Chronic Back Pain for Years

Have been having constant severe lower back pain for past 7 years with increasing numbness/weakness down right leg. I have asked my doctor for many years to please order an MRI so we can see what is going on. He says over and over that it is not needed. He finally relented about a week ago, as I am now (as of a few months back) in a wheelchair 24/7 due to unbearable back pain. My doctor has given me nothing for pain nor ever given me any type of muscle relaxers. He said it best, "to tough it out". He also will not refer me to specialist as he says this is not necessary either..
Results of my MRI:

"L1-L2: No significant disc bulge. No spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.

L3-L4: Diffuse disc bulge with superimposed right subarticular zone disc extrusion, with approximately 11 mm caudal migration of disc material.
There is bilateral facet arthropathy and facet effusions. There is spinal canal stenosis, primarily secondary to disc bulge. There is narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, with abutment of the descending right L4 nerve roots.
There is severe right neural foraminal narrowing.

L4-L5: Broad-based disc bulge. There is moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. There is moderate right neural foraminal narrowing.

L5-S1: Broad-based disc bulge.. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy with facet effusions bilaterally. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, greater the right.

S1-S2: Broad-based disc bulge. Severe bilateral facet arthropathy, with a left facet effusion. Extraforaminal synovial cysts are noted to project anterolaterally from the left facet joint, with significant encroachment upon the exiting nerve roots. There is an additional small synovial cyst projecting inferiorly from the facet joint. Mild right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing."
END OF MRI REPORT.

Please, please help. I don't know where to turn, and I don't even begin to understand the MRI results. My doctor just told me , "Nothing to worry about."
But pain increases daily and I have no quality of life.

Have been having constant severe lower back pain for past 7 years with increasing numbness/weakness down right leg. I have asked my doctor for many years to please order an MRI so we can see what is going on. He says over and over that it is not needed. He finally relented about a week ago, as I am now (as of a few months back) in a wheelchair 24/7 due to unbearable back pain. My doctor has given me nothing for pain nor ever given me any type of muscle relaxers. He said it best, "to tough it out". He also will not refer me to specialist as he says this is not necessary either..
Results of my MRI:

"L1-L2: No significant disc bulge. No spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.

L3-L4: Diffuse disc bulge with superimposed right subarticular zone disc extrusion, with approximately 11 mm caudal migration of disc material.
There is bilateral facet arthropathy and facet effusions. There is spinal canal stenosis, primarily secondary to disc bulge. There is narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, with abutment of the descending right L4 nerve roots.
There is severe right neural foraminal narrowing.

L4-L5: Broad-based disc bulge. There is moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. There is moderate right neural foraminal narrowing.

L5-S1: Broad-based disc bulge.. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy with facet effusions bilaterally. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, greater the right.

S1-S2: Broad-based disc bulge. Severe bilateral facet arthropathy, with a left facet effusion. Extraforaminal synovial cysts are noted to project anterolaterally from the left facet joint, with significant encroachment upon the exiting nerve roots. There is an additional small synovial cyst projecting inferiorly from the facet joint. Mild right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing."
END OF MRI REPORT.

Please, please help. I don't know where to turn, and I don't even begin to understand the MRI results. My doctor just told me , "Nothing to worry about."
But pain increases daily and I have no quality of life.

Hello, @2011panc -- so glad your lumbar surgery removing the facet between L2-L3 and fusing the joints has been successful and that your arthritic spurs pressing on your nerve root are now gone.

Sounds like your residual muscle pain following the surgery has been pretty intense. It also sounds as though you are taking a lot of wise steps to reduce that, with the deep tissue massage, stretching, PT and dry needling.

I moved your post here, where many members have talked about back pain and in some cases, lumbar surgery. I'm also tagging other members like @missysue @bittermonkmt @jkrauss @tonydi @twokitties @ladyjane85 @maxiesmom @marield65@briansr @commongood @19lin @gailb @mand2900 who have talked about lumbar surgery to encourage them to share about their recovery stories (or those of a loved one) and any tips they may have to relax the back muscles and how long that may have taken after surgery. @sandytoes14 may also have some insights.

Which modality have you found helps the most so far, @2011panc, with relaxing your back muscles?

Have been having constant severe lower back pain for past 7 years with increasing numbness/weakness down right leg. I have asked my doctor for many years to please order an MRI so we can see what is going on. He says over and over that it is not needed. He finally relented about a week ago, as I am now (as of a few months back) in a wheelchair 24/7 due to unbearable back pain. My doctor has given me nothing for pain nor ever given me any type of muscle relaxers. He said it best, "to tough it out". He also will not refer me to specialist as he says this is not necessary either..
Results of my MRI:

"L1-L2: No significant disc bulge. No spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.

L3-L4: Diffuse disc bulge with superimposed right subarticular zone disc extrusion, with approximately 11 mm caudal migration of disc material.
There is bilateral facet arthropathy and facet effusions. There is spinal canal stenosis, primarily secondary to disc bulge. There is narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, with abutment of the descending right L4 nerve roots.
There is severe right neural foraminal narrowing.

L4-L5: Broad-based disc bulge. There is moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. There is moderate right neural foraminal narrowing.

L5-S1: Broad-based disc bulge.. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy with facet effusions bilaterally. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, greater the right.

S1-S2: Broad-based disc bulge. Severe bilateral facet arthropathy, with a left facet effusion. Extraforaminal synovial cysts are noted to project anterolaterally from the left facet joint, with significant encroachment upon the exiting nerve roots. There is an additional small synovial cyst projecting inferiorly from the facet joint. Mild right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing."
END OF MRI REPORT.

Please, please help. I don't know where to turn, and I don't even begin to understand the MRI results. My doctor just told me , "Nothing to worry about."
But pain increases daily and I have no quality of life.

Have been having constant severe lower back pain for past 7 years with increasing numbness/weakness down right leg. I have asked my doctor for many years to please order an MRI so we can see what is going on. He says over and over that it is not needed. He finally relented about a week ago, as I am now (as of a few months back) in a wheelchair 24/7 due to unbearable back pain. My doctor has given me nothing for pain nor ever given me any type of muscle relaxers. He said it best, "to tough it out". He also will not refer me to specialist as he says this is not necessary either..
Results of my MRI:

"L1-L2: No significant disc bulge. No spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.

L3-L4: Diffuse disc bulge with superimposed right subarticular zone disc extrusion, with approximately 11 mm caudal migration of disc material.
There is bilateral facet arthropathy and facet effusions. There is spinal canal stenosis, primarily secondary to disc bulge. There is narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, with abutment of the descending right L4 nerve roots.
There is severe right neural foraminal narrowing.

L4-L5: Broad-based disc bulge. There is moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. There is moderate right neural foraminal narrowing.

L5-S1: Broad-based disc bulge.. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy with facet effusions bilaterally. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, greater the right.

S1-S2: Broad-based disc bulge. Severe bilateral facet arthropathy, with a left facet effusion. Extraforaminal synovial cysts are noted to project anterolaterally from the left facet joint, with significant encroachment upon the exiting nerve roots. There is an additional small synovial cyst projecting inferiorly from the facet joint. Mild right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing."
END OF MRI REPORT.

Please, please help. I don't know where to turn, and I don't even begin to understand the MRI results. My doctor just told me , "Nothing to worry about."
But pain increases daily and I have no quality of life.

Thank you all, so deeply, with all my heart. I can't even begin to put into words how very grateful and comforted I feel to have found someone who truly cares!!
I do not know if I can ever find a way (out of pocket) for myself to see a doctor, but you know, it is a dream full of hope that I can work on every single day!
I next see my VA doctor in about 2 weeks. I will make sure and keep you updated!
I can't imagine eating, getting into my wheelchair, waking up and going to bed without unbearable pain. It is the very last thing I feel at night as I fight to get to sleep, and the first thing I am hit with that wakes me every single morning.
I just really feel for all of you who are having or have had very similar and even worst pain. How I wish I could help you!!!

Thank you all, so deeply, with all my heart. I can't even begin to put into words how very grateful and comforted I feel to have found someone who truly cares!!
I do not know if I can ever find a way (out of pocket) for myself to see a doctor, but you know, it is a dream full of hope that I can work on every single day!
I next see my VA doctor in about 2 weeks. I will make sure and keep you updated!
I can't imagine eating, getting into my wheelchair, waking up and going to bed without unbearable pain. It is the very last thing I feel at night as I fight to get to sleep, and the first thing I am hit with that wakes me every single morning.
I just really feel for all of you who are having or have had very similar and even worst pain. How I wish I could help you!!!

Have been having constant severe lower back pain for past 7 years with increasing numbness/weakness down right leg. I have asked my doctor for many years to please order an MRI so we can see what is going on. He says over and over that it is not needed. He finally relented about a week ago, as I am now (as of a few months back) in a wheelchair 24/7 due to unbearable back pain. My doctor has given me nothing for pain nor ever given me any type of muscle relaxers. He said it best, "to tough it out". He also will not refer me to specialist as he says this is not necessary either..
Results of my MRI:

"L1-L2: No significant disc bulge. No spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing.

L3-L4: Diffuse disc bulge with superimposed right subarticular zone disc extrusion, with approximately 11 mm caudal migration of disc material.
There is bilateral facet arthropathy and facet effusions. There is spinal canal stenosis, primarily secondary to disc bulge. There is narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, with abutment of the descending right L4 nerve roots.
There is severe right neural foraminal narrowing.

L4-L5: Broad-based disc bulge. There is moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. There is moderate right neural foraminal narrowing.

L5-S1: Broad-based disc bulge.. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy with facet effusions bilaterally. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing, greater the right.

S1-S2: Broad-based disc bulge. Severe bilateral facet arthropathy, with a left facet effusion. Extraforaminal synovial cysts are noted to project anterolaterally from the left facet joint, with significant encroachment upon the exiting nerve roots. There is an additional small synovial cyst projecting inferiorly from the facet joint. Mild right and moderate left neural foraminal narrowing."
END OF MRI REPORT.

Please, please help. I don't know where to turn, and I don't even begin to understand the MRI results. My doctor just told me , "Nothing to worry about."
But pain increases daily and I have no quality of life.

Thank you all, so deeply, with all my heart. I can't even begin to put into words how very grateful and comforted I feel to have found someone who truly cares!!
I do not know if I can ever find a way (out of pocket) for myself to see a doctor, but you know, it is a dream full of hope that I can work on every single day!
I next see my VA doctor in about 2 weeks. I will make sure and keep you updated!
I can't imagine eating, getting into my wheelchair, waking up and going to bed without unbearable pain. It is the very last thing I feel at night as I fight to get to sleep, and the first thing I am hit with that wakes me every single morning.
I just really feel for all of you who are having or have had very similar and even worst pain. How I wish I could help you!!!