Back pain/problems for over 3 years

[larzzk121]

I've had back pain for over 3 years and haven't had much relive from anything. I have 3 bulging discs -2 upper 1 lower- degenerative disc disease, arthritis, pinched nerves to where it goes to my feet and makes them a little numb, my left are bothers me to where it gets weak and can't do certain things sometimes. They say it's from my back. Everyone says that it's not that bad. So if it's not that bad why have I been having pain for over 3 years. I get horrible headaches and my neck bothers me a lot. I've been getting trigger point injections ever couples months and they aren't working for my back at all, they do work for headaches but I think they are not working as good anymore. I might be getting use to them already. It's hard to get a job that I can do. I've had different jobs that I liked and I couldn't do it anymore because of the pain. T got bad to where It hurt to breath. Not sure what to do anymore. I can't do the things I use to love to do, just wish I could do everything again. I'm only 23 and would like to do everything again.

[larzzk121]

They haven't really explained much to me. I've went to different doctors and they say you have more pain then you should be? One said maybe fibromyalgia. No doctor I've went to has really told me a lot about this. I've went to physical therapy 2 different times for 8 week and they didn't see any changes. Went to chiropractor but didn't help. They said something about epidurals but most doctors said it wouldn't work. Not set what else to do.

[philnoir]

It is obvious that your treatment is not effective. I hope that you are communicating this fact to your doctors.

Do you have a diagnosis (one or more?) Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a general diagnosis. Bulging discs can be prolapsed or herniated. They can bulge sideways against the nerve roots, or backwards against the cord. Degenerative discs can become dessicated.

Has anyone explained these conditions so that you understand your diagnoses and the treatment options?

DDD causes other problems. Often DDD is associated with an osteoarthritis of the facet joints, a condition called spondylosis, which can be painful, not from the discs, but from these joints. The pain of facet syndrome can be treated with interventional pain management techniques. Have you consulted with an interventional pain specialist?

Have your doctors explained why the injections may no longer be working? Are your doctors suggesting other treatment options?

There's much to explore here, and a good place to start is a website like spineuniverse ******* and spine-health dot come have videos explaining the various spine diseases and their treatments.The more you know about your condition(s) and available treatments, they better treatment you are going to receive.

Also, if you are unable to work, it is time to start the process of applying for disability benefits at ssa.gov.