hello! new member here

Hi everyone,
I've been lurking around this forum for the past two weeks, I finally decided that I should post. I am a 20 year old female college student, I have been dealing with back pain since march. I had some back pain before that, but in march my back started spasming more often and hurting constantly. Most days I am at a 6.
I recently (last monday) saw a new PCP, because when I saw my old one in the spring he just referred me to PT (which I stupidly didn't go to) and sent me to the orientation for a "pain management class". The actual class doesn't start until January. She told me that I need to "strengthen my core muscles" and work with my psychiatrist/therapist because my depression could be part of it. Which, duh, but also being in pain constantly? kind of depressing. She did an x-ray (only because I was insistent) and everything looked fine. She only referred me to PT again, I have an appointment with them in a few weeks. I am thinking about emailing her and asking her if she could refer me to the pain clinic to see someone because she told me that internal med docs aren't good at musculoskeletal stuff and she wouldn't be able to diagnose me, most likely.
I was seeing a chiropractor, who thought that my leg length discrepancy and cervical and lumbar kyphosis was causing my muscle tension and pain, but after being in treatment with him since May with little improvement, he told me to go see my doctor and figure out what is really going on.
My pain is in my low back and my neck/shoulder region. I usually wake up with a stiff neck, but my low back feels ok in the morning, mostly gets really bad as the day wears on.
I am taking two classes right now, started with four this term but didn't realize how much my pain would affect my studies and had to drop them. I am also going to have to petition my school so I can go part time next term, I know I can't do a full load right now.
I've been really frustrated and sad. My boyfriend has been amazingly supportive and my mom is trying to do everything she can but we don't really know what to do. I'm worried that I'm not going to get the care I need and I really hate how much this is impacting my life in different ways. I don't leave the house much and school has been a huge struggle... we're in the last two weeks right now and I just feel like I can't do it. I am so exhausted and this is taking all my energy. I wish I could be optimistic right now but I haven't been having a lot of support from the doctors I've been seeing (my chiropractor was the first one to make me feel like I'm not totally crazy... because he could feel the tension in my back). I am getting acupuncture weekly now through my school, I'm going to see if I can get some acupuncture during my winter break as well.
Sorry for the long post, I just spent an hour crying in my shower and I felt like I should come share with people who understand. Thanks for reading

I agree with sos007 on maybe seeing a Rheumatoid Arthritis doctor, but
maybe ask your current doctor for an MRI of your lower back...X-ray's
don't always reveal the hidden damage that you could have...I'm
not saying you need a whole body scan, but a mri of your lower back.
and look into getting one of those heated massaging lumbar supports
you can place in your chair in your room at school...or just getting
a good moist heating pad, mine has auto shut off... might help at this cold time of year...
Many well wishes to you and do keep us posted as we do care...

I buy mine at walgreen's and I thought they all had auto shut off now because of possibility of burns...I go thru 3 a year-lol

Good luck to you wisteria...I hope you find some answers very soon..let us know
Maggie

Welcome Wisteria, I am Kathy/nini, just wanted to say hi and am glad you found the HW cp forum, I cant add any more advice than what you have been given, because everyone gave you great advice, and to the auto shut off heating pads, thanks guys, that is something I have not heard of, it will go on my Christmas list for sure.

Ok welcome, and good luck

Kathy

Thanks Maggie and Chart......I am heading out to Walmart tonight...lol....I really need one. This is just another reason I love this forum and the members in it...always so helpful!!!!


Bless all. Amy

P.S. Guess who will be warmer tonight...lol



Chronic pain(nerve), fibro, mild depression and a few others

wisteriawhispers

I too want to welcome you to Healing Well Chronic Pain forum, you definitely have come to the right place for support! I think you will find the people here to be like family, a caring and compassionate family who will listen and always try to be there for you. Has your PT tried  ultrasound and muscle strengthing exercises on you? and also hot pack on your back? It sounds like this has been going on for some time. I often think that some doctors do not take back pain seriously with younger people, and that is to bad. So if you do not get any relief, keep pressing your doctors for answers. Xrays show bones and bone structures, but little in the way of nerves and soft tissue, and cartilage. So if you are having any type of nerve impingement that is causing your problems an MRI would be the thing to have to show that. Anyway if you start developing any problems with pain going into your limb, or numbness and tingling make sure your see your Doctor promptly. Because that is an indicator of something else going on that definitely needs to be addressed!  But in the mean time you have been given some very good advice, and strengthing your muscles in your back and also in your abdomin will go allong way to helping your back and possibly relieving some of your pain.

 

You have definitely came to the right place wisteriawhispers and when you are frustrated, come and vent here, well all care about each other, and we will always lend you our ears and listen to you! You are nolonger alone with your pain when you are here on this forum!

 

I do wish you well, and hope you find some relief to your pain, and I hope you are successfull with your classes!  I know it must be really tough on you to take classes and study while suffering in pain, but try and do your best, education is so important in todays society!

 

Good Luck to you!

 

White Beard

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone :) I will keep you updated as I bounce around the healthcare system...

Pain is tough, especially the back as you need your back for just about everything you do! A lot of great suggestions so far. The only other things I would add is ...
1. to strengthen your stomach muscles, it's better to have a flat abdomen at your age as it's need to hold up your back, that's what the doc meant by strengthening the core. As we age, the larger our gut is, the more back problems one will have, similar to back problems with pregnant ladies, see a nutritionist if you need help with your diet or losing weight
2. take a look at what you're sleeping on, a good mattress will help; and having a pillow placed between your knees will provide support for your back; having a good pillow will help support the neck. It's recommended to replace one's pillow every year, the mattress every ten years.
3. exercise and stretching will help build muscle, along with helping the spine keep flexible
4. hot baths with epsom salts, saunas and hot tubs will help relax the muscles. It's a cycle, nerve pain causes muscle tension, then vice versa

good luck and take care! take the time to be good to yourself!

Welcome to HW.
I see you have been given lots of great advice.
Hoping your pain decreases.
Bonnie

Hello Wist, you have been given a lot of great advise here, I can't add much except to remind you to be persistent with your doctors on all issues. I know you have had an x-ray but your lower back pain sure sounds like a bulging or herniated disc. ? i.e. hurting more at the end of the day, and don't forget about a good neck and shoulder massage to relax those muscles too ! you would be surprised how much this will help. also do not be affraid of trying different meds. there is no sense in living with these pains if you do not have to. Hope your better!