back pain/nerve damage, life is going downhill, HELP!!

[gemini088]

I am a young mother with 2 children. Last summer I felt an unusual pull while getting my son out of his carseat. It felt so wrong I went to statcare that night, and to 2 hospitals within days because I literally couldn't walk, drive, move. I was bawling, and crawling to the bathroom to pee. I got treated like total crap, given tylenol, ultram and steriods, and was bedridden for weeks. I ended up quitting my waitressing job becase I was in too much pain. Had an MRI finally, showed DDD, Spinal stenosis, 3 lumbar disc protrusions, and annular fissure. (only found all that out after getting a copy of the report, all the dr. said was 'degenerative changes.' I did a round of physical therapy, and decided to go back to school. They did put me on low dose pain meds to help me manage sitting in a desk all day,  but my dr. said she couldn't treat me long term and pulled me off of them after a few months. Referred to Pain Management, I have to take 22 pills a day (handful of neurontin, 400 mg ultram!!, mobic, robaxin), they all do NOTHING!! besides, I have been exposed to Hepatitis, I am ruining my liver! The only thing that worked was percocet. BTW, the ultram cannot be taken with my anti depressant, so I weaned myself off of my antidepressant because I was too afraid of side effects, it's like my dr. doesnt care! Besides the fact I have way more headaches and panic attacks, from all these pills, and yes, I told him. Oh ya, my leg has been numb for 4 months now, pins and needles, was limping for a while. I'm 27! Did a set of 3 steroid injections,ending in Jan. Did nothing. Now they want to do more. He said he did not see pinched nerve on MRI, but I did have EMG done, saying S1 nerve root damage. My leg didn't get numb until after MRI, doesn't that mean something? For goodness sake, I have taken a medical leave from school because I cannot deal with  the pain, I have signed an opiate contract and they do not give me anything even when I have bawled my eyes out! Why am I rotting away? If I was 75 with these problems I bet I would be given something to help my quality of life. I am getting neurosurgeon opinions and been to chiropractor, changed eating habits, strech, and cannot change pain management without a referral my GP won't give me. WHAT DO I DO?? I am absolutely miserable and wayyy to young for this!

[omhome]

What a great post icannot---thank you. Gemini----stay in touch--posting helps you more than you can imagine---it is an important part of this practice we are trying to get off the ground at the couch. C'mon down!    om

[Icannot]

I hi,
When I said couch...I forgot I was in pain management!
Please, we all, omhome, madman, myself and so many others invite you to join the group..chronic pain couch...
Blessings

[Icannot]

Hi, I read your post and I agree with omhome's advice..and..madman can help you as he is so positive, has been thru so much, and is great...Omhome is unbelievable with such humor and inspiration!..
My advice is to discuss with your primary care dr..make an addendum,
make a WRITTEN PLEA... to your primary care...your primary care has to refer you according to many ins. So give it to your referrals too
..this will become a part of your med record though..as I would love to call my primary dr  ***....I might still do that!
important!
Keep a diary...all daily meds and when you take them..ESP the ones prescribed for daily not just 'as needed use" ..and
Write  your concerns about so many meds you take that your primary should know about too..Don't you agree?
get pro active..please...for yourself and your children's care also!
..my primary didn't even get reports from my dr's he referred me to.... i started making sure that after their consults with me they sent a letter to him! many had not! I had asked him if he had gotten reports and when he said no, that the specialist had referred another specialist and blah blah... In front of my husband as witness, I told him He Was My Primary Care. if I am admitted to hospital how in haites would he know what was happening because of What,Who!When,Where? He was the first dr. They called and released me to after I was admitted for a night!
Anything written you give .. if they do not want it, then it's up to you..but if they don't read it then shame on them because what you give can be given to your new dr too, or insurance, etc..
My diary was oh so loooong but useful to my pain specialist of 13 yrs..
when I take my as needed meds I scribble why!..I even add a few phrases of despair at my time of need..
Always copy and keep in your private file what you give them to be put in your record..  might even have them initial your copy..as they might have to read later and put in your file.
don't give up hope.... You have every right to be frustrated..
You are young and I can tell, as a mother so frustrated! I am a mother too!
Right this minute, please take my advice ..I know it is time consuming but you need to take control and this means they need to communicate to you better as you are so frustrated!
Pain and frustration go hand in hand though ....yes, You Can take control..
I am trying too..
meditation..different ways of meditation..calm..
Try our spiritual meditation group omhome has written about..
It has done wonders for me!
I pray this helps.thank you for finding the couch..Keep in touch with the group!
Blessings

[omhome]

you are too young for this hon. ***** big time.
You must find a new family dr.  and find a pain specialist-----someone is there who will help you----women's clinic----something different then now!
    You hold your head up no matter how they treated you----do not buy into the nonsense regarding opiates----if you need pain relief--you are an adult!--go and demand it! Doctors are not gods they are supposed to be our helper---and advise us---and we--not them---decide what to take.    
      Madman might be able to jump in here when he is around as he is very up on this stuff.   Keep keeping on and searching for the right dr.  she is there.    om