New to all this and looking to reach out to others and stop using Dr Google!!

[Ladypurple8]

Hey folks, delighted to find this wee community. My journey started with a visit to ENT to check out what I thought was labyrinthitis and tinnitus. A casual remark from the the doc about the fact I only had a 4 in 100,000 chance of a brain tumour threw me but I put it out of my heid as nonsense. Fast forward a couple of weeks and I’m now experiencing terrible back pain. An osteopath said he reckoned it was connected to my ear stuff, my spine has seized a bit, which is apparently a response to the nerve which controls balance switching off. A lot of Googling later and i find out that can be effected by an AN or glomus tumour. Got another 4 weeks to wait to get MRI and find out what’s going on. I wondered if anyone else had experienced back problems? Any info would be so much appreciated 😊

[Ellafen]

Hi, my husband had a tumour removed in feb. He has loss of hear tinnitus. He also had neck pain, balance problems, blurry eyesight, felt unwell and eventually bouts of vomiting. Listen ladypurple I can't tell you it's been easy. But I can tell you he's absolutely fine now. He has been through a testing time along with the family. It's very scary and uncertain but take comfort in the fact that you will get through it. Do what they tell you to do, realise your in safe hands these surgeons are amazing. Jason is a road worker and he's back to work full time and hitting the gym as normal. The most he has are fuzzy days and sometimes headaches but it's all down to the brain healing. I found this group when he was first diagnosed and it was a blessing for me. I've learnt a lot your loved ones will feel your pain too. I slept on a reclining chair for 6 weeks next to his bed in his own room. You will need comfort and understanding and lots of love. If this is what is wrong it's ok coz you will get through it and will be able to help someone else who is scared. Please keep posting people will support you.

Keep strong. Lisa

[Ladypurple8 in reply to Ellafen]

Hi Lisa, thanks for much for sharing your story, i really appreciate it. I saw my GP on Friday and she said i was totally jumping the gun, and that it was highly likely these things are unrelated. But really I will need to wait till 8th August to find out. Right now i'm focusing on trying to not let the back pain get me down too much as it's pretty debilitating. Thanks again, and i hope you and your hubby are grand x

[drdeanbellavia]

Most back pain is caused by "trigger points" in muscles that shorten them and pull on their ligaments, which pulls the bone joint out of position. The trigger points are caused by fatigued muscles from lifting, bad posture, overexercising or whatever. Typically, once you locate the trigger point and massage it, the back pain will be resolved in minutes; or if a really weak muscle in hours with periodic massage. Where is your back pain; upper, middle or lower back?

[Ladypurple8 in reply to drdeanbellavia]

thank you for this, it's my lower back. it feels very much like things are compressing. as i'm compensating now it's moving across my back and into my left hip too. fun!!

[drdeanbellavia in reply to Ladypurple8]

This is the most common lower back pain that stems from a gluteus medius muscle trigger point. To find the left side trigger point, place your thumb on the outer tip of your left hip bone and your middle finger on the outer tip of the pelvis bone. The gluteus medius trigger point will be about half way between your thumb and middle finger about 3-5 inches backward. Massage various locations in that area with your index finger knuckle or something hard (or have someone else massage it) until you find the trigger point. Once found (it will become sore as you massage it), massage it for a minute or two. The more and harder you massage it the more the muscle will feel sore, but the more your lower back pain will be resolved. It is also best to do your right gluteus medius, especially if the pain is in the middle of your lower back. Just do the mirror image of what you did on your left side.

[anan88]

This is the worst time, just waiting for scans and consultant appointments. The uncertainty won't make the back pain any better, because you're probably tensing up, which isn't surprising. I didn't have back pain, but a lot of other stuff wasn't too comfortable. Everything will go well, so try not to worry. We're all behind you, and life is at least interesting at the moment, think of it like that..... X

[Ladypurple8 in reply to anan88]

ha yeah interesting it certainly is!! I guess it puts things into perspective, even if i am way off the mark with my self-diagnosis!! x

[margielyn]

This time in the process can be a little scary, but even if it turns out to be an AN, its treatable and life goes on!! The most important piece of advice is to use surgeons that specialize in AN removal. We found specialist to remove my husband's AN at the University of Miami in Fla. There are specialists all over the country. Stay strong and the community here will support you.

[designer8]

Hi there - I've had lower back pain for many years (I'm 44) and have found an acupuncturist has really helped. It might be from the AN, but it might not - I don't put everything down to mine. I had a build-up of fluid in my lower back, which the acupuncturist could see. Find a good one - and I'm sure you'll feel the benefit. Tx

[Highwycombe]

Is the pain in the neck area