Horrible back problem - any advice appreciated!

[MuppetsMuggle]

I feel like i've been put together wrong if that makes sense. My whole back is locked up and tight, my hips are dodgey and i have a numbness feeling in my hips and feet.

I have had back issues since i was 15, and have only had the following conditions diagnosed last year. 2 conditions possibly 3. 1st is trochanteric bursitis (inflammation of the hips), 2nd sacro illiac dysfunction (spine & pelvis problem), and 3rd is possibly sciatica. (i'm only 26, feel like i'm falling apart)

I'm seeing a chiropractor, but can't afford to see her very often. Doc has referred me for physio again (last time didn't have no effect).

I'm in soo much pain, and theres only so many painkillers you can take. I can't even lift my daughter at the moment, and have pillows propping me up to keep comfortable.

Just wondering if there was anything else i should do, or ask for a referral for further investigation.

Wow Herbie- you've really been through it I feel so daft moaning about it, compared to what must have been awful for you. I live in Kent. I get good and bad days, I have never had a proper diagnosis, the Osteo told me my pelvis was twisted but the doctors are just keen to give meds and push me on, I am convinced I have a disc problem.

My discomfort sound svery similar to Muppets. Neck and top of back are very tense and hurt, lower back has aches to one side and the Sciatica is what really bothers me. I hate it!

Swimming, that's interesting.

Meggle, my rheumy said the only way to see what was properly going on with my back was to have an mri.
I'd seen him several years ago and had an x-ray, then cos I was doing well I was discharged into gps care for anti-inflamms. Went back this autumn for raynauds. Told him that I was still struggling with my back a few weeks ago and he had a quick look and ordered an mri. Amazing the power of a consultant!

God I need to get a referral don't I?

I cannot imagine not being in some kind of discomfort TBH. I remember what my body used to feel like

It's great to hear so many positive stories, brilliant.

Muppet, I am so glad I happened to see this thread- thanks for posting it.

Will you have the next op soon to wire up your back? Sounds awful the injections and stuff!

Don't put up with being told 'no' by the doctor.

You need to be referred to an Orthopeadic Consultant.

I put up with shit from my doctor for two years, then I pretty much had a nervous breakdown in front of him and he couldn't refer me fast enough.

Anyway, the lovely Consultant said I needed an MRI. After that he could see what the problem was. Once we had the result, he said there was a chance I could get better just by physio and avoid an operation.

But because my back was a seized mess due to 2 years of pain, there was no point starting physio until my back had relaxed.
I had an epidural with slow release anasthetic which lasts for up to 6 months, and two facet block injections. Compared to the pain I had been in, this was nothing - seriously. I started physio four weeks later.

I couldn't tell you how long the effects of the epidural lasted as I haven't had any pain since. It's been a total success. I can't believe I put up with that pain for so long.

By the way, during those two years I wasted the best part of £750 on an osteopath and a chiropractor. No benefit worth mentioning, total waste of money, I was desperate so kept going in the vain hope it would help. They kept taking the money even though they were making no difference.

Referral.
That's what you need.
Don't ask for one, demand one, have a nervous breakdown in front of the doctor if a referral is refused!

Good luck!

I've had two back operations one to fuse my spine and another to repair the herniated discs above and below the fusion.
I'm appalled by the GP advice on this thread.
IME
Chiropractors were a complete waste of money. I spent countless hundreds of pounds on a chiro and only finally seeing an orthapedic consultant and mri showed a mechanical problem that would never have been fixed by a chiro.

Very often pain in your back brings on muscle spasm and a short course of diazepam can be very helpful in helping acute bouts of this type of back pain.

I'm very concerned that your doctor has not reffered you to an orthapedic specialist. GP's have no real idea about spines and their x-ray eyes cannot diagnose whatever is wrong with you.
Also confused by lack of x-ray/ mri/ painkillers offered. There are a number of things that could be ruled out by basic x-rays...

Chronic back pain is often confused with an acute flare up or a sore back. Being able to excercise or get around will indicate to your GP that it is the latter not the former.

BTW in terms of painkillers there are many many inert painkillers that your GP should have mentioned to try to help you through this time. A referral to the pain clinic will open up lots of opportunities

Good luck and get onto your GP

Just wanted to say, I've had back and hip problems for 14 years (since having Ds1) and have suffered pain and depression as a result - but I'd be the first to admit my problems have never been nearly as bad as any of yours.

My problem I think is scoliosis due to an unstable pelvis -which apparently is very common but doesn't always cause pain.

One thing that I came across in my desperation for a 'cure' is a thing called a Backchamp - I saw the chap who devised it for a few osteo sessions and bought one from him.

It actually hasn't 'cured' me per se, but reading the website again has made me decide to get back to using it .
It definitely did help when I first had it but I slipped once I felt better and have never got back in to using it properly (I am my own worst enemy).
I notice that many of you mention an unstable pelvis - this chap's main theory is that this is the main cause of back pain. The Backchamp is designed to stabilise it. I tend to use it now and then to ease the worst of it, but I thi k I'll start again properly and report back.
www.backchamp.com is the website.
Better get off MN and start practising!

Morning all, some more good advice.

Meg no worries, we can get through this together - where abouts do you live?

Ronaldinhio - I feel thats what my GP is doing fobbing me off with painkillers. I think i will get on the phone this morning, and say i want a referral to consultant.

Not only could I not sleep last night, as couldn't get comfortable, the couple next door to us decided they were going to shag all night!

I'm going to ring the GP at 8:30 (its when they open) and say I saw my GP yesterday, still in major pain and want him to refer me to a consultant.

I'm going to invest in a TENS - we have been looking at new matresses anyway, so i'll have a look on there thank you

Ear Plugs a must - I felt like banging on the wall telling them to stop it lol.

Ahh will make an investment in a new matress then.

I've just called the docs now, and receptionist was really good, she said i shouldn't suffer like this and got me booked in at 9:45am, I told her I want a referral to hospital - shes put that on note to doc.

update: he said i need to confirm to the physio i want further investigation, also given stronger painkillers today. he apologised they've not done something sooner. I've got another appointment in a weeks time. Couldn't help the flow of tears of pain, when he checked me over again.

I'm thinking maybe I need to change my diet, as maybe things don't help the joints. but not sure where to start

Meg, HT how are you doing today??

Hey How are you all today?

Well i struggled to sleep again, was propped up with plenty of pillows last night to.

I know i shouldn't but i'm keeping DD off pre-school today, i can hardly walk, let alone rush around and get her ready. DP has had to go into work for a meeting, so left at 7:!5 this morning.