I am a newbie.
I have a herniated disk, L-4 in my lower spine with bone spurs, rheumatoid arthritis and a spinal cyst. Because I have a poencephalus tumor in my brain (filled with spinal fluid) spinal blocks and steroids are not an option for me. I am in so much pain when I wake up in the morning I can barely take the the lortab that makes standing up bearable. Actually, I have to take two in order to funtion. I asked my doctor to up my doage and he yelled at me, theatened to expel me from the clinic (I cried for 30 minutes) before he relented and told me to shut up. I have been on this dose for 6 years, and without it, I couldn't stand the pain, I couldn't live any sort of life or work part time.
It took me years to find a doctor to help me, and still I am made to feel like a criminal because I hurt. By the way, surgery will not relieve all of my pain at this time, it is a stop gap measure at best, if at all. My neuro-surgeon said my results would be minimal at best, and I would eventually require another operation. I want to wait as long as possible, and I will have to because the state has temporarily suspended my insurance. I guess I wanted to share with people who might be in the same boat. I have seen some of your stories, and I feel close to those here. I don't know if anyone can help me, but if you read this, thank-you for listening :)