What must you do then for pain?

[hotmama1975]

I tore the disc in my back and have same disc that is slipping, I am 35 and have 2 small kids, I went for the epidural for the pain and the doc has prescibed Tramacet for the past 2 years, My back is always sore, I cant sleep at night, if all the drugs are bad for you, what the hek are you sopposed to do?
How long do you have to be in pain before surgery is an option, until then I have to take painkillers all the time?
I phoned the doctor as I was concerned that I was going to get addicted to the tramacet and that it could possibly be bad for my kidneys, and he said I could take them indefinatly as they were paracetomel based and were not harmful to your system, some one help,

[hotmama1975]

Thanks very much guys

[dominosarah]

ditto to what Terry said........sara

[beatingthis]

Time to get a 2nd opinion.

Terry

[bmdad]

I had a herniated disc in my back after an injury in Iraq. I even had foot drop from the disc putting so much pressure on my sciatic nerve. They did not want to do surgery. I was on pain meds and received the shots also but to no avail. After doing research and talking to people who had the lumbar laminectomy I finally told my neurologist that I wanted the surgery. I wish I would have had it sooner. When I had the surgery they didn't have the artificial discs approved here in the US. They were being used in Europe though. I've heard nothing but great things about them. If I were you I would get a 2nd and even 3rd opinion. If one of the doctors recommends surgery I would go for it. I feel if I would have had the surgery sooner I would have never found myself in this mess called addiction. You cannot take an opiate indefinitely and not become addicted. They are not made for long term use like doctors think. Here on med help there is also a pain management forum and a back and neck forum. It may help to post your concerns there also. If you have any questions about the surgery or your back in general, feel free to message me. Your back started off just like mine so I have been in your shoes. My doctor said shots, physical therapy, pain meds, and to wait it out. I say bs to that from my experience!
Best of luck to you and I feel your pain.

Brian

[micheleTX]

hello, you found the right place to ask these questions.  Unfortunately, I don't know much about Tramacet, but someone on here will.  It is still early so please be patient, someone will answer your questions.  I personally would never have surgery on my back, but that is me...please keep posting, someone will help ok?