This may be long, but I've been lurking and not posting.
I was diagnosed with a herniated L5-S1 disk in 2005 at age 24. No trauma that we know of so not sure of the cause. It was herniated to the right so it was pinching my sciatic nerve. I only saw my GM doc for treatment. I did chiropractor, tens unit, and physical therapy with him. He gave me Vicodin 5mg 2x a day. after 4 years he upped me to 7.5 mg Vicodin 2x a day with tramodol 50 mg 2x a day.
I also had my daughter Kaylee in 2006, my son Mason in 2008, and my baby Noah in 2011. This has not helped my back pain at all. Lol. So I finally asked my doc to refer me to a PM doc. My Chiro recommended some one and I've been seeing him since June of 2011. I did epidural injections, tens unit, and I see my Chiro 1x a week. I told him in October that my back pain was worse and asked if I should have another MRI. He said no becs I haven't had any trauma so there wouldn't be any change. I asked him if he could "change" my meds to something different becs I didn't feel they were affective anymore. NOT stronger, just different.
He flipped the F out. Said if he changed my meds I'd be on morphine by time I was 50 with nothing else to take. Basically made me feel like a junkie and I cried. Only saw his PA after that until this past July. Finally saw his partner who is also a PM doc. He said it was ridiculous that I hadn't seen an actual PM in 8 months. And that it was normal for my Vicodin wasn't as affective after 7 years. He said he's interested in putting me on Nucynta ER or Butrans. Saw the PA after that who can't change my meds. I have another appt on September 26th.
Last week my Chiro suggested that I get another MRI since my pain was not better, but worse. Had one on Thursday. Talked to my Chiro today. He said my L5-S1 disc is so desiccated now that it bulges out on BOTH sides now hitting BOTH nerves! I also have bone spurs now and mild arthritis. I knew I wasn't crazy! He said he's gonna send the report to my PM doc with recommendations for Celebrex and lyrica with addition to changing my pain meds. Hopefully this will validate to my PM that I'm NOT drug seeking, but my condition is worse like I said. I'm just trying to live my life, work, and take care of my 3 awesome children who are 5 and under.
I've never been on nerve meds ever! 90% of my pain is nerve pain. I'm giving him my next appointment to make some changes after seeing my new MRI results. If he refuses to change my meds again, I'm going to start looking for a new PM doc. I would love any suggestions of doctors near Cincinnati ohio area. I will drive 2 hours if needed to get treated like a human being. Thanks in advance for any advice or reccomendations!!!