Constant pain in lower back

I am so ready to throw in the towel and give up. A little over three months or so ago I woke up one day and could barely walk my back hurt so bad. I haven’t really been able to do too much like sleep peacefully ( I’m lucky if I get 6 hours normally I’m pushing 4 hours) no sex at all, can’t get comfortable for long to sit still have to move around to relieve some pain. I have already done the X-rays and MRI’s on it and was told I pretty much have degenerative disc disease and a narrowing of the spine also arthritis. So my orthopedic doctor who is treating me for my hip ( osteoarthritis) referred me to see a pain doctor I went to one who wanted me to start PT and would not listen to me when I told him that it didn’t work. So I found another pain specialist who actually listened to me. He started me on pain medicine that I take twice daily and he started doing injection on my back. At first I could handle them no big deal it felt like a pin prick in and out I was like wow that’s good I got this. However those injections did nothing for my back so the dr switched up and started preparing me for the next injection and let me tell you those injections were a little more intense a little more painful but I was like if it helps me get some kind of life back I’m down. The dr never explained to me that these injections/procedures were preparing me for the “big one” or the Radio frequency Ablation (RFA) that one hurt like h@@@ I could barely walk out of there on my own and was crying and shaking for a long period afterwards. The ablation kills the nerves that are sending the pain signals I felt the burning in my back it was not cool this is supposed to last 6 months to a year but I am already at 4 weeks and I’m still having severe back pain nothing has really changed if anything I think it’s worse. Now I don’t know what to do for my back. I’m at a loss because I’m always tired or worn down or irritated because I’m always in pain.. I’m sick of the pain it’s like it’s taking over my life..

(((Dolphan)))

I have a degenerative disk as well... and could barely walk for awhile. PT (specifically acupunture with electrodes, and a heated light pad) helped me.

For chronic back pain, check out Dr. David Hanscom on YouTube.

Also for trauma and where we hold it in the boday, check out Dr. Bessel van der Kolk on YouTube or his books.

Symbolically, it's as though you have the weight of the world on your back and you are breaking down... you are having trouble walking which symbolizes not having agency over oneself as well as not being able to move forward.

Do you keep a private journal where you can write out your thoughts...? David Hanscom not only talks about chronic pain, but also expressive writing.

I hope you get some relief soon...

You are stuck and you need comprehensive help.

Do you have anyone to help you navigate the healthcare system and advocate for you? I responded to your other post and asked whether you have a psychologist/therapist and social worker.

I am 76 with osteoarthritis. You were very sharp to get the MRI. The poster is right that this can be a complicated situation and that we need help coordinating. I finally needed to have shoulder replacements and I will probably need knee replacements. A look at family health history can be very enlightening. Efforts to help myself were thwarted by not getting the big picture and making additional serious mistakes in every area. What insurance do you have? Sources of help are heavily impacted by our insurance. The profit motive allows seductive bandaid solutions to be promoted. Read all you can about your disorders and use the effective professionals with whomever you have experienced big picture successes as a path to the right solutions.
We found that my exhusbands bad back pain was from a bent ligament. Our honest pain doctor referred us to a wonderful surgeon whose staff helped us in getting his A1C down to make the surgery a success. I serve as his medical advocate but have to be VERY persistent to get past the profit motive to seek out the answers. I know you will find a solution for your pain. Huge hugs!

Oh, my. I finally was sent to a pain doctor and receive opiates. They help some. Have they tried shots?

Hello
My back is still not doing any better. No one to navigate for me but myself I used to work for an insurance company before I went out on disability. Right now I’m in pain management and the Dr has me under pain meds but they are not working. I see the dr on the 9th so hopefully he will change my rx. I’m in aquatic therapy for my hip and of course they know about my back so some of the exercises we do work on both but I’m still in pain each day!! So hopefully something will give!!

I did a few injections even the RFA one that’s supposed to work for arthritis but that one didn’t even work. That’s why I am hoping next week they will switch my meds because I have been in the same medicine for about two to three months.. I’m even in aquatic therapy for my hip which they are even working on my back a little and all that does is makes my back worse for a couple of days.. I go back to the orthopedic dr in September I may have to see the surgeon for my right hip.. I have already had both knees replaced in 2021 because of osteoarthritis.