Hi ((((((((((everyone))))))))))))

I've never posted here before...I guess I never had chronic pain before!

I'm not sure what the definition of chronic pain is, and i probably don't qualify, but I figured people here would understand the most. Forgive me for venting

I hurt my back running on the beach at the end of July. So, two months ago. I went to the dr at the beach and got some pain meds so I could make the 9 hour drive home the next day (I couldn't sit) but didn't see a dr at home until the beginning of September, because I kept expecting it to get better on its own. She did an x-ray and said that she thought it was sacroiliitis (sp?). An inflammation of the joint where my pelvis and my spine meet. She wanted me to do PT for a month and then if no improvement get an MRI.

For a variety of reasons (mainly long wait for appointments), my FIRST physical therapy appointment isn't until this Thursday. In the meantime, we've had MAJOR FLOODING where I live and I've had to bail out the basement a few times while H was at work - really hard physical labor.

My back hurts SO MUCH. There is no reason for me to make that up - I am a runner who can't run at ALL right now - I can't do much of anything - and I don't feel happy about it. The dr. has given me tramadol, and I called after the floods to say how much my back hurts and to see if I could get something stronger for a few days. She said that "there is no reason for it to still be hurting" and won't call anything in for me. Now I'm out of tramadol, and I called this morning for a refill and they haven't even called that in.

I feel SO frustrated and invalidated and for some reason, ASHAMED, and I really don't know how to proceed from here. The doctor wants me to have an MRI, and I'm going to, but I want to do a couple of weeks of PT first just in case that ends up helping.

I could just cry I hate that I'm not being taken seriously.

[Inny2009]

Im sorry treehouse! I did hear that it is not good for you to run on the beach because there is no support on sand...and with the dips its easy to loose balance and such. I do know that some physical therapy places can recommend (either call in to the doctor or even do the ordering itself) of pain medicine. Because I do know that physical therapy is to benefit the body but pain medicine is also needed at times. Maybe until your therapy session you can go out buy extra strength advil, it is an anti inflammatory medicine as well..or even a tylenol arthritis...not saying you have arthiritis but it can help with inflammation. Then see how you do on that, take it easy...and come time for your therapy session explain the situation and see if they can do anything. If they cant, even writing a recommendation to your doctor, though i would talk to your doctor and pretty much in a nice way demand something. Explain that you took an OTC pain med and that didnt help touch the pain and you need something...If he still doesnt help you..i would be contacting another doctor for a different opinion. Good luck!!! Please take care of that back....and please rest and take care of yourself!!! keep us posted!

[January]

Can you make an appt with your Dr. and let her see how much pain you are suffering? Maybe she will change her mind and give you something.

You can use ice for 15 minutes. Wait a while and then use heat for 15 minutes.

If you have a recliner, it's usually easier to sleep in it, with a towel rolled and placed behind your neck.

I hope you feel better very soon.

[bebop]

you really should go ahead and get the mri now so when you do the pt you will already have that done. I am so glad I didn't wait to get mine done a few years ago. chronic back pain is the pits but we do learn what we can and can't do. I hope you have a great outcome on this.