Am I being unreasonable for wanting a second opinion?

In the past couple of weeks, my back has been hurting a lot. Especially in since Monday, I've been in agony. On Tuesday, I went to my pediatrician. He ordered x-rays of my lower back to check for stress fractures. (Not uncommon among gymnasts, which I am.) Today, he called and said that there was nothing wrong with me.

My friend Kate (also a gymnast) had the exact same symptoms as I do last year. Her doctor didn't find anything either, but when she went to a specialist, he immediately found a stress fracture in her back. He put her in a back brace, and she's feeling a lot better.

When I heard my doctor's answer, I wanted to go to a specialist, just to make sure there really is nothing wrong with me - my opinion is that if I'm constantly in this much pain, there must be something wrong. My mom is actually opposed to it, saying that it doesn't matter, that I don't need a second opinion.

Am I being unreasonable for wanting a second opinion?

NO, when it comes to your health you shouldn't take any chances. Especially if you are so young (since you're going to a pediatrician). If you are in pain there is something wrong. Just because the first doctor didn't find it doesn't mean that there isn't something there. Now it may not be a stress fracture it may be something else but either way I would get a second opinion because you are in pain. I hope your mom comes around, feel better!

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with getting a second opinion. If anything, it's going to give you piece of mind in at least knowing what is going on with your own body.

Ask her - what if there IS something wrong and it gets worse? Then she's going to feel bad for being opposed to it. Let her know how you feel about it, and that you're really concerned. Tell her why (about your friend).

I don't see why it should be an issue.

Not at all. Absolutely see another doctor; ask for a specialist!

well your bake could be out of alinment that is what goes wrong with me. stress fractures are usualy hard to see so ya i might get a sec opinon but just because you have the same symptoms doesnt mean it is the same thing.

Definetly not. My mother had back problems for the longest time. Docters coulded find anything wrong. It wasn't until she went to a bone specialist is when they found the problem. Get a second opinion.

Absolutely not ... you have every right to request a second opinion and since you are young and experiencing back pain, you should demand it! It is not normal for a teen (even a gymnast) to experience back pain. X-rays are not always accurate the first time and fractures are not always seen by the naked eye, sometime a bone scan is needed to see the fracture. Ask your mom to reconsider.