[livingwith]

Hi,
My name is Annette. A little history…
I am now 47. My neck and back problems started a few years ago. I’ve had 2 neck surgeries,1 back surgery. Now, after still suffering for all this time,I went back to my Dr today.
I am now having alot of pain in my mid-back(thoracic area). After xrays were made of my previous fusions, I now have DDD,or osteoarthritis in my thoracic area, this was not present before,although I did have a bulging disc in this area.
The pain is unbearable at time...Read the full article

[justamessymedic]

My advice would be to find a caring, empathetic pain specialist. Some are definately better than others. I went thru 5 before and was in excruciating pain much of the time before I found a wonderful M.D. about three hours drive from me. Lemme tell you, finding that "right" doctor is essential. Nothing can crush ones hopes or spirits faster than a pain specialist that is dismissive or even downright hostile...I've had both, and was pretty close to ending my suffering when I found the "right" one for me.

I went from being unable, mostly bed-ridden, and near-ending my life secondary to excruiating pain most of the time to being able to work fulltime within just a few short months. My therapy consisted of several nerve blocks, trigger point injections, a long-acting pain med, and shorter-acting meds for breakthrough pain.

Recently, due to a change in insurance, I had to find another specialist after having this one for over 5 years. After the initial fiasco, I had a LOT of trepidation about going thru that "hunt" again...and my fears were soon realized when the first pain practioner I was referred to was a complete NIGHTMARE. Cold, uncaring, demanding, controlling, belittling, and dismissive pretty much sum her attitude up.

Fortunately, I have a wonderful PCP and she found me my next "match." A wonderful nurse practictioner who may be even a better fit for me than my girst beloved doctor. I'm back to my normal 6-week regimin and the headaches I have near constantly from muscle spasms without TPI's and an occipital block have all but disappeared again. I also get nerve blocks for my right shoulder and thoracic back. Bupivicaine works well for me.

I'd recommend you reconsider your position on pain meds. Long-acting medications like MS Contin, Avinza, or Kadian are particularly helpful and keep pain on an even keel because their levels don't fluctuate like shorter acting meds do. I found the side effects minimal and after the first few weeks didn't experience any trouble with feeling drugged or dopey. In fact, I don't feel anything but "normal" when I take them. I just don't have as much pain. I've been told that typical for people who had true pain issues. I've stayed on a level dosage for 6 years now and only use short-acting break thru meds a few times a month. I take Avinza 60mg twice a day and it's an absolute godsend lemme tell you.

Acupuncture works well for me also. Lidocaine patches and other non-narcotic pain meds are good conjunctive therapies as well. The most important thing I feel is to find a pain specialist who is a good fit for you and educate yourself on pain issues! Read everything you can find and don't be afraid to keep looking until you find that right doctor for you.