Originally Posted by ginnie

For sure you need a new pain management doctor. Not all doctors do just a shot in the spine. he should have recognized that you have problems in more than one area of your spine and had some more compassion. do find another pain doctor. He handed you off to the surgeon, and is trying to force you into surgery. My pain mangement did the same thing. he told me he couldn't help me anymore after Two injections. He sent me to my second neuro surgeon. I had the C3-7 done. I was FORCED to do the surgery, but even after that, I now have trouble and more pain. I am not having any more spinal fusions. I found a new pain specialist, and I am hoping that she will not hand me off to another surgeon for both my neck, and my ankles. Pain management does hand off to surgeons. Patients find themselves not wanting to do surgery, but have to in hopes of reduction of pain. I am not sure of anything anymore, and I worry about the same issues as you do. Please keep going to find new pain management, and don't get forced into surgery at all, unless you are confindent in your surgeon and the decisions that are made. This is way to important to be rushed into a situation, that may or may not help you. Keep in touch, I will be here as much as I can. I have second opinion tomorrow for ankles. My foot colapsed more or less. I do wish you all the best. Just keep going, and trying to get another pain doc. that has compassion. ginnie