Emotionally Drained!

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supermom3

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Hi - I am hoping someone can give me thoughts/adivice - over the past 3 years I have suffered with chronic low back pain - I have been through numerous rounRAB of physical therapy, epidural cortisone injections, chiropractic, massage, etc. I had 2 mri's a couple of years ago, and they both showed mild arthritis in the facet joints and a degenerative disc between L4 and L5 - the only relief I have gotten in 3 years is temporary pain relief from the injections - 1 to 2 weeks, and then back to the pain.

I had the injections in the si joints, facet joints, and the degenerative disc space.

I few weeks ago I thought, "maybe I have arthritis" - I went to a rheumatologist and she felt pretty certain that I had arthritis of the spine and fibromyalgia - then, the blood work came back "negative" for the arthritis that she strongly suspected!

The pain is actually more like horrible stiffness - it's worst in the morning, but continues all day, every day. I am only 44 and feel like I'm 84 - it's started taking a toll on my emotional health - don't know what else to do - I've spent so much time and money trying to find an answer -

thanks for your time!
supermom3:(
 
Have you had a consultation with an orthopedic spine surgeon and/or neurosurgeon? And have you considered seeing a Pain Management physician?

Both of these can help you determine what is causing the pain and a long term way to treat your symptoms.
 
i agree with SpineAZ. I would also add that degenerative discs do not get better. The injections will help, but not take care of it. Sometimes surgery is the only answer. Your L4-L5 may be so bad that it is causing all the pain. You probably need a new MRI to see what is wrong. Alot can change in two years-as it sounRAB like it has.

Please get to see a good back doctor that can help you find out what has flared up!
 
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