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- Dec 20, 2006
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Well, being in pain while you don't know what is wrong with your back isn't good. We have other members here who get epidural steroid injections (I'm still too much of a chicken to) that may be able to talk to you about those, should it come to that.Originally Posted by Snake_Lady
You think 4 or 5 flare ups is bad enough to warrant going in?
.....
It is harder here to get things like MRIs/CAT/specialist appts. especially without a referral..... the only time I saw professional help was when my daughter landed on my back and we had to call 911.... docs said "something pinched"...no xrays/scans/anything... just gave me muscle relaxers via a needle in the butt and thats all.
You do not deserve to be in pain - or more pain on top of everything else you deal with. I'm sorry to hear the TENS didn't help.
I know it's harder there, which is why you may want to get the ball rolling now. And yes, ER docs can't do squat for it - they'll drug you up and send you on your way. Orthopedic type problems need a doctor to follow your care and work with you, sometimes long term.
As for it not showing outside of a flare. As far as I know bulging disc don't suddenly stop bulging when out of a flare - I wish they did!
Myself, I have a torn bulging disc. It's not a hernia but it leaks fluid, and that fluid really messes up the nerves it gets on (which is why a hernia is so bad). The radiologist reading my MRIs didn't see this or a lot of other fine details, it took a very thorough doctor to notice them all.
I hope you can get a doctor with similar skills.
Do you take any daily supplements? Such as a calcium+D3 supplement? glucosamine chondroitin and/or fish oil? I know the fish oil won't interact with your medications, if you're not taking it already. Some people are helped by it.
I'm sorry you had to miss your expo.
I hope you get to feeling better soon, and please do try to get some sort of treatment. You may have a significant bulge in there that you don't know about, waiting till it tears or herniates is not the way to find out.