Lower back pain. NHS won't xray or scan. I'm thinking of paying myself. Which would be better?

degsey88

Hi guys I have lower back pain long time 'it's specially worse when I'm standing, or after running or exercise its worse for  few days  my gp nhs won't xray ir scan ,was thinking of paying for xray myself,but what would be better xray or scan TIA

Tori_Scope

Hi @degsey88 I'm sorry that you haven't yet been able to get to the bottom of your lower back pain.

Did your GP suggest what might be causing the pain, or how you could reduce it? 

It'd be difficult for us to say what kind of scan you might need unfortunately, as we're not medical professionals. If you're not happy with what your GP has said, have you sought a second opinion from a different GP, or paid for a private consultation?

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

Personally I would invest in seeing a chiropractor first . They were amazing when I had back 0r9blems 

degsey88

Hi  guys I only had phone consultation with practice nurse and they won't xray unless it's from impact injury ie car crash or fall ect 

iza

Hi @degsey88, I would not go private until you stretched all possibilities with NHS.

Sometimes is good to ask another Gp Dr for consultation  like suggested here above. Otherwise, book yourself for face to face appointment  rather than online chat. The alternative is  to confront the Dr, Nurse and ask what is the reason hidden behind his/her rejection to provide referral. It always work in my case when I confront Drs. I say that this is they duty to provide referrals and I always say why I think they should do. 

Ongoing problems should never be ignored.

If you have pain then call them every day to show that is not one of episode but chronic problem.
Who know maybe something is compressing nerve.

Otherwise go to A&E walk in clinic  within hospital, you may wait few hours  (4-5) but they will do the X-ray finally there . Keep trying, you are entitle to it. 

On top of everything it is Drs duties to find out what is causing the pain and how to manage the problem. Good-luck.

Tori_Scope

Have you tried booking an in-person appointment @degsey88? I know they're difficult to get at the moment, unfortunately. 

What else did the practice nurse say, if you don't mind me asking?

SueHeath

Hi @degsey88 back pain is rubbish - get an appointment with doc even if it's a telephone one - you say you've suffered a long time have you been intouch with the doctor before about it.

MarkM88

iza said:

The alternative is  to confront the Dr, Nurse and ask what is the reason hidden behind his/her rejection to provide referral. 

I do not recommend confronting a healthcare / medical professional. Instead, an open discussion would be the best option. 

chiarieds

Must say I agree with Mark. I've always thought you need a Drs help, so I ask for their opinion first. A patient is as much a part of the team as any healthcare professional or Dr, & as such you need to work together.