Any advice on a bad back?

Puzzledbubbles · 25 November 2009 at 9:48AM

Hi everyone

Hoping that someone can help, ive been through rounds of specialists, dr's, physio's and anyone else under the sun who wants to lay their hands on me lol.

Started getting lower back pain around this time last year on and off, then went to dr in Feb when it got unbearable. The long and short of it is, they have found a Chiari malformation in my neck, no one is overly concerned but they are investigating so seeing a specialist in Jan. Also, they have found that my two lower disks have corroded, on the mri they are dark black, where as all of the healthy ones are bright white.

After seeing the specialist yesterday he has said they wont operate because of my age (27) and because i dont have children yet. But they have said it will be required in the future as the other disks will start going the same way etc.

Ignoring the actual comments made, (which have made me a bit cross) the specialist said lose weight (i am 5'8 and a size 14 and only about a stone away from my ideal weight so not obese in any sense) and to exercise while im still young enough.

Becuase i am relatively active he has said that phsyio would be pretty pointless, but that i should go to the :eek: gym :eek:(ewwwwwww) and increase my core stability which will make my back stronger to support itself.

I asked if that would make the pain go away, and the answer was no, nothing ever will (which i have to admit is slightly depressing) but that it may mean i can take less pain killers.

I think what im really asking, is if anyone has advice on how to handle the dr's and things so that i can take less medication, or so that i can take one form of medication that will actually work, or, if anyone knows what kind of thing i should be looking to do in the gym, the specialist mentioned classes and things, but, to be honest, im a bit worried about the expense and am currently trying to work out how to pay for the extortionate gym memberships in the Cheltenham area.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading if you got this far

any advice or help is welcome, i really dont know where else to turn aside from going back to the gp who just says its too specialised for him and that i have to see someone in the know etc etc etc

Thanks again,

Puzzled x

Cranny44 · 25 November 2009 at 9:59AM

can you get exercise on prescription from the GP it seems to be pretty common in my area and they go to the gym for about £1.50 a session.

Puzzledbubbles · 25 November 2009 at 10:24AM

Cranny44 wrote: »

can you get exercise on prescription from the GP it seems to be pretty common in my area and they go to the gym for about £1.50 a session.

Thanks Cranny, i did think of this but not sure how to arrange it, would it be a case of just going in to see my GP once the report from the specialist has come back?

C_Mababejive · 25 November 2009 at 10:35AM

I've pm'd..

Oldernotwiser · 25 November 2009 at 10:58AM

Have you been to see an osteopath; they're usually very good with back pain.

(I'd also post this on the Health Board (sub board of Families) as well.)

Puzzledbubbles · 25 November 2009 at 11:09AM

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Have you been to see an osteopath; they're usually very good with back pain.

(I'd also post this on the Health Board (sub board of Families) as well.)

ive not seen an osteopath, ive seen about everyone else though, the phsyio that i refered to was an orthapedic practitioner, then an orthapedic surgeon (the guy i saw yesterday), numerous gp's and am waiting to see a neurologist.

Can i ask my DR to refer me to an osteopath or is it a private thing?

Thanks again and sorry if im sounding dense

beverleyhills · 25 November 2009 at 11:19AM

I don't know whether it will help you; I put an ice pack on the painful area of my back for 15mins. I repeat an hour later when the pain is extreme.
You can buy gel packs for £5-£6. I always keep one in the freezer.

Oldernotwiser · 25 November 2009 at 11:21AM

I've only seen an osteopath privately so I don't think you can see them on the NHS. I paid about £20 per session but you wouldn't normally need to go very many times, you'll know quite quickly whether it's going to be helpful.

Paparika · 25 November 2009 at 11:21AM

The gym referral ( I had one) was for me £5.00 per session and they wanted me to go 3 times a week.

I was able to attend the first session and although painful (fibro and lower disc problems) I had a good go, I think they see the exercise to keep you moving, not to seize up)

You can only ask about the osteopath, i got refereed to the physio, have done one session, come down with a cold and have been asked to stay away until better, (coughing and spluttering not good, spread germs) today i have pain clinic, will have to check if i can go re coughing and spluttering still.

Frustratiting as it is, you are being seen by various doctors, they may not be able to tell you much at the time but at least slowly something is being done.

Marcheline · 25 November 2009 at 12:10PM

Your local council's leisure centre should offer gym membership. It is normally much cheaper than going to a privately owned gym like Cannons. I also believe that your doctor should be offering you more help, not just saying he doesn't know enough about what to do to help you. Ask him to refer you to someone who does know.

itsclair · 25 November 2009 at 1:01PM

I had the opp on my back earlyer this year, i have 3 disc's tha are a problem but they only op on 1 at a time but the worst one is sorted out.

When you went to the physio did they give you exercises to do? I have 4 pages and i hate doing them and find them a bore but they really do help, if i miss a day i know about it, i have been told i need to change my life style as i will have to put up with it for life, no sitting for long times etc...

Pain killers with back pain I found didn't touch it, so stopped them all together as make no difference and don't want to be putting stuff in my body if not even helping, that included tramadole etc

Walking is good for backs and so is jogging and both are free

Any advice on a bad back?

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