Finding a Doctor for Joint Pain

Schrodinger

It seems that every time I get sick, I get a really bad cough that corresponds with pain in my lower back, most likely the Sacroiliac Joint. This can last for several weeks or months. Before, I would take Aleeve, and both the joint pain and the cough would go away. I assume that there must be some sort of common trigger related to muscle inflammation. But now, standard anti-inflammatories don't seem to be working on either problem.

Anyway, I should probably see some sort of doctor for this. Since chiropractors have a rather poor reputation on this board, I was wondering if anyone give me advice on where to look and what to look for? I don't have insurance, and I definitely can't afford to visit a hospital.

I found some exercises online that might be able to help with sacroiliac joint pain, but they might as well be in a foreign language. I'm hoping that if I find the right doctor, I can learn to do these exercises correctly, and hopefully get some long term relief.

Thanks.

GrimmyTOA

I am not a doctor.

If you're sure it's a nerve pinch/inflammation, how about a sports injury clinic? They might be cheaper than a hospital visit. Maybe.

But

It might not be a nerve inflammation issue. Could be a chronic condition that just rears its head when your immune system is stressed.
Do you have a GP? A recurring wracking cough doesn't sound like something you want to ignore. You might have to start at a walk-in clinic if that's your only option.

zepherin

It's tuberculosis of the cancer. You are going to die twice.

Or more likely you should go see a doctor. This doesn't seem to be something you want to fuck around with. Sports doctors can be cheaper, also most areas have walk in clinics that offer reasonable care for a lower cost, go on a Monday or Wednesday right when they open. Ask about costs in advance.
You should see a professional, Doctors can help, a Nurse practitioner is also good but not quite the same. There are a lot of issues that can mess you up, or it could be something like arthritis or some such. It's hard without a hands on diagnosis.

Dr. Frenchenstein

is the pain located specifically in your lower back? you could have a herniated disc or something, and the act of violently coughing irritates it.

go to the doctor, (not a chiro) you might need a referral to an orthopedist. don't let back pain just kind of skirt by, i hurt my back years ago, it literally only hurt for a day or two, so i thought nothing of it. last year i had to get surgery because i slipped a disc and it was crushing my sciatic nerve.

Skull2185

You want to see a primary care physician first. Most doctor's offices are willing to work with private pay patients in some way. Either in payment plans or discounts for the uninsured(YMMV). It's possible that whatever problem you're experiencing can be managed/treated by a physician without the need of a specialist.

Skull2185

Another thing you can do is call your city/county's department of health. They can direct you to free clinics in your area. I'd use that as a last resort, though (if you can). Most free clinic experiences are less than ideal...

Also, if you can't get in with a Dr. but a nurse practitioner is available, it's really not a bad option. Pretty much the only difference between them is length of schooling(still more than adequate for general care) and a NP can't write prescriptions for narcotic drugs. All NPs work under a supervising physician, though. So if you end up needing pain meds, or a strong med for your back pain, you'll still be able to get one.

Pinfeldorf

This is about a third of the story necessary for a proper recommendation beyond a GP. Without getting a history from you personally and palpating the region, the chances of an accurate diagnosis are basically zero. The SIJ has a bit of soft tissues around it that can be irritated by coughing, but there are a great many other variables that can cause SI pain. Stenosis, herniations, slipped discs, compression fractures, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis and impingements are all possibilities; there is a enormous laundry list of other possibilities once trauma is involved. Some of these require surgical intervention to avoid long-term pathologies (and the surgeries themselves are no picnic walk through the cake park) while others just require an adjustment of ADLs and proper exercises to avoid exacerbation.

Based on where you live, I could potentially give you recommendations for a decent GP or back specialist to see. A lot of GPs will have pretty good self-pay rates, whereas some of the specialists would...not, so a GP would definitely be the best option for a first step. Definitely do not see a chiropractor blind, as they will run all sorts of dubious tests with dubious outcomes and dubious interventions.

Schrodinger

Seattle area.

Refer away.

Thank you.

Pinfeldorf

Ah, the Seattle area is something I have actual, personal experience with. I saw Dr. Shawn West near Swedish Hospital in Ballard when I was a younger man. Whether or not he's accepting new patients at the time I'm not sure, but he has since moved to Edmonds it seems. Might be a bit of a trek for you, but going 45 minutes to see a good doctor is totally worth it, imo. He's at Edmonds Family Medicine. He's a fairly young-ish, very Irish doctor with great bedside manner and a good sense of humor.

Windburn

I agree with everything that @Pinfeldorf has said (except the Seattle area recommendation, which I have no personal experience with). I want to add to his list of anatomic causes of your pain, there are also medical causes as well (various rheumatologic and other inflammatory arthropathies) especially since it seems to be associated with illnesses. A good FP or IM doc will be able to consolidate your history and begin the workup.

I am a little curious as to why you think it's your SI joint. There is a tremendous amount of anatomy in that area with referred pain only complicating the diagnosis. SI localization usually requires specialized maneuvers and CT-guided injections. Even then its frequently a diagnosis of exclusion.

Jasconius

you just need a good, honest GP

GP's recommend doctors. not forumers.

streever

Basic GP who can recommend you to a doctor who handles mobility/physical therapy.

BEAR IN MIND that doctors often would like to have "100%" certainty and will do more testing than you may need or want. Also, keep in mind that as a society we spend millions and millions on "non-specific chronic back pain" and (for most of us) that type of pain really just means we're getting older. It may be weight related, muscle related, or inflammatory, but it typically seems to be more of a reality of not being 17. Stretching and exercising and other activities may reduce the symptoms, which is usually good enough, really.