Need an opinion MRI

[DWhitt2]

On Oct 21, while carrying a laundry basket full of clothes, I slipped on a bag of oranges and fell in my kitchen floor, straight down on my tail bone.  I have had severe back pain radiating down my buttocks and both my legs since.  I also have had increasing numbness/tingling down my left leg.  I've been on Lortab 7.5 and Motrin 800 mg since with little relief.  I've also tried Flexeril and Medrol dose pack with no relief.  I've also tried Physical Therapy that was not successful.  My doctor finally sent me for an MRI last week, and now wants me to try to see a Pain Management Specialist before opting to do last resort surgery.  

My question is 2 fold really,

1st what do these MRI results really mean?

Level by level:

L5/S1:  Broad-based posterior disk bulge

L4/5:  Annular disk bulge, facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening contributing to moderate bilateral neural foraminal and moderate canal stenosis.

L3/4: Facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening contributing to mild canal stenosis.

L2/3:  Facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening

L1/2:  Facet hypertrophy and ligamentous thickening

Impression:

Multilevel degenerative changes with moderate bilateral neural foraminal and canal stenosis at L4/5

My 2nd question is:  Should I get a 2nd opinion?  I am really frustrated and losing my patience with this pain and the process.  I can't function like this, I don't know how much more I can endure.  

Please help.

[painkiller99]

If you are unhappy with the way your treatment is progressing, then by all means, consult a neurologist.  It is your right to have the best medical care possible.  Also a neurologist might be able to assess your symptoms better and provide alternative treatments for your condition.

[DWhitt2]

Thank you painkiller.  My primary care doctor, general practice, is the one suggesting a pain management specialist.  Shouldn't he be sending me to someone more qualified like a neurologist to look at my MRI and advise me on their opinion.  I'm sorry I should have made that clear in my first post.  He isn't a specialist.  I haven't seen specialist yet.

[painkiller99]

The diagnosis seems obvious based on the MRI. An annular disk bulge with canal stenosis at L4/L5.  This is the cause of the pain you are experiencing.

Your doctor is probably trying to see first whether your condition can be managed by non-invasive techniques (no surgery) because there are risks involved in undergoing spine surgery.  However, if you feel that only surgery can help you and your doctor doesn't want to do it, it is then that you can go to another neurologist for a second opinion.

[DWhitt2]

any help out there would be greatly appreciated