Chronic Back Pain at 17

I am 17 years old. I have had severe lower back pain for around four or five years. I went to the doctor and had some x-rays done at my doctor and a MRI done at Children's Hospital. They found that I have Spina Bifida Occulta at the L5 vertebrae. They also told me that I have slight scoliosis. They sent me to physical therapy where I found out I have back spasms. They didn't help, so I stopped going. My mom says it's just the back spasms making it hurt. But I don't see where they can make it hurt all the time this bad. And plus, something has to be causing the back spasms. It doesnt really feel like my muscles are what is hurting. More like my nerves, or my spine. The pain is only getting worse with time. It is completely ruining my life. I cannot do anything. I can't even walk through the store. Nothing helps. No position or movement. No medicine or cream or pain relievers. Nothing helps. I generally feel the pain all over my back because it is so bad, it feels like it is my spine. Sometimes it works it's way down to my buttocks and my knees start to hurt. I hope my mom will take me back to the doctor to see a specialist and to make them redo my tests since it's been a while. She said she might take me to a chiropractor, but been saying that for like a year and hasn't done it yet. They told me my Spina Bifida shouldn't cause pain, and my scoliosis isn't bad enough. Something has to cause the spasms though, but what? This kind of pain is not just caused by nothing. Something for more has to be wrong that they are missing. Anyone that has any suggestions of what it could be?? I cannot do anything anymore. I feel like a lazy, no life, teenager. But no one seems to understand the pain I am in. Sometimes it feels like I need to be bent in half backwards. Or that someone with long fingernails is tearing into my spine trying to rip it apart. It will get so bad that I just want to go to the er. It will feel like my back is trying to cave in.

i was diagnosed w/ Spina Bifida Occulta at age 20, after seeing many docs and having major bowel and bladder problems. My problem is at S1, not far from yours!

I ended up needed spinal cord surgery due to a tethered cord and then had a spinal fluid leak. Have had pain ever since then (16 years ago) but it prevented further damage, they especially to nerves in my legs.

Any way you can see a neurosurgeon about this?? They would be the ones to really assess what's going on and determine a plan of treatment.

If you want to "talk" more about this, please email me. Been thru a lot due to the SBO, and I understand the terror it can cause, both mentally and physically.

As for your mom, could you find some info on SBO and show her that it's not just about muscle spasms, but so much more, and needs to be treated as such? Sometimes when my mom is in denial about some of this stuff, it helps to find good reliable info, and show it to her, not accusing her of not understanding or at all in a negative way, just more of a "hey, i found this info about my problem and i thought you might like to read it". Works with my mom, but takes time. Hope that helps.

Things will get better. I know 18 is a long way away right now, but if necessary, you can always get your own treatment/handle your own care the second you turn 18.

Hold on Kylie…it will get sorted out. Write me if you want/need to. I am here.

Why has my post been deleted from this thread?

Kylie, please see a doctor. If your mother won't take you, you are old enough to do it on your own. Seek out a different doctor than the one who has essentially dismissed your problem. There could be something else wrong with you, and you shouldn't have to live like that.

Please see a doctor ASAP.