Painful sex isn't something to push through or explain away. Dyspareunia and vaginismus are real conditions with real causes and treatments that work.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor, and one of the easiest to describe vaguely. The clearer your notes, the more your visit can do.
Track when the pain started, what you were doing at the time, and where exactly it sits. Note whether it stays in your back or travels into your hip, buttock, or leg, and whether numbness or tingling comes with it.
Record what eases it and what makes it worse, from sitting to lifting to how you sleep. List the pain relievers or stretches you have tried and how much they helped.
Your doctor will likely ask about the timeline, check your movement and reflexes, and rule out warning signs. Lead with your notes so the visit focuses on your plan, not just fact-finding.
Take notes as the doctor talks, record the meeting (with their permission!) in myStoria, or add a quick voice note to myStoria as soon as possible afterward so that you are not relying on memory alone.
Before you leave the clinic, ask for copies of anything from the visit, like lab results, assessments, or referrals, and upload them to myStoria to keep your history complete. (If you aren't able to get copies, connect with Concierge and we can help you source them!)
Give the plan the time your doctor suggested, and keep a short daily note on pain levels and what you can do. Small, steady change is the goal.
If the pain worsens, spreads, or comes with new leg weakness or bladder changes, do not wait for the follow-up. Otherwise, book the next visit with your progress notes in hand.
myStoria keeps your symptom history, medications, and questions together, so you walk into each appointment ready and pick up cleanly at the next one. When you want guidance between visits, you can schedule a video consult in advance with a member of our team, several of whom are registered nurses.
This page offers general information to help you prepare for and follow up on your low back pain appointment. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you develop new leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek urgent care. myStoria video consults are scheduled in advance.