Hello There, I Have Been Struggling With Back Pain Alot

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2020

Question: hello there,

i have been struggling with back pain alot more than usual recently. i had a car crash in 2015 and dislodged my S1, was given pregabilin for the pain after i was discharged.

i have recently had a HUGE flare up with the pain, its extending to my chest and i cant sit or lie down without being in 10-10 pain. the pain is soo bad i think someone else having this pain would of put themselves into hospital. i am in SOO much pain with my back its almost undescribable.

looking for advice on what to do now and what the step is to move foward with my pain and booking the right doctor etc my back is very swollen at the very bottom, where my s1 is.

thank you
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query

If the vertebra is unstable it may require surgery. If not then a nerve root injection to treat the pain could be a good option.

Kindly share any investigations such you have done for this. Have you seen a Pain specialist?

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Hello there

I have had a nerve root injection already which did nothing for my pain at all. Also seen a pain specialist but he didnt so much as UK doctors don’t prescribe opioids unless absolutely necessary. Which is ludicrous seeing how much pain I am in. Most medications (apart from opioids) has been given to me with no avail.

I have booked a CT scan for tommorow but right this moment I’m in soo much pain it’s indescribable I can barely type.

What can I do ? No doctors want to prescribe any real pain medication So it just makes my life a nightmare

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Answer

Detailed Answer:
If you are in unbearable pain it would be best to contact 111 and if required go to the A&E. You could be given Codeine to help with the pain as deemed necessary by the Doctor.

A CT scan may show any bony compression but an MRI would help better to show nerve compression and need for surgery.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana