Hoping for help with chronic pain

[Rosiebud1984]

I am a 49 yr old women that has suffered with chronic pain for over 25 years.  My latest MRI results indicated an 18 degree rotoscolosis in the lumber and thoracic spine.  In the lumbar region I have multilevel disc disease including variable degrees of shallow protruding discs at L2-L4, posterolateral extension of disc at L3-4 and L4-5 compromising the foramina both levels along with compression upon the existing nerve root sleeve at L4-5.  3mm retolisthesis of L3-4 and bony and disc changes w/AP stenosis of 1.1cm at L4-5 and 1.05 at L5-S1.  Cervical results were multilevel disc disease most severe at C5-6 & C3-4 including marked loss of height, variable degrees of shallow protruding discs most significant at C3-4 where posterolateral extension is compromising the foramina on the right with compression of nerve root sleeve at C3-4.  Bony hypertrophy/disc complexes causing central thecal sac effacement with AP stenosis of 10mm at C5-6, C6-7 & C3-4 along with bilateral forminal encroachment at C5-6, straightening with mild reversal of normal lordosis.  My Dexa scans have gone from a T-score of -1.2 to -2.1 within 3 years with osteopenia of the femoral neck region.

I have been taking the same medication (Norco 10/325, 5-6 times a day, Robaxin 750 and fiorcet for migraines) for about 10 years.  Doctor's are unwilling to give any other pain medications due to the current laws in Ohio.  I have tried injections, disc decompression, steroids, etc. without success. My pain level continues to increase and my level of frustration is growing, please adivse.

[namnam46]

Hi Rosiebud1984,

First, I want to welcome you to the PM (Pain Management) Forum and let you know that we are glad you found this Forum. We are all CP (Chronic Pain) Patients that help each other with our own expertise and experiences that we have developed through our own CP Issues.

It saddens me every time I read of another MH Member that has suffered for such a long time with CP (Chronic Pain).  When it comes to issues with your back there just doesn't seem to be any relief in sight so much of the time!! :(  I've had my back pain issues since 1974, when I was 28 years old.  So I know the feeling that you have of not remembering when you used to be pain free!!  I know longer remember ho that used to feel.  :(

I ran into the problem that you are talking about when it comes to your meds.  I had been on Lortab 5/500 mg for 7 years and they weren't helping me at all.  My Doctor attempted to raise them to 7.5/500 mg and yet there still was no relief anymore.  That's when my Neurologist changed them to Norco 10.325 mgs and sent me to a PM (Pain Management) Doctor.  That was the best thing that has ever happened to me.  My Wonderful PM Doctor immediately put me on a Long-Acting Medication with a BT (Breakthrough) Pain Medication.  What a world of difference.  I've also had some procedures done, such as an RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) that has helped my Lumbar Pain immensely!! :) I see that you have had numerous procedures done also.  I've had the epidurals done, and I had "high hopes" for them but unfortunately, I didn't get the relief that I got from the RFA's.  :(  

There comes a time, after taking the same Medications for an extended period of time, that they no longer work for us.  We need to change to something that is different,  Our bodies get used to it and it just doesn't give us the pain relief that we used to get from them. Are you connected with a PM Doctor or are you using a PCP or some other Specialist for your Pain Meds.  I'm wondering if you have PM Doctor's that you can ask for a reference from your PCP's so that you can get the type of Pain Relief Medication that you need and deserve?

I will be looking for your updates and I Hope and Pray that you can find something that will give you the Pain Relief that you need and deserve.  After 25 years, it really wears you down and makes it difficult to be able to get up each day and carry-on as we used to do!!

I hope that you will join our PM (Pain Management) Forum and be an active member on here. Unfortunately, when you have the History that you and I and so many others on the PM forum have, with years and years of Chronic Pain, it makes it possible to be able to be of help to others that are having so many problems with their pain.  It's a wonderful Forum to get the continued support that we need for ourselves, also.

As I said earlier, I'll be looking for your updates and I wish you the very best......Sherry  :)

[gooddaysbaddays]

just a thought...ask about Lidoderm or Flector patches...these are great and help a lot with pain!!!