<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.an elderly friend has pain in low back and into left side; becoming unbearable. CT does not show anything like kidney stone, all internal female organs look o.k. cannot have mri as she has a pacer. does have some degenerative disc changes; but no compression fractures. any suggestions for cause or other testing that may identify issue would be helpful. she is 80 and not a complainer. had her own garden till this year.  <response>: Hello and welcome to Chat Doctor. As a Urologist, i can understand her anxiety. To diagnose a stone, a plain CT scan is enough. MRI isnt done routinely. If no stones seen, theres no stone present. An ultrasound-KUB is done first. Urine routine may show blood cells. Mostly the pain is likely due to disc changes. Shes advised to have regular physiotherapy for the back pain. It would be good to write, if shes taking any other medication. If youve any other doubts, send them to me, as a direct question. Chat Doctor. Manga. 