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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed that I'm stuck with this

45 replies

wantingtostop · 14/04/2021 20:46

I never had any problems with my back pre hold ten. Once I was pregnant with my DD I started to get SPD and was referred to a physio which helped slightly but I still ended up on crutches. Then when I was 35 weeks I fell down the stairs, managed to grab the banister on the way down and basically ended up landing on my bum on the side of the skirting board. Went to hospital ect but luckily baby was ok. After I had baby it became obvious that something was still wrong, went to the gp who said I had probably damaged my coccyx.
For 10 months I just couldn't sit down for more than 5 mins without being in excruciating pain. I was told to use a special cushion which I did and also had more physio.
Then got pregnant with my DS and again had SPD which was again referred to physio. After having him I then got the pain again and couldn't sit for any period of time. My dr referred me for an X-ray to check that my bone wasn't broken or anything, waited 3 weeks for the appointment to be told when I got there that they won't X-ray someone of my age (30) in the pelvic region because of the risk for fertility. I begged them to still do it as I'm 100% done with having children (love my two but have very difficult pregnancies) but they wouldn't budge. Now I've been told that there is basically nothing they can do.
I'm only 30 and I am in so much pain every time I sit down for more than a few minutes. Has anyone experienced this and if so what did you do? It's really getting me down that I feel like I'm going to have to live with this pain forever

OP posts:

Onesnowynight · 15/04/2021 06:08

Sorry I meant to say and the consultant requested my MRI scans

lunepremiere79 · 15/04/2021 06:25

A GP should be able to refer you to a specialist who should request an MRI scan and outline the rest of the options and a treatment plan

Original poster

wantingtostop · 15/04/2021 06:35

@Onesnowynight

Ask your GP to refer you to an orthopaedic consultant. I’m 10 years in suffering with my back and coccyx region so I fully understand. Mine was down to something like coccyididia (wrong spelling) inflammation around that area it was explained to me. I’m still on pain meds now. Good luck!

Thank you. I will book an appointment with my go and ask to be referred

OP posts:

EnterFunnyNameHere · 15/04/2021 06:48

You need to put more pressure on your GP to get the scan they thought you should have originally.

It's beyond fucking ridiculous how often medical professionals put a theoretical future child's wellbeing above the wellbeing of the woman stood right there in front of them.

tinathetalkingturtle · 15/04/2021 06:57

@wantingtostop

Thank you for all the replies! To answer a few of the questions: It's been 4 years since the pain started. Yes it's painful when I sit on hard surfaces but I get pain sitting anywhere now even on a sofa. I have tried a chiropractor in the past, it really helped for a couple of days but then the pain came back just as bad. Thank you for all the suggestions of an MRI I hadn't thought about that. Is that something I can request from the GP or would I need to go private?

You can request from GP.

I'll be honest- I don't think they'll want to do it. MRIs are pretty sacred and normally in context of the back are used for nerve concerns rather than bone.

But if they decline, I would definitely complain. It might end up in just getting the x-ray but that's still a good place to start.

I wouldn't see a chiropractor until imaging has excluded a fracture.

LactoseTheIntolerant · 15/04/2021 07:09

@EnterFunnyNameHere

You need to put more pressure on your GP to get the scan they thought you should have originally.

It's beyond fucking ridiculous how often medical professionals put a theoretical future child's wellbeing above the wellbeing of the woman stood right there in front of them.

100% agree, it is ridiculous you are being refused treatment because your a woman of childbearing age! Is private an option at all?

Original poster

wantingtostop · 15/04/2021 07:09

@EnterFunnyNameHere

You need to put more pressure on your GP to get the scan they thought you should have originally.

It's beyond fucking ridiculous how often medical professionals put a theoretical future child's wellbeing above the wellbeing of the woman stood right there in front of them.

Yes I was pretty angry about it at the time. Surely I should be the one who decides if I want another child or not and shouldn't be refused medical treatment just because I'm a woman of child bearing age!

OP posts:

Original poster

wantingtostop · 15/04/2021 07:10

@tinathetalkingturtle my dr is pretty sure it is a fracture but because I couldn't get the X-ray I've been told the only option is steroid injections which I have had but they only last a few weeks and then the pain is back again. I'm definitely going to push to be referred

OP posts:

EnterFunnyNameHere · 15/04/2021 07:13

@wantingtostop honestly, BE angry! Stay angry and use that anger to try and get yourself the treatment you deserve!

I mean, what the actual fuck? So you have to live in pain until the menopause just so they will accept that it's worth doing even the DIAGNOSIS properly?!? Fuck that shit!

eatsleepread · 15/04/2021 07:18

It is completely unacceptable that you have been turned away like this. I find it highly unlikely that they'd treat a man in the same dismissive way.

Gloschick · 15/04/2021 07:19

An x-ray in the pelvic area involves loads of radiation so your GP was right to refuse. It isn't simply about future children, it is about increasing your own cancer risk for very little gain. Ask for a referral but in the mean time make sure you sit so your weight goes into your thigh bones rather than your bottom. That really helped when I had coccyx pain after kids.

wibdib · 15/04/2021 07:30

I had spd with both pregnancies and back pain afterwards - managed to get some physio on the nhs which helped but also tried a chiropractor (who didn’t help and made things worse), a private physio who was also a qualified acupuncturist so used it in conjunction with physio which also helped and best of all was the osteopath - who did wonders for my back and seemed to get it much better than the chiropractor who was brief, expensive and dismissive of my experience with them.

Oneeyeopen · 15/04/2021 07:48

I second an Osteopath.
Also an mri scan.
Be insistent with your gp, do not be fobbed off.

UhtredRagnarson · 15/04/2021 07:52

I wouldn’t accept that response OP. Get very firm and insist on investigation.

Wizaway · 15/04/2021 07:52

I would complain hard at the Gp practice something similar happened to me in that the GP both belittled and dismissed my concerns over a chest infection while i was 5 months pregnant.

The chest infection worsened as the Dr would not prescribe me anything but it was also increasing the frequency of morning sickness attacks. 3 days later i was admitted to hospital, placed on IV drips for fluids and antibiotics. They xrayed me twice during my stay and found I had Pneumonia in both lungs and the doctors treating me at the hospital said while with the xrays there is small risks to the baby after 12 weeks gestation this is minimal and without the mother the baby doesnt survive either. My baby was born with no known complications at 39 weeks.

They still have responsibilities to treat you its appalling that so many GPs are so poor in this area. I moved Drs after this episode i refuse to have him treat any of my family due to his negligence!

Gloschick · 15/04/2021 08:16

A chest xray is the equivalent of 3 days background radiation. An xray of the lumbar spine is 7 months radiation. They are not comparable.

Katyowl · 15/04/2021 08:17

Ok I’m just on my way to work but have a long term chronic back problem. I’ll message you later today xx

bloodyhell19 · 15/04/2021 08:18

The SPD & damaged coccyx - we could be twins! I also fell down the stairs years ago and hit every step square on my coccyx on the way down. Most horrendous pain.

I also recommend a well-trained chiropractor. I've been going to mine as a matter of routine for the last 10 years and honestly I would be crippled without him (other issues not just the coccyx...) Hope you get sorted though, nothing worse than a literal pain in the arse.

latissimusdorsi · 15/04/2021 10:07

I had coccydinia, (inflammation) just came out of nowhere. Did eventually settle after few months.
X-ray is probably only going to tell if it's fractured and not much else. I don't think they actually do anything for fractured coccyx though?
You probably need MRI and then physio or chiropractor

getsomehelp · 15/04/2021 16:23

They refuse you an Xray in case it affects your fertility?
This is absolute rubbish
What if you have a hernia, or broken vertebra?
My Dd has had literally dozens ox full torso X-rays for her health problems. Not once has anyone bothered about her fertility,
& she fell pregnant with ease at 32
Your doctor is rubbish

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