to be annoyed at this doctor

[Kaloki]

Went to the doctors today for more anti-inflammatories for my back. I've been on the same anti-inflammatories for 10 months for chronic back pain, which is bad enough that I can't sit up most days.

But rather than write out a prescription for them the doctor decides to question me, which I thought was fine at first

First he told me that they were known to cause harm when used for a long time, so I asked if there was an alternative to them.

His answer? Exercise.

I do exercise, as much as I can anyway. Like I say, I have sod all movement and if I overdo it I end up totally seized up for about a week without fail. SO I tell him this.

And then the conversation goes round and round in circles. I point out that I struggle to move or even stand without the anti inflammatories, he tells me the solution is exercise.

I point out that I do exercises that have been given to me by a physio (who couldn't help) and an osteopath (who is helping).

Rather than listen he tells me to walk more,

I point out that the osteopath believes the problem stems from my hip and too much walking hurts all up my spine and my neck.

He says that the anti-inflammatories are bad for me.

And round we go again.

In the end I have to accept a smaller supply of anti inflammatories on the condition that I only take them 5 days out of 7 "so [I] can see that if the anti inflammatories help"

I know they help!! Gahhh!!!

Although agree with a Dr not wanting to prescribe long term anti-inflammatories it doesn't sound like an adequate alternative was suggested. If your pain means you really need daily anti-inflammatories then please push for (if you haven't already had it):
-proper imaging (MRI) to exclude a surgically correctable cause (although ask about the evidence base for surgery v. conservative treatment of whatever problem your pain is caused by)
-pain clinic referal for things like local anaesthetic injections and alternative analgesia instead of anti-inflammatories (it exists).
Stomach ulcers are not the only complication of long term anti-inflammatory use - can also cause irreversible renal damage.

Yay! My body is fucked!

screamingeagle If I'm having a good day I wont take them, unfortunately they are rare. I can't stand for more than 5-10 mins (which is great if I need to do washing up or cook)

mybaby There was no alternative offered, which was really frustrating

Just as a point of clarity, an osteopath and a chiropracter are essentially the same thing. Chiropractor is the US terminology/ qualification

(a bit like they say lawyer and we say solicitor,- or did but now we say lawyer too!)

Therefore if the OP is already seeing as osteopath, she doesn't also need to see a chiropractor.

I never knew that, that's good. The osteopath is really good and a breath of fresh air after 10 months of arguing with doctors about whether or not I'm in pain

You need to push for a diagnosis -you really do. Essentially what Mybabywakesupsinging says.

Regardless of whether other people prefer osteopaths or chiropracters, I think the most important thing is to get a good one that is working for you.

I have been to several good osteopaths and a couple of excellent ones. On the other hand, I have tried a couple of chiropracters (recommended by people I knew) but was distinctly underwhelmed by what they did and the effects of their treatment, nowhere near as good as the osteopaths I have been to. And it didn't help that they charged the same for a 15 min session as for a 40 min osteopath session, and the 15 mins included getting changed before and after, making sure there was enough time to get a cup of tea write up notes and get ready for next person. If I was lucky I would have actual treatment for about 7 mins.

Which means that I would always recommend an osteopath over a chiropracter - and it sounds like you have found someone who is good for you. But definitely worth continually working on the dr for a referral.

And if you were to ask a chiro or osteo if they were the same as the other I suspect they would say that they are similar as they both look at backs but they do have different techniques and approaches too...

They can be bad for you though. My brother was on Diclophenac for his back for a while and ended up having to have part of his colon removed due to diverticulitis (sp.) It was a major op and it was due to the drugs.

I am on long term anti-inflammatories. To counter the tummy problems I take omeprazole and because that does horrid things to my bowels I take spasmanol. hey ho. Sometimes you do have to take them long term as long term inflammation is no good either.

You do need a proper diagnosis though, you need to know what is causing the pain.

There is no point telling someone they shouldn't take something as it's bad for you without offering a valid alternative, all that happens is the person ends up upset!

Doesn't sound like the best doctor to me, yes he's slightly better than a no Q asked type but only marginally.

You can see a podiatrist and have orthotics made for you on the NHS Eurostar. I was amazed at how much my life improved after I got the insoles.

The clinical evidence is that exercise is the most effective treatment - sorry. Plus all the other points made about long-term use of NSAIDs. But I sympathise as chronic pain is very wearing.

Swimming and yoga are what I would do myself. There is also evidence that the Alexander Technique is very effective, never tried it though.

Please go and see your doctor again about it if no alternative at all was offered.
Exercise may well be the right thing for you once you have had your pain investigated, but there are still other pain killers you could use instead of/to complement the anti-inflammatories.
Hope things get better soon.

Havent read all the thread so sorry if this has already been mentioned.

My Mum suffers badly with her back and has to wear morphine patches everyday to keep the pain under control, she used to take anti inflammatories but now cant as they upset her stomach too much (which is why your doctor is concerned)

I agree that his advice didnt appear very useful but he is thinking of you in the long term and to be honest he is probably right as my Mum feels worse if she sits or lies in one position for too long and seizes up.

You should ask for a referral to the pain management clinic as they may be able to find something that works for you.
He may be able to prescribe you some good painkillers for when its really bad but he is definately right about coming off the anti inflams

yabu
he's a doctor, you go to him for his medical expertise and opinion.

If you want to know the differences and similarities between chiropractors, osteopaths and physios then look here

It is all about finding a good one, who you get on with, preferably recommended.

Kaloki - I've never heard of anyone being allergic to TENS? How does your allergy present itself?

this is an old thread, but I am interested to know how kaloki's poorly back is...

The effect on the kidneys is the main problem.

Risk/benefit scenario so GP will just be exploring it, allbeit in maybe not such a helpful way.

...you can help prevent a stomach ulcer forming. But long term, it's the kidneys.

Other than sending you to physio what other investigations have been done to source the root of the back problems? Chronic pain is horrendous and causes all sorts of other problems such as depression and an inibility to sleep or function on a daily basis. Please try and get a referral to a back pain team or at least for an MRI to rule out any physical problems. I have suffered chronic neck and back pain for the last 20 years and only recently have had a proper investigation done. My problem is (I think) more to do with muscular issues than joint issues but a course of botox alongside my normal chiropractor treatments has helped enormously. Perhaps steriod injections into the source of the pain may be more appropriate than long term anti inflammatories?

I hope you get it sorted, you have my sympathies.