Im 23 and have been in pain for 3 years

Hi Everyone,

Just found this forum and thought I would ask some questions. First a little about me.

I am a 23 year old male. I have had severe and nearly constant pain in my shoulders (both shoulders) for nearly 3 years now. When this pain is especially bad it radiates through my entire back and I even occasionally have pain that seems to shoot up and down my spine. I have had all of the tests you can think of and tried PT for several years. Tests showed nothing and PT didn't help. My doctor finally decided that it is "should instability" so my shoulder joints are loose and are able to move around to much. He recommended surgery and unfortunately it is just not something that I can afford right now. I am a student so I am poor I also feel like they only came up with this diagnosis because none of the tests ever showed anything so I am hesitant to get surgery anyways. But once my financial situation changes I will consider it again.

Unfortunately this isn't it though. about 6 months ago I started having lower back pain that is the worst pain I have ever felt. It feels as though my spine is bruised. I can't sleep, I can't lie on my back, I can't sit down for to long. Again tests show nothing and PT isn't helping.

Both of these things are awful by themselves but together I can barely function. I am a graduate student and I can barely do my work most days. I am lucky enough to have found a doctor who doesn't seem to mind prescribing me hydrocodone which is the only thing that has helped me. Before he prescribed me this medication I was seriously considering dropping out of school because I just couldn't do anything. I couldn't work, I couldn't go to class. I don't seem to have any problems being on this medication. I feel a little strange but I am able to go to class and do my work and everything I used to no problem.

But of course the longer I am on this medication the less effective is becomes. I am currently taking 10mg and it only seems to help for an hour or two. I take it nearly every day during the week. I try really hard not to take over the weekends when I am not working. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I don't. I am planning on talking to my doctor again soon about where I am at but I just wanted to see if anyone here could offer advice as to potential options so I know what questions to ask my doctor. I don't want to just keep asking for a larger dose. Are there other options like switching meds and letting my tolerance of hydrocodone decrease and then going back to a lower dose? Any advice would be great. I have been dealing with this for 3 years with really no help other than narcotics for the past few months.

My daughter has the same issue with her joints, they all can come out of joint almost at will. She was recently diagnosed with an ultra rare disease related to it, can't remember the name, will come back and ammend this post. She just turned 30, but had been going on all her life.

I wish you luck as you search for an answer, sounds like you need to find a way to get some better medical opinions.

david in sc

See if your still covered under your parents health insurance, maybe look into that...
maybe look at a free clinic in your area or a teaching hospital...
Just because you have had testing done does not mean that
there is no hidden damage, you could have a tear in your shoulder and
so do not discount what your doctor is telling you, for that much pain it could be
a lot of things and maybe it's to early yet to show up on diagnostic tests...
You should ask for a possible referral for now, to a pain management doctor
wish I knew what else to say...many prayers and well wishes, others will come by
with better advise so pay attention....