Hello, a newbie here

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone, I just joined the group yesterday and was reading the posts this

morning. I think I have finally found a group I can relate to!

I am 38 with chronic back and leg pain from a herniated disk at L5 and an

impinged S1 nerve. I tried the pain clinic thing, and was treated like an

addict. I dont want drugs, I just want the pain to stop, and I told the dr.

this. I have to work and that's not possible when I am high on meds.

The pain clinic to decided it was best to do an epidural. I explained to the

dr. that I had an epidural during my first labor and delivery and it caused

excrutiating pain in my hips.

He insisted on trying it again saying " it will be better this time " . I was in

tears with the pain before I even left the office. I was told, it would ease up

in a little while, yeah, right. I was in bed with my legs elevated for 2 days.

I don't like doctors that dont listen!

I changed doctors and was referred to an orthopedic dr. that basically said I

was going to have to lose weight and learn to live with the pain. I left the

office with a prescription for neurontin. I was told it helped with the nerve

pain, so I when home and took one pill. I was on a total drunk for 24 hours and

ended up with a hang-over type headache when the medication finally wore off.

When I went for my follow up appointment, I learned that this dr. had moved, so

I saw a 2nd neurologist. After having a 4th MRI, he said he could not see

anything as far as a herniated disk, but he did see degenerating disks. It took

some convincing, but he referred me to the pain clinic at the hospital where he

works.

They were really great there and very understanding. The dr. read through my

records, changed up my meds and I was able to have another steriod injection

done last Tuesday. Instead of neurontin, I was put on Lyrica. I don't know if I

will be able to take this med, either because it makes me extremely dizzy and if

I take it before I go to bed, I dont wake up until mid-morning. That's not

going to work when I have to go back to work.

I have been to at least 10 different physicians, including general

practitioners, pain management specialists, orthopedics, and a neurologist and

they all have different opinions. All I know is that even after the last

injection, I have leg cramps that keep me up at night and a burning pain through

my hips which drives me nuts.

I am going to shut up for now because this is becoming a book. Just wanted to

introduce myself and put my issues on the table. If anyone has info about the

Lyrica, I would be interested to hear.

hugs,

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

My name is Liz, I'm glad you joined this group. You are going to get a

lot of support here. We don't want you to feel you are all alone. We

are here for you. My email address is Lizzy_1954@...

A lot of hugs.

Liz