how much longer will this back pain go on?

[liverpool lou]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and have been reading thru some of the threads and have found the info very useful, esp the stuff from anahata.

I am in my 7th week off work with low back pain, my gp has given the diagnosis as 'low back pain' and prescribed co-codamol, he recommended me to keep as active as possible, whilst taking care not to hurt my back by bending/twisting etc.

Initially I 'just' had a slight low back ache for a couple of days, then I woke up one morning with very acute pain in my lower back with pain going down the back of my right leg. It hurt me to sit and stand, walking was painful but ok, and laying down was ok once I was actually laying - getting there agony!

I saw my gp and the painkillers helped me to get to sleep and get moving in the morning, but there was little change for about a month. I've had to stop the co-codamol cos of constipation - agony when got a bad back!

Over the last 3 weeks there has been some improvement, but I am worried how long this is going to go on with me needing to be off work, I had just started to build up a reflexology business and I'm loosing all my clients and no money coming in!!

I assumed that the pain down my leg was sciatica, but from what I've read since being in pain, I shouldn't be feeling much pain in the small of my back and yet that is where it is worse! The pain has no gone from my leg, it's all in my lower back, mainly on the right side - is this likely to be a ruptured disc?

I'm afraid I can't afford to see an osteopath etc if you read this anahata, could you recommend some exercises I could do? Would you recommend me pushing for an MRI scan - would this show a ruptured disc?

Sorry to be rabbiting on - I know there are people out there who have suffered/are suffering for far far longer and in more pain than me, but it is making me so depressed, I'm not used to being unwell!!

 

[Paradox3883]

It's does sound like it could be a prolpased disk and if the pain has eased in the leg, then it may be on the mend.

Other than keeping moving generally I'm unable to advise on exercises without a clear diagnosis. If it's a disk injury that's not stabled, then flexing could make it worse. If it's a facet joint probelm, that was giving referred pain, then extension (bending backwards) stretches could aggravate or maintain the problem. I hope you see the dillemma.

Has your GP tested;

* The muscle strength in your lower limbs, at the hips, knees, ankles & big toes?

* Tapped your reflexes - with a tendon hammer - the knee jerk reaction & the achilles tendon has a similar action on the ankle.

* Done what's called a Straight Leg Raise Test, with you lying on your back & they lift each leg in turn with knee straight to test if the pain goes down your leg.

Weakness, other than due to pain, reduced or loss of reflex response and pain in the affected lower limb whilst straight leg raising either leg, then a disk injury is the most likely cause. []

A GP isn't normally able to refer you for an MRI scan, the usual process Physio (some areas have limited osteopathy referal), if no better, then orthopaedic consultant, neurologist (if you have muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, areas of numbess, especially around the saddle area (this would be an A & E job), as would certain bladder & bowel symptoms - not constipation through pain killers) or a Pain clinic - not renown for their help, but may have access to MRI.

A few articles here; -

http://fp.osteopath.plus.com/holistic-centre/articles/advice4lo_backpain.htm

http://fp.osteopath.plus.com/holistic-centre/articles/ost&backpain.htm

7 weeks isn't abnormally long for a disk injury to progress, but it is now becoming a longterm (chronic) problem. So it could be on the mend to it could be becoming a long term problem, that typically can be harder to treat - tricky one - sorry. [&:]

If your loosing clients over it & your GP isn't doing anything constructive about it, it's difficult to see how you can afford not to see an osteopath. [8D]

If your a reflexologist you may be able to bata, but you'll have to sniff around as some may be snooty about it.

Good Luck - Andrew.