[Pulp Scription]

I'm 25 with back and leg pain due to slipped disks, one on a sciatic nerve. I was seeing a doctor for pain management who was extremely narcophobic, prescribing Motrin 800. It did nothing for me, and he gave me Duracef. Still nothing, anxiety and pain very frequently, unless I took about 10-15 aspirin a day, and even still I was miserable and wouldn't ever leave the house.

A friend of mine reffered me to a "quack". He seemed like he knew what he was doing, only cost me 100 bucks a visit (incl. meds) and no mri or xrays. He just wanted to make money prescribing nothing stronger than Lorcet 10/650. This is what he gave me along with Xanax for anxiety from pain. It worked. I've been on it for 4 mos. now, going out and spending time with loved ones. I feel like I can do what I want to now without pain holding me back.

The doctor died yesterday.

Now, not only do I have to figure out what I'm going to do, but how to afford mri, x rays and reg. doctor fees.

What do you all think about this situation? What should one do at this point? Please help!

[Casey55]

Pulp,

I feel for you, I just had my fourth back surgery and before the last one I don't know what I would have done if I had not been on the narcotics I was on. Even then, they didn't take all the pain away, but I could at least tolerate it. Can I ask you a few questions?

-Have you seen a back surgeon yet?

-Do you know about pain management doctors or gone to one yet?

-I am taking it you don't have medical insurance, is that right?

I will reply more to your reply,
Casey

[Pulp Scription]

Thanks Casey-

I was told to go to physical therapy when I was involved in the accident in 1997. I was not interested in going b/c the pain wasn't really that bad back then (if only I had known) I worked in a package store for 4 years doing stock, lifting extremely heavy items b/c we were short on help. That's when the pain became unbearable.

Back surgery is almost out of the question. I don't have any insurance & I can't currently afford the cost of a hospital visit or xrays. It's a catch 22. I need to make money to do this and I can't work when I'm in this much pain. I've been switching ice and heat on my back 3 times a day and that seems to slightly numb it. The minute I take a bath or shower usually puts me back down so I have to take one in freezing cold water.

As far as it goes with pain mgmt, I've heard of them but didn't know how much it would cost to see them. If they refer me to a surgeon, I'm back to square one.

My biggest fear is the meds. I've gone through every type of pain med so far and found narcotics (even a half of a dosage works wonders) to be the only thing that helps. The problem is, doctors don't like that stuff. I've never sold drugs nor have I abused them outside thier intended purpose.