lower thoracic and lumber spine

in really bad pain mid to lower back, recently had mri scan which reads - there are moderate degenerative changes
throughout the lower thoracic and lumber spine with dehydration and circumferential bulging of the discs as well as
signs of facet joint osteoarthritis. loss of disc height is noted from L2-3 to L5-S1. from L3-4 to L5-S1 there are reactive
endplate changes. at L4-5 there is mild spinal canal narrowing but no evidence of nerve root compression. no significant foraminal narrowing, the conus medullaris and cauda equina are normal. there is an incidental horseshoe kidney. conclusion - moderate degenerative changes, no evidence of nerve root compression. should i still be having
this amount of pain with many sleepless nights. i currently take 3 -75mg dosulepin and 1 -120mg dihydracodeine tablets at night and 1 -120mg dihydracodeine daytime and with main meal 1-100mg diclofenac sodium. any replies will
be much appreciated. thankyou.

[missy142]

hi,
I cant really comment on alot of the information that you have posted, but what I can say is that you said you are experiencing Mid BACK to lower back pain.  You said they did an MRI, did they do a thoracic MRI or just a lumbar MRI?  Although thoracic herniations are more rare they do happen, I  know I have one.  This wouldnt show up on a lumbar MRI, it may show a few of the lower thoracic disks and area but would not focus specifically on the thoracic area itself. There are 12 thoracic discs and they start right after your cervical which are in your neck.  Ask your md about this.  Just one possiblilty.

missy