Bulging discs t5 and t6...nothing has worked to "fix" or relieve pain

Hey Mom.Welcome to HW.

The 3 meds you listed aren't pain meds.I'm sure they told you they would relieve your pain.

Cymbalata is an anti-depressant.
Gabapenton(sp) is for nerve pain.
Baclofin,I believe,is a muscle relaxer.

Have they not prescribed you an opiate pain med.HydroCodone at least.

Doesn't sound like your PMD is managing your pain very well.

Others here are more knowledgeable than I am.

Again,welcome.

Take care and God Bless.

Rick

Thanks for the replies! My PM did tell me that the meds are for pain but they have not touched the pain at all. I was on Celexa for depression and anxiety and about a month ago, my regular dr changed it to Cymbalta because it can supposedly help with the pain. I have only seen a regular dr and a PM Doctor (unless you count the chiropractor who probably made it worse).

Rick - my regular dr prescribed a low dose of norco to hold me over until I went to PM. It didn't touch the pain either so I stopped taking it.

The facet injections were in 2 joints. They gave me no relief at all. In fact, I felt worse for 2weeks after. Never again.

As for the epidural, it was in t5 and t6 a week ago and my pain is already high again. Not quite as bad as before but close.

They did an MRI without contrast. It was only done on my thoracic region.

I plan on asking my regular doctor for a referral to someone else. Either a spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon or neulogist. I don't really know the difference between them.

Thank you for the feedback! I feel alone in this as my PM dr doesn't really talk to me and I have no clue what else to do. Oh, and I'm also on Medicaid so I'm not sure how much help I can get on Medicaid.

My doctor hasn't even mentioned opiates or anything. When I tell him (at every appointment) that the pain meds aren't working, he ups the dosage on the gabapentin and switches the muscle relaxer to a different one. It's been frustrating to say the least.

When my regular dr gave me norcos, they did nothing for the pain:(

I will add more info later but here is my MRI findings:

EXAM: MRI THORACIC SPINE WO CONTRAST, 12/30/2015 6:06 PM

COMPARISON: Thoracic spine radiographs 12/16/2015

INDICATION: Thoracic back pain, unspecified back pain laterality.

TECHNIQUE: MR imaging of the thoracic spine was performed without
contrast administration.

FINDINGS: Thoracic vertebrae appear normal in height and alignment.
Marrow signal is within normal limits other than a small hemangioma at
T5 level. Mild disc desiccation is seen in the mid thoracic spine.
Thecal sac and its contents are normal in signal intensity.

Axial images reveal the following:

T5-T6 level: Small central disc protrusion, impressing upon the thecal
sac there may be minimal indentation of the anterior cord surface.

At T6-T7 level, another small central/right paracentral disc
protrusion is seen causing mild impression on the anterior thecal sac.

Impression
1. Small central disc protrusion at T5-T6 level causing mild
impression on the anterior thecal sac/ventral cord surface.
2. Tiny central/right paracentral disc protrusion at T6-T7 level
causing mild impression on the anterior thecal sac.

The fact that you got even one day of relief from the epidural makes it worth trying again. There are different medications they can inject. Because the lungs are contained in the thoracic region, their constant motion makes it more difficult to heal anything around them. There is also a condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome that may be the cause of your arm pain. You might want to look into that.

I have a congenital fracture of one of the thoracic vertebra. It causes me issues throughout my lifetime. Instead of shifting side to side, picture putting your hands together and moving one up a bit further than the other. It pulls on muscles and ligaments and makes me feel like someone is shoving an ice pick into my back in between the shoulder blades. The only thing that seems to help is rolling a towel lengthwise and laying it on the floor, then laying on it with my spine on top of it. Talk with your physical therapist about this.

Some hospitals run clinics for Medicaid patients. Call the closest ones to you and see if they can help. Usually the 'teaching hospitals' or 'university hospitals'. Some things don't show up in an MRI done in the laying down position. See if you can get an upright MRI done. It may offer additional clues.

Keep posting and let us know how it goes...you are not alone.

Thank you so much! So sorry you are also in chronic pain! I'll look into thoracic outlet syndrome! I didn't realize they can inject different stuff into the epidural. I hope he offers that! I have an appointment on the 25th with my regular dr and I will ask for a referral then. We'll see.

Reading what you have posted about your MRI I understand why the dr put you on Gabapentin. Baclofen will only work on muscle spasms its not like a narcotic.

Boy, it stinks not having access to any more pain mgt drs than you do. Since all of this hoopla concerning treatment of chronic pain & narcotics we have lost PM drs because they don't want any part of the grief.

As far as MM, its very expensive & we have yet to see one person be able to come off of their pain meds & use it only. If it is not legal in your state you will find yourself like Rick not sure what the future is going to hold for any help from a pain mgt dr. We tell people here all the time do not jeopardize your care on a whim because you will be on the losing end of that stick. Rick had a good relationship with his PM dr until he decided to do something he shouldn't have & now he is paying the price for it, but he also knew at the time what he was doing. The environment of pain mgt is not what it use to be at all. I think things will get even more restrictive than what they already are. Not a good situation. Now is the time to start trying things on your own at home, alternate using heat & ice for one, use distraction techniques, just whatever you can do.

Take care.

Susie, you are 100 percent right. I knew what I was doing could get me dismissed. I had it made.

My new PMD told me that he doesn't care about marijuana..

I got some medical marijuana this morning.

Called Head band. It's the child of Sour Deisal and O.G. Kush.
Feeling no pain.

Edit.. Mom a lot of PMDs in Medical Marijuana States allow it. Just have to ask. Some of the strains I've tried gave me more pain relief when used in conjunction with pain meds.

Rick

Post Edited (tidalmouse) : 4/17/2016 8:19:30 AM (GMT-6)

Susie, I signed a contract. A lady told me what I was signing. I told her what happened with my previous PMD. She had the prescription print outs.

I told her I was dismissed for marijuana.
She said the Doctor didn't care about that.

Then the Doctor told me that he didn't care about it.

I think I'm safe. I'll find out in 2 months

Rick

Hey Mom.For what it's worth,I don't think they ever test for Marijuana.I think I forced their hand at the 1st Visit by telling them I might have it in my system.I really don't think it would have ever come up if I hadn't said that.

They released me 2 weeks after a knee replacement.I went from Inpatient Rehab to that appointment.Using a Walker.Taking 6 4 mg Dilaudid and 2 30 mg MSContin a day.And they said that's it.See ya'.Wouldn't want to be you.They sent me thru hell.

I wanted to cry.My 79 yr old Mother was out there waiting on me."How'd it go?" "Fine.can you stop by the House.I want to take my Xanax back to Rehab with me."That's how that went.

But that's the past.I've got a new PMD.I don't think Marijuana is something that could ever replace an Opioid Pain Medicine.Used with your pain meds it is effective.Especially Medical Grade Marijuana or Edibles,Oils,etc.

Susie,I really feel like we both laid our cards on the table at my 1st appointment.I've never had that exact conversation with a Doctor.He said "I don't care if you use Marijuana."He just makes sure you're taking what he prescribes.And that's all I want.

My main Doctor is 2 years older than I am.He's more laid back than I am.That's saying something.I've been seeing him for 13 years.I told him he's my Doctor til one of us retires.I can be 100 % honest with him.He's got my best interest in mind.

I hope you can find a Doctor that gives you the Treatment you deserve Mom.

The thing that sticks out to me is that you're seeing a Pain Mngt. Dr that's not giving you any pain medicine.They shouldn't be able to call themselves a PMD.They haven't helped your pain.

I'd get on the computer and look for PMDs in your area.Call.They've always been very helpful to me.I start by asking if they're taking new patients.If you need a Referral.They usually tell you if they don't prescribe pain meds.

The tough part is getting your Doctor to Refer you.I've had to wait 3 months before they called me.But they do eventually.

I'll check in later.

Hope you have a good day.

Rick

Post Edited (tidalmouse) : 4/17/2016 8:21:20 AM (GMT-6)

Hey Karen.I'd love to live there.

"Leafly" is a good Site to get information about different Strains,Info on Dispensaries,etc.

This is the 'Leafly" review of the Strain that I had.
Meet Headband, the love-child of cannabis’ power couple, OG Kush and Sour Diesel. The smooth, creamy smoke is accented by flavors of lemons and diesel while the long-lasting effects are great for pain relief, helping you to relax, and to combat elevated stress levels. Many report that the effects create a slight pressure around the crown of their head and feels as though they are wearing a headband. The effects have been known to come on slow, so pace yourself with this potent hybrid.

It's not something I can afford to use daily.If I have some I try to save it for when I'm not feeling well.Usually either stomach problems from all the meds I take,or if I'm down in my back.

I like having the option to use it.

We've come a good ways in a short time.

Edit:Karen,I just now read your Post again saw that about your friend.I'll bet she experienced quite a bit of anxiety.That's one problem I have with most Strains.Not to that extent.But enough to have to take my anxiety medicine.

Good info from you.

Take care.

Rick

Post Edited (tidalmouse) : 4/18/2016 5:12:16 AM (GMT-6)

Wow! Just now seeing all of the responses. I went and saw my PM doctor today for my follow up appointment from getting two epidurals two weeks ago. He is doing another epidural tomorrow. He says the because I got some relief from the first one, he wants to try again for more pain refief. I didn't realize he could do them back to back. Also, I once again told him that the gabapentin and baclafen do nothing. I mine as well be eating candy. He told me to keep taking them. He said something about putting me on Lyrica which would have been fine but then he said no. I told him I was on Cymbalta and not sure if you can take both of them together. Either way, I am not impressed with this guy at all.

I tried finding a PM doctor and couldn't find one within a 3 hours drive radius.

As for the neurologist, is it ok to ask for a referral to a neurologist if I don't plan on ever having surgery? Can they do anything different than this guy?

Thanks so much for the continued support!