I fell hard on the ice 18 mths ago. Since then I have been on pain medications, Tramadol. Last year I had an MRI done, they found a small herniated disc and early stages of degenerative disc disease, but that is up further. I then went to an orthopedic practice because the pain in the lower left side of my back is not getting any better. I went through 3 rounds of cortisone shots, they injected the SI joint and some of the muscles surrounding the SI joint. It did not work and they more or less washed their hands of me. Now, a year later, the pain is not any better, I am still taking tramadol during the day (200mgs) but now I am also taking Gabopentin and ametriptaline at night. I recently went to a new specialist, pain management and they said it is my SI joint they are going to try injecting nerve blocker meds into my back and see if it gives me any relief, I had that done yesterday, 3 more shots, and of course on the paperwork it states Cortisone. Friends of mine work in the medical field and said I should not be getting this many cortisone shots and that there must be something more wrong. They described it as sugar coating. I am at my wits end and do not know what to do. I have another appointment for more injections next week and wonder if I should even bother. I did not get one ounce of relief from these so called nerve blockers, which is what they claimed it was.

Please give me some advise!!!