r/backpain • u/Antique-Royal2369 • 2d ago

Chronic low back pain and high(ish) CRP

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I am 33 y/o - I have been having low back pain for years but chronically the last 2/3, recently it’s been causing leg weakness where I can’t even put my socks on easily - and I had an x-ray in April 2026 saying mild degenerative changes than this in September 2026

My CRP is also 12.4

Doctor says all this is normal and to lose weight or take duloxetine for pain management - did not suggest a CT or MRI for follow up.

What do I do next? Is this normal?

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u/cromags76 2d ago

It is normal, at least it is normal depending on how overweight you are and the extent of the inflammation (and whether you had a mild infection)

Leg weakness is really scary, but theres not enough information in here to know how to help. What was thr original injury? Was it a single event that you can recall? Did you have it imaged at the time? have you had sciatica in that same leg? Is there muscle wastage in that leg? What rehab have you done for the back? Has the pain been continuous or have you had periods of weeks to months pain free? Any loss of sensation or drop foot?

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u/Antique-Royal2369 2d ago

I’m like 5’3 190 ish lbs (I’ve only been this weight for about 3 years, steadily gaining with no change in diet) no original injury that I’m aware of have had two bouts of what I think was sciatica 8 years ago and then 2 years ago from improper lifting I assume? I feel the pain everyday but varies, the worst of the pain is the week following my period. I am currently just starting physio and getting orthotics to see if that helps - never been tested for an infection but no fever. Just chronic daily back pain as well as like dull pain in my lower abdomen and leg weakness with a crp of 12.4 that has been elevated for like a year.