The lower back pain stems from a fall I took on some ice 2 years ago. At the time I had some swelling around the vertebrae and one of said vertebrae was slightly cracked (L3 to be specific). Since then I have gone through physical therapy and some chiropractic sessions, which I think are worthless. My doctor has never prescribed me any sort of pain medication, only 800 mg of ibuprofen. The pain is still there, the intensity varies depending on the time of day and what activity I am doing. Sitting especially irritates it. I have been re-tested and re-scanned and “everything looks fine” according to my doctor. While I trust his professional opinion I am EXTREMELY frustrated at the persistence of this pain. He has voiced his dislike for prescribing pain killers, and I cannot blame him in this current medical environment. Should I consult him still or find a new doctor? I really don’t want to go “doctor shopping” seeing as I don’t really have the financial resources or time to spend on such an endeavor. What do I do? I really think these medications would help but I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place! Is it common for pain to persist this long? Especially after the doc has given an “all clear”? I’m sorry for the length of this but I just don’t know what to do. I can’t do this for much longer, I’m on my last straw. Thanks.
I Have Sharp Lumbar Pain, Scans And Tests Show I’m “fine”. I’m Nervous Asking A Doc For Meds. What Do I Do?
Tags: Asking, Fine, Have, Lumbar, Nervous, Pain, Scans, Sharp, Show, Tests
This entry was posted on February 17, 2010, 8:49 am and is filed under Pain Management and Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
#1 by Dr Duncan DC on February 17, 2010 - 2:07 pm
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I recommend you ask your doctor for a referral to a pain clinic. Doctors like every professional are trained in everything that relates, but after that training they usually specialize or only see certain conditions on a regular basis. Doctors at a pain clinic will be up to date and well versed in handling pain specific issues.
For your low back pain, if chiropractic was not beneficial, a pain clinic may use Epidural Steroid injections, sympathetic blocks or radio frequency to reduce the pain. There are many things that can be done. A good pain clinic will have a diverse staff and many different diagnosis and treatment options, counseling, massage, physiotherapy, injections, implantable devices, etc.
The key is to get a team on your side. Good pain clinics will do this.
#2 by CTC on February 17, 2010 - 7:06 pm
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How is ur posture? Do u slouch? I reccommend u try accupuncture, its a drug free way of pain relief. U might want to take Taiji lessons. They help with posture and can HEAL ur back over time. Ive had recurring back pain from a car accident i was in a few years ago. The pain gets so bad i cant kick a blanket off myself and can barely lift my feet walking. I started learning Taiji since january and its helped alot, my back doesnt even get tight. Taiji is a martial art first and foremost but it has many health benefits. Watch out for those whackjobs that believe its just a health exercise. Good luck
#3 by Anonymous on February 17, 2010 - 8:56 pm
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I fractured one of my lower vertebrae when I was 15 or 16 years old doing gymnastics. I went to a sports medicine doctor who did x-rays to find the source of the pain. It was a sharp stabbing pain that felt like a knife was being stabbed into my back repeatedly. I was supposed to do physical therapy, but I never did. He gave me some back exercises to do to help strengthen the muscles around the spine so the bones would have more support while they were healing. I never took anything more than advil for pain even though it lasted for several months.
I’m 24 now and every few years I get that pain back. They’ve done x-rays, but my back seems to have healed just fine. When it starts hurting I do my back exercises and in a few days or weeks it gets better.
I know that doesn’t directly answer your question, but I hope it helps. I really live by my back exercises. You could ask your doctor for some that will help those muscles strengthen. Also, just my opinion, but chiropractors tend to inflame the injury.
#4 by J. on February 18, 2010 - 12:21 am
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I am by no means a professional so please do not entirely take my words to heart.
People can experience phantom pain in which, everything can be perfectly alright but the brain is so used to certain conditions triggering the pain reflex, that it will continue to do this after the healing.
My grandmother experiences this even 5 years after being in a relatively minor car accident.
You best option might be to visit a different doctor.
You can not assume that one doctor will know everything. Every doctor has a slightly different education and one might know more than the other.
Perhaps they will even see something that your current doctor did not see.
With a new doctor, you might even get the pain medication if this persists.
#5 by susan on February 18, 2010 - 6:55 am
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If the 800 ibuprofen helped, get the regular strength at the drug store it’s 200mg just take four. You can find generic for 3 cents so its a total of 12 cents a dose.