Pain and breathing difficulties with Scoliosis?

As the title suggests, I keep getting back pain and occasionally chest pain which makes it difficult to breath.

I was diagnosed with thoracolumbar scoliosis 3 years ago and the doctor said I would need x-ray check ups every 6 months, but they never booked it and since it is mild, I simply left it.
For the past 2 years I keep getting sharp sudden pains in several areas, e.g. the side of my spine, in the middle of the spine at the back where the two curves meet and in both rib cages (varying pain in the front, side and back of them). These pains can last between 30 seconds and several hours and usually gives me shortness of breath. On top of this, my back restricts me from things such as sport and lifting things and tends to get stiff whenever I wake up in the morning.

I keep going to the GP about it in hopes to get another x-ray to see if it has gotten worse. The first time, the doctor told me to just take stronger painkillers because not even co-codamol helps. The second time, they told me it's probably muscle strain so I should try heat packs. The third time, they kind of dismissed it because I had another medical problem to discuss and get a prescription for. The fourth time, they told me I had probably pushed myself too hard the week before and claimed that scoliosis isn't associated with back pain. The fifth time, they suggested getting booked into physio sessions but I had to wait until I turned 18 to get them.

All in all, I would like some advice. Do I need to be more strict in getting them to book me a hospital appointment? Also, does anyone here who has back problems know any good pain relief methods?

By the way, do you have a private medical? As having that can get you an appointment with the hospital a lot quicker.

Be persistent with your GP, the NHS falls flat on it's face when it comes to non-urgent issues like this and sitting around waiting isn't going to do anything. If your pain gets too bad get your hands on some Pain killers such as Ibuprofen which is designed for pains like this, they wont cure it, but it'll take the edge off.

Unfortunately no, I just use the public medical centre down the road from me. I've been debating whether to get private healthcare since my family isn't very wealthy but getting a hospital appointment quicker sounds like it would be worth it. I'm always worrying that, as I grow older, it'll just get worse since it's at this stage already and I'm only 18.



I do try Ibuprofen but a lot of the time it doesn't really do much to help. The only medication that worked a charm was co-dydramol, which I was given once from someone who has been prescribed it for her own back pain, so maybe enquiring about having that prescription might help?

As the title suggests, I keep getting back pain and occasionally chest pain which makes it difficult to breath.

I was diagnosed with thoracolumbar scoliosis 3 years ago and the doctor said I would need x-ray check ups every 6 months, but they never booked it and since it is mild, I simply left it.
For the past 2 years I keep getting sharp sudden pains in several areas, e.g. the side of my spine, in the middle of the spine at the back where the two curves meet and in both rib cages (varying pain in the front, side and back of them). These pains can last between 30 seconds and several hours and usually gives me shortness of breath. On top of this, my back restricts me from things such as sport and lifting things and tends to get stiff whenever I wake up in the morning.

I keep going to the GP about it in hopes to get another x-ray to see if it has gotten worse. The first time, the doctor told me to just take stronger painkillers because not even co-codamol helps. The second time, they told me it's probably muscle strain so I should try heat packs. The third time, they kind of dismissed it because I had another medical problem to discuss and get a prescription for. The fourth time, they told me I had probably pushed myself too hard the week before and claimed that scoliosis isn't associated with back pain. The fifth time, they suggested getting booked into physio sessions but I had to wait until I turned 18 to get them.

All in all, I would like some advice. Do I need to be more strict in getting them to book me a hospital appointment? Also, does anyone here who has back problems know any good pain relief methods?

Oh I am sorry about that. Having private medical is an extremely useful feature, as it saves a lot of time. I endorse this from personal and recent experience, and you should try to find a reasonable insurer. Using private medical saved me 6 - 8 weeks on the waiting list for appointments. Also, don't worry I am nearly 18 and I have had two major operations (both within 1 year). Just stay strong and be positive.

I have scoliosis myself too. Was diagnosed about 6 years ago. The curvature in my spine is pretty bad (about 90 degrees) and I sometimes do get back/chest pains. I never opted for surgery, just went with the bracing procedure. I suggest just trying to keep your back as flexible as possible. Try stretching every morning when you get out of bed and evening just before you go to sleep. I also found having a good posture too also helps to decrease back pain by a considerable amount.

As the title suggests, I keep getting back pain and occasionally chest pain which makes it difficult to breath.

I was diagnosed with thoracolumbar scoliosis 3 years ago and the doctor said I would need x-ray check ups every 6 months, but they never booked it and since it is mild, I simply left it.
For the past 2 years I keep getting sharp sudden pains in several areas, e.g. the side of my spine, in the middle of the spine at the back where the two curves meet and in both rib cages (varying pain in the front, side and back of them). These pains can last between 30 seconds and several hours and usually gives me shortness of breath. On top of this, my back restricts me from things such as sport and lifting things and tends to get stiff whenever I wake up in the morning.

I keep going to the GP about it in hopes to get another x-ray to see if it has gotten worse. The first time, the doctor told me to just take stronger painkillers because not even co-codamol helps. The second time, they told me it's probably muscle strain so I should try heat packs. The third time, they kind of dismissed it because I had another medical problem to discuss and get a prescription for. The fourth time, they told me I had probably pushed myself too hard the week before and claimed that scoliosis isn't associated with back pain. The fifth time, they suggested getting booked into physio sessions but I had to wait until I turned 18 to get them.



All in all, I would like some advice. Do I need to be more strict in getting them to book me a hospital appointment? Also, does anyone here who has back problems know any good pain relief methods?

Is there no way you'd consider surgery ?

I have scoliosis and had my last surgery when I was ten. You should try and get yourself referred to either an orthopaedic surgeon or spinal consultant asap because curves can progress very suddenly (I know from personal experience). Maybe you could go to A&E when it is hard to breath and they can find a consultant to see you? Good luck!

Ten? That's so young!
I will try and request a specialist to see what they can do and if surgery is necessary and available for me. Thank you, and everyone else, for the advice! I hope something will get sorted soon before it gets any worse.