Severe Back Pain

[ChilledChick2]

Just wondering if anyone can help with this one.

Back pain started when DS was born(Feb 2005), and then I had DD(March 2006). Both were CS with spinal/epidural and I noticed that the pain was getting worse as time passed. I've seen GP/orthopaedic trauma team on numerous occasions, had x-rays and scans and been to chronic pain clinic about pain relief.
Have tried all sorts of pain relief but nothing lasts for long.

Went to see GP yesterday, sat in the waiting room in tears because the pain was so bad and eventually hobbled out without seeing GP as I couldn't sit or stand for too long. I'm in agony and just don't know what to do anymore. TIA for any replies and/or suggestions.

What pain relief have you been given? Have you been prescribed anti inflammatory drugs? What did the orthopaedic team say - did you get any sort of diagnosis?

You need to go back to your GP and say how much pain you are in. I would also ask for referral to a physio. In the meantime it might be worth seeing a private physio straightaway if you can afford it. Make sure they are a chartered physiotherapist.

Have been on co-codamol 30/500mg, tramadol 100mg, lyrica 300mg, celebrex(NSAID), etodolac(NSAID), diclofenac(NSAID) amitryptaline, voltarol gel, deep freeze/heat sprays/gels and other pain relief gels/tablets/patches but nothing seems to work for long, although I'm back on co-codamol as it worked for the longest stretch. Have also had loads of physio at the local hospital, but the effects didn't last more than 48hrs.

Diagnosis was that it's a mechanical(bones)problem and the only other two available options are injections or surgery. Unfortunately I can't afford to go to a private physio/osteopath/chiropractor as the going rate is £50 per hourly session and they are the cheapest in the area.

Been to GP on numerous occasions and told them the pain is getting worse, but there's only so much they can do. They're all very good at my surgery so I can't complain about the treatment.

Anyhow, I'm off for a waddle to the local shopping mall(might just get down there before 6pm closing time). Thanks for answering Pinkteddy much appreciated.

You're welcome, although not sure I really helped. Wow that is quite a catalogue of drugs Private physio is really expensive I know. Luckily for me I have a local lady I know who charges me a bit cheaper than the going rate when I have problems but I have been going to her for years! What about a steroid injection? I've had a couple of those in the past (administered by hospital consultant) and they have really worked.

I would definitely use surgery as a last resort but it may be your only option. Hope you're feeling better soon.

If you're in that much pain, I'd consider surgery. But they'll want to try the injections first (which might work). I hope you have some luck.

BTW should have added that I (unwillingly) had surgery after 4 years of increasingly bad pain and it worked, so I'm bound to be a fan.

Hi Pinkteddy. Sorry to hear you've a bad'un too. Hope you're keeping on top of the pain. You've helped a bit, so thanks for that.

I almost sounded like a rattle. Got a letter yesterday from the chronic pain clinic with an appointment, but it's not until next month and may get the steroid and anaesthetic injection. I just hope it works as I'd prefer to not go down the surgery route. My dad had an op on his back and he ended up in ICU for a short while, so I have some reservations about surgery.

Off to bed now, mad DS will be up at 5.30am no doubt.

Chilledchick ,don't know whereabouts you live ,but the British College of Oestopathy near London Bridge
see people at greatly reduced fees
www.bso.ac.uk/mm3obtm.htm
good Luck ,back pain /any chronic pain is so debilitating .

Good morning Chaotica. Glad to hear the surgery worked for you. It gives me some hope that there is still something that can be done. How long did you need to recover and how long did the surgery take? What possible risks were you told about?

Good morning to you too Gingeroots and thanks for the link. I'll look at it in a wee moment. I live in Northern Ireland so it's a bit of a trek.

Have been back to my GP this morning (we have an open surgery on Mon & Fri mornings). GP wants me to have bloods done to check for arthritis(all types), requested an up-to-date x-ray before appointment at the pain clinic and has put me on back on tramadol as well as being on co-codamol and celebrex. I'll be pretty spaced out and talking like a busted washing machine. It'll entertain the kids and DH if nothing else.

I feel your pain. I really do.
Chronic pain here for 15 years. I refused an op 9 years ago as it was to fuse my pelvis and I couldn't get an answer about how that would affect being pregnant/giving birth.
Did pain management at my pain clinic, which I was initally sceptical about but helped loads.
Basically pacing yourself and slowly build up strenght with exercises.
IMO, mad as it sounds when you're in crippling pain, getting your muscles as strong and as fit as possible is the only way to avoid an op.
Started doing yoga at an OAP's class and had acess to a hydrotherapy pool to start.
These days, I'm still in pain, and take amyitrytaline and co codamol, ( night time only ) but can function, work, look after DD, walk, swim, dance etc. I've also accepted that the pain is with me.

Prehaps injections will help to make exercising easier?
From experience, the best thing I spent my money on was a sports physio who did an hours massage, and then gave me a bollocking if I hadn't done my homework exercises. And I found that the chiropractor was just too rough and made the pain worse.