Do I need a 2nd opinion

[Mellymell]

I am a 35 year old women with chronic back pain since I was 20. I have been seeking treatment now for 6 months because it has been getting worse and affecting my life to a greater degree. Here are my symptoms:

Back pain and stiffness after inactivity
Morning stiffness
Cant stand up straight after getting up from a chair
Back below waistband is tender to the touch and warm
Painful feet, ankles and knees
Entire body is tender to the touch
I have lost range of motion in my hip, shoulder and back
Frequent achilles tendonitis

Bone scan showed increased uptake in the lower left SI joint as well as the upper and lower part of the right SI joint. Increased uptake in the heel and a bone spur is present. knees have a small amount of uptake and there is significant uptake in the ankle and talus bone and mid foot.

X ray showed degenerative changes in the anterior L2 - L5 and I have lost normal lordatic curve.

All blood work comes back normal.

My doctor says my only problem is fibromyalgia. Do you think thats all that going on here? SHould I get a 2nd opinion?

[Mellymell]

Thanks for your advice.

I had a lumbar MRI in June that reveled nothing.  They did not use contrast, though, so I dont know if that would make a difference.

And to answer your question, I never had an injury to my low back.

[Zak_Han]

I totally disagree with diagnosis ( fibromyalgia)
Do you have back injuries long time ago?
If so,Chronic soft tissue injuries around spine are your diagnosis.I would suggest with back and leg pain that you probably need an MRI scan to see if there's pressure on the nerve or something. A more complete evaluation may open up other treatment options for you. Take care!

[Nortbach]

hi hi hi
a 2nd opinion is always best.

and reading and study all u can about what they suspect it to be and
ask all the doc's u see about it and read about anything it can be.

keep asking every doc u see.   and eveyone u see.

nurses too... ask ask ask

never give up

keep searching for solutions.

Best of luck.
n

[Cindee56]

Hi, I have similar problems, esp. with the low back.  I also have cervical spine issues (2 herniated discs and spinal stenosis).  I'm much older than you, but was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis in my knees.

You said you had a bone scan.  I'm not sure what that is, but I just had an MRI of my low back and buttocks area because I can't take the pain.  I will get the results next week.

Considering your age, I would definitely go to another doctor.  Did you go to a specialist, an orthopedic dr, or rheumatologist?  If not, maybe try one of those before you just accept the fibro diagnosis.