Lower back pain for 10 years

jimenez12

Hi everybody, this is my first time on anything like this. I thought it might be helpful to hear someone else's similar struggles or at least get a different perspective than what the internet says my symptoms should be. My pain started 10 years ago when I was training in the army. I didn't have an injury or anything I just slowing started feeling pain in my back and other major joints. The doctors told me it was in my head until 2 years later I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fast forward about 7 years later (no medication worked and the back pain got worse) I moved to Houston and got a different rheumatologist who then said my RA went into remission but now I had fibromyalgia. I got multiple opinions and all doctors said the same thing so I went with it. I feel like in a way all doctors just associate my pain with the fibro and think there is no other cure for it. I'm currently seeing a spine doctor but 3 years later, many more medications tried, physical therapy, opiates, and steroid injections and still nothing. I have told the doctor I get pains going down my leg and into my hip and all signs point towards sciatica but they won't take me seriously right now. If anyone here has any advice or anyone who has had sciatic pain, it would be nice to hear your back symptoms as well. Thank you

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @jimenez12

Welcome to the community! Thank you for sharing your story with us. 

I am so sorry to hear that you have been on and off medications and treatments with still no answer. I'm sorry they won't take you seriously either. 

Can I ask, are you in the UK? If your GP practice is one with many doctors under the surgery, maybe seeing another doctor to get that second opinion on sciatica could be beneficial? 

Sandy_123

Hi @jimenez12 welcome to the forum 
Have you had an MRI scan on your spine? To see what is going on.

jimenez12

No the doctor requested x-rays but I asked him if we could try CT or MRI because I've had x-rays like 5 times before and they always say everything looks fine

Sandy_123

I would say you need MRI to get to the bottom of things try and push for one with a different gp. I suffer with my spine n drs were double guessing until I had the mri.

Strawberry1

Recently been to a pain clinic because I've had back problems for a while now . Had injections but they want me to go back to have more consultations .

Hannah_Alumni

I hope they help you @Strawberry1  

Strawberry1

Thanks @Hannah_Scope .

Justine4

Hi, I've only just joined but I too have severe back lain. In 2019 I had an operation to relieve Spain from compressed.spinal cord. This he!led tremendously. I had about 3 MRS 's and a standing x-ray. Absolutely insist that you have these tests and insist on a referral to a spinal surgeon. Keep on and on and on, it is your right to be referred. Just don't budge.  I now have more problems with my back as more nerves have become compacted and it wou l the dangerous to operate. For that diagnosis I saw a neurologist and had a other whole body MRI, nerve conduction tests and about 70 blood tests. Worth it for a definitive diagnosis. I was able to see exactly where the problem was in my lower spine when the consultant neurologist kept showing me slices of my scan across.my spine. Extremely interesting if only it hadn't been MY spine!! 
Good luck.- Just keep persevering, worth it in the end. I go to a hands on physio who keeps me walking - just! Also Pilates is extremely he!pful. Best wishes

Justine4

Sorry about the spelling errors. Just wasn't concentrating enough. I also have M.E. and suffer with brain fog.

Jimm_Alumni

You don't have to worry about the spelling errors @Justine4, I could read your post just fine. 

Glad to hear you managed to get all those tests done, it can sometimes be a struggle to ask for these things.