[washdc]

Back in october, I hurt my back at work. After being referred to physical therapy and being discharged (I was told there was nothing they could do) I saw my doctor who ordered an MRI. That revealed two badly bulged discs as well as lumbar stenosis in the same area. He referred me to a neurosurgeon who doesnt feel there is anything he can do since I am so young and from there I was referred to a pain management clinic. Recieved three epidural steroid injections and was sent on my way. Those didn't do anything except cost a lot of money. Went back to my regular doctor who seems to think that my condition requires surgery or pain management, the surgeon wont do surgery and the pain management will no longer treat me because they feel my condition will heal itself. Not sure where to go from here. Tired of taking meds and tired of being pawned off from one doctor to another. Any thoughts?

[Cats Meow]

Spinal surgery has something like an 85% failure rate, almost no one is pain free afterwards, usually they're worse off. I'm sure you could find a doctor who will cut, especially if you have insurance, but why face the odds?
Usually in your case, and I had/have the same problem (rotten discs, horrible pain, etc), what happens is you take more and more pain meds, and the pain keeps getting worse, then you get to the point where you're sick of the meds, and they don't work, and if you're lucky and smart, you don't throw your life and all your money away on pills and lose everything, including your family, so you quit taking pills and your pain gets better or you learn to live with it. So that's my suggestion, quit now while your ahead, and learn to live with it. I did and I'm functioning quite nicely. Your other option would be to go on methadone for life, but that's no way to live in my opinion, but you can always exercise that option later, but consider it your last resort. If you chose to have surgery, you'll end up with both of the same options anyway. Pain sucks, but that's life, but pain usually does go away or becomes tolerable.
~Cats