please help my back hurts so much and no one cares!

[babalon]

Since febuary this year I have had horrid lower back pain. No history of trauma or previous back problems. It started acutely ie crawling around un able to straighten up. When to a chiropractor spent a fortune not acute anymore but always painful but that was after 8 weeks or so. Went to an oesteopath seemed to help a bit again expensive but did make me feel more positive.Started pilates have strengthened my core but still pain all the time. I have a lump that appeared at the same time as the pain started lower back just right of my spine. Have been told that it's probably a lipoma and has nothing to do with the pain but it does that is where it stems from then radiates out.
Have finally had an MRI scan ordered by a doctor that I saw for something else, and since having the scan an appointment for a 'electromyography and nerve conduction test' has been sent to me and I don't know who ordered this or who I can ask about my mri results I don't have any follow up appointment.
I'm worried that they've found something horrid, in away I'm hopefull that I might be cured as a result. This pain is ruining my life. Any advice welcomed

I'll ask dp (an osteopath) when he gets in. He will know what the test is for and what they are likely to be worried about. Sorry you are suffering, my mum had acute back pain for years so I know how debilitating it can be.

Dp says that the tests are to see if the nerves or muscles are involved in the pain. He says that you have every right to go to your doctor to ask him/her about the results of your tests. He said that if something nasty was causing it they would have seen it on the mri and would have called you in. Unfortunately he can't really tell you anything else via the net iyswim. Hope that helps.

Are you taking any pain relief? Did GP prescribe any at the start? Dp had very bad back pain which was only relieved by taking mega-doses of Voltarol and Tramadol. His back was in spasm and only v heavy doses of drugs would stop him tensing up the whole time, which was part of what was causing the pain. Sorry if you've already been there done that with this, I would pester GP to within an inch of his life!

I've tried loads of pain releif and the only thing that touches it is voltorol rectally . I get some relief from a tens machine that I recently got.

Thanks Carmenere not looking forward to the test. I don't know if my GP would be any help or is it a case of phoning the hospital and being passed around for an hour or so ?!

Has anyone had anything similar?

Anyone???

Just wanted to offer you my sympathy. I'm having a bad flare up of my psoriatic arthritis in my spine. Am on 200mg of celebrex (working up to 400 once my tummy settles with it) and 8 paracetamol a day. Its enabling me to function without sobbing now but I'm very uncomfortable.

How do you find the tens machine? its something i've vaguely thought about.

Go and chase your doc until you get an explanation of the MRI scan - it's important. Back pain is sometimes treated as a fuss about nothing - entirely wrongly IMO. When my sister had a prolapsed disc, no-one seemed to understand this was hugely disabling and excrutiatingly painful - even when we finally got the GP out on a home visit (sister was stranded on the floor, FFS, unable to get up).

Sympathy...

i had lower back pain for years (trapped nerve type pain though) and a couple of sessions of acupuncture made it better.
still not 100% - tends to be stiff in morning but massive difference.
I'd rather DO something rather than take pain relief. But sounds like you should cahse docs

Babalon -sounds like they've found a disc prolapse or similar that might be pressing on a nerve, so they want to find out if there's any damage to the nerves or any wirng problems that could be causing muscle weakness - You have my sympathy, I'm staring at the same process once DC4 is on the outside

I'm going to go to gp tomorow and ask them to help. I worry about taking pain relief so only take it when I can't bear it any longer. After all it's my body saying something is wrong.

Badkitten. I like the tens machine especially in the evenings when I want to relax. Only gives pain relief whilst its on no long term benefit but it'ss nice whilst it lasts. Got mine from lloyds chemist for £15.

I'm only 29yr old and don't want to be in pain for the rest of my life I've got 3 dc to care for too. I hope I'll get some answers and help now I'm having tests. Doctors don't take it seriously at all I sometimes think that they think I'm making it up.

Thanks for your replies and support. I'll update when I have seen the dr

it'll be good to hear an update. I think though that anti-inflammatories can be good to take regularly - they aren't just keeping the pain down, they are helpful for the actual inflammation of joints. Plus its stops that awful cycle of sore joint = spasming back.

It must be really hard for you with 3 dc to manage. Back pain is really tiring as well as painful. Hard enough with just the one dd.

I'll try the tens machine. It took me 15 mins to walk a very short way today despite all the tablets I'm on. Anything that helps would be good.

I know you're fed up of trying different things but have a look at Bowen - here:www.bowen-technique.co.uk/.

Unlike chiropractic etc you only need a couple of treatments - so although it might be £20 a session you only have 2 or 3. I really feel for you, you should not have to be in this amount of pain.

Bowen sorted out my dreadful back in 2 sessions after chronic pain for 5 years. Best Wishes.