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bulging disc

Thanks for all the replies. I had an MRI so I do know that it is a bulging disc. I do alot of stretching...

Posted by eyates

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bulging disc Thanks for all the replies. I had an MRI so I do know that it is a bulging disc. I do alot of stretching...

bulging disc

Thanks for all the replies. I had an MRI so I do know that it is a bulging disc. I do alot of stretching...

Posted by eyates

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bulging disc Thanks for all the replies. I had an MRI so I do know that it is a bulging disc. I do alot of stretching...

Switching long acting pain medicine due to rising ...

Hi, I've been on Oxycontin for chronic pain for just over 2.5 years. It has been the best medication in...

Posted by An_251611

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Switching long acting pain medicine due to rising co-pay Hi, I've been on Oxycontin for chronic pain for just over 2.5 years. It has been the best medication in...

Includes Expert Content

Severe lower back pain

I have been having severe lower back pain along with severe cramping for the last 3 days. I am late with my...

Posted by xoxoajc

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Severe lower back pain I have been having severe lower back pain along with severe cramping for the last 3 days. I am late with my...

Bulging Disc

I have a bulging disc that is pressing on the sciatic nerve. I have been through PT and the pain still persists....

Posted by eyates

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Bulging Disc I have a bulging disc that is pressing on the sciatic nerve. I have been through PT and the pain still persists....

Includes Expert Content

bulging disc

I have a bulging disc that is pressing on the sciatic nerve. I have been in pain for about 3 months, been...

Posted by eyates

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bulging disc I have a bulging disc that is pressing on the sciatic nerve. I have been in pain for about 3 months, been...

Today is the day for Beth

Today, Beth has her surgery. I want to take a moment to think of her, and give to her all my strength, so...

LIVE LONG-LOVE WELL!!!

Posted by DfromSpencer

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Today is the day for Beth Today, Beth has her surgery. I want to take a moment to think of her, and give to her all my strength, so...

This is important!

Actually, Lorigibs posted this on her Facebook page. It's so important that I'm posting the link here. Thanks...

Posted by CTBeth

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:This is important! Actually, Lorigibs posted this on her Facebook page. It's so important that I'm posting the link here. Thanks...

support,help

my boyfriend is 60 and has diabetes, with normal blood sugar counts at 350-400 and foot pain, also his spinal...

Posted by huston49

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:support,help my boyfriend is 60 and has diabetes, with normal blood sugar counts at 350-400 and foot pain, also his spinal...

check this out

WIVB.com how the I-STOP law is affecting people still dont know how to post a link if someone would like to...

Posted by Bree74

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:check this out WIVB.com how the I-STOP law is affecting people still dont know how to post a link if someone would like to...

8 years of unknown chronic pain

I have been suffering for 8 years with my chronic abdominal pain. The MDs have given me many suggestions of...

Posted by McCurn03

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:8 years of unknown chronic pain I have been suffering for 8 years with my chronic abdominal pain. The MDs have given me many suggestions of...

Frozen shoulder

I have been dealing with frozen shoulder for 9 months now. I have had physical therapy, injections, and muscle...

Posted by Mamasodd

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Frozen shoulder I have been dealing with frozen shoulder for 9 months now. I have had physical therapy, injections, and muscle...

Starting Pain Management

The past year for me has been a living hell and I am at the end of my rope. Following two back surgeries in...

Posted by cardfan69

The past year for me has been a living hell and I am at the end of my rope. Following two back surgeries in the past six months I still find myself in chronic unbearable daily pain and am starting to wonder if I will ever be "normal" again.

Here is a quick recap of my story. Back in 2005 I had a bad fall that resulted in a severely ruptured disc at L5S1. Following three months of SEVERE pain and all the usual methods to correct it (physical therapy, spinal injections, steroids, pain meds, etc) my surgeon recommended a bilateral discectomy that was performed in December of 2005. This surgery was a huge success and I had almost immediate relief from my pain. Although I would have occasional flare ups over the next several years, I lived relatively pain free until the beginning of 2012 when I managed to re-injure my back after starting a new exercise program (I guess that's what I get for trying to get in shape...ha ha).

Anyway, I went through the normal attempts to calm things down again (spinal injections, physical therapy, medications) with no success until it go to the point that it was simply unbearable so my doctor recommended an anterior fusion which was performed in July of 2012. This surgery did NOT go well and not only did I experience no relief I think things got worse if that is even possible. Following almost 4 months of no noticeable improvement my doctor recommended another back surgery to "tighten things up and prevent movement that was causing me pain", so he performed a posterior fusion in November of 2012. This surgery was slightly more successful and I did experience some relief for a brief period but beginning in about March of this year things started going south once again.

So currently I live in pain 24X7 with no apparent relief in site and I'm not sure how much more I can take. Mornings are the worst and some mornings I quite literally can't get out of bed (however I have to get out of bed because laying down too long also causes pain and has resulted in many a sleepless night). The only thing that seems to help and make life tolerable has been steroids (which I've already received my maximum dose for the month so I can't have any more for a while) and 7.5 Norco's which I take 3 times a day. These do not provide complete relief but they definitely take the edge off and allow me to function as a semi-normal human being.

I think my back doctor has given up on me as yesterday he told me that at this point he would like to refer me to a pain management specialist. I'm not sure exactly what this means but I hope to meet with them in the coming weeks. I've been doing a lot of research on the web and there seems to be mixed responses to what people think of their pain management docs so I thought I would post a message here and ask what to expect? Anything I should do in preparation? What are the odds of them keeping things in check and making life bearable? Basically, any advice, suggestions or comments will be appreciated.

I will say the only saving grace through all of this is that I have an unbelievably supportive wife of 25 years that is my rock and is the only reason I continue to fight through this. I also am fortunate to work for a GREAT company that has been very flexible throughout all of this, allowing me to work from home whenever necessary so I can stay close to an ice pack and recline in a more comfortable position and avoid some of things that make the pain worse such as sitting in one position to long, stairs, etc).

Appreciate any thoughts, comments, smart remarks you may have.

God blessView Thread

Posted by cardfan69

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Starting Pain Management The past year for me has been a living hell and I am at the end of my rope. Following two back surgeries in...

Extreme Pain above Ankle

Hey guys I'm new to this, but i signed up because i need help. I was a cheerleader for three years, and...

Posted by briecummings

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Extreme Pain above Ankle Hey guys I'm new to this, but i signed up because i need help. I was a cheerleader for three years, and...

acording to my pm doc PROP pettion passed and ha...

went to my monthly pain clinic follow up today and was told that i could no longer be prescribed oxycontin...

Posted by Bree74

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:acording to my pm doc PROP pettion passed and had to cut me off oxycontin went to my monthly pain clinic follow up today and was told that i could no longer be prescribed oxycontin...

acording to my pm doc PROP pettion passed and ha...

went to my monthly pain clinic follow up today and was told that i could no longer be prescribed oxycontin...

Posted by Bree74

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:acording to my pm doc PROP pettion passed and had to cut me off oxycontin went to my monthly pain clinic follow up today and was told that i could no longer be prescribed oxycontin...

Rib Pain shooting to Back

Hi. Last summer my right rib was hit and I was on my back for days. I finally saw a doctor and got x-rays...

Posted by Anon_29771

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Rib Pain shooting to Back Hi. Last summer my right rib was hit and I was on my back for days. I finally saw a doctor and got x-rays...

Cronic NON NARCOTIC Pain Medicines

I am a cancer survivor and after all the chemo and radiation i now have Cronic pain 24 hours seven days a...

Posted by An_251547

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Cronic NON NARCOTIC Pain Medicines I am a cancer survivor and after all the chemo and radiation i now have Cronic pain 24 hours seven days a...

Cronic NON NARCOTIC Pain Medicines

I am a cancer survivor and after all the chemo and radiation i now have Cronic pain 24 hours seven days a...

Posted by An_251547

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Cronic NON NARCOTIC Pain Medicines I am a cancer survivor and after all the chemo and radiation i now have Cronic pain 24 hours seven days a...

Intercostal Neuralgia/Nerve Pain

I just recently got diagnosed with Intercostal Neuralgia in September 2012. My systems don't match exactly...

Posted by Laurajo126

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Intercostal Neuralgia/Nerve Pain I just recently got diagnosed with Intercostal Neuralgia in September 2012. My systems don't match exactly...

Is Morphine Stronger than Methadone for Chronic Pa...

I am curious as to which medicine is best for chronic pain. I know that morphine is used as well as...

Posted by Anon_27116

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Is Morphine Stronger than Methadone for Chronic Pain? I am curious as to which medicine is best for chronic pain. I know that morphine is used as well as...

RE: Morphine Sulfate and MS Contin - Confused!!!!

Hi, I saw my new pain mgt. dr. today and was prescribed Morphine Sulfate 30mg, TER and Morphine Sulfate 30...

Posted by Anon_27116

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RE: Morphine Sulfate and MS Contin - Confused!!!! Hi, I saw my new pain mgt. dr. today and was prescribed Morphine Sulfate 30mg, TER and Morphine Sulfate 30...

Acupuncture for shoulder pain

Has anyone found relief from pain through acupunture for arthritis of the shoulder?

Posted by nsrichman

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Acupuncture for shoulder pain Has anyone found relief from pain through acupunture for arthritis of the shoulder?

anyone having trouble in NY with the new I-STOP l...

well it looks like NY gov knows whats best for the people docs are so afraid of this new law that they are...

Posted by An_244266

21 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:anyone having trouble in NY with the new I-STOP law well it looks like NY gov knows whats best for the people docs are so afraid of this new law that they are...

I dont know what to do or who to turn too? :(

Im 27 years old and wake up in intolerable body pains at times. It feels like Im not able to move at times....

Posted by An_246540

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:I dont know what to do or who to turn too? :( Im 27 years old and wake up in intolerable body pains at times. It feels like Im not able to move at times....

trigeminal neuralgia and nerve ablation

had nerve ablation for trigeminal neuralgia done a year ago i still have numbness, the cold hurts me there...

Posted by An_251504

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:trigeminal neuralgia and nerve ablation had nerve ablation for trigeminal neuralgia done a year ago i still have numbness, the cold hurts me there...

Where to go from here and how do I get my doctor t...

I've had multiple hospitalization a, pain clinic classes through stanford UCSF UCDAVIS and kaiser most...

Posted by An_251502

Take the Poll

Have you had a similar experience? What helped in your situation?

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Where to go from here and how do I get my doctor treat me after I've been labeled pain management I've had multiple hospitalization a, pain clinic classes through stanford UCSF UCDAVIS and kaiser most...

Upper Back Pain

Hello, my name is dustin and i am 16 years of age. I currently lift and am pretty athletic. Recently i...

Posted by dustin_braham

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Upper Back Pain Hello, my name is dustin and i am 16 years of age. I currently lift and am pretty athletic. Recently i...

Sciatica concern

Hello. This is my first time in the community, although I have visited the site for answers to various...

Posted by hayzlipgirl12

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Sciatica concern Hello. This is my first time in the community, although I have visited the site for answers to various...

Butrans Patch has been a Godsend for me

I have been on the Butrans 20mcg patch for almost a 18 months now. It has changed my life completely. This...

Posted by An_251469

10 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Butrans Patch has been a Godsend for me I have been on the Butrans 20mcg patch for almost a 18 months now. It has changed my life completely. This...

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