Hiya all. I know the pain. I have had it since I was pregnant with my daughter 21 years ago. It was off and on and I didn't know what it was, but last November 6th I woke up to unbelievable pain on my left side. I was scared and alone and I tried to walk to the ER as I only live a block away and could not make it past my neighbor. My primary care physician did not send me to a specialist so I suffered for 2 1/2 months before I finally just took matters into my own hands. I went to a specialist and was pain-free with a nerve block injection in a week! thank goodness.

What a terrible pain it is and indescribably to people who don't know, although most of my friends and family have been absolutely lovely. I wouldn't wish this on anybody. I am so completely angered by, what I feel, negligent behavior of my Primary Care Physician of 6+ years! They thought I just wanted Vicodin, I think. I had never asked for pain medication once in 6 years, but suddenly I'm a Vicodin Addict.

I was in the best shape of my life, training for a marathon, eating healthy, living well, no smoking or drinking. Then BAM! Instant excruciating pain. I kept a pain log thanks to a local Chiropractor down the street. I was getting nowhere with my PCP and literally walked down the street to Dr. T's office and he helped me even though he couldn't help me. Weird, I know. He is the one that ordered the MRI, which showed 2 herniated disks. My physical therapist helped me with alignment and exercises to strengthen my stabilizing muscles. I finally got a Nerve Block Injection and was pain free for about 3 months. I had surgery on my disks 3 weeks ago and still have the SI Joint issue. Even the anesthesiologist for my surgery said some doctors still do not acknowledge that this joint issue exists!

I could go on as I'm sure most everybody here knows. Back to the NeuroSpine Clinic I go. I also read recently that a Physiatrist may be an option for SI Joint Dysfunction. There needs to be some sort of patient advocacy program so people don't get accused of being an addict when they go to the ER in pain. I had to go twice within 2 hours of each other and couldn't walk out of the ER either time I was released. Can hospitals not admit patients for pain?

I want to thank everybody for sharing their stories. I don't feel so alone.

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