Low Back Pain Options

[Christina]

Hi Everyone

Just wondering whether low back pain can be an MS symptom. I've had it since Sunday morning - wasn't a problem lying down but as soon as I got up it started and it's been the same ever since, except it is helped by ibuprofen. I haven't injured it or pulled a muscle or anything I can think of. I never have back problems so I'm wondering if it could be another MS symptom? I have thought of urinary infection too but am not having any problems in that department as far as I can tell. It feels like period pain - girls will know what I mean by that - dull with a kind of pressure.

Any thoughts?

Chris x

[tdkstratus]

Hi Chris

I've just came back from the GP and that was one of my questions as I've been having twinges in my lower back ever since my LP. I was told that it was normal to feel that for at least a couple of months. However, he did say that maybe the way I was walking is putting pressure onto my back (The steroid treatment hasn't cleared up my walking or my left eye). He mentioned Physio but doesn't want to refer me till I've seen the MS nurse (still waiting for an appointment).

Might not be the same as you, but just in case it helps.

[Michelle]

Hi Chris,

If the pain is eased by Ibuprofen,maybe the muscles are a bit tight and sore. Have you tried cooling the area down,or even try a hot water bottle on the area.Failing that a trip to the doctor is in order,or a physio?

Michelle

[Christina]

Thanks guys, I'm seeing my GP in the morning anyway for another problem so I can mention it then. It's weird how it seems to improve during the day and then comes back again the next morning.

Chris xx

[Aldo]

maybe the angle you sleep at?? i got one of them latex foam beds when i slipped some disc's before the ms came along, soooo comfy and it helps my back and with the ms pains. my mattress tends to give me a good sleep and it kind of holds you in place, witch can give you a good angle to sleep

[Akorah]

Hi Chris i have suffered quite a lot from lower back pain and was eventualy sent to a physio that deals with mainly MS patients and he explained that although mine wasnt a symptom of MS it was caused by my MS symptoms i.e the way i walk when my legs weak or the way i sit and he fact that after a relapse the muscles tend to be weaker therefore get pulled or torn easier. Maybe a course of physio may be needed just so they can show you some exercises to aleviate the pain a little. Hope all goes ok at the GPs!!

[Christina]

Well, went for my GP appt this morning but got turned away as he'd had to go out on an emergency call. I didn't mind that at all but I did mind when they couldn't offer me another appt for over 10 days. So back I come home to ring them and say I'd accept an appt with a different GP, but that wasn't possible either - no appts available at all this week. Advised to ring at 2pm to see if a cancellation was available for this pm - nothing doing when I rang. They then offered to get my GP to ring me as he was triaging this afternoon. That's what I got then, a telephone consultation. The back pain increased loads today and I was in real pain this afternoon, so the GP thinks possible uterine infection, based on what I told him so he's prescribing antibiotics. Hmmm, not sure about the diagnosis so I'm going to hedge my bets - get the script but hold on for a couple of days before taking it and see if my self-treatment makes any difference. I hate antibiotics and especially if they're not really needed. I've got enough side effects to cope with at present.

Chris xx

[Hezza]

Oh Chris what a nightmare for you!
It makes me so cross when people can't get appointments within a reasonable timeframe - then again that seems to be more often the case.
Just a couple of thoughts - does your surgery run a nurse's clinic? perhaps they could test a urine sample for you (thought I would hope someone would already have suggested that if it was the case) Failing that how about a chat with your MS Nurse? he / she could arrange to have a sample checked for you. I had to have exactly that done yesterday as my bloods appear to have gone mental

I can understand that you don't want to take the antibios if you don't need them but if it really is an infection that could play havoc with your MS too. It's all such a delicate balance.

Hope you get somewhere, and get some relief, soon

[Michelle]

I echo Cara's suggestions. To add to the mix. How about asking your MS nurse to refer you to a physio? They will be able to check out your back.

M x

[Christina]

Thanks Cara and Mish, I was thinking I could maybe talk to MS nurse about the problem but didn't want to worry them too much if it wasn't MS related. The pain eased off yesterday with pain killers but is back this morning but not too badly yet. I know I have a fibroid but GP says it's not big enough to cause this amount of back pain. I haven't had a period for almost 5 months but I do have something happening so maybe that's why GP is thinking infection. I don't have a temp or feel unwell generally so I'm dubious about that dx. I wondered if Avonex was having some effect on all this but again it's hard to say, maybe MS nurse could look it up for me. I'll have a think whether to ring her today.

I must just tell you what my GP said yesterday on the phone. He said 'well you could come in and I could have a poke about (!) but I don't think I'd come up with any other conclusion so I might as well just leave you a prescription'. I'm not that happy with telephone diagnosing myself not to mention him referring to any potential examination as 'poking about' - how rude!! So I say to my GP!!

Chris xx

[Dianni]

Thinking about you hunni


Hugs
Di
xxxx

[Michelle]

That was nice of him Chris Say's it all really. They are sometimes more in the dark than we are

Michelle

[Tania B]

Chris,

I do hope you are feeling much better. When it is hard to see a doctor I know it all adds to the stress, which is certainly racked up by bl**dy insensitive remarks. I do empathise with your lower back pain.

Wishing you well.

Tania xx

[Christina]

Well I didn't take the antibiotics because I knew in my heart it wasn't a uterine infection and my back pain has almost gone but seems to be still around in the morning for a while. I seem to have a few strange pains around my body at the moment, hard to say what any of them are and whether Avonex is playing a part in this, but I'm not going to worry about them or pay too much attention to them anymore. We'll see what develops.

Thanks for all your support guys.

Chris x

[Dianni]

Hi Chris

I'm glad the backache has eased a bit. Backache is horrible regardless of the cause!

Just a thought, but you say it's worse on a morning. Is it possible you are laying in bed awkwardly without realising it? Also I hadn't realised but when I got the grab rail thing to help me turn over in bed, I found that my back wasn't stiff and I was sleeping better because I wasn't struggling to turn over in my sleep if that makes sesne.

It really might be worth talking to a physio or OT.

Hugs
Di
xxx

[Christina]

Hi Di

Thanks, it might be worth talking to a physio I think - I'll see how things go with it for now.

Chris xx

[linds]

Hi Christine,
Just a thought but have you had an ultra scan of lower abdomen??
Sorry I am not much help. Lindsxo

[Christina]

HI Lindyloo

I had a an ultrasound of my uterus about 9 months ago and that's when they discovered the fibroid. I must admit I've been a titchy bit concerned about the backpain, loss of periods and a slightly fatter tummy - most of which could be due to menopausal stuff - because what if I'm missing something here and it's more serious - ovarian cancer even. I've talked myself out of that one now that the backache's subsided but any more funny stuff and I'll be back to see one of the female GPs in my practice, who hopefully won't be talking about 'poking' me about.

Chris xxx

[Lindyloo]

Hi Chris

This is 'me' Lindyloo - that was lovely Linds previous - I am really Linda but it all got confusing so i became Lindyloo..LOL LOL.. Poor Shirl used to get us 2 mixed up like im sure many do here... Im the angel and shes the cute cat.. hehehe

anyway i hope your back is a little bit better... but i must add that i often get low back pain like you describe and im sure mine is connected to my MS.... but i know you will feel much better when you see your female doc.. If i ever need to drop a sample in to the docs i just hand it in at reception and the GP nurse will check it that day and telephone regarding what the result is..
Best wishes Chris and i hope it gets better very very very soon
Hugs
Lindyxx

[Christina]

Hi Lindy and Lindyloo

Sorry to get you two mixed up girls! MS fug!!

Chris xx