Frustrated...what to do?!
Question: Frustrated...what to do.?
I have been having severe lower back pain for over 2 weeks now. The last couple days have been the worst. I went to a doctor on monday, and he prescribed me Orphenadrine and Celebrex. No change; even when I'm on the muscle relaxer I am still in pain.
Today it became unbearable so I went to the ER. Knowing the other meds I am taking, they gave me 2 shots and a Percocet. So here is a list of all of the medications in my body right now:
one Percocet (pain med), an anti-inflammatory shot, a shot of Flexarin (muscle relaxer), an Oxycodone (pain med), a Celebrex (anti-inflammatory), and Orphenadrine (muscle relaxer)...plus two other medications i take daily.
All of this, and my back does not feel even a bit better. This surprises me because Percocet is supposed to be pretty hardcore, right.? I'm just frustrated because the people in the ER didn't stretch me out to see where my back hurt, didn't even look at my back, and didn't even ASK where it hurt until they were about to jab me with two needles. I know that they are experts and I am not, but I do consider myself an expert on my own body and I KNOW that something isn't right. If muscle relaxers aren't working, it probably isn't a muscular problem, right.?
I am taking all of the drugs, having plenty of rest, doing some stretches, using heat and cold, and ibuprofen when I can't be on the narcotics. Still no change. It is only getting worse. I don't know what to do. I was hoping for an MRI or x-ray so I could at least know what is wrong instead of loading up on more meds.
So what is my next step.? I don't know what to do.Health Question & Answer
Today it became unbearable so I went to the ER. Knowing the other meds I am taking, they gave me 2 shots and a Percocet. So here is a list of all of the medications in my body right now:
one Percocet (pain med), an anti-inflammatory shot, a shot of Flexarin (muscle relaxer), an Oxycodone (pain med), a Celebrex (anti-inflammatory), and Orphenadrine (muscle relaxer)...plus two other medications i take daily.
All of this, and my back does not feel even a bit better. This surprises me because Percocet is supposed to be pretty hardcore, right.? I'm just frustrated because the people in the ER didn't stretch me out to see where my back hurt, didn't even look at my back, and didn't even ASK where it hurt until they were about to jab me with two needles. I know that they are experts and I am not, but I do consider myself an expert on my own body and I KNOW that something isn't right. If muscle relaxers aren't working, it probably isn't a muscular problem, right.?
I am taking all of the drugs, having plenty of rest, doing some stretches, using heat and cold, and ibuprofen when I can't be on the narcotics. Still no change. It is only getting worse. I don't know what to do. I was hoping for an MRI or x-ray so I could at least know what is wrong instead of loading up on more meds.
So what is my next step.? I don't know what to do.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
~ hi ~! I'm very sorry for the back pain you're experiencing and as someone that has experienced issues with my spine, I totally understand your pain. It is so frustrating when you feel like you're getting the runaround.
At this point you really need to find out the source of the pain and if the pain has been going on for two weeks then it is obvious there must be something going on. All pain medication can offer is temporary relief, but it does not get to the root of the problem. I'm surprised that the ER didn't bother to do an X-Ray or an MRI. At this point you really need to be assertive and let your Doctor know that you need further testing - that this pain is unbearable.
An X-Ray will reveal what's going on with the discs themselves - alignment, spacing and if a disc has collapsed. An MRI will reveal what's going on with the soft tissue (like if a disc has herniated). If an X-Ray doesn't reveal much, the next step should be an MRI to make sure you don't have a herniated disc. I have found often had to be very assertive with my Doctors to ensure that the proper tests were ordered.
also, an Orthopedic spinal specialist will recommend the proper intervention to ensure you get the treatment your spine needs.
I hope you get answers and relief soon, you're in my thoughts. Health Question & Answer
At this point you really need to find out the source of the pain and if the pain has been going on for two weeks then it is obvious there must be something going on. All pain medication can offer is temporary relief, but it does not get to the root of the problem. I'm surprised that the ER didn't bother to do an X-Ray or an MRI. At this point you really need to be assertive and let your Doctor know that you need further testing - that this pain is unbearable.
An X-Ray will reveal what's going on with the discs themselves - alignment, spacing and if a disc has collapsed. An MRI will reveal what's going on with the soft tissue (like if a disc has herniated). If an X-Ray doesn't reveal much, the next step should be an MRI to make sure you don't have a herniated disc. I have found often had to be very assertive with my Doctors to ensure that the proper tests were ordered.
also, an Orthopedic spinal specialist will recommend the proper intervention to ensure you get the treatment your spine needs.
I hope you get answers and relief soon, you're in my thoughts. Health Question & Answer