I have been in chronic pain since Oct. 2006. I was walking in a parking lot and dropped to the ground in pain. I couldn't move. I found out that I had herniated my L4-L5 and L5-S1 lumbar discs. We don't know how. The pain is in my lower back, goes down the back of my left leg, and I get pins and needles in my left foot. My primary care physician finally recommmended me to a neurosurgeon about a year ago. Three epidural spinal injections, an emg, and a lot of pain medication later, he decides to perform microscopic discectomy. I am now 3 months post op and am in PT, but I still don't feel any better than before surgery. WHY??? I am a busy mother of three, and I feel like I am 90!! I am SO TIRED of being in pain all the time, I don't know what to do...on top of it all the neurosurgeon is weaning me off my pain medication, which is the only thing that helps me have any type of normal life. Quality of Life!!! What's that?

Anyone out there have any feedback? I don't know what else to do. I am supposed to feel some sort of relief and I don't.

I wanted to welcome you to Neuro Talk. I am so sorry to hear about your pain and how hard it is for you take care of your family. I do know how hard it is to accomplish anything when you are trying to cope with pain. The pain takes all your energy.

Is your neurosurgeon aware of your pain? Has he given you a time line for the pain to start to subside? If he is unwilling to help you with your pain, you might want to see if you could see a pain management doc.

I will be having my fifth surgery October 6th. I am doing rather poorly now. I have never experienced so much pain before a surgery. I don’t know what I would do without meds.

Oh boy, I'll second the pain management doctor or clinic. They've been a godsend for a number of people I know. Luckily, I haven't had to use one yet.

Talking frankly to your doctor is your first start. Then if you don't get any satisfaction there or help and you need a referral, ask for one to a pain management doc.

Hope you get some relief soon. Chronic pain really bites!

Hi, ChronicPain! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

I hope you'll soon find some helpful answers.