Don't feel I can get any help...what is wrong with me?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shannoninkc
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shannoninkc

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I've had issues on/off since I was a teenageer. I'm 38 yo female. Here is a short version of my problems...and why I start to think maybe I'm just a baby, or no one can help.

1. in high school, had pain surrounding the area by my lower back "butt dimple"..doctor said my stomach was fat. (I ran long distance in track...I wasn't fat.)

2. stiff necks/shoulder pain throughout my life..on/off. been to chiropractors, doctors...tell me it will go away...

3. car accident in 1996, pinched nerve in neck area, couldn't move arm. doc gave me exer. to do.

4. many times over the years, would stretch and neck would be completely out of whack, with pain down arms.

5. right knee pain on/off for last five years. saw an ortho a few months ago, and said he couldn't see that my movement was decreased, gave me cortisone shot.

and now...in the last month, I've had constant pain in that "butt dimple" area, with two episodes of my back being "thrown" out. can't lay down flat, have to keep knees up. pain radiates from right..but starts to radiate all areas of back if I keep doing activity because I have to. (three little kiRAB) shoulders will tingle and get tight...whole back will ache and forced to lay down. the initial pain makes me walk stooped, can't reach behind to wipe bottom....knee is acting up more now with this new back pain. if i bend over, or stand up straight, will feel sharp pain that makes me think I'm going to fall over.

I just fear that the doctor (general fam. physician) will just blow me off, like always have been and I'll just live with pain like I have.

Does anyone think any of this is related, or am I jumping to conclusions? Will she order an MRI? i just REALLY want to know what is causing this..the back, the knee....it's driving me nuts.
 
You need to get into to see a good back doctor-not your famaily GP. They aren't trained to figure out what is wrong with your back. You need to have an MRI at the least. You are not crazy, nor are you losing your mind. But a good back doc will be able to figure out why you are so out of whack.
 
Thanks, yes, Im new to the area, so my first stop was finding a general practioner..I'm sure she will refer me out, or atleast give me a name since I'm new around here.

I'm just so skeptical to seek help, because I don't feel like Im ever taken seriously. I have to take my hydrocodone (sp) just to get housework done the last few days, luckily I had some stashed away from a surgery a couple years ago. But I can't live on that junk the rest of my life.
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum. No, you are absolutely not nuts and I agree with bake&pray that you need to see a good spine specialist for your back, either a neurosurgeon or specializes in the spine or an orthopedic spine specialist. This doesn't mean you need surgery....just that you will be in the hanRAB of someone who is well versed in evaluating you, ordering the right tests, and coming up with a plan of treatment if a problem is found on MRI. Do not allow anyone to do surgery without at least one other opinion...better to have 2 more if you can.

The spine specialist will, I am sure, be able to direct you to someone about your knee. Oh, btw, the surgeon will also be able to evaluate what is going on in your neck and shoulders.

I hope you find someone you really like and who listens to you well. Please keep posting.

Carol
 
some of us do have to live on meRAB for the rest of our lives. Its the only way we can function somewhat normally. You didn't say where you live. Often times people can reccomend doctors that are good if they live in your area.
 
Thanks for the replies!

I saw my gen. physician and she ordered xrays. Called me today and said I had high grade spondalathesis (?) and mentioned L5 and S1 and referred me to an orthopeadic surgeon. They will see me in three weeks.

So, from what I see on this board this is a common back ailment? What does high grade mean?

I'm relieved to have a diagnosis, I just hope they can offer me something to help.
 
Be sure that the ortho is a SPINE specialist. If not, after seeing him, make an appt. with either an ortho or neurosurgeon who specializes in the spine.

Spondylolithesis is what I think you are saying you have. That is when one vertabrea is slipping forward over another vertabrae. High grade means there is a lot of slippage. And yes, this is a fairly common ailment. If surgery is the verdict, be sure to get a second opinion!

Carol
 
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