Your MRI indicates that you have spinal stenosis throughout the lumbar spine developed as part of a birth defect vs. stress and strain on the spine. Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. I have this same condition at L4-L5 but mines was caused by stress applied to the disc over time by carrying things (like backpacks) too heavy for me.
Spinal stenosis is a very pain condition because the nerve roots that exit the thecal sac through the vertebrae become pinched. The small disc bulges that you have are applying pressure to the thecal sac (housing where the nerves are located).
Spinal stenosis can cause a lot of nerve pain (burning throughout the low back into the hips, pulsating throb and achiness in the low back and hips, shooting pain and pins and needles sensation that runs through the buttocks and hips and down one or both legs).
Nerve pain is best treated with anti-convulsants and SNRI/SSRI anti-depressants. Neurontin (generic: Gabapentin) or Lyrica (generic: NA) and Cymbalta (generic: NA) are good medications to try to help with this pain. Opioid medications may still be helpful to you but their effectiveness on nerve pain is limited; however, they may provide some additional meaningful relief due to synergistic effects. A muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory are helpful too. I take over the counter Aleve along with a two different types of muscle relaxers, an anti-convulsant, an anti-depressant, and long-acting and short-acting opioid medications. I also get periodic epidural steroid injections. For me, the injections don't provide much relief by themselves as the sole treatment. However, together with my medication therapies I noticed substantial relief during certain periods (95-98% reduction in pain).
My medications are managed by my primary care physician. You may have better luck with a Pain Management Physician depending on the state in which you reside.
I hope you are able to find effective pain management soon. Please keep us updated.
femmy
I have also had physical therapy and gone through 3 epidurals which havent helped