Back pain that won't go away - HELP

[momsgirl4535]

I'm trying desperately to find help for my mom.  She has such excrutiating pain in her back that shoots down both her legs, and with every step she takes, she practically screams in pain.  i can't stand to see her like this.  She has had a lot of back problems... scoliosis, siatica (sorry for the spelling), and a host of other issues.  She has been seeing a pain management doctor but nothing he has tried has helped.  First they gave her a series of shots that was supposed to help.  The pain came right back.  Then they deadened the nerve in her back - that was supposed to last longer, but a week later, the pain was back.  At this point the doctor told her he couldnt figure out where the pain was coming from and they would keep  trying things until something works.  Tuesday she went for an epidural, and the doctor said that because her back is so degenerated, he couldnt even get the needle to go in.  Just kept hitting bone.  They are putting her under tomorrow to try the epidural from the base of her spine.  I just know that if she doesn't work, she's going to slip further into a depression.  This isn't her only pain -- she needed both knees replaced and last year, got one done.  They gave her a knee that was the wrong size.  She was in so much pain that she refused to get the other one done, or to get that one fixed.  She now needs a hip replacement, but because she's only 4'8", the orthropedic surgeon she was going to said he's never done surgery on someone so small and he's afriad to do it.  so she has to try to find a surgeon at a children's hosptial (i posted about it in the orthopedic forum).

I just feel like, shouldn't a doctor KNOW where the pain is coming from?  Not just keep trying things until something works?  With every procedure that she gets her hope up for that DOENST work, she gets more and more depressed.  When i see my mom try to walk, she cries.  When I talk to her, she cries.  The most of all her pains is in her legs, caused by something wrong with her back.

If the epidural doesn't work tomorrow, she's going to try accupuncture.  But if anyone has any advice at all, please let me know.  I'm heartbroken watching my mom like this.

[omhome]

hi momsgirl: they act kinda like the court appointed advocates for children (some places for elders too) and help with everything from appts. to transportation etc. There is probably a volunteer co-ordinator place or telephone number or hotline etc. sounds like you are doing  research. Ask friends or lawyers or in a remote place connect other ways. Take really good care of YOU as you are needed---meaning take some breaks and refresh yourself  so you have some energy to share.   Connect with AARP for questions about $$$$$$$.  I have to not even start on the subject of medical care and money!!! OH BOY!    keep posting as this develops and remember to Breathe.   om    don

[momsgirl4535]

My mom lives in a very remote area.  I will have to research patient's advocate - I honestly never heard of that.  What exactly do they do?  And is this somethign usually covered by insurance?  She doesn't have  a lot of money and all these dr visits are getting super expensive.

[momsgirl4535]

Alsoinpain - they've had her on vicodin and other pain meds for several months.  I don't know about any imaging tests they might have done, but then again, I don't know the extent of what they HAVE done.  I just know that keep trying things, and to me, that is not finding the source of the pain.  The doctor has come right out and SAID he doesn't know where the pain is coming from.

She is seeing a pain management doctor for her back

[omhome]

it does sound like she could use a patient's advocate! do they have that where you live----ck the hospital and the volunteer groups. sometimes it is not advertised but they are there and can really help. and it relieves you of stress and you can be more "there for her.

[alsoinpain]

Is she on any medications? Did she have any imaging tests done? What kind of doctor is she seeing?