Thanks for the response. I started with an ortho spine guy but because he felt it wasn't a surgery case he immediately passed me off to someone who seems to not want to get to the bottom of this. Other HUGE problem I'm running into - worker's comp. They won't approve another injection in the correct spot or even a current MRI. Their answer was to see THEIR doc who of course says there's nothing wrong but knows deep down something is going on because he said light duty not full duty. I now have an attorney and I'm definitely going for a second opinion. I was given 800 mg ibuprofen 3x a day for the last few months straight - I stopped taking it because my stomach cannot handle it any longer. Ice/heat - been there done that. This has been going on since 10/07. Physical therapy made it worse.
Have you been referred to a Orthopedic SPINE Specialist?
When we lived in Florida, my Dr. Vrej Manoogian (Orthopedic Spine Surgeon)
Mount Dora, Floridav was incredible. He tried it all --- physical therapy (stretch the spine, shots by a pain specialist, neuro-surgeon, etc...until we came up with the diagnosis.....What I liked about him was that he didn't immediately go to the 'knife'. He gave me options. Worked with me.
With all due respect to ortho doctors, I think if I was going thru what you are going, I would definitely request that the doctor let you select another physician for a second diagnosis - it is allowed by most insurances to do this. Pick up all your mri's/cat-scans/x-rays and see this 'other' physician.
Have you researched: SCIATICA? Compressed Disc? Neuropathy (which doesn't have to be a long term illness). You mention one shot -- how come only one? When it has been done for me or my husband, they do it in a series of 3 ? Pinched nerve?
If they repeat the MRI's, I would definitely have it done with a different clinic and make sure that the report includes a comparison to previous MRIs
If your physician is a Spine/Ortho, then how about a NEURO-SURGEON?
Good luck and Don't give up.
p.s. are you trying ice/heat alternatively for 20 mins at a time? Ibruprofen/Aleve? (for inflammation?)