Hello There All.

My name is Maggie and I am brand new to the forum. I am seeking some guidance in what to do next for my back pain, so here's my story:

The bottom right side of my back must have got injured somehow (???) during or right after my pregnancy b/c I began having terrible pain there, esp. at night. It has now been two and a half years & the pain has only gotten worse. I went to lots of doctors & specialists, got an MRI, went to a chiropractor for months, went to physical therapy, got massage therapy, took suggested supplements, bought a tread mill and walked, did home exercises to strengthen my core, tried to lift correctly and stopped picking up my little girl so much, but still I am in awful pain. Also, I am not overweight, eat a healthy diet, and only wear good tennis shoes everyday for my back.

Over the years the doctors' have told me that I do not have any spinal problems and the problem is "just" muscular. My last MRI was about 1 1/2 ago. So, right now I just try to cope with the pain. I take Tramadol daily and Vicodin on occassion (I do not abuse these drugs). I also take the maximum recommended doses of tylenol and ibuprofen daily. I don't want to take any more drugs, esp. the addictive ones.

The worst part of it all is that I am getting very little sleep and it's affecting my daytime functioning. I get up several times a nite when my back seizes and spasms and do my muscle rub, back stretching, heaing pad routine until I can fall asleep again. I have recently ordered an expensive TENS unit online b/c I heard it can help. Overall, I'm desperate at this point since nothing else has worked.

I would appreciate any feebback or suggestions.

Thank you,
Maggie