injections time and time again no relief!!!

[lindasglaze]

i have had multi level transforaminal injections forlumbosacral radiculitis, sacroiliac joint, romanus lesion, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament nos. nothing has help or any relief what so.... ever. they say surgery want help me at all. i have been on to many medications to list and i can't live my life that way. i feel  so out of control with my body and mind i have no.... quality of life, and what good am i to my family! my only hope is my faith in our JESUS CHRIST he said by his stripes we are healed.i have no.... more faith in doctors they have to many patients and not enough time to get down serious with one on one patient. that's the way life is today!! my heart aches for each and every one who is out there with the same kind of trouble that i'am going through. GOD be with each and every one of you. if there is any one out there that may have and answer for me PLEASE share but, my faith in GOD is my only hope that i have and he is the all mighty!!!

[Tuckamore]

Hello Lindasgaze and Natell,

I believe so many of us can relate to your words - I certainly can.. My heart goes out to both of you. I hope you'll find MedHelp as compassionate and supportive as I have. If you're active you'll gather fellow chronic pain friends. I truly hope you will both join us. If you haven't found them, there are a few other communities that you may find beneficial.

The statement, "My pain is invisible to anyone who has not experienced it" is so very true. What are chronic pain patients suppose to look like?? What ever the medical perception may be - many of us don't fit it

If you're well groomed, articulate and active, don't have obvious fractures, aren't profusely bleeding, walk without assistance, etc than apparently you don't look like you have Chronic Pain. I think many of us have gotten so use to hiding our pain (for various reasons) that that plays a role in our outward image of wellness.

I too have been through it all - seen all the specialties that apply to my conditions and even some that don't. Each new physician is either going to "heal" me - or they just shake there heads and say, "Sorry there's nothing I or anyone else can do for you."

I respect the ones that are honest - and I go through the procedures, treatments and medication regime of the ones that are going to "heal" me. However after the "healers" truly read my extensive medical records most  end up doing very little - and what they do do ends up with the same results - no change or worse. The "healer" become angry cause he can't heal, the intelligent no treatment physicians aren't interested in a lost cause. In my case they will never feel the rewards of helping or curing a patient. That's boring to many, it's not why they went into medicine. I'm sure some of you have experienced that disinterested attitude.

The best we can do is be there for one another, offer some support and keep up with what can work in easing our pain.

Here's what helps me..
Acupuncture relaxed my mind and muscles which therefore helped ease the spasms and pain.
Walking at least every other day for as long/far as my broken body can tolerate helps me keep some strength and mobility.
A ThermaCare patch to the area(s) that hurt has helped me through many a nite. They are jewels.
I've also found a large wide electric massage tool helps keep the knots out of my muscles or reduces spasms.
Distraction takes my mind off the pain for short bursts of time - like coming here to MedHelp and sharing my pain and concerns.
Watching Sunsets, shelling, feeling sand between my toes, hugging a small child and other such things lift my spirits which also helps ease chronic pain - even if for moments. Golden moments - that's really what life is about isn't it?

I hope you'll share what works for you. Please be active in MedHelp... and I hope you'll find that it can reduce your pain also.

My Best
~Tuckj

[nateIII]

My story is like so many others.  bulging L5-S1.  5 years this summer.  I feel very fortunate that I  have found a series of steps which help.  I was a remodeler contractor when the injury occurred.  work stopped.  we went through a lifestyle change.  one result was no money and thus no insurance.  lost everything except my family.  saw a dr. trained in herbal healing.  suggested  several herbs and prescribed 750 mg methacarbamol.   i do not take the herbs regularly as they can be rather spendy.  a 30 pill bottle of the metha.- muscle relaxer- last me about a year.  i lay down with pillows under my legs sometimes several times a day.  this helps relax the muscles around the injury.  this doesn't work all of the time however when it does work ( which is most of the time) it sure beats taking the muscle relaxer.  the side effects of the relaxer stay with me for several days.  i stay active although it is painful to do so.  i plan every move my body make every day i live. sitting still seems to be the worst thing to do.  I have had many days where the day is way too long.  
my pain in invisible to anyone who has not experienced it.  ALL of you chronic back pain suffers are in my thoughts every minute of every day.