lower back pain

[Jedza]

Hie everyone,

Been suffering from lower back pain for almost 10 years had an MRI scan then and was told it was a disc which had moved slightly and rubbing on nerve doctors advised no need for op as it will make it worse the hope was it was going to go back into position with time but the pain increased four years ago and has been on morphine related capsules 30mg twice a day but of late I can’t get out of bed with excruciating pain can hardly walk, difficult to get an MRI scan in Wales as it is deemed not life threatening. GP has written to muscular skeletal department and no reply for almost a year after GP has written to letters to them. My problem is the medication I am taking is no longer taking away the pain and doctor not prepared to try anything else as she says I have to learn to live with pain haven’t been to work since January and A&E been more than 5 times this year and they don’t prescribe controlled drugs gabapentin, diazepam and zormorph . Anyone know what I can try if what action I can take. Can’t go to physio without up to date MRI scan which I am struggling to get. Please help I feel so depressed all the time. Help someone please! Sorry for long post .

[Bananas5]

Have you asked your GP for a referral to a pain clinic?

x

[Jedza in reply to Bananas5]

GP has written twice to pain clinic this year and no reply but when I go to A&E it shows I am on non urgent waiting list

[Bananas5 in reply to Jedza]

Tell your GP this is more than non urgent.

Sadly the waiting lists grow ever longer as resources are cut but make a nuisance of yourself!!!!!

x

[Jedza in reply to Bananas5]

thank you for the advise will certainly make a lot of noise until I get that MRI scan and better way to cope with this pain

[Batty1]

Try lidocaine patches .

[wheezybronch]

What is a morphine related capsule? I found pain control clinics to be a waste of time. I tried all these things, whilst no real help to me, something may help you. Personally, I do not recommend morphine, especially long term, it is of limited help and the dose needs increasing quite often, for end of life, it is more useful. Even with many pain meds and treatments, I still suffered. Eventually I gave up all pain meds. Remarkably, my pain halved! Like your doctor has said to you, sometimes it is better to live with the pain. Try to keep moving, don't stop exercising, I did and the pain simply got worse. I had Fentanyl patches amongst many other pain treatments, this was the most successful and I do recommend them, I suffered from excessive sweating so they slipped off me, but they were very effective. These are some of the treatments I had;

Pain medicines, physical therapies (such as heat or cold packs, massage, hydrotherapy and exercise).Psychological therapies (such as cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques and meditation). Mind and body techniques (such as acupuncture). Community support groups.

I suggest changing your doctor, self refer yourself to a pain consultant, you may have to go private.

I wish you luck and hope you get some tangible pain relief, don't give up.

[rabbits65]

You do sound pretty poorly, I have had lower back pain for donkeys years and I know it is awful but really you must keep moving, lots of walking because your muscles and ligaments have probably got very stiff, I use hot water bottles , so lots of heat and movement , it’s the only way forward. I hope you do get an mri scan. Soon. You could ask how much it would cost to get a private one.