Long Term Back Pain - Pain Management Message Board

Diane_28 · 05-22-2007, 05:16 PM

Hi,
this is my first post here and I am in the UK.
I am 28, mother of 2 young children and I run my own business.
Over a year ago I fell on some stairs and knocked my tail bone/coccyx. I have since suffered with severe pain when sitting down.
The first thing my doctor did was prescribe Co-Codamol (Codeine) 30mg. I take 6-8 a day (more than 200 a month).
That was over a year ago and in the meantime I have seen my doctor once. He sent me for physio therapy which did nothing. They will not x-ray or try and diagnose the problem - which could be a fracture or displacement.

6 months ago I developed severe sciatica in both buttocks/legs which has me in chronic pain all day & night. I have 2 things going on now which has left me depressed and unable to function.

On Friday I visit my doctor. I want more than anything for him to prescribe something better for my pain (I feel no relief from the pain meds) alongside a long term solution. I am very scared that not only will he deny me anything stronger, but on past experience he will probably make me go cold turkey on the codeine (which will push me over the edge).

Can anyone advise what I should be expecting from him? Would he be right to take away the pain medication? Should I reqest anything in particular?

Many thanks,

Diane

BrittleBones · 05-22-2007, 05:27 PM

Hi Diane - I don't understand why they won't xray the tailbone to get a diagnosis. What is his reasoning for denying you this test? As far as the sciatica - I've experienced the pain you describe and the only thing that helped me in the long run was having my sacral joints (on either side of your lower back) fused. But that's a very severe solution to a problem that should first be diagnosed and probably treated with some steroid/numbing medicine injections. Why have you only been back to see the doctor once all year? Is it hard to get an appointment? KathyMac

sherry1 · 05-25-2007, 12:49 PM

Hi Diane

Welcome to the board. I am in the UK too.

I have had chronic back problems for 2 yrs now including buttock pain in both which leaves me crying somedays because of the pain and i am on a wholeload of meds.
But you know what the NHS is like!

You obviously have a problem which your doctor should try and help more with.
Are you on anti-imflammatories or any meds to dullthe nerve might give you some relief.

I must say that accupunture helped my sciatic pain abit but i have gone past anymore physio help with my back.
Had injections but they didnt work.

Anyway its just a suggestion but maybe an MRI is in order to see whats going on in there.

I hope you get some relief soon.

jodom1979 · 05-26-2007, 10:02 AM

Im curious..

Thinking about moving over to the UK. Are the doctors their just as hostile and unforgiving as american docs when it comes to pain management? I have a good set of docs now but ofcourse moving changes that.

Diane_28 · 05-29-2007, 03:53 PM

Hi there, thanks for your replies.
I went along to the doctor on Friday along with my hubby for support.
The doc had a look at me and basically asked me what I wanted him to do.
I asked why they had not agreed to x-ray and he said it is due to unecessary exposure. He agreed to refer me to the back specialists at the hospital who may choose to do an MRI scan.

As for pain medication, he suggested I move away from co-codamol 30/500 and go on to Hydrocodeine 20mg (x2 per dose). He has also put me on a very low dose anti-depressant to try to help with the pain.

So far they have made no noticable difference to the pain and I have spent the entire weekend in bed. I feel terrible as I have a 2 & 4 year old who are missing their mum.

I have arranged a telephone appointment as the hydros are making no difference whatsoever. I need some relief soon before I have a nervous breakdown and so I can get back to work (I can only sit on an office chair for 5 minutes a time).
Does anyone know if the hydrocodeine 20mg is strong? (I am very tolerant to opiates already). If not, what medication should I be expecting from him?

Sorry if I appear to be moaning

Di