My back is really very painful and i'm not sure what to do.

[NaughtyNigel]

knackered it just before christmas - bathing the dog! It hasn't been right ever since - stops for a while then starts again for no particular reason.
pain is at the bottom. and spreads out along my hip bones, and comes in waves. i've also got the same sort of pain in my knee - possibly unconnected? I've been taking paracetamol/ibuprofen on and off ever since, whenever it starts hurting again.
Don't really want to go to the drs as my GP is pretty rubbish. also i'm a nurse and don't want big brother knowing and me never getting a job anywhere else as i'd have to admit to having back probs if it wason my records.
am thinking chiropractor? but don't know how to go about finding one - and am very scared of any more pain. any suggestions?

It sounds like sciatica, it's caused by something pressing on the nerve, usually a bulging disc, it will come and go, it may be 'righted' with surgery or physio etc it could be degenerative esp if you're a nurse, wear and tear and all that. Many nurses have back probs so I don't see why you're scared of your employers finding out.

The knee pain could be connected, you can get pain right down your leg into your toes. I think you should see a Dr as they may be able to give you better meds to cope with it.

the pain in your knee is probably referred pain from your back problem.

I get hip pain and I am on diclofenac for it as I find ovr the counter stuff doesn't touch the pain when it comes (mine is intermittent)

Going to a chiropractor or osteopath can't hurt, I suppose but I have no idea whether it will help. As for finding one, yellow pages or word of mouth recommendation ?

I used to work in neurosurgery where we fixed disc problems and other back complaints, one day we got a lady in with a severely bad 'central disc prolapse' which required immediate surgery, she had had a troublesome back for some time and had gone to a chiropractor who had managed to make it so very much worse resulting in the afformentioned emergency surgery. I also observed a disc being repaired in theatre one day and the consultant had said he couldn't understand how a physio could possibly fix it, I suppose they could relieve symptoms....

Buggery bollocks. off to the docs for me next week then - unless a miracle cure turns up.

Perhaps it's a touch of sacro-iliac joint pain.

Worth getting yourself properly checked by GP.

Problem is unless the GP has an eye for these things, it generally is out of their realm of expertise. I had a bad bout last summer - (floor bound) and all GP did was give me drugs and said come back if that doesn't work. Now, while the drugs were blissful, they didn't resolve the problem. Instead I went to see the local, and fortunately very good osteopath who sorted me out very quickly.

I don't think it really matters much whether you see an osteopath, chiropractor or physio, as long as they are good. If they are, and they suspect disc involvement then they should refer you on, not carry on regardless and exacerbate the problem. Ask around for recommendations of a good therapist.
FWIW, my guess is that your knee could well be linked and that you are 'out' biomechanically.
If you happen to be in the East Mids I can recommend and excellent osteopath.....

cheers but not in midlands! will ask about in rea life.

Dear Naughty,
voltarol 1 x3 times a day after food (if tummy pain will need omeprazole )from gp
cocodamol 30/500 if bad from gp
8/500 if moderate on a good day from pharmacy ,paracetamol.Ice +++ it does help. TENS machine .If not sleeping and in agony diazepam at night try not to use for more than 1 week. Chiropractor/physio , will cost about £40 per session, but is worth it. Orthopaedic surgeon £200 for 7 minutes to diagnose problem.
from galaxy now 15wks post disc prolapse and a pilates convert hope you get better soon.
hth

GP will probably do nothing for ages, tell you to keep active, avoid lifting and tae painkillers. 10 years after having continuing back pain after breaking my back I finally got an MRI and have a slipped disc. Unfortunately 2 years on its still as bad as ever.

But I got onto my midwifery course no problem and not expecting it to be a problem when applying for jobs. I know a m/w with 2 slipped discs and occy health just rang her up and asked her if it caused her problems, etc and she said no - that shes aware of the pain but it doesnt stop her doing anything.

you need ot see your GP really. In the meantime I find sitting propped up againstr a hot water bottle helps my back alot. Hope it goes soon - backache is awful.

Dp is an osteopath and regularly refers patients to their gp for serious problems. Unfortunately recently he was able to diagnose some poor man who had a tumour on his spine. He didn't treat him at all because he was able to see that it was a very serious problem.

Go to see an osteopath who is registered with the General Osteopath Council Hereto avoid what happened to the person who 3ddonut observed. He/she will be able either fix the problem or at least be able to advise you what is the best way of managing the pain.

Brilliant. There's a registered one opposite DDs school!
Stripey/spotty/galaxy
unfortunately can't take codeine - am ridiculously sensitive to it and it makes me unconscious for days! but nice to know occ health won't bar me from work.

was just about to post about my back too - you have my full sympathy. I've had an acute flare up today. I'm ok sitting here but if I bend over at all or bend my knees to reach something its horrendous, I feel like I'm stuck and can't move cos its really sharp. Had one physio assessment a week ago when it was actually doing relatively ok. They said I need a joint assessment with a senior physio.
I have diclofenac but its not so helpful when its like this and dunno what to do.

Anyway, hope you feel better soon. Its not fun.

I wouldn't go to see any chiro or physio until you have had a scan. As Stripey Knickers says you can spend years waiting for your GP to do something before getting a proper diagnosis, i.e. a scan.
If you can't get your GP to put you on the list for a scan, or the wait is too long, then you may have to consider going private (I think it is around £500). At least then you know what you are trying to treat rather than relying on everyones guesswork.
My background was I had very similar pain to you in my back and across the hips. I spent three years being told to 'raise my pain threshold', taking pain killers and using tens machines. Finally I got scanned privately and had 3 degenerative discs. I had idet on two (couldn't get into the last one as vertebrae were too close together) and now manage the last disc with acupuncture which has been an absolute godsend.
I guess what I'm trying to say is push for some proper diagnosis and don't suffer for ages. Good luck!