Pain Management and Osteoarthritis

[LeftCoastChick]

Hi there! I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with osteoarthritis in my L4/5 and was told it was a moderate case by my GP. I've had back pain going back 10yrs, but they just figured it out recently. My problem is that my doctor is refusing to do pain control even with my CT and Xrays showing up postive. I've told her I'm looking for pain relief and not to get high. In the last 3 months or so, it's been 5/7 days with moderate pain and I'm taking the max amount of Motrin and T1's possible. I'm also stretching and applying heat. She's told me to excercise, but it hurts more that I walk instead of better. It's triggering depression with me worse then it already has, I'm at a loss of how to approach this with her. In Canada, you can't just go to a specialist, you need a referral, and it can take months, even a year to see someone. I've looked for another family doctor, but in BC it's hard to find a GP that's accepting new patients. I'm getting so frustrated that I'm not being listened to. I've even talked to my Psychiatrist who's convinced it's just anxiety!
Anyone have any ideas how I can approach my GP? I'm at whit's end.
Thanks for any help,
LCC

[LeftCoastChick]

An update :)

I was placed on Toradol, between that and Tylenol, it's been fantastic - and I'm not having to pop the med all day, 1 seems to do the trick! Thanks for your advice, it was most appreciated!
Cheers,
LeftCoastChick
Depression Community Leader

[LeftCoastChick]

Thank you so much - wow I never thought about the heat!  I have an ice pack in the freezer I'll use.  It never occured to me heat would make it worse!  I would love to get one of those traction gizmo's in my home, I heard that traction can help. I appreciate your help, I'm a CL for another area and coming here for info was my first thought.:)

[Dnmh]

Will she refer you to physical therapy? That will help her see that it's about pain management and not meds. There are much gentler excercises for your low back that don't cause pain, and help to strngthen it.
You are already looking into a second opinion, which is what I would have advised. Instead of heat, try ice. The pain with OA is casued by inflamation, of nerves, tendons, etc. Heat makes inflamation worse. Another thing you may want to try is Biofreeze ointment, or even try taking 2 ibuprophen and 1 acetominophen. The ibuprophen is an anti-inflammatory and the other is pain reliever. Combined they work better then if taken alone.