Help???

[jackie18]

Hello...Thank you...
Well i feel like i m going to crack.....I don't sleep well at all..Maybe 2-3 hours.When i wake up i want to cry....
I have lower back and thigh and leg pain....Im on percocet 10mg 3xs a day..Im also on lyrica. Been on for bout 6 months...I very frustrated because know one knows were the prob is,nor do they really care it seems.Wright now my current dx is chronic back problems.Ive had a couple of mri's  nothing.Ive had a emg on my left leg and back a couple of months ago and it show something at l5.2 months after that nothing.Im kinda scared of my doc I ask for help and for more pain relive and he said no.I take my percocet and cut them in half so i can take them every 4 hours instead of one every 8 hrs.My doc wouldn't give me anything stronger and nothing for brak through pain..Fri went to get my refill and he was on vac so his nurse practitioner was there.I told her recently that ive been having right calf pain and numbness and weak legs.So she order another emg of both legs.Last one i had they didnt do my thigh.There also thinking friomaliga.I was going to a pain management doc but he said i had to go back to my doc till they give me a dx..I dont know what to do.Life *****,i have a 4 year old son i have to take care of which is hard when your always in pain and tired....
So any help or just conversation would be appericated..
thanks..
Jackie

[Tuckamore]

We all have our own opinion but if you are truly in pain and I believe you are there is no need at this moment to be concerned with addition. You concern should be where it is, to determine what is going on with your body that is causing you this pain.

Many here have said they have the same pain and it is this or that. So here's one more comment. For years I had right leg pain, buttock and hip pain that would sometimes radiate into my foot. Lay persons were sure it was in my spine. No one could find a cause. I was labeled with chronic back pain and I never really had true back pain. They ran numerous tests. I was never on pain medication and often thought of ending it all. I rarely got a good nights sleep. Pain clinic did nothing (because they said I didn't have good enough insurance) and any PCP I saw did nothing.

One day a little over 4 years ago my PCP left the clinic and I had to see a new doctor. By chance (or my the Grace of God) I saw a DO (for kidney stones). Once the kidney stones cleared I still had severe pain. This DO examined me and when the exam was over she said, "I think you have SI Joint Dysfunction." She could (and still can) tell exactly where my pain is simply by touch. I was so happy I was crying. She does manipulations that helps keep or puts my SI Joint "in."  And that's when my pain is the worst, when the SI goes "out." My pain has progressively gotten worse but she has been a God sent. She has referred me to specialist initially,, few believed her DX because true SI Joint Dysfunction is rare. I finally had the only procedure that can DX this Dysfunction with 100% accuracy and it was positive. No physician now doubts me and it's all thanks to a new young DO.

I cannot live stand the pain without narcotic pain medications and muscle relaxants. There may be some people who can and that's good for them. It doesn't mean you're weak or that someday you'll be on the streets buying drugs if you are forced to rely on narcotic's for pain relief. Those that judge you wrongly have never walked a mile in your shoes.

I encourage you to continue to seek the reason you are having this pain. Don't give up and try not to get discouraged. Someone some where will listen, believe and find an answer for you. I am so sorry you are in this much pain and that if effects you life so traumatically. Most of us have been where you are or are still there. I do believe there is help for you and we are here for you. Please keep us posted and take time to take care for yourself. Tuck

[norcalexpat08]

The pain you have described is something i have dealt with for many years first go see a neuro surgen it sounds like something is going on at your L4 S1 joint or L5 S2 does the pain radiate all the way to your ankle ? what about any numbness ? My right foot has been numb for 3 years to the point I trip over steps and other objects because I have no feeling in my foot. please think about the following step outlined below trust me I have 16+ years dealing with this.

1 Just simply taking narcotics to mask the pain for the short term It won't work for the long term !!!!

2 Go see a neuro surgeon if possible I ended up seeing four before my bad disk was dicovered and fixed via surgery.

3 Consider trying some selective nerve root blocks and prednisone injections keep in I would keep track of the locations of the injections if any one injection eliminates the pain for more than 8 weeks thats the area to concentrate on and deffinently tell your surgeon.

4 Lyrica is terrible quit taking it !!

5 Get a nerve study done if you want to continue to be punished by the Lyrica if the study comes back normal stop the Lyrica ASAP and make sure you tell your dc your plans.

6 Get off the pain killer it will only lead to addiction and nasty withdrawels in the long term.

This only my opinion but don't let the doctors just call it chronic pain the syptoms you described are deffinently a disc issue even though the MRI comes back looking excellent mine did too with the exception of one little spot in which everybody said could never create the pain I was dealing with.

Good Luck

[crispie]

sorry your in so much pain but don't give up your baby needs you..me iwas too busy getting high when my kids were growing up..now i half to live with this which is a struggle for me daily CLEAN.....this is my choice...i have 3 torn discs in my back, kidney disease, also dealing with cancer..i woke up one day and said NOMORE and i have been clean for 32 days YEAH..i deal with pain...the thought of ever going back the way i was makes me sick...good luck to you

[kellySI]

Jackie,
I forgot to mention the doctor did give me lunesta 3mg to help me sleep at night.It does help me sleep better.Just thought you might want to ask your doctor.Good luck.
kellySI

[kellySI]

Hi Jackie,
I am going thru a very simular situation. I have pain on my right side from my lower back,si jiont,hip,thigh,knee to my toes.I have been dealing with this for a year and a half.I have had 15 epidurals,bone biosy,and knee surgery.I am still in pain and the numerous doctors I am seeing still have not helped me.I take 10mg perocet 4x a day,150mg lyrica 3x a day,60mg cymbalta and 112 micrograms of synthriod a day.I have 3 kids the baby being 2yrs.I know how hard it is to try and care for children when you are always in pain and tired from medication. I just wanted to let you know your not alone.Feel free to talk with me when ever you need someone to understand what you are going thru.I know your frustrated,so am I.I feel desperate for a solution.Hopefully,we can figure out what is wrong since the doctors can't!!  kellySI

[jackie18]

First i want to thank everyone for the letters.Its hard i cry every night because know one knows whats wrong with me know believes how much pain im in.My doc is a ******* incompetent.I went for a another emg thursday on both my legs how ever they only did my right thigh.My pain is my left thigh.So what am i suppose to do.Go there and tell them did not to the wright leg..Im so frustrated.. I don't know what to do anymore...

[Tuckamore]

I feel so bad that you are having all this pain. TMA and Sandee have offered you some very good advice. I would follow it. Your situation sounds pretty political to me, this doc won't do this till that doc does that. I understand they have to follow regulations but in the mean time you suffer.

One must be their own advocate and the squeaky wheel gets the oil.....so squeak. Someone will listen!

Warm baths really help me. Sometimes I take three a day when the pain is really bad. Good luck to you. Please keep us posted and take care. Tuck

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Jackie,

I can totally relate to what your going through, being unable to find the answers or get the help for the pain because no one can find the answers.
So if I understand, you had a diagnosis of Chronic Back Pain? Did they remove that diagnosis or do you still have it?

My advice to you would be to get a second opinion or go to a different type of DR. Is the DR your seeing your GP?
Has which ever type of DR your seeing ever referred you to a different type of specialist?

Maybe going to see a Neurologist because of the pain, numbness and weakness. Or a Rhumatologist so that they can test you for systemic conditions if they are thinking down the path of fibromyalgia.
Since there is no test to determine fibro they have to rule our everything else thats a possibility so a Rhumatologist can help do that.

I dont know how easy its going to be to just go back to your DR and tell him to give you the diagnosis so you can get help for the CP. What I'm hearing is that they cant find whats causing your problem yet so havent been able to give a full diagnosis.
But another DR may be able to look at all the symptoms and have a better idea of what the problem may be or be willing to help you with stronger medications while there finding the diagnosis. It is true that PM's cant treat with pain meds without seeing a diagnosis. PM's have really tough regulations they have to follow and run the risk of getting investigated at any time so have to be able to account for every patient and why its justified that there recieving medications.

Have you ever tried accupuncture or water therapy? Maybe look into those while your trying to find a DR to help find the problem and treat the pain.

I hope your able to find the answers and get the treatment you need.

TMA

[sandee1818]

Hi, sorry your having so much pain! I would ask your PCP for a diagnosis so you can get back into pain management. I know they can do far more for you than your regular Dr. I also believe the PM would be willing to help you with your meds too and other options available. When you see your Dr next tell him to give you the diagnosis and a referral back to the PM Dr. I hope you get better and get back to the PM Dr :) Keep us posted!