I dont like most doctors. Im on my fourth one. 1 said I had a back sprain with no Mri to diagnose by. 2 said my sacroiliam was out of wack and again no Mri or xrays to diagnose by. 3 actually had MRI done and informed me that I have compressed two disc and for a year and a half has tried physical therapy and has now told me I need to pay $3600 for a month of intensive physical therapy after which he says I will be able to go back to work. 4 had another MRI done and I read it before delivering it, my disc are degenerating and a bunch of other nerve stuff I didnt understand. 4 has told me that by the time Im 50 to 55 I wont have any disc left and has suggested fusion at L5, L4. I ma 42 and not happy. Get another opinion if you are not comfortable with the last. Dont take just one docs word for it.

Hey sub....Don't take that crap from any of the doctors. You know you have pain and you know generally where it is because of the MRI. It looks like it is really low in your back where mine is. Remember, doctors have a tough time diagnosing back pain and many of them don't believe your pain because they have never felt pain like that. Don't expect much empathy until you find a good back doctor.

I have degenerative disc disease and have battled back pain for seven yrs. First of all, find a doctor who believes you. I'm sorry I don't live in the NC area, so I can't help with finding one.

There are many options to help you with pain but I suggest an spinal surgeon, osteopath or a pain management specialist. There are specialists that work only on back problems and, hopefully, they can read an MRI! If your joint problem is what it sounds like, it could have nerve involvement on one or more of the facets of your disc.

There are pain meds from Tylenol and percocet all the way up to the major leagues of hydrocodones and oxycodones. They work but almost all are additive if taken over time. There are also several other procedures you can discuss with your doctor.

There are steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation as well a combination of pain relievers and numbness medicine. I am presently taking Lyrica, a nerve pain reliever, and Cymbalta, a pain reliever and mood enhancer. I found out that long-term pain leads to depression and that makes the pain worse. It hurts to hurt!

The bad part of these procedures is that they are not all pleasant. They do have to inject the medicines directly into your disc spaces to provide relief. If anyone suggests a discogram to check where your pain is, be very afraid because that is the worst procedure ever devised on the planet.

Sorry I went on so long. I just wanted you to know what you might be facing.