I’ve had back pain most of my adult life but I’ve always known I’ve bent wrong or lifted something heavy and within a week I’ve been ok. In the summer I started getting back pain again but this time it felt different and pain meds just weren’t helping so I got some naproxen from my gp which did seem to loosen my back up. The pain is on my left side low back and a few weekends ago started radiating into my buttock and hip. Always worse when going from sitting to standing. I went to see a private physiotherapist and he thinks it’s my sacrum that’s causing the issue. I read up about it and it ticks all my symptoms. This has been going on for 6 months. I have a pain everyday some days worse than others. I’ve got another gp appointment next week as I want to know what’s caused it and if, apart from exercise what else I can do. Has anyone else has this problem that they can share their experiences.
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Toddyboy12
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Thank you for your reply. I’m unsure if it’s arthritis, I’m 53, but certainly is becoming debilitating even rolling over in bed is an effort, I can get in the driver’s side of car ok but the passenger side causes pain. I feel like I’m 30 years older than I am.
Sounds like the start of what I now know as a problem with the Sacrilliac Joint. In my case both left and right ...... I was diagnosed by an experienced Osteopath when I was 63 ( I'm now 79 ). Initially my Osteopath gave me remedial treatment followed by ongoing regular maintenance. I have also used a Chiropractor but have found Osteopathic techniques more beneficial. As time has gone on and I have heeded postural advice my issues hardly bother me.
hi, I would say the first thing you need is a proper diagnosis maybe referral to MCATT’s get some imaging done (handy for treatment later). I hurt my back years ago and couldn’t walk but went to an osteopath, 3hrs later I walked out with very little pain had to have follow ups and found that bones were rubbing against bone. I have had quite a few back problems in various places on the spine. Currently I have osteoarthritis of the top of the spine feels like it’s fused together sometimes and very painful, in imaging they found that I have bone spurs growing out of my spine into my body and bridging the vertebrae so my pain can be anywhere on my spine but it’s 24/7 currently using 30mcg pain patches, paracetamol and codeine when required. Hope you find the answers you need. Good luck. Kevin
hi thanks for your replies. I will be speaking to my GP next week. It’s impacting my everyday. Getting up from the sofa, sneezing, coughing rolling over in bed. I’ve even started walking upstairs on all fours as I find it more comfortable.
I am a forum moderator at Pain Concern and have just been reading through your post. I am sorry to read that you are struggling with increasing back pain.
I have put together some resources that I think may be of some help to you.
The following link will take you to the list of Pain Matters a quarterly magazine that covers a large range of subjects connected with pain. You can sign up to receive the publication either digitally or as a paper copy. You can also purchase back editions.
spoke to my gp and he’s given me a referral to a physio the wait is 6-9 months. He said it could be a number of things so wouldn’t be able to refer me for any scans. So it’s a case of waiting and taking pain meds 🫤
Toddyboy, that sounds like a truly ludicrous comment by your GP. If ‘it could be any number of things’ then surely imaging, of any sort, would be the first step towards discovering what the problem is. It could be worth trying to see a different GP at your Surgery, (presuming the are alternative options) and mention that you feel a 6-9 month wait for physio will aggravate your condition even more. Please, also, explain that your extreme pain is already causing you daily distress and severely impacting on your life and, that you really need help now. I truly hope you get the help you need.
Since writing this I ended up in hospital as I woke up with severe pain couldn’t get out of bed and almost passed out through the pain. Again was just given an exercise sheet and more pain killers. Now the back pain has subsided but I now have sciatica that’s been more painful than the back pain. Waiting for a physio appointment that I’ve now been told will be sooner hopefully a few weeks
So sorry that you are experiencing much dreadful pain. Were you taken to hospital by your self or by ambulance - and once there, did they perform an X-ray or a scan of any kind??? I have had numerous X-rays, the last in November 2022 (following a full face planting fall) - where a doctor said that I should definitely now use a wheeled walker - and suggested I used a mobility scooter - because I had the same issues as her Dad..!!! She still wouldn’t say what the issues were. However, I was sent home with a walking frame, dihydrocodeine, and Paracetamol to be taken 4 times a day - and was told that a Health and Social care would call me to arrange a home visit. I received the call and, a lovely gentleman visited my husband and I, to basically check if we needed any changes to the house to accommodate a disabled person. We are extremely fortunate in having a large detached home, which is spacious, open and bright and not cluttered in any way. So he went away happy that there were no home hazards. I had to check in with my GP which I did . The G P went through my records and noted that I had bilateral hip replacements, severe asthma and CKD - then asked if I had any breakthrough pain at night and when I answered yes, suggest that he added Amitriptyline to already large medication box. He started of at 10mg - and has graduated titrated it up to 70mg. He also kindly referred me the the pain clinic - which I have attended twice - and have another appointment in five months time. Seems the issues are ‘scoliosis convex to the right with minor anterior vertebral body height loss at T12, L3 and L4 plus, disc space narrowing at the lumbersacral level, with hypertrophy of the lower lumbar facet joints. Just knowing the exact issues that were causing the problems, strangely, made the pain far more bearable. Help is out there - it just seems that we have to go all around the houses to find it….
Hi. Thank you for your reply. I went by myself after calling for advice. Wasn’t given any X-rays etc. whilst I was there my leg was ok it wasn’t until I got home that the pain and numbness started. Spoke to my gp the next day and he agreed it was sciatica. My back pain has all but gone just the odd twitch here and there but the leg pain particularly in my calf and upper back of leg is painful feels almost like when you have cramp.
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