Constant pain and can't take any more

[itsrainingirsraining]

For the past 12-18 months I have had a constant back ache, all my spine hurts, my joints ache and I am constantly tired with low energy levels. I have scoliosis which is mild and apparently, according to doctors, shouldn't be causing pain. My whole body aches. Every day I'm taking ibuprofen or cocodimal and surely that can't be good for me.

I've been back and forth to gp and they carried out blood tests 14 months ago which were fine and not repeated. They referred me to physio. I really don't know what to do anymore I'm aching just sat writing this on the sofa. I can't sit and watch the tele, im struggling with work, I can't go to concerts that I used to enjoy. I'm thinking is this life now? I'm only 42. I don't want to live like this.

This isn’t normal, no.

first I have to ask, what’s your diet, activity level and sleep like? How’s your stress?

Diets not good. I eat a lot of rubbish, in work I'll usually get a sandwich from the shop and tea time something quick and easy. I do always feel stressed just in general with youngish children, work, just lift in general and I'm also very anxious but I feel I'm anxious because of the pain I'm in. Used to exercise 3-4 times a week but do nothing now.

So I don’t doubt that you have issues that need dealing with, but a holistic start is always worthwhile.

personally if I were you, I’d overhaul my diet to something low inflammatory (lots of fresh food, cook from scratch, the usual), take up something gentle like Pilates 3x per week, meditation, a nice bath 3x per week to relax you, and add in a good multivitamin plus high dose vitamin d, magnesium and fish oil.

see how you go over 6 -8 weeks

Thank you @WhatAFoolishFool I've just bought a lot of vitamins, multivitamins, vit D, B12 and I will try with the diet. Pilates sounds helpful too I have been thinking about starting this but just not had the energy, I'm going to really make an effort. Thank you for replying.

It sounds counterintuitive but exercise gives you more energy, but I’d start with a good diet as blood sugar fluctuations really wipe you out. Just a few days of a healthy diet just makes everything better, brighter, it really is fuel for your body and affects your mood positively too.

I really hope all of this helps - and if it doesn’t, you can push your GP for bloods again

Add magnesium supplements to your diet, try and get 100% rda daily before bed. It really helps with muscle aches

I've had chronic back pain for years, what helps me is the curable app. I do a lot of meditation, breathwork exercises, Sound Baths. I eat healthily, drink water, no alcohol, do pilates. It's healthy habit stacking. I had periods of literally sobbing on the floor trying to look after my baby it was hell. So I really have been there. It's a long journey.

Similar situation here. Have had two back surgeries already and now have stenosis in my neck. Been in agony all over Christmas & haven't gone back to work yet. Actually wondering if I'm even fit to work anymore but at 48, I can't afford not to.

Just sending you a sympathetic hug. I'm 52, over 30yrs of what started off as an apparent sprained knee but turned out to be an SI joint out of whack and am completely disabled now.

Chase every possible treatment avenue, throw every £ you have at it and try to keep moving. Back pain is awful but you don't want it to spread into other conditions as has happened to me. Get the best advice you can.