My name is Linda and I am 66, married to the same wonderful man for 44 wonderful years.
I joined this site because I would like to find answers to my many questions about my poor lower back. It hurts, daily, all the time. Badly.
Once upon a time long ago, I was told that I have degenerative disc disease. That is not really a disease, but a condition. I have had this most of my adult life, beginning around age 28, but it has only gotten worse about 2010 and much worse to down right BAD about 2 yrs ago. (Sigh).
The problem is that in this small town I live in, there is no one to treat my condition. I don't have anyone that will talk to me about my condition, tell me what to expect or tell me absolutely anything. But, they treat me with Hydrocodone, 1 or 2 every 4 to 6 hours. I have been taking this for about 3 years.
Anyway, I had some back shocks go through my back about 3 times in 2 days around Christmas Day and the next day. I could not walk except bent over at the waste for about 3 more days and the pain is unbelievable.
I was seeing my general practice doctor for about 5 years, but, he lied to me about my condition and I caught him in the lie a little later when I brought up about my back and he said he never told me I had this. I left him that day and found a new doctor.
My new doctor in an Internal Medicine doctor and he's not any better than my old doctor. Anyway, after 3 visits in as many months, one day I had another bad episode and my back went out again. I called him, of course, got his nurse, told her what happened and I guess she told him the Readers Digest version, but he did order an MRI of my lower back and it did show, (his words) a fair amount of arthritis. (Huh? I was told 15 years ago I had "A LOT" of arthritis in a lot of places, by one of your buddies at your clinic.) Sorry, I am very bitter. Anyway, this new doctor, or I should say his nurse since she is the one who called to tell me the results and never made any reference to the degenerative disc condition that I have.
But, the nurse said they are going to refer me to a Pain Clinic and that is where I have been receiving my pain meds and where I found out that my MRI did indeed show that I have degenerative disc disease.
The doctor at the pain clinic is the only doctor that really has listened to me. She got me off hydrocodone and on to Tramadol. She also put me on Meloxicam for my arthritis. I would have NO pain at all, if it weren't for my back hurting all the time. And I don't know which new medicine is the one or both that took away all my aches and all my other pain. I really think I would rather be on hydrocodone than tramadol, because at least I got some pain relief in my back when I was on that. So, when I see my pain doctor in a few weeks I will tell her that.
My one question is, what kind of doctor do I see? I will have to go out of town to see one, about a two hour drive in a couple of directions.
Sorry this is so long.
Thanks for any help.
I hope I will find how to find my way to the answers I may get here.
Good night, or good morning.
Linda
P.S. The next box says something about Tags. I don't know what Tags are, so I will skip that.

Seems to me you really haven't had the type of testing and workup that you need for a real evaluation. You would need a specialist-- a spinal orthopedist, physiatrist, or neurologist at the very least--to a do a more comprehensive work-up.

Do you have access to any of these? You did not mention where you live--certainly, if it is someplace rural, such specialists may be in short supply, but it might be worth taking a trip to a metropolitan area. Moreover, you should get a copy of that MRI result so you can bring it to any such specialist (all patients should get and keep copies of any tests results, anyway).

I would also take a look at our Spinal Disorders forum and ask for recommendations there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Linda,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Great to hear of the results with your condition. There are many people of this world who never come into see a doctor who will take time to listen. When someone cares it is a blessing.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene