Mechanical Lower Back Pain ?

ANSWER:
I've had LBP for about 2 years now. I'm 28 years old, and in otherwise pretty healthy condition. I'm getting VERY frustrated lately. Some history:

I've had X-Ray's, MRI, Ortho Appointments, Physical Therapy, 2 cortison(sp) injections (epidural), and Pain Doc referrals in the last 2 years.

The final Diagnosis was a mechanical problem with my spine, that when I bend over straight, my spine twists to the right causing the ongoing pain. However, the Ortho doc did not recomend I see a chiropractor, and said to stay with the Pain Doc.

I stayed with the pain Doc for over 1 year. During that time I started off with every anti-inflamitory in the book, no relief. Next I went on Lortab 7.5/500's, 3 per day for about 6 months. This defenately helped the pain, and kept me pretty comfortable, but not like I was before the pain started of course. Then the pain doc I was seing left and the new one felt that there was no way I should be on that med that long, and immediately cut my script to 30/month and a slow release patch (fyntenal?). Well, the patch made me vomit constantly. So the next months app came, and they put me on Oxycontin. That made me somewhat ill, but was not as bad. Then we find out my insureance wouldn't cover it. So then came oramorph SR. Didn't like that one either. My problem was the medicine was starting to interfere with my life, more than I thought the pain was. I was tired of taking slow release drugs, and not being able to concentrate on my job and family like I should. Even though the docs say no one should be on lortab that long, I think it fit me better, sure it didn't last as long, but neither did the side effects, and I could always not take one when I wasn't in as much pain. The slow release just stayed there all day, clouding me.

My pain comes and goes, and I've gone the last 6 months without any pain pills whatsoever (well, tylenol and ibprofen).

Now my pain is starting to flare back up again, and its starting to get me VERY frustrated! I went to another new doc, who I've never seen today (not the pain doc, referral is up), and explained the situation. She wants me to start the whole thing over again, and go to ortho doc, and physical therepy again. I don't have time for this in my life right now! My job is demanding (not physically thank god!), and I'm moving up the ladder. I don't want to be in pain as it makes me very irritable (according to my wife).

I just don't know what to do. What I wouldn't give right now to be out of pain for even 30 Min!!! Its wearing me out!

As I'm reading this back to myself, I don't know why I'm posting this here. I know no one can help me, and maybe thats why I feel like I'm sufficating...

1. In my experience, orthos *rarely* recommend seeing a chiropractor. I have been to a chriro off and on for 14 years, and he has helped me a great deal.

2. If the Lortab works for you, do whatever you can to find another doctor who will prescribe it for you. I agree with you about slow release pain meds. I want the meds *when I want and need them* - not in slow release form. If I need more, I want to take more. (Others find slow release work well for them - I'm just relating my own experience.)

3. Your wife is probably right; we ALL tend to get irritable when we're in pain - especially chronic pain. It's very understandable. And yes, chronic pain *does* wear you out.

4. I wouldn't want to "start all over again" either. It takes an enormous amount of time and patience. You know your own body and your own pain. It sounds as if you're at the point where you *know* what will work for you. Go fot it!

5. You're posting here because you're desperate and you're looking for help. That's the reason ALL of us began posting here. You've come to the right place. I have been helped here. Many of us have found help here. Just wait for some more responses and take it from there.

I agree a good chiro can help you. Have you been to a Rheumatologist? You have scoliosis, and instead of shots, a properly fitted back brace will enable you to continue to work without causing more damage. You just gotta get in a brace!

Ask the Rheumy for a long term short acting painkiller for the sake of yer marriage.

Back brace for work...now and then painkiller for yer marriage. :-)

Editor and I do understand....it'sd the docs you've seen so far that don't. :-( Osteoarthritis of the spine sux, but you can get better with the right combo of treatments. I LUV ultrasound therapy on my lower back by a chiro...give that a try, too, ok?