How does pain management work and can i definitely do it

[ESNOV123]

Hello,
From what i understand is, that the lower back pain i have is from something called spondylolisthesis. I am 19 years old and am into muay thai kickboxing. I haven't started it yet though. Every now and then when I am doing an activity, if I bend the wrong way or fall on my back it will hurt for a few weeks straight through and it's very difficult to sleep, or do absolutely anything. Along with spondylolisthesis, according to my chiropractor there is wear and tear, no hurniated discs necessarily, on three of my discs not positive which ones but, one on top middle and bottom of spine. The spondylolisthesis is considered mild, but he said it'll never get better but possibly worse. I am not a  fan of pain medication at all, but when i hurt my back thats the only way i can mask the pain until it goes away. So after my doctor prescribing Vicodin 750mg about four times she said i had reached my limit, the next time i hurt my back. I have never felt addicted to these pills, or even enjoyed taking them but i take them as prescribed and sometimes a little less 4-6 hours 1 pill or sometimes just half and i find it works a lot, and never felt the slightest bit of euphoria, sickness, or high or anything just relief of some pain. So, when i talked to my doctor she said i should consider pain management. Now I have switched doctors because she was a pediatrician and recently hurt my back and the pain seems to travel to my leg, my hamstring and knee mainly but sometimes my toes it's really odd. But it makes working, sleeping and going to school very difficult. What is pain management and am i legitimate for the program? also the new doctor no matter what is wrong with me prescribes medropredisone  all the time no matter what is wrong with me and it makes me exceptionally irritable. Please help me out with my situation thank you.

                                                                                                                                                                                

[ESNOV123]

will i be able to be prescribed pain medicine when i am in pain b/c 800 mgs of ibuprophin doen't do anything at all and i honestly need some kind of pain killer to get through the week or two of pain not as much during the day, i can usually fight it but not to well but atq night when i try to sleep it's extremely difficult and if so what is the best to take (suggestions)

[ESNOV123]

thank you both so much and no i am not only relying on a chiropractor but also tthe spine specialist at an orthapedic center diagnosed me with. I was going for physical therapy for a little bit, only about 5 sessions and that seemed to make things so much worse in my oppinion,  i was just hurting and annoyed, also the Dr. said that my future could possibly be constant pain meds and possible surgery, i guess this condition doesn't get better?. anyways the injections? can they cause any long term damage to me i wouldn't want a doctor messing with nerves either? it sounds scary but i would rather that than surgery

[Tuckamore]

Hello ESNOV,

Have you had an MRI or are you relying on the diagnosis of your chiropractor? I would certainly want some imaging to detail the condition of my spinal structure.

There are several ways to determine if you have arthritis. One is blood work which will tell them is you have inflammation and suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is extremely rare at your age as it usually is an older persons condition due to aging and years of wear and tear.

A PMP should offer you multiple good options to manage your pain. You are so young to begin on opiates. However and unfortunately pain knows no age limits. Please let us know how you are doing. We will watch for your updates.

Peace,
Tuck

[RunningMom]

Pain management is a doctor who specializes in pain medicine.  From what I've come across, the PMP doctors do not actually diagnose the problem, they are suppose to help relieve the pain.  They will most likely start with pain medicine and injections.  I would do research and ask around for a good pain management doctor.  Not all of them are willing to help you the correct way, just from my experience.  You don't want a doctor who is going to do several steroid injections/nerve blocks over and over again when they are not helping.  Good luck.

[ESNOV123]

also how can i get checked for arthritis in my wrists?