Back pain

[autienotnaughty]

Saw a NHS orthopaedic doctor today. After 15 years of constant lower back pain ranging from mild to agonising. Plus sciatica. He examined me, looked at an X-ray and said there's nothing they can do as it's not significant enough for surgery (which I knew) but apparently there is nothing between Pilates exercises and spinal surgery. Is this really the case?

That's pretty much the message I've been given.
MRI shows I have bulging discs and narrowing around the nerve so I get sciatica and numbness as well as lower back pain.
Saw a GP who was pretty vague about conservative management. Saw a physio who basically recommended I lean forward to walk to avoid trapping the nerve.

I have mild scoliosis.
Wasn't diagnosed until I was around 22/23. They think I was born with it as no significant injury etc. It was diagnosed by luck due to an x-ray on my hip and pelvic area, and you could see the lower lumbar spine curving at the top of the x-ray so they made me take another on my spine and there it was. I've suffered years with mid to lower back pain and aches.
I was told physio (did nothing for me personally!) pilates.. and that's about it. As mine also isn't significant for surgery - not that I'd chuck myself forward to have the surgery, the idea of it scares me. But I was told the curve wouldn't get worse at the age I was, so it was really just trying to relieve the pain and aches.
Nothings helped and now I just have to kind of deal with it and know my limits with doing things. If it gets bad then I can have tramadol - but I have 3 young DC. So I have to be careful and make sure DH is about when I take that.
I hope you can find something that will help you and relieves some discomfort x

It's crap isn't it. I'm lucky that the spasms and sciatica are intermittent but it still effects me every day on some level. Dr wouldn't even do a MRI as he said it wouldn't change the outcome 🤷‍♀️

My mum had surgery and it got worse so I really don't want surgery but I assumed there would be something else. Dr was really dismissive.

Thanks for the replies sorry you are in the same boat.

Yes I know of cases where they have operated and it's either no better at all, or they've made it worse or damaged something else in the process.

It's a struggle isn't it?! When I'm having a bad day, I run myself a bath in the evening and head straight to bed after. Though this is a slight temporary fix, it just helps me for that short while making it easier to fall to sleep. My GPs have never been overly helpful with management for it.

I had surgery, and it was the best thing ever
Did have cauda equina but the sciatica was at the point I was drinking oramorph, on every painkiller going and couldn't move without crying/screaming in pain
I occasionally get mild back pain or like it gets "stuck" but no leg pain, and no painkillers

I had a spinal fusion. Best going ever. My treatment was.

1. Exercises from gp
2. Exercises from physio
3. Mri
4. Steroid Injection in spine.
5. Fusion

Dr said no to MRI as said it's only required if having surgery

I’ve had back problems for 40 years.
I see an osteopath regularly as I too was told 20 years ago that I wasn’t bad enough for surgery.
I have two flat discs and a sacro iliac joint that moves too much, I think.
Osteopathy does help me but I really am restricted in lifting as even a light article can set my back off if I accidentally twist as the same time.
The best thing for me is to keep my stomach muscles firm as they help support my back.

Yeah, it took me 15 years to get an mri! But without an mri, how do they know whether surgery will help or not?

I went about it a weird way. Had sciatica for years
Jan 2017 I started with it again but it felt different, so I went to a physio. She did 3 sessions and watched me walk in on the 4th and said "absolutely not touching you until you have an MRI" so she actually referred me
Had the MRI, surgeon said it needed an op, was booked in and developed cauda equina 36hrs before my planned op

What does an osteopath do ? I'm trying to strengthen my core too in the hope it helps.

You cant strengthen your core if you have poor movement or flexobility so I think Pilates is way too full on. I would see an osteopath or go for Alexander technique. I would also start stretching using basic yoga stretches like cobra, childs pose etc. Super gentle. Even 20 mins at night will help. Get a yoga bolster, warm room, bit of music. You will sleep better and over the months you will get more flexible. Then you can work on more complex stuff in a yoga class.

I was diagnosed with a herniated disc almost 5 yrs ago. I tried everything and researched loads. It fully healed conservatively (with much patience and eventually finding an approach which didnt aggravate symptoms).

I have lots of family members who have had various spine problems. Nobody I know who had surgery fully recovered - some got worse. Everyone in my family who followed conservative management eventually got better.

I saw loads of doctors and physios but most just aren’t knowledgeable in back pain. After lots and lots of research I found a book called ‘back mechanic’ written by a guy who works with government ministers and athletes with back pain. You can find it on Amazon. This book is the best evidence based book written for patients on healing back pain. I also came across a website called notconfusing.com. It gave me a mental boost when I was in pain as the author has written a couple of blog posts / essays on their journey to full recovery. Note that most of his website focuses on topics other than back pain.

Any questions just reach out.

I was told by a spinal specialist that more than 90% of over 40s will have a slipped / Herniated / bulging disc. It’s far more common and less scary than people think.

He also told me that Most resolve within a few years. Movement is the most important thing, sedentary lifestyles are the worst.

strong core muscles help. Gentle backbends like cobra in yoga REALLY help. Go to a class ideally so the teacher can check your technique / alignment.

Interesting thread- I've got the reverse as all my pain in my cervical spine and base of skull. I've had pins and needles in feet (gradually improving) and what feel like headaches and shoulder /arm pain but I think are neck referred pain. came on straight after covid. Osteopath fairly sure it's a disc/nerve issue but won't touch me without an MRI! Can I get an MRI easily-nope!! My GP seems reluctant and I am seriously thinking of paying £1000 privately. The neurologist was pretty sure it wasn't MS or Als and I've had it 6 months now and it's not got worse- but still not great , but I find it suprising that it's so hard to get an MRI , but £1000 or so is a fair bit - I'm wondering if an X-ray (private) which is cheaper can pick up disc or similar issues

I paid for my MRI scans privately, Neurologist definitely need these.