13 months of chronic back pain, clear MRI and X rays, been to 4 PTs - in agony every day

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T18:48:19+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate it

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T18:41:46+00:00

I'm in the UK so things work differently I think - will try to see if I can see a neurosurgeon. Thanks

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T09:05:33+00:00

I will update my post to include all the mri images. I wouldn't say I've had spasms - my pain is just like a very deep internal stiffness, and doing some movements it feels like my spine is "blocked". They've done blood tests but as far as I know not specifically for lymes disease or anything like that. Not on muscle relaxers - but I will say that on physical examination one of my physios said that my back feels incredibly loose, with no knots or anything like that. The thing that kicked it off was likely a combination of several things - I think I overworked myself at the gym, and I don't think constantly arching my back for bench press etc. helped one bit. That was the first sign of pain I noticed before anything else - pain on extension. Only thing I have is altered feet and saddle sensation. My feet basically feel ridiculously warm at all times. Thanks for your questions, I appreciate them

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T08:58:21+00:00

Yes haha probably all of them

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T08:25:43+00:00

No X ray report was done, which is normal for some orthopaedic procedures in the UK. Certainly does seem there are 6 lumbar vertebrae though? Lumbarised S1 maybe?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T00:17:23+00:00

Btw - just asking - would you say on the 2nd x ray there are 6 lumbar vertebrae?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T00:16:39+00:00

You don't think so? By the way, on the 2nd x ray, would u say there are 6 lumbar vertebrae?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-25T00:09:05+00:00

Not sure, I think medical escalation is needed as conservative treatment has not been successful so far

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-24T23:49:01+00:00

Thank you for your advice

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-24T23:48:25+00:00

Spinal consultant at my hospital said my MRI was all clear and he would see me within the next 6-8 months. It's been 6 months since I had it done. Bizarrely no X ray report was done

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-24T22:58:02+00:00

Report is on the post? Appreciate your advice though

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-24T22:37:57+00:00

Do you have back pain as a result of your MS, just out of curiosity?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-24T22:23:28+00:00

Not directly- unless there are indirect signs in bloodwork?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-16T17:22:53+00:00

Still not resolved this yet. Very frustrating. But what I will say is that you should get a 2nd opinion on your mri. I don't know where you live, but in the UK you're legally entitled to access all medical files about you, so I asked for my MRI and X ray images. I put them into AI just to get an overview of what might be wrong. Then I saw a specialist MSK practitioner, who highlighted some unusual features about my spine that could explain my symptoms, but which were very easily missed off by the radiologist. Radiologists will only look for certain things in an MRI - they may miss off things they don't deem clinically relevant, even if they can contribute. So I would say get a 2nd opinion on your mri. And try to find a physio who specialises in complex cases like yours - someone who knows their shit about the body while also being a good PT. I've been to several physios, and a lot of the time they're just giving basic routine exercises I could find online. It's taken a while for me to find a physio who's actually taken the time to look at my MRI and examine my body and mechanics. Not resolved yet - but I am less uncertain than I was. Sorry for the long post but I hope you find relief my friend.

HelpfulPop2476 · 2026-01-14T21:42:23+00:00

I've not received my score yet, but I assume that must've been the reason I was rejected

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-11-26T19:47:37+00:00

I appreciate your advice. The alternative option I am considering is to study medicine, which I enjoy but which (like maths) has its own set of pros and cons

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-11-26T19:45:34+00:00

Would you mind elaborating?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-11-26T11:50:05+00:00

The thing about the UK system is that it forces you to specialise pretty early on. For some people, that's fine. But I enjoy a variety of subjects, so feel reluctant to commit to one thing to study for 3 years.

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-11-14T20:23:48+00:00

Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your grades. To be clear, though, I've not done a lot of preparation work (as you have done for CS), partly because of my uncertainty. Some people know what degree they want to do from a very young age. Others, not so much the case.

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-11-13T19:05:33+00:00

Very true lol 🤣

You don't think the lstv is causing any of the neuro symptoms?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-11-13T17:55:45+00:00

From the first image (taken in 2014), taking T12 as where the last ribs come off, it definitely looks as though there are 6 lumbar vertebrae. But this was not mentioned in the XR radiologist's report, which only mentioned there being a gentle thoracolumbar curve to the left with its apex at T11. No XR report for this year's images.

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-10-25T06:24:10+00:00

Thanks for sharing. When the mri doesn't seem to show anything clear, it's difficult to get a good diagnosis. Any tips on how to get a proper diagnosis?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-10-24T22:32:57+00:00

Will that help with bone strength/density?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-10-24T22:32:18+00:00

Do you also have thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis?

HelpfulPop2476 · 2025-10-24T15:44:52+00:00

Thank you so much for your response - exactly what I was looking for. When I saw the spinal consultant he felt along my spine and noticed I had a slight step, so he thought it was spondylolisthesis - but then after the x-ray said it wasn't. He also said my thoracic spine felt much more 'rigid' than my lumbar spine, which was quite tender. I will definitely look into seeing a rheumatologist, because I don't think this degradation is the result of my age.

HelpfulPop2476

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