Suffering from chronic back pain for 4 years and I’m only 18 please help

Schedule a visit to a neurosurgeon...they are kings and queens of the spine. Get in, get some imaging done and get a definitive diagnosis followed by a treatment plan. No one should live in pain...especially for that long.

So sorry to hear you are in such pain. It is definitely unusual for someone of your age to have back or spine-related pain, at least not from the kinds of things that "wear down" and come on with advanced age. It's possible you have some kind of birth defect or acquired condition, which seems like the only other possibility if you've never had any kind of injury or traumatic incident.

It's surprising no doctor has taken you seriously. As Chico Marx mentions above, it could be the kinds of doctors you are visiting. A general internist (i.e. a primary care physician) might not take you seriously, and certainly don't go to a chiropractic doctor. Go see either an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, with a neurosurgeon being the better choice. They have a series of tests they can do that seem very simple (certain kinds of stretches, leg lifts, reaches, etc) but that are very informative to a trained professional. And of course hopefully he/she will do a full set of X-rays of your whole spine, not just your neck and shoulders.

How would you describe your pain? I don't mean to be dismissive at all, but when we are younger, any kind of pain in areas like our back or neck, even mild to moderate, can seem alarming but might be related to certain lifestyle choices or body conditions. Sometimes it could be posture, the way you sleep, even issues relating to being very large-chested or being disproportionately overweight. Are you sure these pains you feel are truly debilitating? Do they come and go, or are they round-the-clock? Is it an achy feeling or a spasmy feeling? Do you feel any unusual sensations down your arms or legs? Does a change in position (sitting, standing, laying down) make the pains better or worse? Again I'm not being dismissive of what you are experiencing - an 18 year old should not have back pain that causes them to withdraw from normal daily activities and you have every right to demand that your doctor identify and treat the cause.

Good luck, and let us know...

Hi, I read your request and have a few questions. Are you taking anything for pain? There are avenues for pain relief that can be tried that don't require prescription. I have had 13 surgeries, 8 of which were back surgeries. I have learned how to manage my pain using various products and methods. I use Ice therapy using ice packs applied to the areas of pain, as well as an ice cooler that uses ongoing ice water flushing consistently to painful areas. There are numerous topical pain creams. I have used topical creams that contain Arnica, an herbal pain reliever from Peru, and can be purchased online. I have used herbal pain meds that contain valerian root and passion flower, which I found online. As I researched herbal pain meds I found many options. Water therapy is also helpful. Join a fitness club that has a jacuzzi. Women with back pain have been played down for many years, so you have to fight to be heard. Keep changing doctors until you find one that hears you. You may want to consider a Naturopathic doctor who takes a natural approach, and focuses on Integrative Medicine. They look at everything. Walk through every door you can until you are heard. Find someone who is willing to order the necessary tests to find answers. Any doctor who refuses to run tests because of your age is a negligent doctor. Walk away from anyone who plays you down. If your pain is spreading as you describe, you need a thorough work up with labs, xrays, MRI, CT Scan, family history assessment, pain assessment, medical history, spiritual history, mental history, and anything else that can provide answers. When the results come in from those tests, the next move will reveal itself. Look at your family history to see if there are any family members with the same symptoms. This may seem tedious, but you will see where I am going when you embark on a thorough history of yourself. I fired 5 doctors during my time of surgeries because they blew me off. I had been in an accident and my spine was crushed and compressed with fractured and herniated discs. I had to fight until I found someone who would listen and act on good wisdom. I also took effort to study everything I could to understand my symptoms until I could go in the doctors office and speak with enough knowledge to be heard. I also recommend that you contact Quantum University in Hawaii who graduates many doctors who specialize in Integrative Medicine and can help you. Tell them what city and state you live in and they can guide you. I have been a nurse for 41 years and am now working toward my doctorate at Quantum University, so I know what I am talking about. There are answers for you. And don't allow anyone to tell you there isn't. I hope this helps.

HELLO, PERICOOMBS,

SWEETIE, I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE IN SO MUCH PAIN. MINE STARTED IN MY TWENTY'S AND ALL I WAS ABLE TO GET WAS PAIN PILLS. I WOULD TAKE MY BREAKS AT WORK AND IF YOU SIT AT A DESK, THE JOB CAN HAVE YOU GO TO A DR, AND GET YOUR DESK AREA DONE ERGONOMICALLY. TRY LAYING DOWN ON BREAKS DOING STRETCHES ALSO, THEN HEATING PADS. YEARS LATER, I COULD NOT WALK INTO MY JOB, BECAUSE IT HAD STAIRS. MY ONLY ADVICE IS THAT YOU CHANGE DR'S ASK FOR THAT MRI AGAIN, REQUEST TO SEE A PAIN DR. THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT THEY CAN TRY TO HELP YOUR BACK PAIN. AND DON'T BE QUICK TO HAVE SURGERY AT YOUR AGE. BUT YOU NEED TO BE UNDER A PAIN SPECIALIST, TO GET THE HELP YOU NEED. THERE ARE OTHER DR'S THEY WILL HAVE YOU TO SEE ALSO.

DON'T GIVE UP! STRESS HOW MUCH YOUR PAIN IS AND WHERE IT'S AT. THEY HAVE MEDICINE, SHOTS, AND SPINAL CORD STIMULATION ETC. THAT CAN HELP. IT TAKES TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR PAIN. BUT I STRESS YOU BE UNDER A PAIN DR.

GOOD LUCK AND TRY HEAT PADS, COLD PACKS UNTIL YOU GET HELP.