Severe Back Pain

I need some help. I have a sever pain in my lower back, right side and it tends to shoot down my right leg from time to time.
I tried calling a couple of Neurologist's begging to fit me in, but unfortunately I haven't gotten very lucky (usually I am...not today though)

I don't even know if a Neurologist is the way to go. I will not go to a Chiropracter because I personally think they are useless, and do not prescribe medication and I am a big fan of medicine :)

Anyway, the pain has been like since last weekend and I keep trying heat, then ice and the pain IS NOT GOING AWAY.

Can someone recommend a doctor or what to do?

Re: Severe Back Pain

Any doc can prescribe something for you till you can get in to see a neurologist. It sounds like sciatica, which is often caused by something pinching your nerve. You might need a muscle relaxer. See if your PCP can see you. Also, try Tiger Balm. It's an OTC remedy and might help a little. Also try stretching. You can find stretches online for sciatica.

Re: Severe Back Pain

Just so you know- prescribing something will COVER the pain- not get to the bottom of it.
If you want to mask it- that is totally understandable- but you can be on pain killers the rest of your life and they aren't going to fix the problem.
IMO- a chiropractor is the way to go... because they will try to fix the root of the problem- rather than mask it.
It sounds like sciatica to me- if you need a good chiro FM me...

Message edited 8/13/2008 3:09:55 PM.

Re: Severe Back Pain

I absolutely want the problem solved, not mask it. I cannot stand this pain anymore.
I figured the doctor would give me an anit inflammatory pill or something to release the pressure, the pinch or whatever it is that is going on.

Re: Severe Back Pain

You can either see a PCP, an orthopedic or a neurologist.

If it is sciatica, it has 2 origins.

- A disc issue
- A muscular issue

Or a combination of both.

You need to make sure what the orgin is before you start doing any treatment.

Message edited 8/13/2008 4:04:09 PM.

Re: Severe Back Pain

I think you are wise to not go to a chiro. I had a big issue a few years ago, and ending up at a nuerologist, but they wouldn't see me until I had an MRI in hand for them to look at. I think maybe you'd need to see a orthopedist or your GP first?

They may be able to put you on a round of steroids- that is enough to take down the inflamation for some people and let things slip back into place (if it's a disc issue.)

Good luck- I know how painful this can be!

Re: Severe Back Pain

I am going through the exact same thing--I have a "bad back" and have herniated the same disc twice.

I have to ask--have you ever been to a chiropractor? I was once a huge skeptic, I thought they were useless, too. And then I herniated a disc last summer and literally couldn't support my own weight--my DH would have to take all my weight just so I could get to the bathroom.

With the help of an AWESOME chiropractor, I started feeling relief in about 5 sessions. Once I learned what chiropractic was really about, and what they really do, I was a changed woman. It's because of my chiropractor that I was PAIN FREE for the first time in years.

Anyway, as other posters have said, if the pain isn't going away with heat and rest, you may have herniated a disc.

Message edited 8/14/2008 10:23:18 PM.

Re: Severe Back Pain

thanks guys so much for the helpful info.
the pain is unfortunately still the same.

will update everyone soon