costochondrial joint). Costochondritis is often mistaken for a heart attack. The inflammation of the sacroiliac joints is called Sacroiliitis.

Just perserve with getting hold of go and go from there . I have had sciatica-what people are referring to as the jolt down the leg or leg giving way etc- I have had a lot of different types of surgery- abc interventions etc- had a disc removed- nerve ablation etc . Chiropractor actually made it worse. Osteopath helped. Walking and pottering in between resting helped.sitting too long or in bed too long makes it worse. Exercise does help immensely in the long run-like swimming and walking - not going crazy in the gym.