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Chronic pain

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Original poster

Back, hip pain causing depression?

43 replies

BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 19:34

To try and cut it short, lower back pain, radiating to hip, causing a limp and significantly impacting my day to day activities. I'm almost in week three now. I did go to my GP who barely looked at me, dismissed me when I tried to tell him my symptoms were not just my hip and he put it down to wear and tear from carrying DD, gave me naproxen and Cocodamol, three months worth and sent me on my merry way, limping to the car. Because I didn't jump off the chair in pain when he moved my leg, I'm OK.

I am not OK. I think the drugs took a slight edge off where I could focus on something else other than the pain but not enough. I feel like I've been slipping into a depression, very fatigued, loss of appetite, weepy at certain stages of the day. I put the loss of appetite down to Naproxen which are anti gastro, I stopped taking them two days ago and no improvement to my appetite and feel like a stale feeling in my stomach.

Before the back pain I was hit and miss with my mental health but working positively on it, gym, eating well, daily walks, all that good stuff and lately I'm lucky to drink a pint of water in one day.

Please anyone who has similar experience tell me there is light. Should I go privately to a physio or back to another GP and can back pain be linked to depression?

OP posts:
HazardaGuest · 18/02/2023 19:40

In my area you can refer yourself to something called ‘physio first’ so look into that. Otherwise I would go back to gp but see someone different and ask specifically about physio.
It really doesn’t sound right, I think you have been fobbed off.

MajesticWhine · 18/02/2023 19:43

Yes try physio, your GP should have referred you really, as many back issues can be helped by physio. There may be a way to self refer. Or do private if you can.
I have been struggling with back and hip pain for 6 weeks. It has got me down and it seems to take over everything. The physio has not fixed it but it's helped a bit and I have daily exercises that are making me feel stronger.

Cherryana · 18/02/2023 19:43

If you are in Basingstoke/Winchester (I know a long shot) I went to see Dr Mike Rossiter. He is a sports injuries specialist - as I hurt my hip horse riding (so I thought but turns out it aggregates a congenital defect).

From initial consultation to MRI to cortisone shot it was under two weeks.

Consultation-£200
MRI - £400
Cortisone shot - £200 all ish -can’t remember the exact prices.

I don’t have much hope for you, as I need a hip replacement and I am only 44 and I am seeing the surgeon next week.

Commah · 18/02/2023 19:49

I have back and hip pain lately. It’s scaring the shit out of me because I read the news article about that woman who had back pain and it turned out to be cancer. I’m having panic attacks thinking I’m going to die.

Original poster
BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 19:55

@MajesticWhine He told me if I'm still in bother in a couple of months he will refer me for further tests..

Can I ask what kind of exercise they have you doing? I've googled some yoga type exercises which aren't helping yet but hoping they will as time goes on. I'm just afraid of going to physio incase they don't know either as I've read alot of stories that it hasn't helped all too much and it's not cheap!

OP posts:
Palpatation · 18/02/2023 19:59

How old are you? I had back and hip pain, turns out I had hip dysplasia. It was missed when I was a baby. Diagnosed at age 30.

Original poster
BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 19:59

@Cherryana Nowhere near that area!

I am sorry to hear you need a hip replacement. My Granny said hopefully you don't need one and I laughed her off saying I was to young.... obviously not!

OP posts:
Original poster
BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 20:01

@Palpatation I am 30 now.

Did you always suffer with it or how did the pain come about?

OP posts:
WooWooWinnie · 18/02/2023 20:05

Definitely see a physio - ask around and see if you can get any recommendations. Good ones are worth their weight in gold. I had seen the GP and the surgery physio for loss of mobility in my leg and hip/lower back pain that had got worse in pregnancy and since I had a baby. I thought the pregnancy/birth had caused a trapped nerve or something. It was a physio that told me I needed an x-Ray and, when I got one (via the GP) it showed severe & advanced osteoarthritis in my hip. I’m 37 and am one week post-hip replacement. I probably wouldn’t have even had the x-Ray yet if I hadn’t paid to see a physio that my friend recommended.

Palpatation · 18/02/2023 20:05

Had lot's of leg pain throughout 20s. Then got to 30 had back pain and sharp groin pain and a limp, doctor then sent me for x-rays showed dysplasia and advanced osteoarthritis. Now on the list for a hip replacement.

MajesticWhine · 18/02/2023 20:06

I started with these:
(You can probably Google them and find a pic or video)
Cat and camel pose.
Seated piriformis stretch
Knee hugs
Pelvic tilt
Lumbar rotation twist.

Then as I have got stronger they added some more :
Pelvic tilt into bridge
Good mornings
Stiff leg deadlift
Sit to stand

Keep moving, try not to sit for too long and when you do, sit with proper support.
Disclaimer I don't know if you have the same issue as me so please don't hurt yourself.

Original poster
BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 20:12

@MajesticWhine
Thank you, there are similar to what I have been doing and wouldn't blame you if it went wrong in anyway!

OP posts:
Original poster
BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 20:15

@WooWooWinnie Oh, sounds scary.. I'm wondering if birth may have brought this on and same as you, thinking its a trapped nerve .
Hope you're recovering well.

OP posts:
user1494050295 · 18/02/2023 20:43

I’m lease go and see an osteopath. You will pay for an initial session with a few follow ups. If you find a good one they are truly awesome. Mine sorted a torn L5 and am here to live the tale. And exercises. Swimming. Good luck

SkyLarkDescending · 18/02/2023 20:53

I am suffering from the exact same thing OP it has been recurring every few months since I had my first DC 5 years ago. I saw a physio a while back and that sorted the immediate problem but the flare ups are definitely getting worse over time.
This week I saw a chiropractor and cried with relief after my appointment. I got advice for pain management, exercises, massage and laser treatment. I'm to go back weekly for a few weeks and then review.
Don't be fobbed off by your GP, you need your back to be in good shape!

WooWooWinnie · 18/02/2023 20:54

Thanks OP, doing well so far! Just to clarify, the arthritis (and associated symptoms) was nothing to do with the pregnancy/birth, the timings just happened to be similar.

Anyonebut · 18/02/2023 20:59

I have sacroiliac problems, just found out that one of my legs is almost 1cm shorter than the other which is likely contributing.

First you need to get a diagnosis, but if you think the problem is in this area I recommend these exercises. The stretch at the end should bring some instant improvement if this id the problem you have.

WinterMermaid987 · 18/02/2023 21:03

Focus on the movement you can do (not what you can’t) and keep moving gently. I’ve had a couple of episodes of disc related sciatica pain it’s exhausting mentally, ice instead of heat worked for me plus a very good sports massage therapist registered level5 on www.theisrm.com/
piraformus stretch was crucial plus I could cycle gently to keep moving but I could barely walk hence why I said do what you can. If it doesn’t ease go back to GP ask for MRI and referral for pain clinic they offered me steroid injection but by the time I saw them 3mths later I was managing my own recovery

Original poster
BabyB22 · 18/02/2023 21:04

@Anyonebut I noticed years ago that one of my legs was shorter than the other but can't be 100%

I will give this a go, obviously won't do anything I can't do until I get a diagnoses. Thank you so much.

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 18/02/2023 21:08

Were you prescribed omeprazole as well? You should have been with naproxen and codeine. That would help to protect, and maybe settle, your stomach. Pain can definitely cause depression though, particularly if some of your usual coping techniques aren't available to you because of the pain (eg exercise, going for a long walk etc)

DrSalome · 18/02/2023 21:08

Palpatation · 18/02/2023 19:59

How old are you? I had back and hip pain, turns out I had hip dysplasia. It was missed when I was a baby. Diagnosed at age 30.

Oh gosh.... What have they done about it if you don't mind my asking? I had dislocated hip as a baby, operated on at the time but am getting issues now several decades later.

OP go and see a really good physio..GPs know nothing about these type of issues but a physio can diagnose and pinpoint the exact issue and give you specific exercises. It'll be pricey (I pay £60 ish for an appointment) but so worth it.

TheFormidableMrsC · 18/02/2023 21:10

Commah · 18/02/2023 19:49

I have back and hip pain lately. It’s scaring the shit out of me because I read the news article about that woman who had back pain and it turned out to be cancer. I’m having panic attacks thinking I’m going to die.

That's health anxiety. Most people with back and hip pain don't have cancer and I speak as somebody who has had cancer and has horrific hip pain because of my meds (a common side effect). I'd gently suggest you seek help for the pain you're having and mention your fears at the same time. Health anxiety is all consuming. Weirdly, having cancer cured mine.

Palpatation · 18/02/2023 21:14

@DrSalome I am waiting for a total hip replacement of the left hip, I am looking at a 4-6 month wait. I will have to have the right hip replaced when that has also worn out.

Exeterrose · 18/02/2023 21:16

I'm the same OP! Naproxen is awful stuff. I found amitriptyline helped the most.

I hurt when I'm overweight. I am my most pain-free at 9 stone 5 and under. I'm currently 10stone 3 and I can really feel it.

I have self referred for physio and my appointment is end of March so I have to lose my extra weight by then. The amount of times I've been weighed by my GP or consultant who then tells me I'm too heavy for my poor joints :( I'm 5ft.

I do have hip joint problems and inter articular hip injections made a huge difference. Not being able to walk down stairs to climbing a mountain!

Hope you find some relief!!

DrSalome · 18/02/2023 21:18

@Palpatation I'm really sorry to hear that.