[Airway]

I've been living with pain for many years. I first received treatment about 7 years ago. I've seen several pain specialists, physical therapists, and a surgeon or two. Currently I am seeing a chiropractor who I have been with for almost two years.

I had my first MRI in 2003 which is when I learned about degenerative disc disease and ruptured discs at L5-S1. I've been thru several injection treatments but the most pain relief I ever received was about 10 days. I'm currently taking MS Contin 30mg twice daily and Vicodin as needed. I also take Skelaxin 800mg twice daily.

I had my third MRI last Thursday. I've been experiencing numbness in both my legs. I learned today that the disc rupture has increased and I also have spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).

I'm in my 20s and am truly terrified right now. My chiro is recommending I make an appointment with neurosurgeon to be evaluated. I've never been a surgical candidate before, and I may not be now either. But the possibility is terrifying.

My disc looks like this:

[(JD)]

(((turtle))) I'm sorry you are "so young" and going through this. My stenosis came about from a disabling injury when I was in my early 30s.

Who is writing your MSContin and other scripts? What do they think about this? What have all those specialists told you in the past?

You know when you see a surgeon, the only option for them is to do surgery! I wouldn't go with the removal only of a disk, but the replacement with one of the new fangled disks.

I never tried the injection treatments for all my verterbrael difficulties; never heard of anyone gaining true relief from them.

Are you all alone in this with no one to help you do some background checking, reputation information building on a good neurosurgeon?

How do you generally rate your pain level? How long has it been since your meds were adjusted? Do they give you enough pain med to greatly reduce the pain, or are you also working and have to keep it limited?

[Airway]

I was receiving my medication from a pain management specialist but he decided there was no more he could do for me. He sent me back to my primary care doctor who has taken over writing the prescriptions for the time being.

I have no intentions of having surgery. I saw a neurosurgeon a few years ago and at the time he did not feel I was a good candidate. I'm not sure if I will go back to see him or someone else. I haven't made any appointment yet. I just received the radiology report today.

My pain probably runs about 4/10 most days but lately has been more like 7/10 along with the numbness in my legs. My primary care doctor has been in charge of my prescriptions since last spring. At first it was difficult for her to agree to take this on but with the pain specialist refusing to treat me anymore I was kind of stuck. I don't remember the last adjustment but it hasn't been since i left the pain specialist.

The terms I have become familiar with are degerative disc disease, ruptured discs, facet joint syndrome, and now today spinal stenosis.

I have work limitations due to both psychiatric and physical conditions. I am severely under employed due to fear of employers. I am working where I feel comfortable. But it is a job that requires prolonged standing which is where the physical problems come in.

[mrsmoggles]

(((((((((hugs)))))))))))

I just got onto my hubby's health plan and so I am starting over on dr's...i have a pcp, a nuero, a gyn, an ent surgeon, a psych and pretty soon a therapist...i was taken off the only 2 meds that worked for my legs cold turkey and went into downward spiral with pain being off the charts and muscle spasms...now my pcp says fibro and neuro says that is crap dx, then tells me i have painful polyneuropathy and most of my nerves are significantly damaged....ok you say i have painful illness and yet he told me 3-4 weeks to see how much the meds i have started for depression will help...i am so weak that even when i feel a bit better, just getting up and emptying the dishwasher lays me back up for an hour or 2. I had an MRI past saturday and keeping fingers crossed...doctors are odd, and i guess i am suffering the pain well enough for them so they dont have to treat the pain, it is like they are calling me a liar though...as if they dont believe that i am hurting. then the stupid thing my brain does is say you arent in pain, its all in your head, you are a loser and whiner and wth, forget it and move on!!!

am i crazy??? i feel that way sometimes...especially when i am told i shouldnt be hurting but i am; when i am looking at my hand and watching it twitch of its own accord; i am crazy cause i try to get some relief for pain and i guess by me not crying and ranting enough in fetal position means to them i am good to go...slap a happy face 'i seen the dr' sticker on her and run her out the door!!! Quick lock it before i find something else to complain about. I am sorry...i am beginning to hate doctors and how they make me feel...I know something is going on with my body and it is betraying me on so many levels, and i hurt and omg, no one helps...they just make me feel....stupid, hurt, angry, tired...so very tired. when should i give up, give in...crawl into a hole and wait till something better comes along...