im new here, So glad I found this forum.

Hi all,
I am so glad I found this forum.
I I have had upper back pain since 2003.
My neck pain just started this year.

I have been diagnosed with DDD, bulging disks (one of which is pressing
So hard on my spine it's deforming it in that area)
And 3 herniated disks, arthritis in my back, my left leg is very weak.
My last MRI was taken in 2011.
I have learned so much from just reading these forum posts.
I do not know the medical terms of my diagnosis, other than the DDD,
And arthritis.
So today I'm going to request my medical records from my Doctor.

I love the fact that all of you are so kind and non-judgemental towards
Eachother. And your all very supportive.
Back in 2003 my Dr. Had me try all types of different medicines,
Currently I take the following:
Norco 10/325
Klonopine (the lowest dose)
Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to make sure it was easy to read.
Im looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Hi, justride. Sorry you're in pain. Good idea to get your medical records and look them over; the more we educate ourselves about what's going on in our bodies, the better, as it helps when researching what care options there are out there (along, of course, with seeing/communicating with doctors, therapists, etc).

I'm fairly new here, too, but have found the welcoming and understanding nature of the people here quite wonderful. :)

I just want to let all of you know that I think this is a great forum.
Everyone here treats everyone here with respect, compassion, kindness, and
Genuine concern.
That's why I chose this one to belong to.

JustRide, good to read the dr is working on getting new MRI's, I hope he is not just concentrating on the thoracic area. Always obtain copies of your medical records including tests, such as an MRI. Sometimes patients have to advocate to get medical care & that is ok too. Educating yourself about your health problems is one of the best things you can do for yourself. A very good reputable website that is dedicated to the spine is SpineUniverse.com. You can go there & learn a lot about the spine & conditions involving the spine.

If you are wanting to see a pain mgt dr, I suggest getting online with your insurance & see who is in your area. Most of them require a referral from another dr & your primary care dr can do this. Also, just so you know, there are two types of pain mgt drs, one does nothing but injections & procedures & will not rx any pain meds. The other will do the same but will write scripts for pain meds if deemed necessary. So you want to make sure whoever you get referred to does writes scripts. If you get an appt with one you really need to call & ask if the dr does injections & procedures & does he write prescriptions for pain meds if needed. If they say no to pain meds you need to let the referring dr know so the appt can be canceled & an appt made with one that does. This will save you a lot of time. You really do not want to waste a bunch of time on an appt with one that is not going to do it all.

Keep us posted.....

Thank you guys for the warm welcome!

If there is anyone on here in the medical field, like a nurse, or a retired nurse
Or anyone who is knowledgable about medicines I could really use your
Advise.
My husband and I just bought our first house together, and I'm doing all the
Packing, hubby is doing the lifting and moving.
We'll be doing this for the next 4 days, and thankfully the new house is only
about 4 miles away.
My question is this~I don't want to overdue it, my back can't handle it if I do.
So 2 days ago when I saw my Dr for my monthly visit he told me it's ok to take 2 of my pain pills if my back starts hurting more than it usually does during the move.
He wrote my prescription for 30 extra this one time.
I've never taken 2 before so it scares me. In your opinions will it make me goofy? Or tired? Because hubby really needs my help.
What do you guys think?

I guess I shouldnt have asked you guys for advice on that.
I apologize guys :)
I guess I answered my own question.
I asked the dr first and he said if I need to do that then its ok so if the dr feels it's safe than I need to trust the dr.
Again im sorry. I dont want to upset anyone here.
I need all the support I can get.

hi justride, welcome aboard...

Hi justride and let me also Welcome you to the CP forum. You know if your worried about taking the two of your pain pills, I would not be overly concerned, since your doctor told you it was alright, but with that said, I would also take Straydogs advice  and maybe only take one and a half, or if you could try taking two, but do it at a time that you would not be doing anything. Maybe in the evening?? Just to see how it affects you, if it has some affect you don't like,  then try it again the next day and cut back to one and a half? This is such a tricky area, because every one is so different and medications affect people so differently, that you really are just going to have to see for yourself how it affects you. I know I have been prescribed medications before and I hated the affects they had on me, so I went back to my doctor and got it changed to something else.  

Sorry it is just not something that we can really be that much help to you about. But now that you have my curiosity stirred I would be interested to know how this turns out for you!  Oh yes one more thing, you might find that sometimes you might not get a reply or response on something right away, usually it is on the weekends when there usually isn't as many people visiting the forum. So just know that the folks here do care about each other, and now your here your considered part of our Healing Well Chronic Pain family! Again I Welcome YOU!

White Beard

Wow, thanks guys,
While packing I have been just taking my normal dose.
I'm saving the "extras" for the actual move itself and for afterwards.

I am so grateful that so many of you gave me your insight on this.
This is our very first house together so, we are so excited.
The new house is a lot bigger, which is great, but a lot more to clean :)hey, I'm
Not complaining. This is my dream house. It's a big old country fixer upper.
I'm a very lucky girl.

I'll be packing all day today, and your right, after giving it alot of thought~
If I did double up I would probably end up hurting more in the long run.
The reason why I take norco 10/325 and not something stronger than that is I believe, for me anyway it's better to feel some pain so I know where my boundaries are.
I also believe there is no magic pill that takes all the pain away.

I mentioned before that I read alot of posts on here.
Not one time did I see any of you pass judgment on anyone.
Your all very sweet.
I'll keep you all posted on how it's going with the packing, & move.
Thank you for welcoming me into your CP family.
And thank you for taking the time out of your own busy lives to help me out.

Good morning guys,
Is it just me or does everyone feel this way?
I swear I didnt have this much stuff a year ago. Lol

I have made piles while packing~the goodwill pile
The pile of skinny jeans that I can't bare to part with because I just know the
Minute I get rid of them, ill miraculously lose 15 pounds and kick myself for getting rid of them.
The nieghbor pile,
You get the idea...
I just dont remember having so much stuff.
Almost forgot the yard sale pile.
So far so good on the medicine. Im still saving the extras for after the move.

The move date has been moved by a few weeks though because we needed
A few things fixed before we move in.
I hope everyone is having a pain free morning.

Sure, lots of us have or have had weakness in a leg. It's often a pinched nerve. That's why you need a new MRI, maybe a CT also.

Ask your regular doctor whom he recommends for a pain doc. Then call that doc and ask if he does injections and medication. You don't want somebody who won't or isn't qualified to do both. He'll make you sign a contract to only get your pain med scripts from him, so make sure you are comfortable with him before you sign. Read some posts from people who have gotten in trouble for taking too much and run out and lots of other posts - see the search box at the top of the page.

I don't want to scare you, but go into this educated. I see a group with a physiatrist who can do lumbar injections only and an anesthesiologist who can inject all parts of the spine as well as doing nerve ablations (burning the outside covering of the nerve). They also prescribe medication, but they do limit it. I was just lucky when I started this route that I was sent by a rheumatologist to a good, caring and qualified group, because I had no idea what pain docs did.

I also, personally, won't go to a group where you only see the PA. Every time I go it is because I need another injection or procedure. I am not going to waste money on someone who can't do what I need.

Best wishes!