About 2 weeks ago, my lower back started hurting for some unknown reason. The pain extends down my left buttock and I have to walk hunched over. I went to my dr. and he ordered an x-ray which was negative for any abnormality. He prescribed only 15 Vicodin pills and basically told me I was fine. The painkillers seem to take the edge off and I also take it with ibuprofen and have been using a heating pad. The problem is, the pain has not subsided at all so I called my doc back and he won't prescribe any more vicodin or anything and told me that "it should be better by now" so keep taking the ibuprofen, which doesn't help. He is making me feel like I am just wanting drugs. I can't switch docs, but is there anything else I can do? Why are drs. so hesitant to prescribe narcotic painkillers to someone that really needs them? I have heard of people that don't really have pain anymore and their dr. gives them large amounts of painkillers regularly.
2007-09-15 19:42:40 · 9 answers · asked by mysti 6 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
You do need to change doctors or ask to see a specialist if you are on an HMO. Sounds like you might have a herniated disk. I've done something similar - didn't realize what I did at the time until I woke up the next day and HURT!. Sounds VERY similar to what you are talking about. If nothing else, ask your doctor if he can give you a cortisone (steroid) shot to see if it will help. It reduces swelling.
A doctor won't see a herniated disk in an xray usually. It will be evident in an mri, however.
Back pain really, really, sucks. People who haven't had it have no idea. I hope you manage to get through this.
Good Luck!
PS - Surgery is a final resort if it is a herniated disk. Both my L1 and L3 were herniated - I refused surgery and relied on PT and my own willpower to get through it. It's a couple of years now and I only feel it if I do something I shouldn't (heavy boxes for instance). Pain meds are fine for short term, but certainly not for any length of time. Let naproxen and ibuprofen be your friend. :-)
2007-09-15 19:53:31 · answer #1 · answered by the_dragyness 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-05-28 15:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend getting a second opinion (getting a second opinion doesn't always mean that one is going to switch doctors, it can often mean checking to see what might be missing from the picture as to what is causing the problem) and preferably from someone that does not share the same office of the doctor you use.
The reason that a number of doctors are hesitant to give out narcotic pain medications on a regular basis is because they are afraid that the patient might become addicted.
One of the doctors I would recommend getting another opinion from would be a Pain Management doctor (a number of them are more comfortable with giving narcotic pain medications).
If you have any other questions for me please feel free to e-mail or IM me off site any time.
2007-09-15 22:35:06 · answer #3 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I too suffer from chronic back pain and walk hunched over. My Doctor ordered a MRI and found a herniated disc and four vertebrae had shifted, also osteo-arthritis. You should go to specialist for this. ask for one who specializes in spinal care and go from there. Medications due very little for me but help others. Hope you get better and meds will help.
2007-09-18 05:55:49 · answer #4 · answered by angelkist04@verizon.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
X rays can pretty much be limited to evaluating vertebrae.......
See a different doctor and ask to have an MRI exam performed.....Magnetic Resonance Imaging can see the discs and the soft tissue around them.....
Insist on the correct tests for your problem....
Popping pills may not be the best solution......Pain killers just mask the pain.....physical therapy and invasive surgery may be the only asnwers....
Insist on the MRI.....YOU are the best champion for your health.
2007-09-15 19:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fix Forward Head Posture Now!
2016-07-14 11:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to change your doctor. a good option is to seek the help of a physical therapist or chiropractor to be able to determine the cause of your back pain. pain killers are good in relieving pain to keep you going like doing your activities. why bear unbearable pain when you can control it in some ways. for more tips regarding pain management and relief visit http://www.reliefmd.com
2007-09-18 10:54:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a Milo-gram to really see damage. They inject dye into your spine and take x-rays. Vicodin has Tylenol in it so don't mix it with other pills. My doctor gives me Vicodin like candy. You will need surgery and you will never be completely healed. I had it thirty years ago. It just gets worse as you get older.
2007-09-15 20:49:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your dr. is an a$$. it sounds like you have a kidney infection/kidney stones.
drink LOTS of water and cranberry juice and see if that doesn't help in a day or two.
In the meantime, find a way to get another doctor!
2007-09-15 19:50:37 · answer #9 · answered by tljessup 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋