Chronic pain in from osteoarthritis & stenosis

@akaaki Thanks for responding. I have had several MRIs, going back to 2016. Unfortunately, in the words of a chiropractor in early 2023, "You have the back of a forty-five year-old". The only thing MRIs have shown was a compression fracture of the L1. This has long healed since. It seems like my pain is from severe nerve damage cause by a hard ski fall in 2016 on my lower back and buttocks. I remember looking at my back that night and seeing a band of black stretching across my lower back. Not black and blue, solid black. The interesting thing is that I was alsmost back to feeling almost "normal beginning in mid 2018 with meds and a spinal cord stimulator(which died in 2021). I am 90% certain that I will get pain relief from my pain pump if I can get it up to whatever the therapeutic dose turns out to be. Again, I appreciate your getting back to me. Happy New Year!

I’m having a similar situation and 75! I’m SO sorry but I think your doctor is being a jerk! I’m a retired RN and getting pain medicine out of a doctor is like pulling teeth. They don’t want to overdose you at your age and OMG they are scared you will get addicted! 🤦‍♀️ In my opinion who cares about “addiction” at age 96.
Curious about your MD - younger or older? I find sometimes the ones with most experience are more comfortable prescribing it but that’s just me. I take a small amount of a narcotic daily for my neck pain and it makes a world of difference!
Also assume you tried heat but what about cold/ice? Yes, initial shock no fun but it really helps me a lot!
Hugs and best of luck finding a more compassionate doctor.

@abbeyc

A pain doc if you're not already seeing one, otherwise a spine surgeon.

Hello I wanted to tell you I am dealing with a rare disease a possible blood cancer,waiting on results. I am 62 years old, I have osteoarthritis in just about every joint. I use these prescription 5% lidocaine patches I sometimes use icy hot as well. The aspercreme lidocaine patches help from Walmart when I was out of prescription type. I've been dealing with extreme lower back pain and hip pain for years and now chronic pain from these blood diseases along with osteoarthritis and fibro These are my go toos. Also I somtimes rub diclofenac gel from Amazon and lidocaine creme from Walmart. Not all these together but kind of see which one helps at different pain levels. Also ice and heat , like 15mins ice, rest then 15 mins heat. With me ice was aleays my friend. Hope this helps.

@rhunt47 Thank you, I'll try your suggestions, they all look good. I'm sorry you have these illnesses, especially at such a young age. My prayers go out to you. God bless you.

@bajjerfan Thank you.

@wisco50 Thank you so much. It's so nice to have your competent advice, especially about getting addicted at 96 years of age. Ha, ha, who cares, all I want is a pain-free old age, but I guess that's too much to ask for, at least from my doctor. I am, however, on a hunt for a more compassionate one. Thank you, and hugs for reaching out.

@bajjerfan

Of course you will need a referral in order to be seen by either one.

I will ask my doctor for a referral.

Thank you so very much for reaching out.

@borwin98

In my case the pain doc ended up referring me to the spine surgeon after it became obvious that the pain treatments weren't working.