back pain

[bud2532]

i've had back pain for a long time now. "severe curve in spine" degeneration in the curve. developing arthritis in neck/ upper back, the deepest point in the curve. narcotic pain relievers work for short term relief. don't want to get addicted to anything if possible. dr. wants to avoid surgery for as long as possible. have been prescribed 50mg tramadol once a day. doesn't help very much and with the continueing pain my life is very much slowing down and i am getting depressed. like to be a little more out going. any suggestions?

[Steve12548]

I have degenerative disk disease. Already had surgery in neck. Current problems are lumbar and thoracic spine. Epidural shots help a lot; fact block shots help little; Lidoderm patches help a lot; opiates help.  

[bud2532]

i saw a pain management doctor. he said i could take up to 4 tramadol a day and gave me some soma. i get my mri done tomorrow and on the third he wants to give me a shot of some sort. a nerve knumbing agent. i'll post more there after. thanks for the comment.

[path91]

i too have back problems, scholiosis in lower spine, a genetic disorder that causes the vertebrae to shift out of line and pinch nerves, etc. i've been on the fentanyl patch 50mcg every 3 days and tramadol 50mg 4 times a day. it has been a miracle for me. without this medication i can't move very much. i don't think tramadol once a day is enough. it took me going to a pain management doctor to get relief. my orthopedic doc just kept giving me vicodin and it wasn't working at all. you can be in less pain. do some research on meds and perhaps suggest them on your next doctor visit.