Was hoping I could connect with other people who have back problems. I just had an MRI and it came back negative they said no surgery. But she listed some arthritis a little thinning of the disc and a slight bulge. The dr says I shouldn't be having the pain I describe I partly think she's just trying to find a way not to prescribe me my pain meds. She's just a primary physician. Just trying to get some feed back from other people who may have gone through this. I'm leaning towards getting a second opinion maybe from a ortho. Also if she does cut me from the pain meds would it be wrong for me to ask her to wean me off since I've been on 60-80 mg of hydro a day for the last year?
Degenerative disc, DRs, and opinions
- Thread starter Jermuden
- Start date
Cliffy78
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2014
- Messages
- 1,338
IMO it would be unethical for ur dr to just cut u off without weening u. If definitly ask at least. After a yr it's common knowledge that your gonna be dependant. I've seen drs just pull scripts for no good reason other than they are scared of the dea and leave the patient to figure it out on their own. I've seen them recommend methadone for relatively small scripts 30 mg oxy per day. To me that's doing a great deal of harm, putting those handcuffs on such a minor dependence seems ridiculous to me when weening off of such a relatively small amout wouldn't be that difficult if supervised... Good luck bro!
Thanks for your input. She thinks physical therapy should get me back to normal thing is I don't have insurance so physical therapy isn't going to happen anytime soon. I really feel there's something more going on in there. I think once I get insurance I'm going to get tested for MS it runs in my family.
Cliffy78
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2014
- Messages
- 1,338
well if u can't afford the pt then u can't afford the pt. should u suffer because you don't got an extra 300 a month to kick up to them for some bullshit? Ugghhhh these drs!!! And they wonder why there's a heroin epidemic, unreal.
I just don't get how they can say we don't see anything that could be causing the pain but then say a slight bulge in the disc. I was talking with my mom she said she went 3 years in pain because the dr said nothing was wrong. Got a second opinion and was in surgery a week later.
PriestTheyCalledHim
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2005
- Messages
- 14,724
I know people who have this and they do daily stretching exercises at home, and the ones who have insurance that covers PT go to physical therapy sessions.
I have three collapsed discs and a herniated bulging disc in my lower lumbar with DDD,sciatic nerve problems.If I were you I would go ahead and ask for a referral to a ortho or pain management.No one really knows or can tell if someone else is experiencing back pain.Many people that have mri's done and nothing shows are still in pain,it could be the bulging disc pressing on a nerve or anything.If you have pain,don't stop until it's under control,not one of those dr's care about you as much as you care about yourself.Chronic pain if left untreated will lead to other things much worse than the pain itself
Im in an identical situation. Drs where i am suck so bad. I was able to pay for an mri a couple weeks ago and it shows moderate arthritis along with disc buldging in my whole cervical spine minus one disc. As well as some nerve related issues. they said physical therapy aswell a chiropractor would work, but the issue is how am i going to pay for it.
I have been self medicating for sometime for this problem and i would not advise that its only making things more difficult even tho i had a valid perscription for what was in my system the time i went to pain management they stereotyped and i know what they where thinking. a twenty somthing year old complaining of neck pain. Yeah right.I have the mri to prove a reason for pain and i will be persistent untill im no longer in pain.
What i dont understand is why cant they perscribe something untill the person can get on some insurance like in my case im going to be inrolling for ins in October. Then i will have no problems jumping threw hoops with physical therapy and ciropractic.
Anyways good luck with whatever you do just know you are not alone. Im going to try a second opinion with a practice that has one doctor not a corporate run 5 doc practice with multiple offices, that might be my problem.
I have been self medicating for sometime for this problem and i would not advise that its only making things more difficult even tho i had a valid perscription for what was in my system the time i went to pain management they stereotyped and i know what they where thinking. a twenty somthing year old complaining of neck pain. Yeah right.I have the mri to prove a reason for pain and i will be persistent untill im no longer in pain.
What i dont understand is why cant they perscribe something untill the person can get on some insurance like in my case im going to be inrolling for ins in October. Then i will have no problems jumping threw hoops with physical therapy and ciropractic.
Anyways good luck with whatever you do just know you are not alone. Im going to try a second opinion with a practice that has one doctor not a corporate run 5 doc practice with multiple offices, that might be my problem.
I had a episode this week felt something give in my dropped to the floor and now my leg is pins and needles kind of a numb feeling. No insurance sucks, my dr visits are 100 bucks and she was keeping me medicated 10/325 4x a day but I really think she just wants to quit prescribing me them. Said thing is I've been on the norcos for about a year now so they hardly work anymore.
Nether Animal
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2015
- Messages
- 193
Remember hydro was rescheduled a short while back, so I'm not surprised doctors are trying to wean people off of it. I have a degenerating disc as well, but I don't think it is bad enough to warrant 'round the clock medication at the moment.
Maybe try tramadol (ultram) as something to wean down? I had some success using that for heroin withdrawal and it seemed like an OK drug as long as you don't try to push the dosage, gotta watch out for that serotonin syndrome.
Maybe try tramadol (ultram) as something to wean down? I had some success using that for heroin withdrawal and it seemed like an OK drug as long as you don't try to push the dosage, gotta watch out for that serotonin syndrome.
Rybee
Bluelighter
- Joined
- May 29, 2013
- Messages
- 1,305
I have spondylolisthesis and the neuropathic pain I suffer is disproportionate to the visuals on the MRI. Fortunately, I see a very good pain consultant (anaesthetist by trade) and he's fully aware of the erratic nature of neuropathic pain in that the level of pain I suffer is disproportionate to what the MRI 'says' I should be in.
I've also had herniated discs in the past and my MRI suggested that I should have been in a lot of pain, but this just wasn't the case. So yeah, if you see a primary care physician without a sound understanding of neurology/neuropathic pain then they'll look at the MRI and dismiss your pain. Go and get a second opinion from someone in the know, you don't deserve to have to sit there and suffer.
Though note in pain management, particularly neuropathic pain, 'success' is often defined as a 50% reduction in pain levels. It's unfortunate but you have to accept that sometimes you're only going to have some 'relief' from pain.
Pregabalin/Lyrica is the best non-opiate based medication for my pain. Also, Tapentadol is pretty effective for back-related neuropathic pain.
I've also had herniated discs in the past and my MRI suggested that I should have been in a lot of pain, but this just wasn't the case. So yeah, if you see a primary care physician without a sound understanding of neurology/neuropathic pain then they'll look at the MRI and dismiss your pain. Go and get a second opinion from someone in the know, you don't deserve to have to sit there and suffer.
Though note in pain management, particularly neuropathic pain, 'success' is often defined as a 50% reduction in pain levels. It's unfortunate but you have to accept that sometimes you're only going to have some 'relief' from pain.
Pregabalin/Lyrica is the best non-opiate based medication for my pain. Also, Tapentadol is pretty effective for back-related neuropathic pain.
Tried tramadol and tapentadol with no success did the 5/325 norcos for about 6 months and then the 10/325 for the last 8. They do work but I've noticed they aren't working as good. Going to try and get into a pain management Dr this week. Hoping I can afford it.
I have somewhat the same issue with my mri s and x rays not showing a cause for the pain I have, but my doc has back issues himself so is sympathetic. My scans do show early onset DDD with mild to moderate stenosis throughout, several bulging discs, and an annular tear. My back had been bothering me for years, but I had been self medicating with alcohol (daily drinker) and going to doc for t3/t4 when it got bad. I stopped drinking a year ago which is another story altogether, but thats when the back pain really started to affect my quality of life. The thing about the MRI is that it's all in the interpenetration of the scan. One radiologist / surgeon might see one thing and others see something else.
I'm going for more x rays this week. Hoping that something shows up. My worst pain is directly between my right scapula and my spine and sciatic left side.
My doc has been great, and has explained to me that a lot of GP's get held accountable by specialists/surgeons for opiate prescriptions Having no evidence makes it hard to even justify a referral.
It sucks that we with real pain issues get lumped in with drug seekers, but it's a fact of life. Best thing to do is be completely honest with your doc.
Good luck,
Shain
I'm going for more x rays this week. Hoping that something shows up. My worst pain is directly between my right scapula and my spine and sciatic left side.
My doc has been great, and has explained to me that a lot of GP's get held accountable by specialists/surgeons for opiate prescriptions Having no evidence makes it hard to even justify a referral.
It sucks that we with real pain issues get lumped in with drug seekers, but it's a fact of life. Best thing to do is be completely honest with your doc.
Good luck,
Shain
Erikmen
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- May 3, 2014
- Messages
- 20,708
^I totally agree with you.
I have someone in my family who had Lyrica prescribed to her. She has never really taken opiates or painkillers before, so that worked very well, except that I feel she's high most of the times I speak to her.
One of the reasons she's taking this medication is due to her incapacity to walk or exercise due to problems in both feet.
From reading your first post I'd also suggest you see another doctor. Pain medication is quite expensive on a long term so if you can't or shouldn't go through a surgery the doctors must come up with a solution specially if you are already taking something. Also suggest you explain your situation to the next doctor. I think you should be honest with your doctor and explain what you are taking, for how long, how much, etc.
It would be unreasonable imo to discontinue your meds without tapering.
Well I recently had a trip to the Er. Have an appointment second week in October with a spine dr so hopefully I get some answers. Been without any pain medicine for two weeks just grinning and baring it. Sleep has been almost nonexistent. Just wake up in pain every night. Again thanks all for the discussion.
BeachBum4u
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,678
I sure hope you don't have MS! My Mom was Dx'ed with it about 30-40 years ago and it absolutely ravaged her body over the years. It finally took her 5 years ago and my Dad made the comment that he was so happy she wasn't in relentless pain anymore and finally had some peace. It was purely the most brutal thing I've ever seen first-hand.
Snake_Eyes
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2011
- Messages
- 1,522
My MRI said pretty much the same except that at some point I probably would need back surgery. Mine said I had a slight bulge and degenerative disc disease causing pressure on nerve roots. I wish I had your doctor all I got was pregabalin (Lyrica) and temazepam I've had to self medicate with kratom, weed and what ever else I can source. I basically got cut off from lyrica without a taper from a new doctor but luckily I had more than enough built up to taper myself.
DixiChik
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2015
- Messages
- 972
Jermuden...I can empathize with your pain, as well as other guys. I have suffered with spine issues since a near fatal car accident during my HS years. My mom, sister and I were airlifted to trauma centers after a deadly car crash. We each endured multiple fractures, breaks and lacerations.
I spent 8 weeks in 16 lbs. of cervical traction. Barbaric, I know, but they thought I'd never walk again. We all recovered to some extent within a year of surgeries and rehabilitation. Each of us has suffered lifelong pain in our spines, specifically cervical, lumbar to tailbone and sciatica nerve issues.
To compound my back/neck issues, I've had 2 Jeep GCs totaled by careless drivers. I have serious issues from C5 thru T1, but Neuro says surgery to correct reversed curvature would require extensive hardware. He also said that type of surgery is doomed to fail, causing more pain.
I have DDD, Osteoarthritis, Herniated discs L4,L5 with impingement on S1, annular tears, and blood filled tumors attached to the length of my spine. The tumors are caused by the Stage 4 Endometriosis, and are inoperable at this point.
Unfortunately, my spine/joint issues are not the sum total of my pain issues. I suffer from incurable disease that robbed my ability to have children. It also required TAH/BSO followed by chemotherapy. The chemicals have ravaged my bone health. I'm 21+ years post op, yet suffer daily with pelvic, vaginal, rectal pain with severe inflammation in my peritoneal cavity.
I am enrolled in PM since 2014, but it's been the biggest mistake of my life. Opiates don't "agree" with me, due to my mutilated GI tract. I cannot tolerate pain meds strong enough to ease pain because they intensify constipation. Although I am prescribed Oxycodone, I don't see it as the answer. I can't survive the OIC that doesn't respond to any softener, or laxative. My pain is amplified.
I know it sounds silly, but prescription grade anti-inflammatory meds such as Voltaren are helpful. Jermuden, until you can get into your appointment, you may have to do some trivial things to bring you momentary relief. Soaking in Epson Salt Hot baths are therapeutic at night. I stand under a screaming hot shower before work in the morning and gently stretch my back and neck. Heat packs or cold packs on painful areas after work, alternated can help too.
I hope that you can get some answers soon. As others have posted, oftentimes spinal damage is not picked up by imaging. It can also be misinterpreted. Don't be discouraged just yet...Be your own best advocate to find the right specialist. There's no reason to deny you meds, which are one of the many modalities you need to cope with back issues.
My best to all of you!
I spent 8 weeks in 16 lbs. of cervical traction. Barbaric, I know, but they thought I'd never walk again. We all recovered to some extent within a year of surgeries and rehabilitation. Each of us has suffered lifelong pain in our spines, specifically cervical, lumbar to tailbone and sciatica nerve issues.
To compound my back/neck issues, I've had 2 Jeep GCs totaled by careless drivers. I have serious issues from C5 thru T1, but Neuro says surgery to correct reversed curvature would require extensive hardware. He also said that type of surgery is doomed to fail, causing more pain.
I have DDD, Osteoarthritis, Herniated discs L4,L5 with impingement on S1, annular tears, and blood filled tumors attached to the length of my spine. The tumors are caused by the Stage 4 Endometriosis, and are inoperable at this point.
Unfortunately, my spine/joint issues are not the sum total of my pain issues. I suffer from incurable disease that robbed my ability to have children. It also required TAH/BSO followed by chemotherapy. The chemicals have ravaged my bone health. I'm 21+ years post op, yet suffer daily with pelvic, vaginal, rectal pain with severe inflammation in my peritoneal cavity.
I am enrolled in PM since 2014, but it's been the biggest mistake of my life. Opiates don't "agree" with me, due to my mutilated GI tract. I cannot tolerate pain meds strong enough to ease pain because they intensify constipation. Although I am prescribed Oxycodone, I don't see it as the answer. I can't survive the OIC that doesn't respond to any softener, or laxative. My pain is amplified.
I know it sounds silly, but prescription grade anti-inflammatory meds such as Voltaren are helpful. Jermuden, until you can get into your appointment, you may have to do some trivial things to bring you momentary relief. Soaking in Epson Salt Hot baths are therapeutic at night. I stand under a screaming hot shower before work in the morning and gently stretch my back and neck. Heat packs or cold packs on painful areas after work, alternated can help too.
I hope that you can get some answers soon. As others have posted, oftentimes spinal damage is not picked up by imaging. It can also be misinterpreted. Don't be discouraged just yet...Be your own best advocate to find the right specialist. There's no reason to deny you meds, which are one of the many modalities you need to cope with back issues.
My best to all of you!