lower back pain with no answers. Tired of being in pain.

[tcraig]

For the past 2 years I have had issues with severe lower back pain right above the small of my back. I have had MRI's and seen what I was told was a good Otho x3. I am currently on duragesic to control the pain. When it is in my system It works ok. The problem is that My body burns right through the patch in a short period. Say a day or so. I do not like being on this med due to when I run out it is like a living nightmare. I have pain that goes into my legs from this and it is really affecting my living. The MRI have shown nothing and I am really frustrated. I do not want to be lable just looking for meds as this is not the case.My kidney have been checked due to blood always being present. I really think this is something spinal. but have no ideas. I have thought about a good pain clinic in birmingham al but do not know anyone. This starting to affect my job.

[myproblem]

Have you looked up Ankylosing Spondylitis? In the early stages, it can cause severe pain, but has not yet done enough damage to show up on an X-ray. Have you had any blood tests done? You should have a complete autoimmune panel run, but especially check for AS. Also, if its been more than 6 months since you've had an x-ray or scan, you should get a new one, and have it compared to the old. Have you tried a 2 week course of prednisone to see if the pain decreases? Prednisone is only used long term if absolutely necessary due to negative effects with extended use.

[tcraig]

This seems to be more common in younger males 24 yrs +/-. I am 34 yrs old. I will give it a shot though. I look further to any comments or Ideas from other. Thanks for the input.