[tired of pain]

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!!!

[jaynedough]

I'm sorry you've been having this pain so long. This summer, I went for Physical Therapy for a few weeks. Best thing that has happened in a long while. I finally got someone who did a fairly extensive workup on me. After one session with this guy, I could stand fairly straight for the first time in years. When I started having a different pain, he re-assessed and fixed it.

IDK what kind of access you have to physiotherapy; maybe your friends can help with that.

I hope you can find relief.

[continuosly blue]

Hi "tired of pain" I know exactly what your going thru. Its called the chronic pain merry go round. I've been going thru this for 15 yrs. Meds , shots , c-scans , mri's , and so much more I can't even remember. The one thing I do know is that I've had MANY injections. Now they will say they are really diagnostic but they are just groping in the dark. Especially nowadays since narcotic meds are frowned upon , hey it's injection time ! ( $ )

They are doing the same thing to me now , going to burn the nerves that they THINK may help your brain not feel the pain.

In short your lucky to get any kind of treatment nowadays with all the fuss about meds and insurance companies etc...

Back pain is one of the most difficult things to diagnose and treat.

Best of luck to you

[cloudyn808]

Had SI joint problems for 30-years. Had a lot of pain over the years. Also had years of injections, tons of medications, physical therapy etc... When it gets really bad the only drug that helps is prednisone (icky- I hate steroids, but it works) I'm also taking 1/2 tab of oxycodone a day in the afternoon to give me just a little relief.

One good thing...after 20-years of aggravations that would come and go it's simply a dull pain now without the intense episodes-