Pain Management Forum - Herniated disc pain management

Conditions and Diseases > Pain Management Forum > Herniated disc pain management

Q: Herniated disc pain management

asked by: mtvruinedyou on July 26th, 2009

New User

I'm 21 years old and this summer I herniated a disc, with excruciating pain. I've seen a PCP, then ortho, then workers comp doctor - none will prescribe anything other than hydrocodone, which I don't mind - but the doses don't affect me much.

Originally when I had a bulging disc, I was on Percocet and Oxycontin because I was in a manual labor field, then it ruptured and my original doctor moved - and now my new doctor is kind of screwing me. I would like to get off of pain meds as soon as I feel better, and I honestly think that the diazepam helps me more than the Norco.

Does anyone know where I can consult with a doctor online, or any doctors in Pittsburgh that are actually willing to listen and help, especially when I;m in so much pain that I'm crying - which I rarely do. I'm a pretty tough kid.

I've tried Flexeril, Skelaxin, Robaxin, and others.. the only two that have worked are Soma and Diazepam.

Yesterday the Pain Management doctor gave me an Epidural Steroid Injection and I asked him about medication, because after the injection I was in excruciating pain. I was leaving and it got so bad I couldn't walk so I went to the ER. Then the ER sent me back to PM where the doctor pretty much told me I was faking it, hooked me up to an IV with Toradol - which didn't help. Then finally gave me a small dose of Fentanyl which lasted for about two hourse. He told me to take ibuprofen.. so after talking to him for a little longer, he wrote me a prescription for Demerol 50, for 9 pills..

I think the Steroid Injection made my pain worse, it feels worse than it did when I first herniated it.

I'm moving to Pittsburgh on August 1, does anyone have any reccomendations as far as doctors go there, or what I should do until I leave.

Last night I had to go to the ER after not sleeping for 48 hours because of backpain and they gave me a huge dose of Dilaudid (which of course I know I'm not going to be prescribed, nor would I want to).

I have been in chronic pain, and no doctor is willing to help me out. Norco 7.5 just doesn't cut it anymore.

What should I do

Replies(2)

Dr. Bruce Harrow , MD

replied on July 29th, 2009

I don't know the local conditions in Pittsburgh, other than the University is nationally known in several fields of medicine. Flexeril etc are, in my opinion, pretty worthless and I prefer diazepam over carisopradol because it is less addicting and more potent. Methadone is considered by many as the opiate of choice for HNP (herniated nucleus pulposus) because it treats nerve pain better, is really inexpensive, and lasts long (1-2x/day dosing). Some recent studies on receptor binding suggest that the other opiates - morphine, Dilaudid, Demerol (I don't ever prescribe it), oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl - may have more nerve pain blocking ability than we usually give them credit for. Bottom line though is to find a pain management doc (Google) who will work with you.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Pain Management , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

AlivewithBrooke

replied on August 30th, 2009

New User

Hey, I'm 19 and have 3 herniated discs..
It might help to talk to someone that's around the same age that knows what you're going through.
Sometimes I can't live with it and go to the ER too and they basically think I'm some addict trying to get some pills...
Anyways you can write me.

The best thing to do is go to a pain management doctor. There's lots in every big city.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc