Question
Hi i am looking for advice i have had a very sore back for some time now and i feel no one wants to listen. The pain has spread into my left hip and also my right thigh this is causing me a lot of pain iam very depressed i feel like taking my own life. My doctor has reffered me to hospital to see a back doctor but also said the letter could be declined as they only accept letters from physios. I attened physio and she told me she felt it was muscular and that i was unfit. I told her that i haerd that before and that there must be something wrong i cant be in this much pain for nothing i work fulltime and have 3 children my youngest is 3 iam am crying out for help i can not take this pain much longer may i also say i have had constant tingling in my left foot just below my toes for about 7/8 years and they still tell me there is nothing wrong.

Answer
Dear Annette,  I know exactly how you feel when you are dealing with chronic pain....  This does NOT sound like muscular problem to me because muscular strain and pain will eventually go away as the muscles strengthen etc...

This sound like one of 2 things possibly may be wrong... THe first would be a disc problem in the back...  It could be pinched nerves in your spinal column, a herniated disc etc....  It could also be degenerative disc disease, also known as osteoarthritis....

You need to see an Orthopedic specialist who will do the proper MRI of your back and spine or ct-scan of your back and spine to determine what your problem is...

If you have insurance, most insurance companies do NOT require a referral to see a specialist....  That means that all you have to do is call the specialists office and make an appointment....  You family doctor does NOT have to referr you....  Call your insurance company to see what type of policy you have in effect....  I do not understand what you are talking about regarding accepting letter from certain types of doctors etc....  

thank you,   karen