Backache

[handyjack]

Have had backache for the past two years, started off taking co-codamol a couple of times a day. Ache turned to pain about six months ago and was put on Tramodol about three months ago. If I was of working age I know I would be taking a lot of time off work.

Went to Doctors last Friday and asked if an x-ray would be possible. Told that they are being told not to send patients for x-rays for back problems.

Have been referred for physiotherapy!

Anyone else been told that a referral to x-ray or another hospital service is being restricted?

Can only assume this is a money saving tactic.

 

[blightymam]

X-rays are pretty pointless for run of the mill backache, they don't show anything. As far as I know, GP's only send you off for an xray if they think it's something more serious that is causing it.
Opioids are limited in their usefulness with back pain, and have side-effects and normally given short-term. Am not sure why the doc has put you on such a strong painkiller as tramadol, when NSAIDs are just as good but without as many side-effects providing you eat with the pills. Both are limited in their usefulness tho. Might be worth asking him that next time you're in.

They can give injections for back pain in some cases. Another thing worth asking about. I was left with CPP (Cronic pelvic pain) from having a large operation in my abdomen. No pain killers touched it, but a series of injections & physio was the most helpful by far. You could ask to see a pain specialist too, someone who knows what they are talking about. Made all the difference with my pain as GP's just kept chucking pills at me which didn't do anything to help. I no longer need to take pills and although the pain has not completely gone, it has been reduced greatly. First set of injections I think got rid of about 50% of my pain

Physio is actually a very good thing, if you strengthen the muscles around then it takes the pressure off whatever may be causing the pain. Getting strong really does help but takes determination to keep at it. Don't give up with either the physio or the doc, I found being insistent with docs helps as they seem to fob off a lot of pain. Best of luck, pain every day does get a bit much....

 

[Zambo]

NHS is cutting back in many areas, and this is probably one of them. You are lucky you can get get to see a doctor, my practice has just merged because lack of staff. They have not employed one single medical professional in the last 18 months and in that time two doctors and a practice nurse has retired. I fear for a collapse this winter, particularly at A&Es.

Anyway I digress, a physio is as good as any place to start. I had a lower back problem, and they gave me exercises which helped a lot. I'd get it diagnosed first though, and if there is a long wait on the NHS it will pay you to go private. Take care with the painkillers, as you can get dependent on the ones you've mentioned.

 

[blightymam]

A bit long winded, but it's pretty good at showing the benefits of physio v pills
(part 2 kicking around youtube too).

 

[motorbiking]

As other's have said an X-Ray wont show you much and Physio, stretching and core work will probably be more use. I injured my back in the summer, GP, said Ibuprofen and Paracetamol and that it was probably muscle strain. Then I mentioned the magic word and he sent me t to a specialist who did an MRI

All the little blobs are meant to be white, which shows they are healthy and full of water. The second big one up from the bottom is bulging and that is causing my stiffness pain. I'm fairly fit, I train 5-6 days a week ( a bit less at the moment due to the above ) and I do a lot of stretching and core strength work.

This girl is a friend of mine and her video is good as long as the spasms have gone. She's also been helping me:

I'm also seeing an Osteopath who's been doing electro acupuncture and lots of massage:

I've found both better than pain killers.

Really a combo of stretching and massage is the best approach and then once it gets a bit easier, gradually introduce some core strength training.

 

[handyjack]

What worries me is we know it is not a muscle problem and the doctor thinks it is wear and tear from old age. Thought an x-ray might show nothing but equally might show something. Oh well, will wait and see what the physio has to say.

 

[motorbiking]

Its an MRI you need, but all that shows is what you did. The treatment for discal injuries seems to be based on how much pain you are in and your ability to do re-hab. If you are not suffering from any of the "red flags" as they call them (numbness, pins and needles, paralysis, difficulty taking a pee or a dump etc), then they wont actually do anything other than recommend exercise. At a push they will do steroid injections, but that is just to reduce inflammation and pain. Last resort they will operate, but they really don't go for that so much these days. 20 years ago, they whip the disc out and install scaffolding, but they are now thinking it hardly makes it better. My specialist told me that the more exercis the better and that there wasn't much I could do other than bungee jumping which would make it worse.

Are your muscles in spasm - can you stand up straight? Are you over weight? Best option (though its comfy) is to avoid sitting, 3 times more load on the back sitting.

 

[anobium]

I have had back problems off and on for years. I go back to the days when hospital treatment consisted of traction. At the time I was diagnosed with a slipped disc which had trapped the sciatic nerve. It got to the stage where surgery was recommended , fortunately the consultant changed his mind at the last minute. My wife who at the time was an SRN said whatever you do do not let them operate on your spine, sound advice then and still goes for today, ask Tiger Woods with all his millions.I have tried physio, pain killers, etc None gave any major improvement despite other people praises of them.
Don't get me wrong I still have occasional relapses but I have found that the best treatment is exercise. The worst thing I have found you can do is sitting around,
I am not advocating jogging or running a marathon but just gentle exercising bit by bit . Apparently swimming is the best form of exercise for a bad back followed by walking.
For what it's worth I still manage to lead a pretty active life playing golf, diy, just fitted a brand new kitchen. and walking twice a day with a very large dog

 

[blightymam]

Physiotherapy is exercise really. The getting stronger thing is what helps the most imo.

What worries me is we know it is not a muscle problem and the doctor thinks it is wear and tear from old age. Thought an x-ray might show nothing but equally might show something. Oh well, will wait and see what the physio has to say.

If physio doesn't work, then you could probably insist on an x-ray. Even if it is wear and tear, they would probably still give you the same advice, ie, get stronger.

 

[crystal ball]

I was on NSAIDs prior to hip replacement ended up with inflammation of stomach and bowel, ended up on Tramadol which seemed ok until I stopped taking them after my ops, cold turkey indeed

 

[motorbiking]

yeah - I had stomach problems from NSAIDs also.. Rock and a hard place really. I was in spasm for the first 3 weeks, which I've had before for prior injuries, so I know how to cope, but you can't get over the pain.

microwave bean bag hot packs work if your muscles are still in spasm.

 

[Doug99]

I have suffered from back problems for several years and could not stand for any length of time without experiencing back spasms. After a series of xrays, steroid injections and physio, nothing helped. I insisted on a MRI scan which identified inflation of the lower joints. I now take Ibuprofen which has relieved the symptoms and I now have my life back.

 

[securespark]

I am a long-term user of painkillers. I take as many codeine tablets as I am allowed either 8 or 30.

Plus Paracetamol ditto. I used to take ibuprofen as well, but have had to stop this as I am now taking Lisinopril.

 

[honda]

I've had back pain for 9 years now.After 1 year my doctor agreed to send me for an MRI scan which showed 3 bulging discs which was causing Stenosis with entrapment of the Femoral Nerve. After a few weeks of physio I was sent for a steroid injection in hospital which helped but soon wore off.(further injections I was informed would cost me £200 a shot). Am now on Tramadol which helps greatly but due to it being an opioid I limit myself to 1 x 50mg per day maximum plus paracetamol on a bad day. As mentioned the best thing is exercise in moderation and letting your back tell you when enough's enough.

 

[foxhole]

Ibuprofen should not be used long term , has been shown to cause problems in later life.Had operations for slipped discs in both lumber region and neck. If you have long term back problems you can insist on a referral .MRI scan are expensive which is why you GP will recommend rest [worst thing for back pain] and painkillers [second worst thing]. But it will show what the problem is [in my case tiny spinal canal which means even small movement in discs etc cause pain]
Had steroid injection prior to MRI scan which my surgeon condemned as stupid and pointless.
Have had good results with Osteopath and they will also confirm if your problem is fixable or needs surgery.
Exercise of the right type can help, pilates can be useful as weak core muscles are often cause of back weakness [as if to confirm this my abdomen had two repairs for hernias].