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Suggest Treatment For Sharp Pain In The Lower Left Back
Question: sharp pain in lower left side of my back, gradually getting worse over few weeks months. left side is worse now but same sharp pain has been on both sides left and rights sides. thought was bad back but this feels differant.
Brief Answer:
Disc disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
I believe that your instincts were right. Your symptoms would lead me to primarily rule out spine related problems such as disc disease and nerve impingement.
Would you please clarify a few things for me?
1) do you have any other symptoms? (numbness, tingling, any difficulty in movement, frequent tripping /falling)
2) How severe was and is the pain now, on a.scale of 1-10(10 being most severe)? Is this pain felt elsewhere other that your back?
3) do you have any problems with bowel movements or while passing urine?
4) how is you appetite and energy levels?
5)do you have any other medical conditions or on any medications?
6)do you smoke or consume alcohol?
I recommend seeing your physician to check for the exact source of the pain.
An x-ray (MRI if necessary) can show if there is likelihood of spondylosis (reduced space between 2 vertebrae that can compress nerves).
Differential diagnosis would include urinary tract infection/ stones, prostate enlargement. An ultrasound abdomen, urine analysis check for this
I would prescribe anti inflammatory agents to help with the pain and topical anti inflammatory gels (diclofenac). Hot compresses followed by application of gel and ice packs after an hour will help relieve Inflammation and pain.
Please see your doctor at the earliest. The pain is getting worse and has lasted long enough to warrant medical attention.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Disc disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
I believe that your instincts were right. Your symptoms would lead me to primarily rule out spine related problems such as disc disease and nerve impingement.
Would you please clarify a few things for me?
1) do you have any other symptoms? (numbness, tingling, any difficulty in movement, frequent tripping /falling)
2) How severe was and is the pain now, on a.scale of 1-10(10 being most severe)? Is this pain felt elsewhere other that your back?
3) do you have any problems with bowel movements or while passing urine?
4) how is you appetite and energy levels?
5)do you have any other medical conditions or on any medications?
6)do you smoke or consume alcohol?
I recommend seeing your physician to check for the exact source of the pain.
An x-ray (MRI if necessary) can show if there is likelihood of spondylosis (reduced space between 2 vertebrae that can compress nerves).
Differential diagnosis would include urinary tract infection/ stones, prostate enlargement. An ultrasound abdomen, urine analysis check for this
I would prescribe anti inflammatory agents to help with the pain and topical anti inflammatory gels (diclofenac). Hot compresses followed by application of gel and ice packs after an hour will help relieve Inflammation and pain.
Please see your doctor at the earliest. The pain is getting worse and has lasted long enough to warrant medical attention.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I have not been falling over or tripping but have noticed dropping things a lot more lately. do get occasional tingling pins and needles.
The pain i would rate at 9 or ten depending on the movement iv done, i have high threshold for pain, sometimes the pain near drops me. the pain is always in same places in lower back either left or right side.
No real problems with urine or bowel movements currently, every now and then my urine flow slows but not very often.
appetite and energy levels are ok but working long hours and stress are normal for me
no other medical conditions or medications currently. iv had few broken bones over the years and been in five major car crashes, non my fault
yes i do smoke about ten to fifteen a day and i do drink whiskey. a bottle over a week.
i will visit a doctor for further follow up as suggested thank you.
thank you for information to relive the pain, much appreciated.
Regards XXXXXXX
The pain i would rate at 9 or ten depending on the movement iv done, i have high threshold for pain, sometimes the pain near drops me. the pain is always in same places in lower back either left or right side.
No real problems with urine or bowel movements currently, every now and then my urine flow slows but not very often.
appetite and energy levels are ok but working long hours and stress are normal for me
no other medical conditions or medications currently. iv had few broken bones over the years and been in five major car crashes, non my fault
yes i do smoke about ten to fifteen a day and i do drink whiskey. a bottle over a week.
i will visit a doctor for further follow up as suggested thank you.
thank you for information to relive the pain, much appreciated.
Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Hope you feel better
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.
5 car crashes! That's one too many. Did it involve any injury to your spine or hip bones?
Did you need any surgeries?
Your symptoms do indicate nerve involvement.
Smoking and alcohol hastens the nerve damage and delays healing. Hence it goes without saying that ideally, quitting could prevent further injury and debilitation.
Scars from the accidents could also lead to chronic pain. I hope that you feel better soon.
The pain does seem severe and the sooner it is checked out and treated, the better the recovery and healing period.
Spinal surgery (if necessary) is considered when conservative management (medications & physiotherapy) does not help with leading a normal routine life or if severe disc disease is diagnosed and threatens severe nerve damage.
Slow flowing urine could be due to an enlarged prostate gland which is a common occurrence over the age of 40. Medications to relieve this outflow disturbances can prevent infections (due to stasis of urine). An ultrasound abdomen can check for an enlarged prostate.
Hope I've been of help.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you well.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Hope you feel better
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.
5 car crashes! That's one too many. Did it involve any injury to your spine or hip bones?
Did you need any surgeries?
Your symptoms do indicate nerve involvement.
Smoking and alcohol hastens the nerve damage and delays healing. Hence it goes without saying that ideally, quitting could prevent further injury and debilitation.
Scars from the accidents could also lead to chronic pain. I hope that you feel better soon.
The pain does seem severe and the sooner it is checked out and treated, the better the recovery and healing period.
Spinal surgery (if necessary) is considered when conservative management (medications & physiotherapy) does not help with leading a normal routine life or if severe disc disease is diagnosed and threatens severe nerve damage.
Slow flowing urine could be due to an enlarged prostate gland which is a common occurrence over the age of 40. Medications to relieve this outflow disturbances can prevent infections (due to stasis of urine). An ultrasound abdomen can check for an enlarged prostate.
Hope I've been of help.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you well.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Yes you have been of help.
From the pain i have been experiencing your diagnosis to me feels correct.
Past experiences have personally taught me a lot and i would not say that my situation is normal, to answer your question here is brief summary.
iv torn mussel in my back and had treated with inferred lamps only.
i have titaimium ulnar and radius from wrist to elbow on left arm after snapping in two and titaimium scaiffoid in right wrist from one accident and other injuries inc twice fractured right ankle, broken ribs and collapsed lung with other injuries along the way, my inquiry to find current issue is because the pain is getting better of me with this one.
Iv never complained before so i believed the best option was to ask.
After our consultation today i will be seeing a doctor tomorrow as suggested. i will get ultra sound done as well to ensure all is well there.
Thank you for your help, it is hard to know whether i feel like i am getting older and should just put up with the pain and carry on. This site and your help has helped me move forward to continue diagnosis. Much appreciated.
Regards XXXXXXX
From the pain i have been experiencing your diagnosis to me feels correct.
Past experiences have personally taught me a lot and i would not say that my situation is normal, to answer your question here is brief summary.
iv torn mussel in my back and had treated with inferred lamps only.
i have titaimium ulnar and radius from wrist to elbow on left arm after snapping in two and titaimium scaiffoid in right wrist from one accident and other injuries inc twice fractured right ankle, broken ribs and collapsed lung with other injuries along the way, my inquiry to find current issue is because the pain is getting better of me with this one.
Iv never complained before so i believed the best option was to ask.
After our consultation today i will be seeing a doctor tomorrow as suggested. i will get ultra sound done as well to ensure all is well there.
Thank you for your help, it is hard to know whether i feel like i am getting older and should just put up with the pain and carry on. This site and your help has helped me move forward to continue diagnosis. Much appreciated.
Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Hope you feel better
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
Thank you.
Hope you feel better and the issues are resolved without any complications.
Pain is a warning sign and must always be paid attention to.
You've been through a lot and I understand the thought process behind the feeling of just tolerating the pain. You don't have to and shouldn't unless it's part of a healing process.
Am glad that you will seek help soon. Thanks for trusting us with your concerns
Wish you the best.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Hope you feel better
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
Thank you.
Hope you feel better and the issues are resolved without any complications.
Pain is a warning sign and must always be paid attention to.
You've been through a lot and I understand the thought process behind the feeling of just tolerating the pain. You don't have to and shouldn't unless it's part of a healing process.
Am glad that you will seek help soon. Thanks for trusting us with your concerns
Wish you the best.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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