how do i know what is wrong

[kermee]

Hi I am new to this forum and I wonder if it is as difficult for you not feel scared when going to the dr. and telling them about anything that is happening.  About 7 years ago I fell out of my camper and my head hit the top step, my middle back hit the middle step, and my lower back the lower ,and my backside hit the ground.  I thought i had crushed my spine.  That was when all the problems began.  They couldnt find anything wrong so I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  They then sent me to a pain center and I have been having injections in my spine and I just choose the area that is hurting worse at the time.  Since then I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and ddd, sleep apnea and now to top it off some of the medicines have caused stomach, duodena,l esophagus ulcers and a hiatus hernia.  Last summer my neck and arm started hurting much worse than usual.  In fact so bad that I went to the emergency room.  Let me tell you if you are seeing a pain dr and go to the er for pain they treat you like you are the biggest junkie to hit the door.  I called the pain cernter and I had an mri done.  They said slight degenerative disk disease.  I couldnt stand the pain and had to go to a medical center that was open after hours.  They set me up with a neurologist after explaining to me that they do not give drugs out.  How embarrassing.  Another mri and nerve test and 6 weeks later i am told i need to have surgery within the next week because my nerve was pinched so badly.  I guess my question is now I am having major pain in lower back that radiates down to my knee down the outer side of my leg and the side of my food and last two toes are numb.  They did an mri and said degenerative disc ,disease .normal for my age which is 54.  My family internest cant help because I go to the pain center for my back.  How am I supposed to know which test and which dr. is right or wrong.  I am so tired of being humiliated when my pain gets worse.  Also I have been going to the pain center for procedures for 7 years and have nerver had an appointment with him except the 1st one.  Shouldn't he be discussing some of this with me on ocassion?  Just tired of hurting all the time sorry to have rambled on

[sinnomingrl]

I know what you mean.  I was hurt 14 years ago.  It bacame easier for me to buy from a delaer than to listen to a dr. tell me how bad my pain was...  I got completely out of control on Oxycotin... delaers don't regulate your usage... nor do they give you any **** though.  Oxy's became too expensive on the street so I graduated to a 5 week heroin addiction before I got on a plane to CA to get help from my family.  I had X-rays for the 1st time in 9 years a month ago.  I have DDD through out my spine... The last 2 years have been really bad.  I am now able to deal with life with 10 mg. percocet, but I am being sent to a surgeon and pain management... no insurance so I am trying to jump through a bunch of hoops for them.  I have had 2 surgeries and if this is me at 29, I don't want to see 40.

[kittyluv1]

Welcome to the Back and Neck Community. Members are  here to provide assistance and support to individuals experiencing symptoms related to possible abnormal conditions of the spine. Advice given is non-professional and is primarily based on personal experiences.

I am sorry to hear of your continued health problems. It certainly sounds as though you have had your share of painful episodes!  It is difficult to determine the appropriate actions to pursue when a variety of medical professionals are assessing your condition and making different recommendations.
If your MRI does show significant spinal canal stenosis and/or nerve root compression, this is not usually relieved except with surgery (especially given all the conservative treatment you have done thus far)..
What type and extent of surgery is being recommended?  There is a wide variety of approaches that can be undertaken from microdiscectomy to spinal fusion.  How many levels of your lumbar spine are affected?
The pain specialist would be the one to re-evaluate your condition at periodic intervals to determine if the medical treatment plan is producing effective results.  If you have not had a face to face consultation with him for the length of time stated, it would be appropriate to request one.  He may be able to review your MRI films and explore your options more completely.
The severity of nerve compromise and the length of time the nerve has been compressed is a direct connection to the ability to regain function.  The greater the length of time the nerve is left compromised, the higher the risk of damage which can not be repaired even with surgical intervention.
You  need to determine who you wish to be your primary treating physician and have a long discussion regarding your treatment options and then you will be better prepared to make the correct decisions.
Post again with an update and any additional questions/concerns you may have.
Best wishes-----