Back pain caused by inflammation?

I have been complaining of back pain on and off for almost the past year. Lower back pain and on my spine. Primary and GIs have had me do numerous urine cultures and no bacteria or blood. This past week was very bad so I made an appt with my primary and I jumped every time he touched my spine. I once again did a urine and he ordered so lumbar x-rays but he called and said they were normal, and that any issues I was having is probably related to arthritis or inflammation from my IBD. Does anyone experience this?

Side note-my hospitals are starting this site where you can view all your test results. This past Feb I was admitted by my primary because I had a 103 temp and it turned out I had the flu. I had diarheraa and abdominal pain so he also ordered a CT scan. At the time, I was told it was fine-they were just focused on the bowel anyway. When I logged in to check out this site, I looked up that CT scan and under bones it said- There is a transitional vertebra at the lumbosacral junction with pseudoarthrosis formation on the left. I looked up pseudoarthrosis and it seems like some kind of fracture? Why wouldn't a lumbar reveal this? Do I need to demand a more through scan? Or could the pseudoarthrosis have healed from Feb? Should I bring this concern to the GIs?
Thanks!!

Sounds like from the urinalysis they were suspecting a kidney stone or other related kidney issue. That's usually pain on one side, not on the center of the spine. I used to crank out kidney stones when I'd have bad flares. I'd get dehydrated pretty bad, but due to the diarrhea I'd be reluctant to drink more water.

Sounds like that's not the issue though. Lower back pain seems to be common. I get it occasionally, but not as bad as you do.

The on line test results are really handy, that's for sure. I've had those for a few years now and it can really tell you a lot.

Things like this annoy me. When someone with a chronic illness is obviously having an issue and severe pain, and they don't really act on it. Repeating the same tests and not getting anywhere can really be annoying. I've had some bad doctors in my time, and I found that when you get one that doesn't seem to be taking you seriously, it's time to find a new one.

Would be well worth at least getting a second opinion. Seems like sometimes doctors can get blind to issues. They'll run a few tests and not find anything, then sort of give up. My wife had an ENT that did that. She kept complaining of throat pain. The ENT ran a few tests, didn't find anything, and gave up. 5 years later my wife was diagnosed with fairly advanced thyroid cancer. They figure it had been growing for many years and pressing on her throat. Her old ENT was just blind to it.

I'd tell all your doctors. Get someone to listen to you.

I'd let the doctor decide. If the original CT scan showed an issue, that should be all they need. Unless it's getting worse, of course.

Sometimes it's hard having to push all the time on the doctors. I'm waiting on a referral. My GI called it in (twice) two weeks ago, and the other office still hasn't called. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, or was that Squeaky wheel gets replaced?

Thanks!! Its so annoying how you have to ride people ughh. I think i will email the GI this week and see what he thinks. Maybe they'll repeat the CT? I just don't get why my primary never told me? Maybe because it wasn't my primary complaint at the time? I've also been having a ton of bloat and gas so i'm wondering if i'll need more cipro too.

Sorry for chiming in late.

I had spinal osteoarthritis identified by abdominal CT also (this after years, no kidding, of working with my rheumy and an orthopedist about chronic SI pain). During those years I've had two muscle tears (quadratus lumborum and hamstring), cortisone injections into my SI, multiple MRIs of the pelvis and hips. It was shocking to say the least that the abdominal CT showed what nothing else had done. I guess X-rays are going to show changes to the bone much more than MRIs, which are good at seeing soft tissue damage and inflammation. Lesson learned!

No one is excited about the degeneration of my vertebrae between L5 and S1. It seems this is a very common place for osteoarthritis. I frankly have no idea. My SI pain is managed with exercise, modifying my activities and improving the ergonomics of my workstation. I do not attribute my osteoarthritis to anything except bad genetics, bad luck and age. I do not believe there is any "fix" possible.

Lower back pain is typically best managed with exercise. If you don't know what kind of exercise to do, ask your DR for a referral for Physical Therapy.