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help please

Posted , 4 users are following.

dawn57104
dawn57104

Hi

From the age of 8-14 i was seen at hospital for Scoliosis for years i would have xrays and check ups, since then nothing? confused! because i was young i only know that i have a lower curve of my spine (sorry dont know technical words)

More recently i complained of lower back pain which my doctor agreed and gave me cocodamol as nothing i was taking worked. I am also currently waiting for a physio appointment as my dr said that it may help? not sure but i will try it, however that has been 3 weeks and i still have heard nothing!

Since complaining of lower back pain though i am now having more problems, the spasms are becoming more frequent and shooting up my back and making me gasp when they are bad, these are slowly getting worse. Again i spoke with my doctor and he didnt seem concerned, i however am.

I am working and it is a desk job but i can walk around and split the length of sitting down. Also a hot water bottle does help when i am at home at work is slightly more difficult. I currently have to sleep with a pillow under my back so i am more comfortable. I am also sleeping seperately from my hubby as his matress is way too soft for me to sleep on. sad

This is driving me mad and i just need the pain to stop. Can anyone offer advice please?

0 likes, 28 replies

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  • elizabeth142
    elizabeth142 dawn57104

    Posted

    I have this myself!

    Been through many gps over the years nothing!

    Until I moved to where I am!

    I went to an osteopath, he confirmed my scoliosis!

    I have 1cm left leg shorter than my right.

    I went through chronic pain clinic that helped me, not enough!

    I went for an MRI scan which took 50 mins not 15mins as they said it would!

    That was not a nice experience!

    I would advise you take a cd to listen to, to get you through it!

    And finally I had six injections three on each side in my lower region of my back, it has helped me! I had that done last December.

    You go back to your go and demand what you need to get some relief with your misery!

    Or change your GP!

    I would not put up with that😁

    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 elizabeth142

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth

      I have seen my GP the same one i might add twice for this in the last few weeks, the problem with my surgery is you cant get an appointment for weeks! not helpful.

      I know i have scoliosis that has never been in doubt i just need the pain to be eased as nothing i am doing is working.

      I have cocodamol which i take if it is to the point where i cant function, i have had 2 so far today and every time i move today it is hurting like mad!

      This is just getting me down now.

    • elizabeth142
      elizabeth142 dawn57104

      Posted

      Hi Dawn it certainly sounds like

      You have it!

      I get pains going down my legs too!

      Sciatica nerve is also attacked with mine!

      I find that mine is worse in the winter, when it is colder.

      In the summer my back is warm, so I don't get so much trouble!

      But in the winter, oh yes!!

      But seriously, you need to go to an osteopath.

      Look out for those free consultations,

      And get your back diagnosed that way.

      And take the results back to your GP surgery!

      Or even better take it to your local hospital and explain your situation.

      In the back department where they treat back problems! I would!

      This government has caused a lot of problems for the whole country where health is concerned amongst other things!

      But you need to keep on at your GP or do it yourself by seeing an osteopath.😀

    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 elizabeth142

      Posted

      Hi, I will have a look at the Osteopath free consultations, oddly enough my other half said about that when i phoned him this morning.

      Is there anything else ou find helpful?

  • Jay91157
    Jay91157 dawn57104

    Posted

    Hi Dawn, I was the same from the age of 14 -16 ny hopital appts were like yours then nothing. Oct 2012 I was in agony with pain in my shoulder. After 10 weeks my GP referred me to our local muscula skeleto clinic. Saw a physio who said that I just have pain and it will go. Devistated,  and  also refused an MRi or ultrasound I went private. 

    In2012 I had a trapped nerve in my neck, and went to see an osteo who made a remarkable difference to the  pain, but could do nothing to the pain in my back due to the scoliosis. The osteo referred me to a consultant who I initially saw privately who did spinal injection in my neck. He also is the top surgeon for spinal surgery and specialises in scoliosis. I guess I struck lucky. He transfered me to his NHS list Feb 2014, and Feb2015  I had my scoliosis operation. Top curve 71degrees bottom 48degrees.  Iam 6mths post op and can honestly say all I can feel is the tightness in the back due to the fusion. A few aches and pains now but I generally feel great. Couldnot make me fully straight as over the years the spine stiffened but my top curve is now 37degrees and bottom curve almost straight. 

    I would go back to your doctor and demand he transfers you to see a specialsit as a GP does not have the kowledge of a consultant in spinal problems. He cannot refuse as he will be compromising his position as a GP. 

    I am not saying you need an op, but at least seeing a consultant who specialises in scoliosis can give you an honest opinion. 

    Not sure where you are in the world, but if you are in the Uk and can afford a consultation at a BMI hospital -- roughly £200 you would get an answer.  Lot of money I know but at the end of the day if it gives you an answer as to how you are and what can be done for you then worth doing i thinkn. You do not have to have a referal to do this I believe.

    while I was in great pain I used ice packs and sat in hard seated chairs and did not slouch around. Obviously pain relief from the docs as well. 

    Good luck with whatever you decide. Remember you should not be inpain if there is a solution. smile 

    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 Jay91157

      Posted

      Hi Jay,

      Great thank you for that.

      I did not know that GP's cant refuse a referral will certainly mention that to him.

      I am in cambridgeshire if that helps.

      It is a lot of money will certainly look into it.

      thank you for your help

  • chris00938
    chris00938 dawn57104

    Posted

    Dawn I too was given horrendous painkillers which worked for a day or two and then stopped working.  After sitting for any length of time I was writhing so since the Physio made it worse too, I decided to try a TENS machine.  Three days of using this stopped the pain completely (I bought the one that is normally sold to the NHS from the biggest general online site there is).  I went for my next session of Physio which started up the pain again, so used the TENS for three days again (both times as they suggest - about 8 hours the first day, I think it was, reducing the next day and the next day, and that kept me completely pain free) and haven't needed to use it since - been pain free for about 6 weeks or so now.  The TENS was around £25 and is the best £25 I've ever spent!  BUT, I do understand they don't work for everyone.  I just hope it might be a solution for you.
    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 chris00938

      Posted

      Hi Chris.

      I had not thought of that will look into getting one you never know it may work.

      I too am wary of the physio as i dont want to agravate it further.

      thanks

    • elizabeth142
      elizabeth142 dawn57104

      Posted

      Hi Dawn if I was you go to an osteopath. First call see what they say. They only specialise in backs.

      GPs do not!

      They send you to physiotherapy!

      It works for a short while but doesn't get to the root of the problem!

      When I went to the chronic pain clinic, we did different back exercises, and also how to control and manage the pain.

      Very interesting I must say.

      But if that doesn't work, you should get referred to have an MEI scan, where they can see your back inside with great detail!

      They will know exactly what to do next, after that.

      You will exactly the extent of your back deformity.

      😀

    • elizabeth142
      elizabeth142

      Posted

      Sorry MRI scan !

      Auto correct on my phone lol 😀

    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 elizabeth142

      Posted

      thank you for that Elizabeth

      i am trying to find one near me

      thanks

      dawn

    • elizabeth142
      elizabeth142 dawn57104

      Posted

      Hi Dawn go to google and type osteopath in your area.

      Google is a great search engine. 😀

    • chris00938
      chris00938 dawn57104

      Posted

      Dawn, you can actually hire them from pharmacies, but we were told it was £15 to hire it and it was only £25 to buy it and the one we bought was much better than the one we could have hired.  The one I got was the dual channel medfit, and I see it's now £26.95 (with free next day delivery on Prime).  But like you, I'd tried the heat pad, and then when the physio made it worse, really this was a last ditch attempt but it was absolutely amazing!  The pharmacist where I'd enquired about hiring one told me they only work while you're using them.  This wasn't true - it somehow affects the nerve so it works permanently, which to me is little short of miraculous:-) 
    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 chris00938

      Posted

      I will give this a try first, before trying an osteopath

      Thanks Chris

    • chris00938
      chris00938 dawn57104

      Posted

      Dawn, I SO hope it works as well for you as it did me.  Do let us know how you get on:-)
    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 chris00938

      Posted

      Hi Chris,

      After deciding physio was not for me, i went to see an osteopath who said my lower spine has become inflammed at the joint hence im finding it hard to move. Also the muscles are inflammed as they are irritated due to me not moving correctly, she worked wonders and although i am still sore it feels much better than before and i am not relying on the pills either.

      she advised pilates to strengthen my core muscles and to rebook for a couple of months time, although i can go back sooner if need be. This is going to be ongoing and then she said i may be prone to arthritis also when i am older! great!

      just thought i would update you and thank you for your help again smile

    • chris00938
      chris00938 dawn57104

      Posted

      That's good that you've got an improvement Dawn.  I've started a lot more exercise now - got an exercise bike first and it was amazing how much fitter we both felt very quickly, and where before using that I used to feel my spine sort of pulling, I think its helped with that and I can't feel any discomfort at all now, and then we got a treadmill.  I can't use that a huge amount because of the arthritis in the knees but do use it a bit to help with bone density, so it's all about finding what works for you.  I wish you well with everything  Keep us updated:-)
    • dawn57104
      dawn57104 chris00938

      Posted

      Thanks yes a slow improvement and the aching is easing every day, this is something that i have to keep on top of and not let it get as bad as it did.

      I have a cross trainer and use that but my osteopath siggested pilates and an exercise ball to improve my posture and take the strain off my joints.

      thanks and i will smile

    • chris00938
      chris00938 dawn57104

      Posted

      I would SO love to use our cross trainer but with it being eliptical I can cope with the stress on knees when they're bent, so haven't got a hope in hell of using it - very frustrating.  But a new machine I'm trying to get hold of has the arm aspect of it but treadmill for the legs, so a perfect combination.  There aren't many around though!
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