Finally,an answer about my back

[Shawn]

Went to a new Doctor today and he done xrays in his office and found out that my L1 and L2 disc in my back has stenosis. That's explains a lot of why I am having pain and why I can't walk or lift anything and carry it. I was relieved to know there is a reason for my pain.It only took 7 years to figure out.
Now the bad part,he took away the norco and won't refill it.Said he doesn't want me addicted.I have been on it 7 months now on and off and i am not addicted to them.I know when I get to that point now and stop on my own so that doesn't happen. I go to my other Dr tomorrow.Going to see if there is another Doctor here who will do surgery to stop the pain.It's a risky surgery,but I want the pain to stop and not have to use pain meds to stop it. I want to be pain free for good.Depending on how bad it is,they may have to do a bone fusion,which isn't good but if it stops the pain,I'm all for it.

[TStodden]

While I didn't get the exact medical term, my dad had something similar (all I can recall was "pinched nerve near the spine") & had surgery to fix it. Our family doctor put him on gabapentin (I just nicknamed it "gabby" as I couldn't remember the exact name, but could get close enough to find it online) as he was still working & didn't want something to get detected on his drug test. That drug doesn't "kill" the pain, but made that you didn't really care about it (kind of dull the pain a bit).

It may not be the best option for you medication wise, but it may not be option to ask about as an alternative.

Hope things go well with your back.

[Shawn]

Basically what stenosis is,is a narrowing of the spinal canal.It will eventually get bad enough that I will have pain shoot through my legs and they will go numb. Dr explained it to me today as a pipe that has lime built up and limiting the slow of water.Basically it's just squeezing my spinal cord and nerves in my back. Surgery isn't something I want to do after talking with my Dr.She said it won't help the pain because there will be bones fused together.She said until it gets to the point that my legs go numb and pain shoots through my legs,she is not allowing the surgery.She said I am to young to even have this condition and was confused about why the vicodin was taken away from me.She said that all they can do is keep me comfortable.Nothing much will ease the pain I am having. It is a dull non stop pain I have and I barely sleep.I toss and turn all the time now.
She said she is going to look for a Dr here that will help me but asked if I would go to Indy if need be which I said yes but really hope they can find one here who takes my insurance. Not sure what I will do for now as far as controlling the pain.She couldn't write anything since the office is on probation from the state for some BS. She said she is sorry that this has happened but will do her best to find a Dr who will treat the pain the way it needs to be treated.

[Diabolique]

Glad to hear that you got some answers to your pain, Shawn!

[Shawn]

Glad to hear that you got some answers to your pain, Shawn!

I got answers but no real fix for it. I can take pain meds but I am a little sick of that. I did get the refill so I can sleep without pain,that seemed to be the biggest problem I have and worry about.If I don't sleep good,usually the pain is worse. There are nights I don't have any problems with pain and don't have to use the meds. I had to go back to my primary Dr and practically beg for the meds back. It's just horrible how the state is making the threats towards doctors in my state when not all of them are handing out pain meds like candy.
I have a reason now that I do need them,and yet it's an uphill battle for me.I have considered smoking marijuana since I was getting no where fast,but it would put my job at risk if I were to wreck.I'd get tested and come back dirty.I can't do all that.
So far I have been ok with what I am doing by taking my meds at bedtime. Work is hard because I sit so long and am in pain from it.It's weird how it all works.2 weeks ago I was ok with nothing this past weekend was really bad and I had to leave early.I could barely sit any longer. My blood pressure skyrockets as well when my pain level is high. My usual BP is 120/70 lately it's been going to 130 to 140/90 to 100. My pulse is higher as well so the Dr is watching me for that as well.Might be on blood pressure meds soon. Everything is just falling apart on me.Hoping something changes soon.