The only thing that going to the ER is going to accomplish is they'll think you're a drug seeker. It happens like that all the time. They MIGHT hand you a couple of vicodin and tell you to follow up with your doctor, and send you home.

If you're EXTREMELY LUCKY, you might get them to do an MRI, but I've not heard of this happening unless someone comes in bloody. So don't count on that happening.

I'm sorry to say this, but ER's are NOT sympathetic to us in chronic pain. They've had too many addicts coming in looking for drugs. And WE get punished for it. It's not FAIR, but that's the way life is.

You should ask your doctor to refer you to a Neurosurgeon. But first you need an MRI with and without contrast material so you can take those films to the Neurosurgeon. If he won't order one, then just get referred to the Neurosurgeon who WILL order it. Trouble is, that just wastes time.

I wish you the very best. Let us know what happens, ok? God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee PS -- in the meantime, use ICE for 20 minutes every 2 hours. It DOES help with the pain.