Hello Garfox,

Welcome to this forum!!

By all means go to another doctor. It disturbs me greatly when a doctor just gives a patient pain meds to cover up the pain rather than trying to find out what is causing the pain and then what needs to be done to correct the problem.

I would highly recommend that you search for the very best spinal surgeon/neurosurgeon who you can find in your area. You want the VERY BEST spinal specialist for your body. Spinal surgeons in my mind know the spine the best, and therefore can best advise you.

Sorry to say, but in my experience, your doctor is wrong regarding exercises. They can help when directed by a spine surgeon and administered by a qualified physical therapist.

Oh yes, do get a second opinion regarding your situation.

I wish you the very best. Let us know how things go for you.

Take care.

RichT

i think you had better look for a specialist i am disabled due to many back injurie
the only thing that helps is riding my moutain bike, you might think i'm crazy but it works for me. you starout slow maybe only 10ds or so and work up to as far asyou can. the one thing you must keep in mind mt bike riding nomatter how far you go you have to go the same distance back(that means alot of time on your back side;
it works trust me. get a good pair of biking shorts (that means alot) you will be sore at the but it is worth the pain. i go three times a week. when i started i went about 1/2 mile at at time now i'm up to 23 miles and i wouldn't have it any other way. you see it frighten me if i stop i would never get started again. don't forget the shorts.... mt bikes but they can be expensive get a moderate price bike at first to see how it feeels make sure it fits you. a gook cycle shot will be able to fix you up with the right size bike.
i think it is the bending over the handle bar is why it helps me so much it streches me out andalines my spine. if i miss one ride i know it because it starts herting again.
hope this helps (do not forget the paded shorts and gloves)
also get a back spealist doctor it is worth it,
sunshine51

Hello Garfox,

With due respect to Sunshine, PLEASE don't try the mountain bike route. MANY people end up with back pain because of riding mountain bikes in difficult terrain.

Get the advise you need from a spinal surgeon.

RichT

I agree with RichT. you need to see a specialist who deal with only spinal issues. Either an orthopedic surgeon or and neurosurgeon who specializes in spines only.

Sounds like you are in dire need of an MRI and possibly other tests to determine what is exactly going on with your spine.

While percocet may be helpful to you for the pain, it is not a way of determining what is wrong with your spine.
Once you have a diagnosis, you can properly be treated for whatever is causing your pain.

And please, as RichT said, DO NOT GO RIDING A MOUNTAIN BIKE OR ANYTHING ELSE UNTIL YOU ARE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED.
EXERCISE CAN BE WONDERFUL TO HELP WITH SPINAL ISSUES, THE KEY IS THE CORRECT EXERCISES AND DOING THEM CORRECTLY.

Until you are properly diagnosed, the wrong exercises can make matters worse.

Good luck

Fran