My left lumbar scoliosis pain is driving me crazy and I'm almost giving up at this point

18 Y/O Malaysian male here. I’ve started to have lower back pain around 2 years ago, at first I thought it was herniated disc, but it wasn’t confirmed what it was. It was in late last year that my strict Asian mom finally took me to a clinic to see what’s going on, doctor confirmed it was scoliosis, after observing that my lower back left side is slightly higher than the right.

He gave a set of exercises that’ll hopefully correct the spine and asked me to an x-ray for the curvature (unfortunately the x-ray I did at a clinic was only done when lying flat, not standing) the x ray did show a left leaning curve on my lumbar. We continue for checkups till sometime around March it stopped, probably my mom forgot about it.

Since then the pain flared up from time to time, sometimes mild, sometimes painful enough that I can’t sleep. I try doing the exercises like Cat Cow, Child Pose, etc, but those weren’t enough to alleviate the pain. I try apply specialize gel onto the painful area, but that only alleviate muscle pain, not scoliosis.

At this point, I’m pretty much about to give up. I can’t tell my mom to go to the clinic again because we already don’t have enough money for it and she gets angry or frustrated about it. Also, I feel like exercises are ineffective for me now. As I’m writing this, its so painful I’m just wishing to get a surgery to get it over with.

I’m just about to pull the plug because the pain is becoming too much of a burden on me now.

hey, thanks for sharing all of that… it is clear that you’ve been carrying this pain for very long—i just wanted to check in because the pain you’re describing sounds really serious. and when you said you’re just about to pull the plug—that made me worry for you.

if you’re in too much pain to sleep or function, you don’t need to wait anymore. you can go straight to the hospital’s A&E. even if money is tight, public hospitals in malaysia won’t turn you away for emergencies. your safety comes first, okay?

also—your first x-ray was lying down, right? for scoliosis, that’s not the most accurate. maybe it’s time to get a second opinion, preferably with a standing x-ray. you deserve a clearer diagnosis and better options.

do you know if you’re covered under any student or family insurance? some young people in malaysia are already included in MySalam or Perkeso—it might help cover treatment if you qualify. even school counselors might help you check this.

you’ve done so much already to hang in there. but you don’t have to do it all on your own anymore. if the pain’s too much, or the thoughts feel heavy, please go to the hospital or talk to someone safe. your life, your spine, your peace—they’re worth it.

wanna try checking what’s the closest hospital to you together?