Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 20-year-old female. I have been experiencing constant backaches since I was 10-12 years old. My back and spine would often go super stiff, so I tend to crack them by twisting my body back and forth, easing the pain. Usually, a cold temperature would trigger a painful stiffness, making it almost numb, especially when sitting for so long. When we went for a tour last year, we walked the whole day. Until the night, I could not manage even to move my body, nor could I bend down or sit. It may be some muscle cramps, or I am also concerned it has to do with maybe lung problems. Over the years, I've had a lower back issue, and I had a small but not-so-serious accident where I hit my arms on the ground, causing it to hurt more than the upper back, where I have a slight bend in the spine near my nape area. Hoping to hear an opinion and possible treatments I could get. I am currently on Lamotrigine.
Kindly guide.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I must say the X-rays are not very clear (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and I will leave it to assume that the angle mentioned is true. The pain in the back of a young person with only 8 degrees of the curve is unlikely, and we must explore other possible causes. It could be Scheuermann's disease, inflammatory conditions like inflammatory spondyloarthritis, etc., that need to be checked for. You need to first send me a better digital film and not a camera picture of the X-ray. Please get a complete blood count, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), CRP (C-reactive protein), and urine routine. Have you tried physio, manual therapy, anti-inflammatory tablets, deep breathing, and core strengthening exercises? Also, what did your local doctors say, and what are the clinical examination findings?
I hope this helps.
Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I apologize for the quality of the X-ray, as I can only use my camera and the TV screen to capture the X-ray film as clearly as I could. Since I am living alone in a condominium, I normally would not attempt core strengthening or perhaps strenuous exercises, as I have a history of asthma, which is now recurring at present at certain times. I have not tried any therapy or taken any anti-inflammatory drugs for the existing condition that I have.
The local doctor, as I remember, mentioned muscle pain and that a portion of my back, if seen bending, is not equal. Like, there is this side that may be stiffer than the other. Other than that, I have already mentioned the clinical findings about the Cobb angle. For the blood test, I am not so sure if I could get it as soon as possible since there is still the pandemic. Going to the hospital may not seem like a choice for me at the moment, as I also do not have anyone to accompany me.
Please suggest.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Start taking painkillers. I do not want to start anti-inflammatory tablets as it may aggravate asthma unless you can confirm that Diclofenac or Piroxicam have been tried and does not aggravate asthma. So our initial choices are Paracetamol 500 mg four times a day, Tramadol 50 mg twice a day, a hot pack or an ice pack, whichever works for you, and you can also alternate them. Apply pain-relieving gel. Do a gentle range of motion exercises. Do your local clinics not provide home collection services for blood? And I am also not sure my prescription here will work in your setup. I am keen that you do gentle stretches, and once this is comfortable, then start with bridges and planks.
I hope this helps.
Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Atul Prakash
Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.
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