In a lot of pain, Doctors say their is no fix, and dont know what else I can do.

[DonBedford]

Hello Everyone,

I doubt their is much anyone can offer me here, but you never know till you try, right?

Two years ago I was in the perfect job making great money working as a long distance truck driver for one of the best LTL Trucking Firms in the Industry.

One day I was asked to move 14 pallets of product with a hand pallet jack to the back of a trailer.  In doing so, I sustained 2 herniated disks ( one at L4-L5 7.8 MM  Second at S1-S2 5.4MM )according to tests, an images taken approx 9 months ago.  In addition, I have muscle tissue on my right side of my back which is constantly bulged outward from my mid back to my tail bone which I have been told is soft tissue damage. Whenever I walk for more than 30-45 minutes the right side of my back will swell up evidently pinching a nerve causing my legs to become numb, severe pain, which if gets worse induces severe vomiting due to the pain.

I use a cane to move around my house, and a wheelchair to get around when I do leave which is down to a couple of times a month as I am in a great deal of pain as a vehicle goes over a normal rough road which will then set things off as well.

To escalate things, in April I evidently got up out of a chair wrong and further injured my lower tail bone section to the point where I now have pain, and swelling on both sides.

I have now been to 4  Doctor's, and three separate Neurosurgeons who all have basically explained that they can remove and repair the disks without a problem, but the soft tissue damage is not repairable, and non-reversible so I will be this way permanently.

Pain Management several series of injections which did nothing, and the only course of current treatment is pain meds which I am not taking as the meds pretty much make me numb, and cloudy in my head, but does little to relieve my back pain.  I have tried Norco 10-325 2 every 4 hours for three months and quit as they did nothing. Then Diladin 8 MG 1 every 4 hours, did a little better, but not enough to do much of anything for the pain so I again quit after the same duration.  Now they are on to Oxycotin which I will not take.

I have now been suffering with this sever pain for almost 3 years.  I can't function at all, can't move without being in excruciating pain, and everyone I have talked to have said their is no way to fix it, even to the point where it may be somewhat better than it is now.

I am trying my hardest to stay positive, for my Wife, my Son, and Daughter, but I am getting more, and more tired of waking up to this everyday.  I am still doing the routine, but getting close to my breaking point.  I wouldn't ever wish this on anyone ever.

Like I said above, I doubt their is much more anyone might have to offer, but that's where I am at.

Thank you for reading.

Don

[chronicpain2]

Hi Don,

As long as you CHOOSE not to progress along with your doctor's suggestions, you will not get better.

You may not get better by trying the Oxycontin but if you haven't tried it, how do you know??

Step one in feeling better is following a pain management doctor's protocol.  They have a series of medications to try on patients for a reason.  If one doesn't work, they will try another.  Perhaps a combination of medications may do the job.

I am currently on a long acting narcotic and something for breakthrough pain along with a valium like medication at bedtime and a muscle relaxer at bedtime.  During the day, I can use lidoderm  patches as needed along with a ketamine based compounded topical cream.  Stretching before even getting out of bed is extremely important for soft tissue injuries (and most other injuries too).

I do suggest you speak frankly with your pain (or other) doctor, explain your fears, explain/rate your pain honestly, and discuss the need (like myself) to be functioning enough to have a reasonable quality of life.

I live alone and have no children and will NOT settle for anything less.  Please PERSIST.

Be your own best advocate.

GOOD LUCK,

chronicpain2

[Londres70]

Why do you not want to take the oxycontin?  

Has PM mentioned anything about inserting a medication pump for pain as an option?

Tried any topical pain patches?  

The norco and diaudid are more for breakthrough pain; not maintaining pain control over a long period of time.