Back Pain

Wreakin_Havok · 28th December 2005, 9:51pm

For the last 4 years I have suffered like an old cripple with a bad back, around about the base of my spine. I have been to physio twice and they didn't know what was wrong with me, had blood tests, still nothing.

This last week I have and am at the moment in severe agony. Will need to go see the doc sort out a CAT scan or something.

Anyone suffer from back pain? Any advice?

I'v been thinking of maybe going to one of those Chinese Clinic type places like the ones on Great Western Rd or a chiropractor although my maw has warned me that they are not really fully trained in the whole medical side of things and some things they do can be quite dangerous.

Zippy · 28th December 2005, 10:09pm

I just wrote a long reply and fucking hit 'previous thread' and lost it

But aye, my chick Helter Skelter has had back problems for years and this past week it's been agony for her so I'll direct her towards this thread.

She's got a slight curve on her spine that causes her pain.

My brother had back agony for years as well, the doctors didn't know what it was either. One day his kidney failed and now he's only got 1, hope it's not the same issue with you

Oskar · 28th December 2005, 10:17pm

I have had back pain (sometimes debilitating) for years.

It's only in my lower back at the sides, sometimes only one side.

I was very ill for a while, and the doctors told me it was due to my frequent vomitting -muscle strain or something - they didn't listen when I told them that before I started one of my horrendously ill episodes, my back would start to really hurt. It's been utterly terrible the past few weeks to the point where I can't sit long enough to get decent study in.

Thomas, you've got me thinking about the kidney thing again

cupotea · 28th December 2005, 10:21pm

I have really bad back pain since being pregnant. I think its just the muscles have weakened or something. It comes and goes - sometimes its fine and sometimes I can't stand up straight enough to walk. I take super duper ibuprofen and it really helps.

Helter Skelter · 29th December 2005, 1:24pm

What Thomas said. I've been suffering from back pain for the past 10 years.

I was born with a scoliosis (curvature) in my spine. They're not that uncommon but I didn't know anything about it until I injured my back, which by then was a little too late. Unfortunately a scoliosis mixed with 8 years of trampolining doesn't go well. The constant uneven pressure on my spine wore away the vertebrae at the point of the curvature and this eventually damaged my discs. As a result I have since suffered from back pain an sciatica in both legs.

Normally I can manage the pain to a certain degree and a flare-up only lasts a couple of days but over the past few weeks I've had two really bad flare-ups. The current one being the worst. I know what you mean about feeling like an old cripple. I feel like an idiot when I'm trying to get about because my movement is so badly effected. Thomas has had to put my shoes and socks on for me for the past few days. Doesn't do much for your feeling of independence.

I've not really found much that has been able to help with the pain this time. Luckily (touch wood) it seems to be on the mend as I feel a little better today. As far as your back pain is concerned I would suggest you go back to the doctor and request an MRI scan (that's what I had) or something along those lines to find out what is going on in there. That's the only way of finding out what's really going on. I wouldn't suggest going to one of those Chinese places. I just don't trust them.

Hope you get it sorted.

fallen_nemesis · 29th December 2005, 1:35pm

yup, hope it gets sorted. My back and hips are double jointed so when I was at school carrying a heavy bag my back would bend back too far and I didn't realise and I got really bad back pain. Physio in my uppser back sorted it somewhat, I only get twinges now if I've been standing up for hours and hours on end.

I think its a pretty smart plan of you to request and MRI or similar. They can give you physio, but unless they give correct exercises for your specific problem they're not going to help or might make it worse.

The doctor might very well prescribe you a course of accupuncture or something similar to the chinese treatments you had in mind. At least if you go through a doctor it'll A - be free, and B - be done by a professional.

PhantomMenace · 12th January 2006, 11:55pm

Ive been suffering from bad backs from since i was 12 the best remedy a back massage and a nice lye down on the couch..........works a treat for me everytime.I dont believe in all that 'for a bad back you should keep moving' for me thats what makes it worse.

bikuki · 13th January 2006, 12:06am

I would definately ask to be referred to a specialist at the hospital, as see if they will do any more investigations like a CT or MRI. It sometimes takes alot of perseverance to get a diagnosis when it comes to back pain, as there are tons of different things it could be! If it really is very debilitating then it's important to find out what is causing it (for peace of mind as much as anything else) and possible get treatment. Makes sure you are fully investigated - it can take a while to find exactly what's wrong and you can go through different therapies before you find one that works.
My mum had severe back pain for years and it was just put down to muscle strain. Physio did nothing to help, painkillers only had a temporary effect and they couldn't figure out what it was! Turned out (after getting an MRI and blood tests) that she had had an infection in the disc, and it had disintegrated so two vertibrae are constantly rubbing against one another. She's on the waiting list to get an operation to fix this, but has been waiting for 2 years and the only surgeon in Scotland is retiring and therefore doing very few operations...
Now that was just bad luck - it could quite easily be something as simple as a pulled muscle.

eviltwinisdead · 13th January 2006, 12:23am

i suffer from moderate back pain. i have scoliosis - my spine is bendy where it shouldn't be. the whole left side of my body is musclier than my right. been seeing a physiotherapist for about a year now, been recommended for me to do yoga.

good luck finding out whats wrong - i know it was a relief to me after years of pain to be told exactly what was causing it.

Jaemi · 13th January 2006, 12:33am

Have you tried correcting your posture dude?
You might be suffering from sciatica(sp), it's a common back problem amongst men of all ages.

Withnail · 13th January 2006, 2:33pm

I had back problems caused by bad posture (i'd always stand pigeon toed, if you like, with my feet pointed about 50 degress away from each ohter - causing my pelvis to tilt (near permanently) which put all sorts of pressure on my back. It was sorted (after I ripped all the muscles down the LHS of my back playing rubgy in HS) by a physio - literally pulling my leg till the pelvis went back into the right angle. Fun, not, but it did sort it. I'm amazed how muych of a difference my posture's made to it now I try and watch it a bit.

What kind of pain is it? Dull muscular, sharp? Feeling like a bone's not quite in the right spot and needs to crack? Twingey?

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