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23yr old - severe back pain

Posted , 5 users are following.

stefanie1992
stefanie1992

Hi I'm Stefanie

Never used anything like this before but I'm hoping for some advice.

I woke up on the 5th of January with a slight niggleing pain in my back. In the space of 2 hours this slight pain became unbearable and I could barely walk. The pain is unbelievable! I have to use a wheelchair to go any length of distance, can't live in my own house because I can't get up the stairs, have had to postpone graduating and have lost my job!

The pain is in the lower middle of my Back but radiates up occasionally. It never goes away and makes day to day life a misery. Also my right leg goes weak and shakes if I stand for too long or try to walk to far but has occasionally just started while lying down.

The doctor has thrown all sort of medication at me and I've tried physio and a chiropractor as well as a multitude of creams, heat therapy and cold treatment.

I had an MRI scan on Sunday and I'm so torn about what i want to gain from it. I Need It to show something because I need to know what's going on but I'm worried they will find something serious. But if they don't I don't understand what the next step would be.

The wait for results is horrible!! Any help and advice would be really appreciated

Thank you

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • SteV3
    SteV3 stefanie1992

    Posted

    Hi Stephanie,

    You're best bet, which I would have thought your own doctor would have referred you to first would be a Consultant Neutologist. Physio doesn't always work in back pain, and it would also depend on what it is. Are you not any painkillers at all?

    If you had an MRI scan, normally a Neurogolist would pick up something or ask for a lumber puncture to be done.

    Like you I have back pain 24/7 and I'm on many painkillers to take the edge off, and injections every 10 weeks, but mine is neurological disorder.

    Regards,

    Les.

    • stefanie1992
      stefanie1992 SteV3

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Yeah I'm on countless medication - gabapentin, tramadol, diclofenac and paracetamol but they just don't seem to do anything. But I'm scared to stop them incase they are doing something.

      The senior radiologist seemed surprised that I hadn't been referred to a consultant but every one seems happy to 'wait and see what happens' but that's easier said than done!

      Does it give you any sense of relief that you know what it is or does it not really affect you knowing because the pain is still the same?

    • SteV3
      SteV3 stefanie1992

      Posted

      I am surprised by some of those pain killers, Tramadol is a lethal drug, I'm on it 200mg a day, that makes me feel tired. Gabapentin they normally prescribe to get you off Tramadol. But Paracetamol works well with Tramadol, but normally that is prescribed with Amitriptyline. I can understand the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac - at least its keeping you off steriod based painkillers, etc.

      To be honest I would have thought by the symptoms you would be seeing at least a Neurologist in your case, pain and your leg going weak and  shakey, seems to point to a neurological disorder rather than anything else. That's why I suggested you should get your doctor to refer you to see one, or if he won't change doctors and see if they will refer you.

      Regards,

      Les.

    • stefanie1992
      stefanie1992 SteV3

      Posted

      Yeah we went through everything else before tramadol like co- codomol and dyhidra codeine but got to that point. It spaced me out to begin with but now does nothing. I tried amytriptilene but it kept me up allll night which doc thought was strange so changed to gabapentin. I'll defo be taking your advice though about trying to get referred next time I'm there. Thanks
    • SteV3
      SteV3 stefanie1992

      Posted

      Hi Stephanie,

      The best way to look at results is like this:

      If you're waiting ages you can guarantee there is nothing major wrong.

      If there was, then they phone you very quickly and have you in...

      And that is from experience with cancer! My own GP was treating me for an infection for 6 weeks, until I got a second opinion and got in to hospital to have further tests that proved positive. I have just been signed off remission after 7 years.... so I'm clear, even though I did have symptoms pointing to Prostate Cancer before last Xmas, turned out to be a false/positive.

      Regards,

      Les.

  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 stefanie1992

    Posted

    Hello Stefanie,  Try not to worry until you get the results. It's best not to speculate too much. I suffer back pain almost constant but mine is due to Osteo Arthritis. You are young so i wouldn't think it could be this. ( thou i have had Arthritis since aged 11 due to Septic Arthritis ). It is hard not to worry but worrying will make you anxious which will increase the pain. Let us all know how you get on when you get the results.

    Best wishes.

    Elizabeth. 

    • stefanie1992
      stefanie1992 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      I will dosmile don't know how early I can phone to see if results are in. Don't want to pester them but it kills waiting for them 😩
  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 stefanie1992

    Posted

    Gaberpentin is prescribed for nerve pain i would think it's because of your problems with your leg. I take Gaberpentin for nerve pain. I take Naproxen for my back. I also take Nefopam Parecetamol and Coedine at night. I would stay clear of Tramadol but i am sure when you get a diagnosis you will get the right drugs for your symptoms. Amitripyline is also used for nerve pain, i have had this drug in the past. Don't fret too much about the drugs at the moment, if they help take them until you see your GP again then ask for a review of your meds.

     

    • andrew49240
      andrew49240 stefanie1992

      Posted

      Hi Stefanie ! I have had a herniated (slipped ) disc for years in my lower back and it gives me severe pains in my left leg,plus weakness there ! Sounds a possibility you may have similar ! If so phsio excersize may well help ! Hope you well soon !
  • stefanie1992
    stefanie1992

    Posted

    MRI RESULTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE. I obviously didn't want it to be serious but if they don't find what's wrong how can they fix it. And surely because mri is a detailed as they go then they are never going to find it 😫😫
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 stefanie1992

      Posted

      Hello Stefanie,  I am pleased that the MRI as shown nothing serious that's the positive.  On the otherside of things you are still suffering and i can understand that you must be feeling confused as to why.  Make an appointment with your GP to see where you go from here say you want to disscuss the results and are still suffering.  I am not an expert but if your still suffering they will need to look into what happens next.  Hope this helps.  

      Elizabeth.

    • stefanie1992
      stefanie1992 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Hiya thanks very much. I've spoken to them and they are going to take bloods and refer to neurologist so

      Hopefully one day soon we make progress.😊

    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 stefanie1992

      Posted

      Yes hopefully they will get to the bottom of what's causing your suffering.  Keep in touch and let us know how things go.  smile
  • stefanie1992
    stefanie1992

    Posted

    Quick question of opinion.

    Do you think it could be MS? And do you think I should come out and ask doctor that or do you think they would think I was being rediculous?

    I'm really worried now because all the boxes seem ticked for MS.

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