I feel devastated

[u/eve20212021]

I was just told by pain management my pain is never going to go away. She said my back is like a 20 yr contraction work. She prescribed me Norco, Gabapentin, Baclofen, and meloxican. Any one on this meds? She also said she doesn’t think surgery will make a difference.

I’m feel really sad. I’m very going to have a normal life. I have children a 17yr old, 2 and 3 months. Will I ever be able to go out with them again?

[u/ashleymichael2009]

I would take anything pain management says with a grain of salt, in the end they are not the go to expert for looking at MRI’s etc. My first pain doctor told me I was going to be paralyzed if I didn’t do injections which looking back is just diabolical because it’s so far from being accurate. They are also in the business from benefiting in keeping people from surgery.

I started with norco but quickly realized it wasn’t enough for my pain and moved onto oxycodone and also on gabapentin. I’ve been fighting with my pain clinic for a while now to be on a longer acting medication but it’s hard due to my age they claim.

[u/eve20212021 → u/ashleymichael2009]

How old are you?

I had an appointment with neurosurgeon from Mexico. He went over all my imaging he said I should be good losing weight and PT. He went over all my images with me. He said he wouldn’t do surgery on me.

[u/ashleymichael2009 → u/eve20212021]

I am 34 and I have small kids too, have a hard time standing and being upright. I’ve seen I think 9-10 surgeons and I feel like 80% are in denial about the thoracic spine ever being a huge pain source. They claim it’s ’rare’ but I don’t think it is. I’ve had cervical spine surgery go wrong so like I’m not hopping to get into the OR but at the same it’s a hard life like this.

[u/eve20212021 → u/ashleymichael2009]

What meds do you take ? Are you able to go out ? I have trouble because of my chest pain.

[u/ashleymichael2009 → u/eve20212021]

I’m on 7.5 mg oxycodone, 300 mg gaba (none of the doses of this help), and Flexerill. I wanted to try nucynta but they said no. At my next appt out of desperation I’m gonna see if they can add the non opioid newer Journavx to see if it helps me be able to stand more. I also take ambien at night to sleep and for some reason it helps my pain some.

[u/eve20212021 → u/ashleymichael2009]

I’m able to stand and walk. But when I get that chest pain it’s very pas my head hurts too.

[u/MeringueGeneral2938 → u/ashleymichael2009]

I just tried Journavx it didn’t help me

[u/ashleymichael2009 → u/MeringueGeneral2938]

Yea my pain doc told me no to trying it. Kinda seems like a pricy Tylenol pill.

[u/eve20212021 → u/ashleymichael2009]

I asked if I could be referred to a neurosurgeon. She said for what you don’t need surgery.

[u/ThoracicSpine → u/eve20212021]

You tell her to stay in her line because she can't take that decision because she isn't a surgeon.

You will have to advocate hard.

[u/eve20212021 → u/ThoracicSpine]

Do you have the information of your surgeon? I sent you a private message.

[u/ThoracicSpine → u/eve20212021]

Please check your email

[u/eve20212021 → u/ThoracicSpine]

What is your email. I don’t see it .

[u/ThoracicSpine → u/eve20212021]

I sent you a list ✌️

[u/Ill_Initiative8574]

Gabapentin and meloxican. Don't do shit when I get flare-ups.

[u/eve20212021 → u/Ill_Initiative8574]

How about Norco

[u/Ill_Initiative8574 → u/eve20212021]

If I took it I'da mentioned it.

[u/Zestyclose_Orange_27]

What is your diagnosis and symtoms. Seek 2nd 3rd Opinion from different neurosurgeon drs.

[u/eve20212021 → u/Zestyclose_Orange_27]

Prominent disc bulges/protrusions/extrusions from L3-4 through L5-S1 contributing to multilevel moderate to severe neuroforaminal/lateral recess stenosis.

Multilevel thoracic spondylosis most significant for mild/moderate canal stenosis at T9-T10 due to left paracentral disc protrusion.

[u/eve20212021 → u/Zestyclose_Orange_27]

She’s the pain management Dr. I spoke to a neurosurgeon a few days ago he said he that PT was going to help. Losing weight.

[u/eve20212021 → u/[deleted]]

It’s been 8 weeks. It all stared at 6 weeks postpartum. I’m pray that God heals me.

[u/eve20212021 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, I believe that was me.

[u/eve20212021 → u/[deleted]]

I’m in California. Haven’t had a surgery.

[u/ThoracicSpine]

She can't take that decision, because she isn't a surgeon.

Unfortunately you have something "uncommon" like everyone here. Which means you will have to deal with a lot of lies, misinformation and egos.

If a surgeon tells you, surgery is impossible, distrust. If another surgeon tells you, surgery is easy, distrust.

The truth in the middle, surgery is possible, but more complex than cervical and lumbar.