Hi, my name is SC_196022! suffering from lumbar back pain for 1.5 years with no signs of improvement

SC_196022

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to see we’re all in a similar boat. I’m female, in my mid-30s, and have been suffering from lumbar back pain for 1.5 years with no signs of improvement. It seemed to come on gradually during lockdown for no reason, though I do have a desk job.

I love being active but unfortunately it gets worse after the gym, especially core training and deadlifting, which I now avoid. It also worsens after lying down for extended periods or bending over - hoovering my flat is the worst!

I had 12 chiropractic sessions earlier this year, which did no good, followed by an x-ray, which showed a very mild straightening of the lower spine but nothing to cause alarm, I was reassured. I then had several acupuncture sessions, which didn’t help, and I regularly get deep tissue massages, which help somewhat. I also stretch regularly and exercise 4-5 times per week (includes jogging, walking, sprinting and l
toning in the gym).

The doctor is now referring me to a physio, but I feel a CT or MRI would be a better option to check for anything more sinister. Also, to add: I get chronic tendonitis in the achilles and have potential osteoarthritis in my finger, and wonder if it’s all linked…

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling! What do you guys in the community think?

P.S - Wishing you all a quick recovery from your own back ailments.

Thanks

Cartini

Hi @SC_196022,

I`m not qualified to give advice, nor am I a Dr..... but I would put my money on either spondylosis or stenosis (both of which I have).

I can relate to your hoovering comment; I have to do it in "chunks" because the bend in my spine, when hoovering, causes excruciating pain.

My spondylosis was diagnosed in 1997 following an MRI; my stenosis was diagnosed this year following...... an MRI.

I was referred to the practice physio; after telling him my symptoms and how they affect me, and him doing the "bash the knee & ankle with a little hammer" routine, he referred me for the MRI. 

My point being, go to physio and tell him / her how it affects you and if the physio doesn`t mention MRI, you bring it into the conversation.

Andy

chiarieds

Now I'm not medically qualified either (rather a long retired physio) - but would suggest you be guided by your physio assessment. It's been found that some people show signs of problems with an MRI of their spine, yet experience no pain, so an MRI isn't always conclusive that there's something wrong!

It needs to be from a clinical perspective considering whether a MRI might also indicate a problem.

SC_196022

Hello everyone!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my queries. I have an update. After having a week of insomnia, anxiety, weird sensations of weakness in my limbs, and a tingly feeling in the back of my head (all of which have subsided somewhat), I went for my first physiotherapy appointment. The outcome feels disappointing: I am to do an exercise where I bend over holding a light weight most days for 8 weeks, then I’m allowed a follow-up appointment. This is an exercise I used to do but found it elevated the pain and stiffness. They refuse to send me for an MRI and say it’s a ‘mechanical issue’. 

If you could please share your thoughts on this, it would be appreciated. Hope you’re all having a good week.

Thanks

Cartini

SC_196022 said:

Hello everyone!

Thank you for taking the time to answer my queries. I have an update. After having a week of insomnia, anxiety, weird sensations of weakness in my limbs, and a tingly feeling in the back of my head (all of which have subsided somewhat), I went for my first physiotherapy appointment. The outcome feels disappointing: I am to do an exercise where I bend over holding a light weight most days for 8 weeks, then I’m allowed a follow-up appointment. This is an exercise I used to do but found it elevated the pain and stiffness. They refuse to send me for an MRI and say it’s a ‘mechanical issue’. 

If you could please share your thoughts on this, it would be appreciated. Hope you’re all having a good week.

Thanks

Hi,

That doesn`t surprise me, to be honest; my Dr keeps banging the "physio" bell.

I`m reluctant to try physio again because the last time had a session of physiotherapy, just after being diagnosed in 97, I was in more pain afterwards.    The Navy even included a stretching machine in that session which, I`ve been informed by the practice physio, has since been banned.

The annoying thing with me is the difference of opinion between the Dr (a general practitioner) and the practice physio (a specialist in physiotherapy).  At the same appointment with the practice physio, we spoke about having physiotherapy at which I voiced my concern and reluctance to try it again; he said it "probably wouldn`t help anyway".  Yet, for some reason, Drs are telling people with chronic back ache that it`s all in the mind and physio will help.

I`d like to think that your "light weight physio" would help, but you make the same comment as I do - you are worse after.

Andy

SC_196022

Hi Andy - Thanks for taking the time to reply. Sorry you’re in a similar boat!

I feel a bit let down by the physio team; how can the result be just one exercise over 8 weeks with not even a set of stretches or an MRI? Baffled. I was doing CrossFit last year for a few weeks, whilst I had the back pain, and my issue was amplified by all the deadlifting, squat thrusts, etc. Similar happens with lighter weights and core exercises. I really feel like they just trying to get me off their backs (no pun intended). I also think they’re trying to blame my nerve issues and limb weakness on stress. I even made it clear that I already get chronic inflammation in my finger and achilles (could it all be linked?) I’ll continue with the one meagre exercise they’ve given me but I’ll try and look for an alternative opinion. Considering paying for an MRI. 

Will you try their exercise suggestions or give it a miss?

L_Volunteer

It sounds positive that you have been able to connect with other people experiencing similar things @SC_196022. You are never alone here on Scope's forum. 

I can hear how you feel a bit let down by the physio team. Unfortunately, we cannot provide medical advice or opinions.

However, we hope you are in less pain and feeling a bit better soon. In an ideal world, what would support look like for you at the moment?

We are all here for you and listening to you. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to support you through this difficult time 

mack8888

@SC_196022 Hi there and hoping that you’ve taken some reassurance from the answers given here.
This is my first day, actually first message, so please bear with me. 

I shall refrain from giving advice that I’m not qualified to give, but ask just a couple of questions. Have you any underlying conditions that could possibly exacerbate the pain you’re experiencing, or have you been injured at all (even minor) at that part of your body in the past?
Anxiety and worry about future health/performance has been a huge obstacle for me in focusing on what I need to do physically to lessen the pain, so I understand the stress element.

I’ve lost count of the docs, physiotherapists, surgeons, pain consultants etc that I’ve bounced around on so get that too. 

Chatting and not feeling alone or isolated has been massively helpful for me, so I really hope you feel the benefit of doing the same. 

SC_196022

Hi @mack8888, welcome to the community. I hope you’re finding it useful — chatting about these things is definitely a weight lifted.

I don’t remember a moment when the back pain started, just a growing awareness that something didn’t feel right, until it started affecting my workouts, and as an active person, this became distressing. I also don’t have any confirmed underlying health issues. However, I do get hayfever and mild pain and inflammation in my achilles and middle finger joints (rheumatoid arthritis has been ruled out), so I wonder if it’s all connected. 

I’ve actually decided to try a different approach recently by engaging in workouts I’d normally avoid. I wonder if ignoring the discomfort, to some extent, and working on stretching and strengthening the area will help. I’ll feedback and let you know. I’ll still consider paying/pushing for an MRI in the spring if there’s no improvement. 

Also, I listened to this podcast the other day, which inspired me. It talks about chronic pain being a result of unaddressed emotional trauma with manifests in other ways. They also note that only about 50% of patients with confirmed spinal disc issues actually have pain. Food for thought: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/feel-better-live-more-with-dr-rangan-chatterjee/id1333552422?i=1000585376328

Thanks for reaching out. Hope you’re having a good week.

Cartini

SC_196022 said:

Hi Andy - Thanks for taking the time to reply. Sorry you’re in a similar boat!

I feel a bit let down by the physio team; how can the result be just one exercise over 8 weeks with not even a set of stretches or an MRI? Baffled. I was doing CrossFit last year for a few weeks, whilst I had the back pain, and my issue was amplified by all the deadlifting, squat thrusts, etc. Similar happens with lighter weights and core exercises. I really feel like they just trying to get me off their backs (no pun intended). I also think they’re trying to blame my nerve issues and limb weakness on stress. I even made it clear that I already get chronic inflammation in my finger and achilles (could it all be linked?) I’ll continue with the one meagre exercise they’ve given me but I’ll try and look for an alternative opinion. Considering paying for an MRI. 

Will you try their exercise suggestions or give it a miss?

Hi - I meant to get reply earlier than today....

I`m going to give them a miss for now, if they hurt shortly after being diagnosed I can`t see how, 25 years later and the condition a lot worse, that the exercises would work.