Hi all

I'm in London and have had problems for about a year, starting with low back, pelvic and vulval pain a year ago and getting much worse a month ago when i was stretching and felt a ping in my thoracic region. I've had two MRIs which show a thoracic annular tear and 'something' affecting the spinal cord in my neck - I can't remember if it was a space where there shouldn't be a space or something in the way where there should be a space if that makes sense. The neurologist thinks that the problem in the cervical spine might be causing the pelvic/abdo/vulval pain.

Of great concern right now for me is the thoracic tear. I've been given very little information about whether it heals and what I should do. I've been told to just leave it but the pain is rotten - I can't easily sit, walk or stand. I'm also concerned that I should be doing some physio to strengthen other muscles and so support it.

Does anyone else here have similar problems? I'm in complete tizz at the moment and my GP is extremely unhelpful and is frankly sick of the sight of me. She's not very good at finding good practitioners to refer me to and is furious when i find my own and ask for a referral.

So, there's the moan. Maybe this should be on 'spine' thread to and I'll post there as well. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome. Good to have found somewhere offering so much advice....

Best wishes

Sue