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  • cherylzt
    Member
    Post count: 7

    I have had a career in the field of Ophthalmology doing everything possible over the years. I worked usually 50hr work weeks and had a marriage and 2 boys which I was also devoted to. I have never been addicted to anything and my body does not like alot of medications. I have suffered from Depression/anxiety since my first marriage which I overcame on my own. When I am not able to contribute to family or community, I tend to get depressed and anxious about money matters. I am female, 5’3″ and used to weigh 140-now up to 230. I have however found the right husband who accepts all of me.There was no specific injury to set things in motion but I went from fulltime work fulltime school-FT work/PT school-FT work-had to quit school–to part time work and then disability in 4 years time(2005-2009)fighting it all the way.Most pain is on the right side down the right leg to the ankle bone. My daily activity is very limited now.I was told most recently I have 6 herniated discs-most pain is from L2,3,4,5,S1–mild spondylosis L3,4,–Hypertrophy L4,5 and S1–Neuroforaminal narrowing (NFN) L3,4,5 and S1–Disc Degen L2,3,4,5–Stenosis L4,5,S1 and –Arthropathy mild L3,4 and mod. to severe L5 and S1 according to the MRI and recently changes Pain Doctors. After 6 yrs. and 6 epidurals with no pain management and quick refill visits every month I felt it was time to see someone else.I put on about 40-50lbs after starting epidurals and the Dr said it was not related and insisted he was not injecting steroids. According to billing, he was. My new Dr.spent over an hour explaining things to me which no one ever had.She wants to do a facet injection as a diagnostic tool to see if the most pain is from the S1 area closest to the sciatic bundle. I have read alot the past few weeks and have many questions.Ultram is the only pain med I am on right now, I was at 6 per day which I tapered back to 3 a day as I was grinding my teeth at night.I stopped the morphine 15mg ER BID in September 2012 myself. The morphine only made me tired and was decreasing my activity with really no difference in pain. What did work best was the Oxycodone 15mg er 2x daily with 5mg Immediate release for busy days-ultram at night–I hate not being able to stand long enough for dishes, sit in the car more than 30 minutes and I really cant go grocery shopping anymore. I would like your opinion on this situation and whether you think something other than ultram is warranted. I live on $1000 income and having all these injections are costly if they are just for diagnosing. Am I really asking too much to just maintain an adequate pain level with meds and PT until I can afford all these other ideas? I live in Florida and I understand the Dr’s positions are now suspect with pain medications but I am asking for minimal MG. compared to what I was up to back in 2011- oxy was up to 120mg per day but I was taking care of my ill father and spent most evening soaking in a hot bath. I thank you for your time in reading this and any input you may have. I have copies of all my records-I am somewhat a organized, efficient person who does not let anything or anybody control me anymore.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    It appears that you have a chronic pain syndrome. There may be significant mechanical reasons for you to have pain. You need a consultation from a spine specialist to help ferret out the causes of your symptoms.

    It is commendable that you have reduced your intake of narcotics as this is a difficult step. Narcotics are not very good for long term use in chronic pain as the body “adapts” to their use and you then need more and more to try and manage the pain. Eventually, you can be habituated or addicted and the pain will still be as bad as it was when you first started to take narcotics.

    A chronic pain physician might be helpful but there are good ones and not-so-good ones. I cannot tell you how to identify who is in what category.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    cherylzt
    Member
    Post count: 7

    Thank you for taking the time to read my dissertation and reply-I guess I didnt phrase my questions anywhere. With what I listed and the constant pain-worse when sitting and standing more than 10 min.-have limited walking and cleaning the litterbox though its now 4ft off the floor-that little bend is excrutiating. warm baths help,reclined positions help. with what you see in my 1st email diagnosis from MRI (3rd one)There was no specific injury but my life changed alot after 2004 hurricanes took my job, belongings and apartment. I had to walk everywhere, took a cleaning job for large business and went back to school for computer networking but I went from fulltime work fulltime school-FT work/PT school-FT work-had to quit school–to part time work and then disability in 4 years time(2005-2009)fighting it all the way.My depression history has always been medication free except for stressful times after each divorce and custody battle.Most pain is on the right side down the right leg to the ankle bone. My daily activity is very limited now.I was told most recently I have 6 herniated discs-most pain is from L2,3,4,5,S1–mild spondylosis L3,4,–Hypertrophy L4,5 and S1–Neuroforaminal narrowing (NFN) L3,4,5 and S1–Disc Degen L2,3,4,5–Stenosis L4,5,S1 and –Arthropathy mild L3,4 and mod. to severe L5 and S1 according to the MRI and recently new Pain Doctors
    -limited funds per month Medicare covers 80% of any treatment plus, heart/bp/chol meds per month-do you think asking for a low dose of narcotic to help get some of my life back and start PT is appropriate? as I mentioned, the morphine I weened off by myself (as I did with Xanax after a divorce years ago) I dont like meds and am willing to even ask if we can possible do 1 yr on and 1yr off-whatever will work–are you labeling me with Chronic pain syndrome because you feel the MRI results do not warrant my daily limitations and pain level? I grew up with scoliosis and Lordosis and have a hunch back on my right side. There is a history of back related problems with my father and 2 sisters and my neice wore a full brace through the Shriners as she grew due to her back.

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Chronic pain syndrome occurs in the presence of long term pain with needs of medication to help control pain. It does not mean that this pain cannot be helped with surgical intervention.

    You have multiple levels of degenerative changes in your lumbar spine. The potential for pain generation could be from only one level or multiple levels. The use of high dose pain medications in the past does put you at greater risk for a poorer surgical result.

    You need a consultation with a good spine surgeon to determine what your surgical prospects are.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
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