Please help me...chronic back pain...best answer 10 pts!?

Question

Ok, so here goes: I have a bulging disk in my back that causes a LOT of pain ALL the time. I was previously treated with 3 7.5 mg's of Vicodin per day. That wasn't enough so I had went to my doctor's office which is a clinic. My doctor wasn't in so I seen another, and was in so much pain I was crying. The doctor told me the pain can't be that bad, threw me a script of Celexa and called it a day. About 2 weeks later I moved to another state and had called my doctors office to get a refill while in transition to find another doctor. To my surprise, they told me that the doctor I had seen stated I do need pain meds and I will not be getting anymore from them. Fine, so I went to another doctor in my new state, a walk in clinic and they gave me a script for one week while waiting on my records. When my records came the doctor that seen me sent a fax stating NOT to give me any pain meds. So I finally got a new doc who gave me a script for 1 Lortab 10 mg per day and hasn't gotten my records..

(continued) So now I'm afraid to sign a consent form to get my records from that clinic that stopped my meds. My actual doctor however stated that she would have still gave them to me but I am in another state so she cannot prescribe narcotics. I have an appointment tomorrow w/ my new doctor and need a refill and definately need more than 1 per day. I'm so scared to ask for me and don't know how to go about doing so....and I'm so scared once he gets my records the same doc that cut me off will send another fax to him and will screw everything up for me again. I need these pills, they are the only relief I have had!!!! How can I go about getting my new doc to up my meds(how do I ask) and how do I get him to keep seeing me without getting my old records(which he is waiting for)??? I WANT him to see my MRI and all treatment provided so he does know it is in fact legit...but if the same doc responds, I'm scared of the outcome....HELP HELP HELP

I am scheduled for a pain medicine/management appointment in two weeks...and i cannot wait to see what else they can do for me to show me how else i can relieve the pain...believe me it is not all about the meds...but they have thus far been the ONLY thing to help. exercises make it worse. i just need my new doctor to gimmie more per day so i can make it through the day without crippling up in bed...

Answer 1

ask your new doc to refer you to a pain specialist. i know people say pain meds are not the answer but you know what..it makes living a productive life a lot easier.i totally know how you feel because i live with excuruciating pain on a daily basis. you most likely will have physical therapy so you can learn what not to do to make the pain worse.

Answer 2

Sorry I do not comprehend. I had a MRI after two years of acute onset lower right abdominal pain, pain enough to take the legs out from under me. As soon as my Doc saw the results he prescribed Fentanyl Patches and I have been on them since. I have the MRI films here and you can see the bulge pushing into the spinal canal. On the slice if the disc, you cannot see much space in the spinal canal, let alone 'nerve roots'. Much depends on the MRI finding, the size of the bulge and where the disc has split, front, back. side? Therefore I suggest you have another MRI! Remember, as I found out, you may have a small bulge and so the Doc may not be willing to give you pain meds on any basis. However two months after the small bulge, depending on what you do, lifting, twisting, you could damage the disc further, but only a new MRI will locate that. Good Luck

Answer 3

1. Are you a candidate for back surgery? If you have a disc that is pressing on a nerve, you might be! Go to an orthopedic spine specialist to find out if you haven't already. Also some neurosurgeons also operate on the spine and can also evaluate you.
2. If surgery is not an option, you should probably go see a doctor who subspecializes in pain medicine. This way, you have ONE regular doctor who manages and keeps track of your pain medicine. You will have less problems refilling the medications and so forth because that doctor will get to know you and your pain.
3. Don't be afraid to fax your records. DO tell your new doctor your point of view. Hopefully your new doctor will be more open minded and decide for him/herself based on your MRIs and other tests what your pain medication should be. It is better to be honest and build a good relationship with your doctor.
4. If you do end up getting pain medications from your new doctor, make sure you discuss with him a plan for what to do if you have worsening pain or if you need refills, and how many pills you should be using each month, and what you should do if you run out early. Make sure you and your doctor are on the same page for all this.
5. Consider physical therapy in addition to all above if you haven't done this already.

Answer 4

It looks like there's a lot of controversy about whether or not medications are "the answer" to your problem.

If you're like most people, meds are part of the answer, but not all of it. You're dealing with the same bias against pain medication that a lot of people face. Some doctors are afraid of prescribing pain medications because they don't understand the real issues around tolerance of medications, withdrawal, and addiction (which is actually pretty rare).

As hard as it seems to be, I really think your best bet is to be honest with your new doctor and sign any releases. To not do so is going to make it look like you're trying to hide something and that's just going to make things worse. Explain the disagreement you had with your doctor about the medication and why you feel you need them.

If the new doctor does a thorough diagnostic and your condition warrants it, you should get a prescription.

Having said that, medication is rarely the only answer. Explore all of your alternative options to supplement the medications. This includes possibilities like meditation, relaxation training, stress management, cognitive behavioral treatment for depression and pain management, etc.

Even pain that's clearly related to a medical problem, in your case a bulging disk, has a psychological and emotional component.

Best of luck

Barry Hughes, Ph.D.

Answer 5

First off, with a herniated disc, pain killers are just that, pain killers. It doesn't do anything to help relieve the disc and the last thing you need is a new problem, which is an addiction to pain killers.

I would calmly discuss your situation with your new doctor. You are eager to address this problem, and would like a referral to a physical therapist who does McKenzie technique to help treat your disc. In addition, please prescribe a moderate pain killer to take some relief so that you'll be able to do physical therapy.

Explain it in this manner and you'll get the help you need for pain relief and your disc as well.

Answer 6

Have you already tried out Back Pain Relief 4 Life process? Look at this site : http://www.BackPainInstantRelief.com . This may truly guide everyone!

Answer 7

Seems 'strange' to be treated that way...
but honestly, pain-killers aren't the answer to
your problem.
Sounds as if you're totally 'dependant' on drugs
for your own good.......
Find a good chiropractor, one who has had success
(ask around) Get off drugs, please

Answer 8

Perhaps you need physical therapy for your back instead of drugs?