Hello @jocy, Welcome to Connect. I have osteopenia and lower back pain/aches but I'm older than dirt. I can't imagine trying to figure out how to deal with the pain and struggle you are going through at such a young age. I think you are on the right track trying to learn more about your condition and how you can better manage it. Since you mentioned having scoliosis at a young age, I'm wondering if you might find some suggestions in the following discussions:
-- Scoliosis: In pain morning noon and night: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/in-pain-morning-noon-and-night/
-- Scoliosis and Chronic back pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-back-pain-2c72ae/

Here are some articles that also might be helpful. The second link has many reference links at the bottom for more information:
-- How to manage osteoporosis before the age of 50: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512220302619
-- Patient education: Osteoporosis prevention and treatment (Beyond the Basics):
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/osteoporosis-prevention-and-treatment-beyond-the-basics

It's understandable to not want to use so much medication. Has your doctor offered any suggestions on alternative treatments that might help?

I have been in chronic pain since about 35, I’m 68 now.
My pain was caused by hitting a stalled 18 wheeler when I was 24.
Pain is pain no matter what. I know when you say no one understands. Unless you have had it you can’t understand. Forgive them and be thankful that they do not have to experience what you have been going through. It saddens me to know how young you are and having to deal with such pain. What has helped me through the years is yoga and working out with no more than 25lb weights at the gym. Yoga is not only an exercise but a way of life. I started when I was 17. Yoga you stretch and learn balance. It will teach you to take your cleansing breaths. Usually 3 deep cleaning breaths will help settle you a bit. I now get on the floor a lot and stretch my back out. After my third neck surgery this past June, my balance has been off a bit. You will learn balance not just physically but in everything you do. Also a singing bowl. Putting a singing bowl on your stomach and then strike it and let the healing vibrations enter every cell in your body.
At the gym, 3 times a week. I have always felt better after a 30-1hr workout. At first I used no weight, I would just make sure my form was good and go through the motions. You have to add your weight gradually. I hope this helps.

One more thing. Pain management. The pain meds. OMG! How I wish there was a better way. I’ve been in them for 15 years. I used to be on so much more and had somewhat of a life. Then the federal gov stepped in and cut us down so much that my body actually experienced a nervous breakdown. After they lowered our medication I then had no life. I no longer could go out dancing or even think to date. My last medication was at 4 o’clock so by 7:30 I was ready to get off the couch and to be laying in bed. The only relief I have had was either sitting or lying down. I bought an IPad because there was no way I could sit at a desk to look at a computer. With my second surgery C3 and C4 were chocking my spinal cord. After removal of those bones and fusion I though my intense pain was relieved. Wrong! As I was healing the bones in back of my neck caught a ligament. They then had to enter the back of my neck and remove C3, 4 and 5 and put two rods in. It took more than four months of healing and no extra pain medicine from my orthopedic surgeon so I suffered a lot. Now I have upper back pain and found out I have scoliosis probably from the accident. don’t ever let your body get stiff and this is one way that yoga will help you. People are surprised even my doctor that I have such a movement in my neck after all my surgeries and all my plates and rods. I’ve met people that have had surgery in their neck and they can’t move their neck without moving their shoulders so don’t allow your body to get stiff learn yoga the best advice I can give you and do as little of a pain medication as possible. Just remember there is no way that you can take pain medication for years and not become an addict. Think about that one.

Hello @jocy. I feel for you, having experienced pain that has kept you from normal activities and lifestyles for a young person. I can tell you that I've been in a place where I've felt those same kind of losses too and it sucks, but you have to try your best to not sit and wallow in it, hard as that sounds.

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with admitting that you are scared and sad. Your in uncharted territory, who wouldn't feel that. I'm glad you came to Connect to release some of those feelings. It matters to feel supported and encouraged.

You must feel relief to have a pain management doctor on your side that believes there is a cause for your symptoms, and is pursuing further testing. That's really good news. I hope the results bring about more clarity. When do you expect to hear back?

Besides pain meds, how have you currently been managing symptoms? What kind of exercise do you get? How about your mental health? Do you speak with a therapist or have ways of reducing stress?

Hi, I'm Suzi and I feel badly for you for suffering for so long and being only 20. Wish I had suggestions for you to really help. I keep reading that what we eat can really play a big part in all areas of our health. I am not a good example, but with all your pain, see if a nutritionist can help. I've read many resourses from the Mayo Clinic that list what foods can help and what to avaoid. If there is anything other than the meds that would really help, it would be worthwhile. Ask for a specialist to get some help. I'm not suggesting false adds we see everywhere for cures.
I am going to try to do better with my diet as well. I'll be praying for you to find the right people who will listen to you and help you soon!