Constant pain

Smoggie

Hello everyone, I have had constant lower back pain for 4 years and for the past 7 months I've had slight swelling that never goes in both ankles,feet and lower legs with constant pain feels like burning and tingling and burning pain in one elbow and wrist , I haven't received a diagnosis as my GP keeps fobbing me off saying it's tendonitis,I don't play sports I only walk or swim for exercise and work 2 days a week. I've never had a scan or x-ray and ibuprofen and naproxen don't help at all. Can anyone offer any advice please it would be much appreciated

SharminB

Hi @Smoggie

Welcome and thank you for joining the Versus Arthritis online community :)

Sorry to hear what you're experiencing with your pain and the GP. You definitely do need an x-ray or imaging scans to see what may be happening to your joints and to help get a diagnosis. If you're able to get a second opinion, this may help with getting that support. A referral to a physiotherapist may also be useful to help manage your joints and pain. It's great to hear you're walking and swimming, as these can be quite helpful ways to keep moving. You can read more in the links below:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/back-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/elbow-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/foot-and-ankle-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

You're welcome to also call the Versus Arthritis helpline to get some more information and support :)

Best wishes,

Sharmin - Mod

Smoggie

Thank you for replying and for the links Sharmin , much appreciated

Skinny Keef

You must push for an MRI, or ask to be referred to the pain clinic if your doctor is unwilling to make a formal diagnosis. Pain clinic would scan you as a matter of course if you hadn’t already been done.

I actually paid for my first MRI in 2013 as I didn’t believe my doctor’s diagnosis and wanted to make sure as I couldn’t walk, or pee, or do anything actually.

It was about £550 back then. Last resort if all else fails.

Smoggie

Thanks Keef I am seeing a different Dr next week and I am going to push for a scan or ask to pay for referral , your illness sounds very painful and it's terrible that your Dr didn't act sooner.