Absolutely and utterly fed up with this back pain - please help!

[Qwenzo]

About 2 years ago I developed a pain in my lower right back, about hip level maybe very slightly lower, 1 inch away from the spine.

If I tip sideways it hurts, if I rotate my pelvis it hurts, if I arch my spine it hurts. It hurts when I’ve been standing for too long, sitting for too long but most of all when I get up in the morning. I swapped my bed for some all singing all dancing bed which didn’t improve it a jot.

I’ve had 2x private physio, 1 x nhs physio. X Ray after x Ray which shows mild arthritis consistent with wear and tear. I’m 47 so ok, I expect a few creaks and groans but nothing on this level. I’m not in constant pain, only when I move but it can be very painful.

The physio says there’s nothing else they can do. I can’t take much in the way of pain relief as I’m allergic to opiates and anti inflammatory meds really irritate my stomach. I don’t even know what it is - disc pain? Sometimes I get a nipping pain in my right buttock - sciatica?

I know I can’t take much more of this. I’m fit, a healthy weight (bmi 21) and active. I can barely walk in the morning until I get rid of the stiffness and acute pain.

I know no one can diagnose over the internet but please give me some tips to deal with the pain. Or give me some idea what it might be. Thanks!

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Yes get an mri which will rule out slipped disc. Try ice-packs or heat on the area. Some gentle exercises first thing to get you going and yes build up your core strength if you can. I prefer physio to osteo but I am post spinal surgery so they don't like me either lol. If surgery is proposed do lots of research. Its such a difficult area I was told they are stopping back surgery altogether as the results are so poor. I am in daily pain but not as bad as pre-surgery so am counted as a success.

I have a similar issue and am now taking zapain once a day and pregabalin for nerve pain. I get mechanical backache on and off all day but worse first thing and a pins and needles sensation in my big toe/top of my foot which apparently is a sign of a compressed disc in my lower spine according to my gp.
I was referred to the spinal team back in june. I got the impression that unless you are having red flag symptoms (loss of feeling to your perineum, loss of bladder or bowel control) they are really reluctant to do an mri. Seemingly it won't change the treatment which is unlikely to be surgery if you've not got the above symptoms. All they can offer is physio basically. I'm nhs front line and he was prepared to let me have a scan but ultimately said it wouldn't change anything.
I've had this 4 months, no further on, couldn't see the physio f2f so have relied on nhs core strengthening exercises on youtube which tbh aren't doing much good. I'm in my early 50s, previously very fit but have had to give up running for fear of doing more damage. I'm seriously considering taking early retirement next year as I don't think my back can tolerate this for another 10 years...

Thank you everyone. Advice is much appreciated.

I swim twice a week but it actually hurts my back to do this, sometimes my back is so bad after a swim that I can’t get out of the pool. I only swim to burn calories.

Yoga is good and I enjoy the stretch but it doesn’t give me any relief. I have a strong core, due to all the physio I’ve done!

Reading about psoas- it does sound like this! The pain often starts sharply in my groin and refers down my leg.

The gp bounces me to physio and then after a few sessions the physio says to continue the exercises and that’s all they can do. After a few months I return to gp who starts the process again. I have been referred to rheumatology as there’s a family history of lupus/autoimmune disease and I do have other joint pain (nothing compared to my back but does hurt especially in the morning) but the appt was cancelled due to covid.

I’ve asked for injections (apparently not worth it as they don’t work long term), MRI (‘it’s just wear and tear’) and alternative medication (weight gaining according to my dr and probably not helpful).

I’ll get some turmeric capsules, thank you.

Oh and additionally, during the day I can move absolutely fine - some pain if I overstretch the affected area, stand too long or move too quickly but it’s acute, short pain not this awful long term achy pain I get morning and evening.

Chronic back pain here which was diagnosed as postural, mild scoliosis and I have one leg slightly longer than the other. Picked up by physio. Similar age to you so years of misalignment.
Referral to a podiatrist and an insole in one shoe has helped a little.

Really push for the MRI. I had to do this to get my diagnosis. The physio thought she could diagnose my problem and she was completely wrong about what is actually was.

You mention the pain starting in the groin - i have heard that hip problems (ie needing a hip replacement) can present as groin pain.

GP not Go!

Sorry- thought I had posted but it disappeared. Might be worth ruling out AS (inflammatory arthritis- pain, stiffness, worse in the morning) and asking gp for referral to rheumatologist and mri scan. Info from nass.co.uk/