I’ve had back for nearly 12 years and the doctors aren’t taking me seriously.
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi I’m hoping someone can help, I’m really struggling. I’m only 20 years old and I have back pain ever since I can remember. I broke my pelvis 4 years ago and whenever I go to the doctors they just say that I will have back pain from the accident, but they don’t listen to me when I say I’ve had back pain before I broke my pelvis. They just link them together and say that’s why. I have been back and forth to the doctors and all they say is physiotherapy, far enough I’ve tried it and have been referred there for the forth time now and it just isn’t doing anything. I have been to an osteopath and I cannot physically afford to go there every 2 weeks because that’s how often she wanted to see me! I’ve had x-rays god knows how many times. My osteopath even thought I might have arthritis, I was only 18 then!
The pain:
I have a constant pain right in the middle of my spine, it’s always there no matter what I do. My lower back has always hurt ever since I was 8! I can’t sit, lay down, drive do anything without my lower back hurting, I has always been that way. I sometimes get a shooting pain through my back and I can’t physically move until the shooting pain has gone. I struggle to go to the toilet because it’s painful, it’s painful sneezing/coughing etc. When I’m in extreme pain or been to work for a few hours I can barely move my left leg, it sort of feels numb (it’s hard to explain) like it isn’t my life so to speak. I’m even struggling to sleep at the moment because of the pain and that has never stopped me sleeping before.
I’m here as a last resort because I honestly don’t know what to do. The doctors aren’t listening to me or taking my seriously. I don’t know if I should demand a MRI or for them to look further into it but they just keep transferring me to physiotherapy.
Thank you to anyone that can help or replies it’s much appreciated, I keep breaking down and I don’t know what else to do. Thank you
0 likes, 10 replies
alastair_71309 kim24174
Posted
demand an mri and take it from ther i feel your pain been struggling the last 12 years my self
kerry21586 kim24174
Posted
hi kim,
i cant even imagine what you must be going through. i suffered with back pain for a year and it felt like the end of the world, so i cant imagine what it must be like for you. You need an MRI. The problem with back pain is it can be a number of things and the doctors like to try everything before refering you to a specialist because its expensive and a lot of back problems go away over time, but i'm shocked they have left you this long to suffer.
My theropist told me i had muscle pain and not a trapped nerve as my doctor had predicted. A trapped nerve causes numbness by the way. After 16 sessions of therapy, a lot of amotriptaline and then gabapentin i finally got my scan and my consultant phoned me within a day to demand i come in. I had a sever disc prolapse in my upper spine that had ruptured and if got any worse would have started causing me problems with my balance and coordination. I had a nerve block, which seemed to do the trick, i still have a little discomfort if i push myself sometimes but other than that it changed my life. luckily no operation was needed as first suggested. I cant say that it be the same thing for you but you have to at least know if there is a bigger problem there, especially if it is something they can fix. you should
not be left in constant pain. chin up and keep on going. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. xxx
craig07920 kerry21586
Posted
Goodness Kerry,
It sounds like you've been through an awful time with your back, it is just the most frightening and awful thing to go through, I can only imagine as I say I know how much this last couple of years has got me down and I know a lot of people have a lot worse back pain than me - but it truly has affected me and found it so tough mentally as well as physically.
Very much hoping that you are doing much better now, pleased to hear that the nerve blocker helped and hoping and praying that you can be pain free, active and well going forward. I believe that you are going to get through this and be free of this Kerry, hang in there.
Craig
craig07920 kim24174
Posted
Hi Kim,
Oh I'm so sorry to hear about the terrible pain and struggles that you have been going through for such a long time with your back. I can only imagine how tough things must be. As someone who has had some problems with lower back over the last couple of years, but still been fortunate enough to be fairly active and mobile and not need anything like surgery, I know much down and how mentally and physically tough I have found it and just want you to know that I empathise, even though I know your situation is quite different and you have been through so much.
I'm so sorry to hear that the doctors have not been much help at all. It is so frustrating and wearying when you keep trying with doctors and not getting anywhere. I definitely think it would be good if you could get an MRI, I know it can be so expensive even if it means paying for it privately if you are able to, or going to the doctors along with someone you trust for support and really pressing home how much suffering you are in and pushing for an MRI.
As someone who at times been bothered with sciatica, one thing I really found that made such a marvellous difference for that is a treatment called Bowen Therapy. It's a very safe, natural, non-evasive treatment, much less so than physio or osteopath - I remember when having a particularly tough time with sciatica trying so many things physio, chiropractic, without much success. But someone suggested Bowen Therapy to me, I had never heard of it, and this thing really worked wonders for me - I've been getting it regularly for the last 10 years now. I would highly recommend it and it's worth looking into for pain, particularly sciatica type issues. Maybe worth looking into seeing if there is a Bowen Therapist nearby. I know all these things cost money though, in the UK here it costs similar price to maybe a private physio.
One book that helped me too is called 'Back Pain Decoded' by Robert Shanks. It's different from some back books in that it gives advice on different gadgets / alternative things to try, explaining things in a clear way. I think it can be bought for about £20 on Amazon in a black and white copy, but maybe it could be sourced cheaper elsewhere not sure.
I believe that you are going to get a breakthrough with things Kim. I trust God and believe that God is a great healer, He knows more than all the doctors. You are a young person and I just hope and pray that you can be free from this pain and free to live a full and healthy life without this awful pain - thinking about you Kim and I'm believing that God is going to heal your back and bring you to a place where you are pain free - hang in there and let us know how you are getting on over the coming period. Thinking about you.
Craig
kerry21586 craig07920
Posted
Craig,
I Totally agree. I found the mental burden the hardest to bare. The feeling of letting people down because you cant do things. The feeling of being useless, not being able to fully appreciate the fun things in life because of the constant pain. It pulls you into depression and then you hate yourself for feeling that way. I used to constantly look for answers to how to fix myself and them for blame of how i could have damaged myself but i think the best thing I did was to ask my family for help rather than trying to pretend that I was ok. My husband was so supportive once he realised why i was so miserable all the time. My heart goes out to all those people who live their lives with chronic pain and sometimes it helps just to know you are not alone.
craig07920 kerry21586
Posted
Definitely Kerry,
I think only if you've been through that kind of pain and fear with your back then can you truly appreciate how debilitating and depressing it truly is. I went through many of the emotions and feelings you describe too, it's so hard. I'm pleased to hear that you have a good and supportive husband, that is really good and hope that he can be there with you every step of the way. I have been lucky to have to have a good and supportive family too, particularly my Mum.
Hoping and praying for better and good health ahead for you Kerry, I believe that you will be back to doing the things you enjoy again and be pain free - hang in there.
Craig
kim24174 craig07920
Posted
Hi I honestly didn’t expect anyone to actually reply or give advise, it does mean a lot as I’m struggling! Thank you guys! I’ll definitely keep you all up to date with everything that’s going on. I’m going to research into some doctors in my area and see what I can find. I think my problem is, I’m a very nervous person so I just can’t seem to get my words out and what I need to say! Half of the time I don’t even get chance to tell them all my pain because they constantly say both of my problems are related, it’s difficult. I think I might try and write down all my pains and problems and take it with me and tell them or show what I’ve written.
Oh god Kerry it honestly can’t sympathise with you enough! It’s such a horrible thing to go through. I was spending £32 every 2 weeks for nearly a year on my osteopath and obviously it makes a great dent into your bank account and especially when it really isn’t helping in the long run. I just hope you’re feeling better and definitely not in that kind of pain anymore!
Craig, I’m sorry to hear about your back too! It’s such a horrible thing to go through and I hope you’re not in too much pain and that it gets better! I’ve been looking into a private MRI and they can be quite expensive but I’d rather lose that money and find out what’s wrong with me and not constantly be like this, but hopefully I can get one through the doctors when they finally listen to me!! I cannot imagine the pain you’ve been through with sciatica, that sounds awful. I have been to a specialist, I went this week actually and all he could say was “as you haven’t got any sharp pains going down your legs there can’t be anything wrong” etc, but how do the doctors know there isn’t something wrong with my muscles or inside as I’ve had no tests etc. I will look into Bowen therapy and the “back pain decoded” book! Thank you for your advise, it really does mean a lot, especially coming from someone who suffers as well.
It doesn’t help that my boss has recently had a scan on her back and has found out what is wrong with hers but she can afford to go privately and that’s what she did but now that she knows what’s wrong with her back, she doesn’t really care about mine all she can say is “and you thought you had back pain”, I have a constant limb as well and she tells me to stop. She just doesn’t care about me and that’s also getting to me because I can’t afford the scan and to find out what’s wrong with me and especially that the doctors don’t listen or care and that’s their job. Hopefully I’ll get some answers soon and I’ll give you guys updated. Thank you for your advise and opinions. I know I keep saying it but honestly from the bottom of my heart it means so much as I don’t really have anyone that cares about it or will help me to sort it out. Thank you guys x
craig07920 kim24174
Posted
Hi Kim,
Oh I do empathise, it's so hard when trying to get your point across to doctors, especially when you only get a few minutes and often you don't get a chance to say what you really wanted. It's as if you are rushed in and out as quickly as possible with some doctors these days. It's definitely a good idea to write things down and even show what you've written to the doctor if not feeling sure enough to say it all, and also it's good too if you are able to go with someone you know and trust for support, and they can hopefully help you get your point across, sometimes doctors unfortunatley seem to take advantage of their position especially when it's younger people and it can be so hard to reason with them.
I'm hoping so much that you can arrange to get a MRI scan and that it can show encouraging results and that it can lead to the right treatment. It is very expensive I know to do it privately, I've spent so much money these last couple of years especially on private appointments. Thanks for your best wishes for me too, I've been lucky as I know some people are a lot worse off than what my issues have been, still have found it tough at times though for sure.
Hang in there Kim, I'm rooting for you and trusting that God is going to heal you and pull you through. So sorry to hear that your boss hasn't been very supportive by the sounds of it, it's so hard I know but try not to let people like that get to you - someone in her position, especially having back problems herself, should be much more supportive and be doing everything she can to help you get the treatment you need. But stay strong Kim, I still believe that better times are ahead for you and believing that God is going to heal you.
Craig
kim24174 craig07920
Posted
Hi guys sorry I haven’t kept you updated I’ve been stressed with everything that’s going on. I went to see a specialist in June time but all he could do was transfer me back to physio because there was apparently nothing wrong. I only did 2 session of physio because it hurt so so much! She then said to go back to the specialist but I didn’t I changed my doctors and went from there. I made an emergency appointment the day after I changed my doctors but she said she couldn’t give me an MRI so I had to go back to the specialist and I had to contact them but I also didn’t because the specialist didn’t listen to me so I booked another doctors appointment but this time I got a different doctor and he actually listened to me and was concerned no other doctor was listing to me because of my young I am and that it needs sorting while I’m young etc. He actually managed to book me an MRI with 2 weeks off sick, which was great! The MRI was nearly 3 weeks after this appointment which was fine, I went back to work for 2 days and my boss had a massive go at me saying I was pulling my weight etc and saying I don’t do anything so I decided to quit so I’ve been stressing I have no money etc but my MRI results came back today, and I have a straight spine instead of it being curved but they can’t understand why but it could be arthritis but I’m having another MRI with a dye injected into me (can’t remember what that’s medically called) but at least I am finally getting somewhere!
I hope you’re all doing well, sorry I haven’t kept you guys updated it’s been a rollercoaster of stress and depression but I will let you all know how the second MRI goes
craig07920 kim24174
Posted
Hi Kim,
What a time of it you've been through, I just hope and pray so much that you can get the breakthrough you need with the help from the new doctor and MRI scans. I know how wearying and awful it is to go through back pain and MRI scans, mines too show just a mild disc bulge at L5-S1 and I was so frustrated too as to how I was in real pain but the scan wasn't showing anything much - it was a relief and good news obviously that the scan didn't show anything bad but I also know how frustrating it can be when you are still in pain and not feeling like you are getting to the bottom of the issue and the right treatment.
Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you Kim. I did find an osteopath helped me with my back, but it's about finding a good one that you trust. I did attend one who was nice but I didn't feel his moves made that much of a difference, but then I attended another who I felt was much better and made a difference. But I know different things work for different people. I think I mentioned it before but Bowen Therapy is another thing which really helped with sciatica for me.
Please do let us know how you get on with the other MRI Kim and hang in there. Praying for your healing. I have been struggling with some foot pain lately and finding it hard to walk and that's been getting me down. Just want us all to be fit and well! I know God is the one who is on our side, it's hard sometimes when things go on for such a time though. Still believing that God is going to heal you fully Kim and you will get back to full activity and being pain free again in your back. I'm so sorry to hear about what happened with your work, I'm not working or earning either at the moment and I find it hard too as I so much would love just to be fit and well and working full-time again. Hang in there Kim,thinking about you.
Craig