15 Yr old boy chronic back pain

@loriesco
Thankyou for your reply and advise
Its difficult cause all this has happening seems to have been one thing after another, I find myself looking at him for symptoms and trying not to over think it, but its hard when we dont know anything yet.
We're getting closer to the help we need, I cant believe how ive had to fight just to be heard , some Drs have no idea and just fob you off, im praying that wont be the case at Manchester hospital, believe me im going nowhere till I get some answers..
Think our appointments will be in the new year now ,hoping not long..
I just want the help to get him out of pain and living a happy life, able to do things not in pain.
Hes such a clever, thoughtful child and beautiful person, we want the best for our children ❤️

@sammymatt you sound like an awesome family. Don’t forget to try acupuncture, acupressure, and yoga. Another thought is to make sure you’ve been to an orthopedic spine surgeon. They see a lot of things that others don’t. He could have a cyst pressing on a nerve or a desk that’s partially herniated ( These are very simple things to deal with once somebody has figured it out). Just hang in there and do your homework trying to isolate where the pain comes from. A good pain management doctor will palpate and locate the pain. A good radiologist will read the MRIs. You have to say to the doctors.(if they try to brush you off.) that they cannot leave him suffering and if they don’t know what the problem is, they need to make an analysis and consult to another doctor referral. You also might want to try a research hospital or a research university. I am at Ucsd and they teach the next generation of doctors. They are more patient with their patients and take on complicated cases to teach the students.

@loriesco
Thankyou for your reply
Yes we have alot going on at the moment.
We're currently waiting to see Spinal Drs and waiting to see what they think..
The important thing is ruling out as much as possible with him , making sure its nothing congenital, I will know more after his heart scan in January, all these things help move things on..
We tried accupunture, but his pains to chronic to work with, the lady that does it said it wont work on him at this moment, the best thing at the moment is the swimming, he can exercise in water with no pain , so were going with that for now why we wait
Hopefully next year will bring alot more answers for us X

So sorry to hear your child is going through this. I had chronic mid to upper back and neck pain start when I was 15 years old. I’m 47 now and I’ve had pain for every minute of my life. It has literally defined my life. Everyone from childhood friends to people that I work with now and everyone in between know me as a back and neck pain sufferer. From the ages of 15 to 30 I mist doctors treated me like I was lying about it. Eventually, either due to the source of the problem itself or the poor care that I was inflicting upon myself to try and alleviate the pain, I ended up with major spine problems, and have had three spine surgeries (the most recent being just a couple weeks ago to fuse most of my neck).

I’ve thought a lot about how my pain started and what did I do to cause it. The only thing I can think of it makes sense is over usage during my growing years. Too much working out with weights, long distance running, hunching over books and schoolwork for many hours at a time, and working multiple physical labor jobs at a time. I’ve always been a little obsessive about the things that I get myself into, so for all those important growing years I was way overdoing it and not get near enough recuperation and rest.

Are there any activities that might be causing a lot of stress on your child’s lower back on a regular basis? Have you asked to see a rheumatologist or someone that can do a bone density test? (Forgive me if you’ve already mentioned this stuff in another post or reply.) I found out I had osteopenia, which is very unusual for a young male. Not sure how much of a contributing factor this is to my issues, but it’s not something they normally test for a young male.

Until I ended up needing surgery when I was 30 due to one of my disc in my neck, causing spinal cord compression, doctors just passed me around without taking any ownership. You’ll have to continue to push hard to get answers. Unfortunately, I didn’t do that and I didn’t have anybody doing it for me. At one point a doctor told me I was too young to have this kind of pain. I asked him how old do I have to be before you’ll help me? He didn’t have a reply.

If you haven’t already, and you have the means/insurance, go to the best medical clinics in your area (e.g., Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic). Back pain is a mystery still and most “local” doctors won’t be able to figure it out until there are symptoms that indicate surgery is needed. You’ll want to go to the best to try to get it diagnosed and not eventually end up down that path.

Not sure if any of this will be helpful to you, but please feel free to reach out if you think there’s any inside I can provide.

My thoughts are with you and your son.

@bricurran
Thankyou for your reply
You say things that worry me for my sons older years, I pray his pain doesn't become something he will have to live with and plan his life around..
Its took us lots of appointments and weve seen lots of Drs to get where we are now, some of them absolutely waste of time, not a clue , which is so frustrating..
Anyway eventually things seem to be moving, ive spent days ringing the main hospital that has the best spinal Drs team, ive begged the secatarys to get my son seen, anyway a few lovely lady's ive been speaking with have gone out of their way and have discussed my son with them in a medical meeting, they agreed he needs to be seen.
They want to see his MRI and other things hes had and now were waiting to hear for an appointment,, these appointments are 15months waiting list, but she assured me he will be seen soon, i just never let my phone out of my reach, waiting for call...
My sons never really done anything as such that's caused his back pain, hes a twin brother and yes both been healthy, exploring lads , both did martial arts for 5 years, but no injuries.
Hes had big growing spurts and is 6ft now, age 15yrs, as alot of his peers are..
His poor posture is terrible, he is a typical teen and spends hours sat about not moving and gaming, this i find frustrating, but its difficult to motivate him some days, we do make sure hes swimming and doing physio but at this age hes almost an adult and I try not to get on at him too much haha, very difficult tho haha..
I pray all will come right for him, I think the spinal Drs will know alot more than ones we have seen, quite possibly he will need surgery on the disc tear , it maybe the best thing to help him as we are trying everything eles..
Hope you are also in a good place, pain is difficult to live around, it effects you everyday and takes its toll mentally and physically x

Children who are 15 years old are adult in body only, but only halfway to adulthood in mind. Video games are as addictive as cigarettes and drugs. It is clear you love your son. However, he needs to understand that you are in charge, that what you say goes and that you pay the bills that allow him to play video games. Also he needs to understand you have his best long term interest in mind. Have a long talk with him. Set up limits and consequences for poor behavior. You are correct. Exercise is crucial. Self entertainment is not.

@sammymatt I know many kids that spend way too many hours hunched over their phones and video games and they don’t have pain or back issues. Just like for most of us, I’m sure lifestyle changes would benefit some, but it’s too common (and easy) for people and doctors to point to this as the problem whereas bad posture may actually be a symptom of whatever is going on with his back, not the cause. I have poor posture because it causes me pain to have good posture. My body pushes back when I try to force good posture.

Not sure what your answer is— might be whatever is going on that you can’t figure out yet, might be need for core strengthening exercises— but do not accept “ he needs to improve his posture” as an answer.

@gilkesl
Yes I agree they are still young adolescents, cant complain, hes a very good child, always worked hard at school and does listen to what we say, think he gets fed up of pain and feels like no ones helping him, its very frustrating..
I try to find the balance eith gaming, but the kids of today all do it and I know hes safe at home and online , as I have monitored accounts.
Nxt year will be a better year for him, we will get there 🙏