could there be more wrong with me than diagnosed

[sheamarie]

I have had severe chronic (24/7) entire back pain for 10 years.  As the years progressed so has the pain.  It is now at a degree where I am losing my mind.  Walking is a job in itself, I seemed to have sciatica all the time, very rare relief.  There is not much sleep to even mention and I am always tired.  The back pain has progressed to all over pain.  Unrelenting shocks, burning, stabbing pains throughout my muscles.  I also have bipolar disorder but if one more person tells me the pain is in my head, I think I would go completely insane.  I take 5mg Valium and that is it.  Oh, Ihave been on everything you can think of from antidepressents, antipsychotics, narcotics, muscle relaxers.  I feared my children would see me as a drug addict and I quit all medicines.  Hoping that it was all in my head and that I didn't need any of the medications.  But, now, I need help to get dressed, walk, and bathe.  I spend the days in bed tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to relax in, unfortunately, I never find that relaxation.  I have been unable to work because of the above symptoms.  I am at the point that suicide is better than living this life, this way.  I have tried to get another pain management doctor and my primary physician has said that he will personally get me the appointment but has yet to follow through on that statement.  Yes, I keep calling and leaving messages but I have had no return.  I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  My question is this, could there be something else wrong with me especially with the constantly cramped up back and constant sciatica?  

[Tuckamore]

Hello CSF,

Welcome to MedHelp. I am glad that you found us too. I am very sorry you are suffering with so much pain. I know what you are talking about I have hip and low back pain also.

Please start a new post so you will obtain some additional suggestions and information to your questions. This is an old thread that just keeps getting added on to. I want you to obtain some answers to your questions.

I am sending you a PM (Personal Message) please watch for it on your profile page. Take care, Tuck

[BusyGrl]

P.S. I'm going to be 47 next month too, but feel like I'm in my 70s.

[BusyGrl]

You are probably having back spasms. Do you have any effective muscle relaxers? What a mess doctors create. I couldn't progress with my physical therapy because of spasms. I'm kind of in the same boat as you; MRIs show no notable spine problems, but I continue to have limited abilities and daily leg/hip/lumbar/thoracic spine pain 5 months post-op for lumbar fusion.

Resting with ice and heat helps me the most, too. My doctor also put me on an insufficient dose of Ultram (even though I wasn't abusing vicodin, he insisted I get off of it), and I'm not sure whether that or the anti-depressants and Xanax have helped or I'm just getting used to being in pain all the time. I wonder if anxiety is feeding your pain, like it is for me. I'm angry at my doctor because he insists on upping my antidepressant drug, which makes me feel anxious, and not giving me enough for the pain. You need effective pain relief, too. I'm still working on getting what I need.

Best wishes to you.

[CSF78WVU]

For one year now I have been having severe debilitating lower back pain and hip pain.  I fell a year ago and thought this was the cause. So I went through therapy, pain meds, etc.  It kept getting worse and worse.  I have had regular back x-rays, MRI, Cat Scans, All that has been found is mild bulging disc,  kidney stone that is not obstructing.  Nothing that would cause the pain.  I can't sleep.  Worse when lying down.  Really bad when standing or walking very long.  Best when sitting down.  I have tried to work.  I am a nurse and can't do that job any longer.  Now working retail where I can work 4 hours at a time. At the end of 4 hours I can't hardly walk at all.  Pain Med doc has me on Methadone and Lortab with little or not relief.  I am scared to death.  I am only 47 years old.  Any suggestions ?????

[BusyGrl]

Thank you for checking back. I appreciate your warmth and welcome. I will post a new thread as you suggest.

[Tuckamore]

Hi BusyGirl..... and Sheamarie

Welcome to MedHelp. Yes we all know what you are going through. I am sorry that no one seems to be hearing you. I very strongly suggest new physicians. And I also suggest that you begin a new thread on Medhelp.  Please post as a new questions and you will obtain more suggestions and support. I almost didn't read this because I have already answered his post. But I have been concerned about Sheamarie so I stopped by to check this post.

And Sheamarie if you are reading this post please let us know how you are doing. I am concerned for you. And Busygirl I am concerned for you also. Take Care, Tuck

[BusyGrl]

Wow, I can related to you all. (I'm a new member and this is my first post.) I hope sheamarie has gotten some help since her post. What a nightmare. Threat of suicide should wake up her caregivers immediately. I think the emergency room idea is a good one for her. I hope she will post and let us know what happened.

I had lumbar fusion in May after multiple visits with doctors, pain managers, physical therapists, a chiropractor, and an acupuncturist. After 10 years of pain--the last 3 becoming chronic and increasingly debilitating--I went for the last resort of major surgery. I got partial relief, but still have chronic leg pain and continual pain in my lumbar and thoracic spine. When I stopped oxycodone (nights only) 2 months ago, I plunged into a super anxiety state. I'm talking completely dysfunctional. I have been up and down, struggling to get through each day, working at a professional job and raising two elementary school-age kids. I'm working with my primary care doc, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a physical therapist. (Thank goodness for good insurance and enough money to pay for things.) My doctor and psychiatrist seem to think I'm in pain because I'm anxious, but I am certain I am anxious because I am still in pain! Running from doctor to doctor is expensive, emotionally draining, stress-provoking, and largely a waste of time. I haven't found a good pain manager yet, but I suppose that is next as my doctor is really stingy with drugs. It's such a relief when someone says, "Don't try to tough it out. Call us if you need help." But it's a total let-down when time after time I don't get the help I need. I'll bet many of you can relate.

My current Rx is Robaxin and Ambien at night, and Effexor XR, Xanax, and Ultram during the day. I still wake up in the wee hours, and the pain is present from the moment I open my eyes until I finally conk myself out at night. It feels like a never-ending nightmare, doesn't it? I am disgusted with the medical system in this country.

If anyone has found a good combination of drugs, please let me know. I totally do not trust naturopathic medicine, although I took loads of Valerian Root for anxiety before I got the OK to take Xanax, and it helped. My primary doc made me quit taking my 15mg of vicodin a day, which was at least giving me a few hours of pain relief. Now it ***** again. I just want my life back.

[parksean]

The squeeky wheel gets the grease! I was in the same type of situation as you. I suggest going to the emergency room when it gets to the point of suicide. I know, they think you are narcotic seeking usually (unfortunate, and unfair). I ended up with a physiatrist (not psychiatrist). Physiatrists are doctors that can and will treat you for all of your conditions-pain, depression, the WHOLE person! The pain clinic i went to referred me to one. The shots they gave me actually aggravated my condition. that's what worked for me treatment wise, and I hope it works for you also.

[discman]

great to here you have been doing it with out medication. i to have been doing the same and have similar condition ddd and spasm all over my back and the cronic fatigue/fibro mialiga for 11years now ,and fine that i cycle to help with the pain this may sound funny however i get on the bike in  the correct position .the handle bars are a simple cross bar ,and i do it and it works those areas that need doing.
i have other conditions aswell that this helps.try a stationary bike first.
i also use a small trampoline to relieve pain.nothing to much but enough to create movement.and also walking 20mins per day.
hope this helps,right now can't sleep due to pain so i am doing this.
cheers discman.

[sandee1818]

If you kn ow the PM 's name that your PCP is referring you to you can call them and ask if they can expedite things by calling for your referral paper work. I have done this and most are willing to do it to get you in as quick as possible.
When someone says they think suicide would be better than living in pain that is a huge warning sign to me and you really need to get some help pronto!
Taking medications is just a part of life when your ill or in pain and your kids will see this so don't sell them short of understanding.

[Barbarella66]

Hi shea, I also have fibromyalgia and chronic back pain due to degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis and you need to get an MRI and get in with a Get your Doc to get you in with  a pain management specialist. I know you dont want to take meds but I'm telling you that you will feel much better with something that relieves your pain. I have had this going on for 9 years now and there are doctors out there to help you. If you cant get into the Pain management right away , you need to have your MD write you something for the pain. If you can switch to a DO they are more into spinal and manipulations and things like that ,that can give you some relief, Just as Tuck said. But honey , you cant just lay there and let the pain eat you alive, because you can feel better. Please call your Doctor, I hope you feel better and keep me updated K, Barb

[Mollyrae]

Hello and welcome to MH.
There is some terrific advise given here. I think you have put your mind to getting to the bottom of your pain. You do not mention having any diagnostic imaging done as to why your having these constant back problems. Have you had any imaging done?

Tuck is right, do not be ashamed to take the pain meds or any meds for that matter. You need relief and if medication works then take it.

To sum it up...I would make an appt. to have some tests run to find out exactly what is going on with your back.

Take care,
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hello Sheamarie,
I am so glad you found the Pain Management Forum of MedHelp. We know about pain and how severely it effects our functioning and lives. I am so sorry you are in such pain. No one should have to live with untreated pain, for any reason.

First let me say that you should not be ashamed to take pain medicine. There are some effective drug(s) that will ease your pain and you should be taking them. Your children will eventually grow and learn to understand your chronic pain condition. Certainly they would prefer a mother that can be more functional. Life is too short to suffer anymore than we must with CP. I too heard it was all in my head, for years. No one would believe me. Do not take that for an answer. I did and suffered for years needlessly. I am not bipolar nor do I have a mental disease but they said it was in my head too.

Second my must get into a PM Clinic or see a PMP if your current PCP is unwilling or unable to treat your pain. Keep calling him/her until you get that referral. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If he will not give you a referral than find a PCP that will. If you don't need a referral make the appointment yourself.

I do not have Fibro but many members here do and can relate to your condition more than I can in that area. What I had for years was SI Joint Disease/Syndrome that went untreated because it is so rare. And because it was rare I was told I just couldn't have it. SI Joint Disease cause severe sciatica, pain in your lower back, pain in your hip and running down the side of your leg also. Those are the more common symptoms of SI Joint problems. It was a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) that finally diagnosed me. DO's function and practice just as MD's but they are trained in the alignment of your spine, joints, bones, the entire body. The newer graduates appear to be better at the manipulations than the more seasoned ones.

I wish you the very best. There is help out there, please find it. And please keep us updated on who you are doing. We all care. I'm hoping with proper treatment you will be feeling much better. Please keep in touch and take care, Tuck

[jollyman069]

sounds like u need to talk to a pain specailst... we are not dr's here and thats who u need to ask this question too.. i love to help ppl as most others here do.. but this is apure medical question and a good pain specialist will hopefully tell u whats wrong plus be able to get u pon the right meds if u need any ...good luck and let us know how u are doing