Ready to give up ~ or ~ What do I try next?

[FlyingPegasus]

I have been diagnosed with 3 herniated discs in my back and severe bursitis of the left hip. I started going to the doctor with hip pain after my 2nd degree black belt test. I figured I just overworked it or something.

Dr. says just bursitis, gives me pain pills and tells me to ice it and rest. About 6 months later after doing water aerobics, my left leg gave out on me while walking down some stairs. Dr. says I aggravated the bursitis, and says maybe I should try a chiropractor.

He also says if I am going to insist on acting like a little kid and go to Disney, then I will have to go in a wheelchair. I also had to quit Ty Kwon Do, and limit all of my activities.

Chiropractor does a few adjustment then sends me for an MRI of my back. (umm, hello, my hip still hurts!) MRI shows 3 herniated discs. 1st thing chiro says to me "wow at least I know now you have not been faking your pain." He tells me I need to try VAXD therapy, to avoid surgery, and once my back is fixed my hip pain will go away. 4 months and $2000 later my hip still hurts, and my back does not feel all that great either.

I go back to regular dr, had a steroid shot and he says, lets try physical therapy. I have gone to 6 PT appointments, and the therapist does not understand why I am still in pain. She is ready to give up on me and send me back to the dr, who will just give me more pain pills.

I really would like for the pain to go away and stay away, not just be masked by pills.

Does anybody have any suggestions of what I should try next?

I want to be able to skip down Main Street again! And I know my friends and family are tired of pushing me around in a wheelchair!

Thanks for your help!

Fly

 

[Momelie]

Neurologist, definitely a neurologist!

Or maybe a pain management specialist - most of them have a subspecialty in either ortho or neuro. Mine is a rheumatologist/pain specialist, which correlates to my auto-immune arthritis. I'd call and check it out.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Does your doctor know of a back specialist (probably an orthopaedist) in your area? That's really the next step. It may turn out that at this point surgery is your best chance of getting rid of the pain, but it sounds to me like the only specialist you've seen about your back is the chiropractor and most chiropractors are not MDs and while some are good, they don't have the level of training an MD or DO will have.

I'm surprised no one has sent you to an MD or DO before this, to be honest.

Good luck!

 

[2luvmickey]

I am so sorry for your pain! My DH had two herniated discs, and he tried everything (therapy, pain pills, cortisone shots). Nothing worked. Finally, he had surgery. He wondered why he didn't have the surgery sooner but, he does agree that you have to try other options first, under the advice of a MD.

I agree with the other posters, go to a neurologist or an orthopedic surgeon (back/lumbar specialist). There is no reason why you should live in pain.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[Deesknee]

I agree with Neurologist, definitely a neurologist.

I had a ruptured disc which maybe very different, but my neurologist told me at the time to never have my back manipulated or I may end up paralized. Things maybe very different now, and perhaps others would say different, but I would at least give a neurologist a shot. BTW, mine was a neuro surgeon and also advised I don't have surgery unless I absolutely can not live with the pain due to the risk of becoming paralyzed as well. My treatment was to do a type of traction at home. Again, your situation is obviously different than mine, but I am sure glad I tried a neurologist first. That was about 25 years ago, and every once in awhile I drag out the traction contraption and do my treatment. I know the pain at this point, it is very distinct.

What ever course you pursue, I hope & pray it works for you. Life is so very difficult living in that kind of pain.